General Jack Keane: Make NO mistake, the regime is DEAD set on this…

We're hitting them very hard.We had a deal yesterday or the day before yesterday.It was all done.And then they broke up that deal immediately because they found out there was something in the deal they didn't like.We're not going to put up with it.We are just going forward.

We're attacking them tonight.We're taking out all of their capability for anything having to do with the Strait, with the Hormuz Strait.And I think in the end, we will end up just controlling the whole thing.And what they're doing is being very foolish.We'll have it under control very quickly.They've been negotiating for 47 years, but nobody's ever hit them militarily.

We're hitting them very hard.

And that's President Trump yesterday defending the latest strikes on Iran.Overnight, U .S.airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites and Tehran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.The commander -in -chief also restarting a naval blockade of Iranian ports, beginning today at 4 p .m.

Eastern, while also saying he will charge a 20 percent fee for ships to transit this critical waterway.

Watch this.We're controlling the straits.We're putting the blockade back.And it's a blockade not for anybody but Iran.In other words, anybody doing business with Iran can't go through.Everyone else will be able to go through.

So it's a blockade.It's a very strong blockade.The blockade was probably more effective even than hitting them.But I think the combination is the thing that really does it.

Meanwhile, Iran -backed Houthis in Yemen attacked Saudi Arabia's international airport after accusing Riyadh of allowing an attack on Yemen's airport.This marks the most serious cross -border escalation since 2022.Joining me now is Fox News strategic analyst and Institute for the Study of War's chairman, General Jack Keane.General, great to see you.Thanks so much for weighing in on this.Where do you think we stand today in terms of getting beyond this war with Iran?

president's new strategy here.

Well, we're in the battle for the Straits of Hormuz.That's what's taken place right before our eyes here.We obviously had a memorandum of understanding that President Trump and his counterpart signed, but we also were told by sources that, you know, the new supreme leader had some reluctance about signing it.And they truly see the Straits of Hormuz as a strategic asset, Maria.In that sense, they know that by—if they can control the Straits of Hormuz, they have— geopolitical influence over the region entirely.And one of their strategic goals has always been, in addition to dominating to control the region, is to control the distribution of oil out of the Gulf.

Now, of course, that has been a 47 -year objective for them to achieve, and they believe it's in their grasp now.I think that's absolutely misguided on their part, but nonetheless, that is where their head is, for sure.And that's why this is truly a battle for the straits.And it's going to take some time.What Admiral Cooper and his people are doing at the direction of the president and Secretary Hexeth is twofold.One is to eliminate Iran's capability to interfere.

with shipping in the straits.And that's so you see the focus in the coastal areas dealing with drones, missiles, radars, command and control, the logistics support for that as well, and whatever naval capability they have left, particularly fast boats, in the area.But also there's a second objective.We know that Iran has the ability to retaliate, and you've seen it.In one night, they attacked five to six countries and U .S.

bases.What are they doing that with?With drones, but largely ballistic missiles.So we have to take away their ability to escalate and also retaliate.as a result of that.So, this operation has two focuses to do that.

I'm assuming we're likely rumbling the entrances to the tunnels, where these ballistic missiles and some of the launchers are kept.We also are—I'm assuming we're attacking the mobile launchers themselves that are out being deployed, as well as ballistic missiles and transporters for them.and drone storage parks as well.So that is what is taking place on this operation.It'll probably take about a week or so.I think it's really conditions -based.

Cooper and his people, Admiral Cooper, excuse me, and his people certainly will be talking to their superiors, Secretary Hanks and the President, about what progress they're making and how much more time they need to complete this objective that the President has assigned to them.But that's clearly what is in front of us here.And the president and his team clearly intend to finish this once and for all.

How significant do you believe the blockade will be?It was very effective when the president first put the blockade in place.He seems to have optimism that this is going to clinch this and have a big impact.What are your thoughts on the blockade, which will take effect today at 4 o 'clock?

Yeah, well, it was very effective, and it'll be effective again.It's going to certainly focus on Iranian shipping, and all things that Iran is concerned about will be stopped.Estimates are, since June 17th, when the deal was signed, they picked up about $5 billion in revenue as a result of removing the sanctions that were imposed on them.All of that is also shut down.What Secretary Besant is doing here is also key.Economic pressure as well as military pressure combined certainly will have its effect on

the regime, for sure.But make no mistake, the regime is dead set on the Straits of Hormuz, and that is why they were willing to blow up, literally and figuratively, the memorandum of understanding over the Straits of Hormuz, despite the fact that we just—they just signed it a couple of weeks ago.It's challenging at times.It gets your head around the thinking.When you look at it from the long -term view of what their strategic objectives are, it makes sense what Iran is doing.We are fundamentally opposed to it.

They are not going to control the Middle East.They are not going to control the Straits of Hormuz.And we're going to reduce their military capability to continue to be an aggressor and a predator in the region.That's what this is truly about.

Meanwhile, General, what a sad situation that we lost Lindsey Graham.I know you were close with the South Carolina senator.He passed away over the weekend.You wrote this about him on X. We lost one of America's greatest patriots whose last days were spent tirelessly working in Ankara to foster a strong NATO and just left Kiev on his 10th visit, helping Ukraine, a beleaguered strong nation, fight for its freedom as well as remaining a staunch defender of Israel.General, it was a shocker for all of us.President Trump is expected to deliver a eulogy at Lindsey Graham's funeral in South Carolina this upcoming weekend.

Congressional leaders from both parties expected to attend the funeral over the weekend.My condolences to you, sir.

Yeah, well, certainly, Lindsey Graham was a friend, and he had many, many, many friends, and highly respected on both sides of the congressional aisle.He truly believed in America as an exceptional nation, that we had a vital role to play in the world, and it required strong American leadership.and that's what he was always supporting.And he believed that Congress had a role to play.And as a result of that, he was a larger -than -life figure dealing with foreign policy and national security.He was absolutely— tireless in going and meeting with foreign leaders.

He believed—yes, speeches into Congress are important.Yes, op -eds are important.But he believed in face -to -face contact.understand what the challenges these leaders are facing, how can we help them, and understand where America is coming from and educating them on who we are and what we're standing for and what we can do for them.And he relayed those messages to Democratic presidents as well as our current president and who he had an obviously personal and professional relationship with.Yeah, he made truly a difference in American national security and foreign policy and in protecting the American people.

people in our interests.It is a significant loss.And he's not replaceable, to be quite frank about it.

Absolutely.I totally agree with you, General.And, of course, very often he was a bridge between President Trump and Senate Republicans on national security, on so many issues—sanctions.So, we recognize the loss.General, good to see you this morning.Thank you, sir.

Yeah, great talking to you, Maria.Thank you.

And to you, General Jack Keane.

three billion global wealth.investment management revenue $6 .9 billion.It's the commentary though.So basically what they're saying here is that against healthy economic backdrop, resilient consumers and businesses are turning to B of A. They're spending, borrowing, investing.They're also saying, I think this is interesting, commercial borrowing has picked up for them and the near -term pipelines do remain strong.It's always about kind of what's coming and the guidance, Maria.

commentary from B of A right now is strong and the stock is moving higher almost 2 % right now.Back to you.

All right.Thanks so much.Banks certainly providing a positive tone for this market this morning.Stay with us.We'll be right back.