Israel and Iran's exchange of strikes has reached its fifth day, with the conflict intensifying as Israel targets Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Retired four-star General Jack Keane believes this confrontation presents a unique opportunity to permanently end Iran's nuclear ambitions.
According to Fox Business, Keane told "Mornings with Maria" host Maria Bartiromo that there is an opportunity for the Iranian regime to "be taken off the table," stating that he thinks such a move "is the right thing to do."
The Fox News senior strategic analyst praised Israel's campaign targeting Iran's nuclear enterprise, leadership, and ballistic missile capabilities. He noted that Israeli forces are "making significant progress in all three of these areas" while receiving President Donald Trump's full support in their military operations.
Trump's Unwavering Support Creates Strategic Opening
President Trump departed early from the G7 summit on Monday, calling for his team to assemble in the situation room as tensions in the Middle East escalated. The president also issued stark warnings via Truth Social, emphasizing that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons and advising immediate evacuation from Tehran.
Keane highlighted Trump's firm stance that Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. This position aligns with Israel's current military campaign, which focuses on destroying Iran's nuclear facilities and eliminating their leadership structure.
The retired general specifically commended Israel's "significant imagination and significant covert capability" in disrupting Iran's nuclear program. However, he acknowledged the serious challenge posed by deeply buried underground nuclear sites that may be difficult for Israel to neutralize without assistance.
US Assistance May Be Crucial For Success
Keane suggested that despite Israel's impressive military capabilities, they likely need American assistance to reach certain hardened underground nuclear facilities. These deeply buried sites present technical challenges that might require specialized American weapons systems.
"I think what is in the offing here is Israel knows full well, even though they have significant imagination and significant covert capability, they know that there's a couple of deeply buried sites that are very challenging for them to get to with air power," Keane explained. He added that Israel would likely welcome US assistance in achieving their objectives.
The general stressed that if these nuclear sites remain intact after the current conflict, Iran's supreme leader "will be able to achieve what he's always wanted" – maintaining nuclear development capabilities. Keane warned that Iran's leadership has always anticipated possible airstrikes but believed they could rebuild their program afterward.
Regional Stability Hangs In The Balance
Keane outlined the potential strategic benefits of successfully eliminating Iran's nuclear program. Such an outcome would prevent a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and significantly diminish Iran's influence as a regional power broker.
The retired general suggested that the United States could play a decisive role through "a limited but focused air campaign" using specialized bombs capable of penetrating deeply buried facilities. This assistance could potentially end Iran's nuclear ambitions permanently.
Operation Rising Lion, Israel's military campaign against Iran, has demonstrated Israel's sophisticated capabilities in targeting Iranian infrastructure and leadership. However, Keane's analysis suggests that certain aspects of Iran's nuclear program remain beyond Israel's reach without American assistance.
Critical Moment For Middle East Security
The current conflict represents a pivotal moment for regional security, with Israel working to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure while facing retaliatory strikes. President Trump's strong support for Israel has created what Keane sees as a strategic opportunity.
Trump's early departure from the G7 summit underscores the gravity of the situation, with the president assembling his national security team to address the escalating conflict. His public statements have emphasized the red line of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Keane's assessment points to a closing window of opportunity where coordinated action between Israel and the United States could permanently eliminate Iran's nuclear program. Without such action, he warns that Iran will likely rebuild its capabilities after the current conflict subsides, continuing to pursue nuclear weapons development.
