politics
Retired Commanders Split on Iran Ceasefire Viability as Trump Reviews Military Options
President Donald Trump told reporters the ceasefire with Iran is on 'massive life support' with roughly a 1% chance of survival and dismissed Tehran's latest response to a proposed agreement as 'a piece of garbage.' Retired U.S. commanders offered sharply differing assessments of whether further military pressure or diplomacy can compel Iran to meet U.S. demands.
May 13, 6:00 AM·2m read1 source
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" He told reporters on Monday that the ceasefire is on "massive life support" and compared its chances to a doctor saying a loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living. " The White House is reviewing military options should negotiations with Iran collapse. Iran has halted oil traffic despite the Trump ceasefire.
Retired Lt. Gen. R. McMaster said he believes Iran’s leadership and the IRGC are unwilling to make the kind of concessions that President Trump thinks are at the minimum.
R. McMaster told Fox News Digital that President Trump always wants a deal but is not going to sign up for a bad deal. " Retired Vice Adm. Mark Fox said he believes the current ceasefire and diplomatic track are unlikely to force Iran to back down.
"I really cannot envision anything other than a full return to combat operations," Fox told Fox News Digital. " Retired Vice Adm. U.S. military remains capable of reopening and securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
He outlined a strategy for securing the Strait of Hormuz involving guided missile destroyers, attack helicopters, drones and expanded aerial surveillance. U.S. Navy is smaller than it was during the 1980s tanker wars.
"This is a militarily obtainable objective," he said of securing the waterway, while acknowledging the smaller fleet size. "It’s not easy," Fox said. " Retired Vice Adm. Mark Fox signed onto a recent policy paper by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
