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Washington Signals Swift Timeline for Iran Operation

US official said that achievable objectives of Operation Epic Fury are expected to last about six weeks. The White House says it expects U.S. military objectives in Iran to be achieved within four to six weeks , emphasizing that Operation Epic Fury is progressing as planned. According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the campaign has already weakened Iran’s naval capabilities and sharply reduced missile attacks, putting the U.S. “well on its way” toward its strategic goals.  The operation, now in its second week, focuses on dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, degrading its navy, and limiting its pathway to nuclear weapons. Officials maintain that U.S. stockpiles and resources are sufficient to sustain the mission through its projected timeline.  As regional tensions escalate, Washington continues to frame the operation as both achievable and time‑bound, reinforcing its confidence in meeting objectives by early April.

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US Inflation Surges in January, Raising Concerns for Fed and Markets

 

The US consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January from the previous month, exceeding economists’ expectations of a 0.2% increase, according to data released on Tuesday. The annual inflation rate jumped to 3.1%, the highest level since March 2021, and above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The surge in inflation was driven by higher costs of energy, food, shelter, and transportation, reflecting the impact of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and rising demand amid the economic recovery from the pandemic. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also rose 0.4% in January, the largest monthly gain since July 2021.

The higher-than-expected inflation report rattled the financial markets, as investors feared that the Fed might have to tighten its monetary policy sooner than anticipated to prevent the economy from overheating. US stock futures fell after the release of the data, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.09%, the highest level since January 2020.

The Fed has maintained that the current inflation spike is transitory and largely reflects the base effects of low prices a year ago, as well as the temporary factors related to the reopening of the economy. The central bank has signaled that it will keep its benchmark interest rate near zero and continue its bond-buying program until the labor market and inflation reach its goals.

However, some analysts and policymakers have warned that the inflation pressures could persist and become more widespread, posing a threat to the economic outlook and the Fed’s credibility. They have urged the Fed to act more aggressively to rein in inflation and prevent a loss of confidence in its ability to maintain price stability.

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