Iranians have had PLENTY OF TIME to make up their minds Gen Keane Highlights

President Trump has told the Iranians time is running out.According to Axios, Trump has convened a meeting in the Situation Room for tomorrow.Senator Lindsey Graham says time to finish the job.

I think we had a wall on deal -making.I would encourage the president to look at reducing Iran's military capability even further.They've been dramatically weakened, but there are still targets that could weaken them more militarily.I'm calling to hurt this regime.If you do the same old thing, you're going to get the same result.Hurt them more, maybe they'll make a deal if you hurt them enough.

But right now, I think they're trying to wait us out.I think they're playing games.And in the words of the president, I think they're crazy.I think he's right.

Well, retired four -star General Jack Keane joins me now.General, a meeting in the Situation Room tomorrow.It's been called for by the President.Would you urge Trump to take military action now and look at it in the Situation Room?

No, absolutely.I think the President is exhibiting enormous patience here.almost six weeks now.We've been under the ceasefire and we went to it obviously with the intent that we can make a deal with the Iranians.But I think what their objective has been more is to get the ceasefire to stop the war on the promise of a deal.And then two, to drag it out as much as possible to put as much political economic pressure on the president.

I think they're still about doing that now as they're trying to negotiate to the Pakistanis with us that they're still interested in a deal.I don't believe it.I don't think they ever have been.I think it's mostly just about dragging this out so that the president at some point, because of that political economic pressure, just ends the campaign.and says we, then declares victory as opposed to going back and finishing it.So where are we?

I think we're going to go back and finish it.I think that's where we are because the president recognizes where the Iranians are.They're not going to make a substantive deal.And listen, it's during this almost six weeks, our intelligence on targeting has obviously improved.Not only that, we're flush with munitions to be able to accomplish the mission.So we had about two weeks left in the campaign, Stuart, when we stopped.

You know, close to 30 percent of the targets still remain.We've got to finish that.That's reducing the weapons that that they have obviously to include dismantling nuclear weapons kinetically.And also it means dealing with the realities of their support for their proxies and making certain that that's not going to be there.And we're going to work heavily on the organizations that sustain the regime, the IRGC, the Law Enforcement Command, the Bajie militia.We have better targeting on that over the next six weeks.

I think the last thing we're going to see is a grouping of targets that really take as much of the revenue sources to it away from the Iranians that they have.Obviously, we're blocking car gallon and no exports, but there's other things that are moving out by road, et cetera.We're going to take those industrial capabilities down to make certain.I think when we end the campaign and we open up the Straits of Hormuz, we have put the regime in a position militarily and economically to collapse.And hopefully we're using the CIA and a Mossad here also to undermine the regime and also to assist the Iranians in their resistance to that regime.I think that's where we are.

And kind of comprehensively that's about what we intend to do.

But is action imminent.I mean, the president clearly running out of temper, running out of patience.He's convened the meeting in the Situation Room.Can't we assume that action is imminent?

Well, I I think I have no idea when it would be know what I ask But certainly I think it's an it's nearer Rather than later.That's for sure.I'll leave it at that.Obviously.I think that meeting is pretty pivotal.

You put your finger on it Okay, next one China reportedly told President Trump that they will not be providing any material support to Iran Listen to what u .s.

Trade representative Jamison Greer said about that When the president went in, he did not go in asking them to take action in the Straits of Hormuz.He was very focused on making sure that they didn't provide material support to Iran.That's a commitment he obtained and confirmed.The Chinese have a clear interest.in having those straits open.Again, I was in these meetings, and that's what the Chinese said.

They want to make sure no one is there imposing a toll.The president isn't seeking to have joint military operations with the Chinese, but obviously we want to make sure that they're not getting in the way of anything we're doing to try to clarify that situation.

Well, General, do you believe that China will abandon Iran?

Absolutely not.Iran, what China wants out of this is some kind of negotiated settlement And the reason they're interested in that is the regime survives, and a negotiated settlement would finance their recovery.There's going to have to be some release of frozen assets, some release of sanctions, which will give them the money and the wherewithal to continue on.That's what China wants.They represent to China their major foothold in the Middle East.And they certainly do not want to give that up.

Now, they have provided intelligence to the Iranians.If they're not going to do that anymore, I think that remains to be seen.They have provided solid fuel for the missile program that has really enhanced the Iranians'capabilities here, and other components as well.And hopefully they will abide by the deal that they made with the administration.We know, and you have pointed out on this show, that the first deal we made in the initial administration China reneged on a lot of the substance of that deal, only providing half of the trade imbalance in terms of purchasing of US goods, et cetera.

Maybe this time they're going to fulfill their commitments.They haven't fulfilled them in the past.It remains to be seen, I think.And a little healthy dose of skepticism here is probably appropriate.

A healthy dose of skepticism, yes, sir.I'll remind you of that.Thanks very much for joining us, General Jack Keane.Always a pleasure.And thanks very much, sir.Appreciate it.

Other countries have come to me and they've said we were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow I put it off for a little while hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while because we've had very big discussions with Iran and We'll see what they amount to I was asked by Saudi Arabia Qatar UAE and some others if we could put it off for two or three days a short period of time because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal.And if we can do that, where there's no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran, I think, and if they're satisfied, we will be probably satisfied also.We've informed Israel.We've informed other people in the Middle East that have been involved with us.And, you know, it's a very positive development, but we'll see whether or not it amounts to anything.

That's President Trump at the White House yesterday, pausing military action on Iran.That military action was planned for today, but he's pausing it at the request of Middle East leaders, he said.A new round of serious negotiations happening right now, according to the president.He said a deal will be made.and it will include no access to a nuclear weapon for Tehran.But if a deal is not reached, the president says a full -scale assault on Iran will resume.

Joining me now is Fox News senior, Fox News senior strategic analyst and chairman for the Institute of the Study of War, General Jack Keane, back with us.General, always a pleasure.Thank you so much for being here.What's your take on this plan?I mean, the president is set to hold a top -level national security meeting today in the Situation Room, but we—but he told us that military action was planned, but he's going to take a pause on it.Your thoughts?

Yeah, well, we've been at this since April the 8th, when we went into a cease -fire mode with the hope for some kind of a negotiated settlement.So, you know, we're about six weeks into this, which exceeds now the amount of time that we were at war when we went to the cease -fire, and, likely, If that war had continued, it would have been over now by a number of weeks.So, here we are, looking for a deal.And what the Iranians, I think, are up to, and what they have been up to since the ceasefire, is to put some things on the table that look appealing, but yet not willing to really make a deal that makes any sense and is acceptable to the president.And their objective is really to drag this out, because they know—they believe, in their mind, time is on their side.There's more political pressure on the president with the midterms coming, and also more economic pressure.

And therefore, they think that, at the end of the day, he'll just walk away and not do anything more.That is kind of what they're seeking here, in my view.

Yeah.

It remains to be seen if this deal has got any meat on it.All the other ones did not.And I think the president—look it, he's our backstop here.He's not going to take a lousy deal.He has said that before time and time again.As to our allies, the three allies that came forward, Qatar, the UAE—

also Saudi Arabia, I really think we have some leverage here.I understand Iran is likely going to go after their oil and gas infrastructure.They also have significant defense capabilities, as do we in the area, to help assist with that.But the reality is, we can tell the Iranians, if you go after oil and gas infrastructure, gas infrastructure or allies in the region, we will begin to systematically destroy your oil and energy capabilities completely.And we'll begin with Carg Island.

Yeah.

And we'll start to dismantle it piece by piece to get their attention.We have significant leverage here.Yeah.And I don't think we need to stand down because of a potential threat to oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

I'll tell you, a lot of people are surprised that the Iranians just keep getting up.I mean, you know, General, look, the president tells us all the time the U .S.destroyed the Navy, they destroyed their Air Force, you've got Iranian ships on the bottom of the water.And yet they refuse, still push back in terms of this, you know, this red line that the president has put in place that they cannot have access to a nuclear weapon.Are you surprised of this?

I don't know.Should I call it resiliency of the Iranians?Is it?Or is it just smoke and mirrors?

No, no.What they're focused on, completely focused on, is regime survival.They don't care about their people.They don't care.They're willing to accept a significant amount of degradation.And when we look at them through the prism of U .

S.values, American democracy, and what's reasonable, you don't get the right answer.You've got to put yourself in their shoes.

Regime survival.

Wow.And they'll take a deal because they would welcome a deal at some point.more closely to their terms because they know full well we're going to finance their recovery.They're going to have to get some assets unfrozen and some sanction relief.So they're holding out, and they're willing to put their people through immense suffering to achieve their end.Regime survival.

Regime survival?But who's the regime, General?Who are we talking to?I mean, I know you've pinpointed specifics in terms of who's running this.Can you can you say that that person or that group has been in charge from day one and who is the regime?

No, no, we know who the regime is.We know their names and we're dealing with them and we've been dealing with these people for weeks now.Amin Vahidi is the head of the IRGC.He's very close to the Ayatollah.He's the military.The Ayatollah is participating.

And the political leaders are Gaboleth and others.We know exactly who is in charge here.And they are absolute hardliners, similar to the people we were dealing with before conflict broke out.Unbelievable.No doubt who these people are.

Well, this president is juggling so much.You've also got New American Intelligence reporting that Cuba acquired over 300 drones and recently began discussing plans to attack the U .S.military base at Guantanamo Bay.It follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Cuba.He bluntly warned the Cuban officials engaging in any hostilities with America will not go well.

General, your reaction to that?

Well, I mean, on the first surface of it, it's quite absurd.I mean, yes, they may have several hundred drones, but that is not a military capability that would seriously threaten the United States.If they took any offensive military action against the United States, it would result in the destruction of that regime.I mean, they certainly know that.This is bluster on their part.Now, if we initiated military action, they certainly have a right to defend themselves.

But there's—I'm not sure.of any plans for the United States to conduct military action against this regime.This regime is on the verge, as you know, and you've been pointing it out here for weeks, economic collapse.Absolutely.That's the path that they're on here.And certainly what we're trying to do is bend them to our will.

to provide even more assistance economically to them if they're willing to change the repression of their own people and their form of government and move to a much better of coming up with all these comments about Taiwan, that if the issue is mishandled, there will be a dangerous place and a conflict with the United States.Your thoughts on the meeting overall in China?

Well, I think the objective of the United States was to stabilize the relationship.I think that's been achieved.To correct some of the trade imbalance that exists.And I understand there's been some deals, not the specifics of them released yet, but we'll know in time whether one, they've been made, and two, whether China will fulfill those promises.You know, China in the past has made promises, but promises weren't kept.I think China is a The principal objective here was to weaken the United States' support for Taiwan.

And that is why the strong statements that were being made by President Xi during the meeting and after the meeting as well.But to stabilize the relationship, I think the mission has been accomplished.Well, that's a good point.That's true.Keep talking to each other.

All right, General.Great to always speak with you.We so appreciate your time, sir.

Yeah.Great talking to you, Maria.

General Jack Keane.We'll be right back.

appreciate it.For more on this, let's bring in General Jack Keane, Fox News Senior Strategic Analyst.General, great to see you.Thank you for being here.Two questions.I'll ask quickly and let you get into it.

But first, after more than a month, it's so clear that the Iranians are just using their familiar stall tactics.What are we waiting for?That's the first one.Second, have we at least been able to gather more intel on on where and what we hit and when we hit it from the past month.

Yeah, well, David, we're six weeks in, you know, to the ceasefire, which was supposed to only last for two weeks, and that was the deadline, and the Straits of Hormuz was supposed to be open, and obviously that hasn't taken place.And I think we've looked at one deal after another, and any deal that's acceptable to the president has been very elusive here.I think we have given The Iranians, plenty of time.to make up their mind that they're really serious or not about making a deal, and they're not serious about it.What they are serious about is stringing this thing out, as you mentioned.That's a very accurate description of what is taking place and what is their strategy.

They believe that the longer this takes in terms of negotiations and promising in the future something better in terms of a deal and then it doesn't really materialize, that is in their interest because they believe the political and economic pressure on the president increases, particularly as you get closer to the midterms and oil prices begin to fluctuate some more.That's their strategy.Believe me, I don't think their strategy isanything to do with making a deal.And I think what they really have in mind is that they don't want the president for sure to return to combat operations.They would just like him to wash his hands of it and declare victory.

And certainly that leaves them in charge.And even if we made a deal, let's assume They met all of our obligations in terms of a deal.We're going to have to finance their recovery, because they're going to want frozen assets removed to a certain degree to begin with, and then maybe later on, based on behavior, and the same thing with sanctions.And what does that do?That means that we're going to deal with this regime for years to come.That was not the intent when we started this.

We said we were going to weaken this regime so it would no longer be a predator in the region, certainly have.a significant amount of ballistic missiles, which are a major threat in itself, a nuclear program, and support for the proxies.And we wanted to weaken the regime so it would be vulnerable to the resistance of its peoples, so damage it militarily and economically that it would be difficult for them to carry on.We were not physically changing the regime, but we were putting it on a pathway to collapse.If we cut a deal and give them the money to recover, That obviously sustains this regime.I think it's a gut punch for the Iranian people.

And really, it walks away from what our initial intent was here.We can accomplish all of what we started out to do.After all, the military operation would have been completed by now, as we all know.We had two more weeks to go, David.And here's where we are.One of the things I think that is concerning the administration, although not stated too openly, But it has been reported.

Is the concern that what Iran will do to retaliate against combat operations will light up the oil and gas infrastructure?Admiral Bradley and his team would be more than happy to put together a defensive plan that would assist them, just like we have one for Israel, who asked us for help.So these things are doable.And the reality is, let's give some credit, if we go back to combat operations.To your point, David, we've had six weeks of gathering intelligence here on people, targets and things.And what we are about to do is devastating, more significant than what we did in the previous weeks, because of that reality.

And give some credit to our military ability to retaliate quite effectively against Iran's ability to conduct these attacks that people are so worried about.

Yeah.

We want to trick that capability rather significantly.

Well, General, you and I both know that that President Trump can be called a lot of things.He can't be called naive.He's not naive about the Iranians.He knows their stall tactics.He's he's called them out with the previous administration.And even recently, he's called them out.

Don't you think that it is inevitable that we go in for round two?

To me, it absolutely is.And we all know that President Trump is what I refer to as the backstop.He's not going to take a bad deal.He's not going to accept something that doesn't meet his objectives.My point is, I don't think there's any chance these guys are going to put something on the table.It's been six weeks.

Yeah.

That's going to accept it.And let's get on with what we need to do and finish this once and for all.with the reality that there are political issues out there, I'm not dismissive of them, that there are economic issues.Let's get it over with, you know, so we can get the oil prices back down and take some of the pressure off politically.

Well, I'm just wondering, these threats that Iran has come out with in the past 24 hours, saying that they're going to go beyond the region to strike back at our interests, I guess Assuming that they are talking about terrorism, that's what they have up their sleeve.Is there anything to these threats, or are they just empty threats?

Well, they're full of bluster, and they have been, you know, prior to the initiation of conflict, during the initiation of conflict, and now while we're in a ceasefire state.This is who they are.They exaggerate their capabilities.They threaten and conjole, and they think we're going to take a knee as a result of it.I mean, we see right through this.This has been the history of the regime.

Iran has limited capability right now as we speak.And that's the reality of it.And certainly, we're on our guard here in the United States, and so are other countries who are involved as well.And our FBI and our counterintelligence networks I mean, we have our antenna up.They want to protect the American people.And certainly the same thing goes for wherever our bases are, particularly those in the region or very close to the region.

I'm talking about embassies as well as bases.So, yes, our antenna is up and we're capable of protecting our people.

I'm just interested in switching gears for a moment, because the president was talking about Cuba today.The indictment came out, the DOJ announced the indictment against Raul Castro, who's 94 years old, for murder charges, I mean, for which he could be executed, by the way.Is it conceivable?I mean, if in fact we get a non -communist governmentin cuba if what happened in venezuela can be transplanted into cuba because they are desperate no oil uh... no energy a lot of their their water sources are bad et cetera they are a desperate people right now if we get a change in leadership there what kind of relief would that be for the u .s.s.

military and u .s.

intel because they've been a thorn in our side taking a lot of our energy for the past sixty seven years Well, I think certainly that's the plan here.I don't see us doing anything militarily to Cuba, but I do.We've put them on the path to economic collapse by shutting off all of their revenue source, which is primarily the oil that they're getting into their country.That's a major thing that Venezuela was giving them.So we expect to see fractures and fissures inside that government and certainly maybe even an appeal.you know, to us from that, from certain factions in it, you know, who would be willing to step up and take over, similar to what we were able to achieve with Alistair Maduro, and then other people stepped up, and we're working quite successfully with them, with the thought that eventually we will transition to what the people want, and so that's a government elected by them.

But I think it would be a great relief for the U .S.military, wouldn't it, in terms of not having to concentrate so much attention on that one island.

Well, we don't have all that much military attention on there.I mean, obviously, we have a base there in Guantanamo Bay.But, you know, Cuba is not a military threat to us.So we're not focused on it from a military perspective.A whole of government we are, to be sure.And what we're doing in the Western Hemisphere, dealing with Venezuela,

cutting off their oil distribution to Cuba.But listen, what a sea change that would be to see that happen.And what a thing it would be to the Cuban -Americans in our country to be able to go back to a free and independent country in their lifetime.It would be a wonderful thing to see.And I'd love to see President Trump in Havana, too.

That would be something.By the way, it would also probably mean the end of Danny Ortega, who's been a thorn in our side since 1979, and he's still the president of that country, although not willingly by the Nicaraguan people.General, I wish we had more time.Thank you so much.Really good talking to you.

Yeah, great talking to you, David.As always, appreciate it.