New Delhi, Sept. 6 -- Former US defence secretary Leon Panetta has warned that President Donald Trump's war with Iran could continue for another six months, raising fears that the conflict could turn into another prolonged US military engagement in the Middle East.

Panetta said the US and Iran were caught in a "terrible stalemate", with few options available to bring the conflict to an end.

"I think the likelihood is this war is going to continue for another six months without being resolved," Panetta told The Guardian.

Panetta, who also served as CIA director under former President Barack Obama, warned that the conflict risked becoming another "forever war in the Middle East" and could eventually resemble the US wars in Iraq and Afgha...