Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Newsmax that President Donald Trump has reached the point where Iran has no standing left with the administration.
Appearing on "National Report" on Monday, Self said, "It looks like the president has made the decision that Iran truly is not a partner in any way for peace."
Self said that in some ways, that makes Trump's remaining decisions about handling the Iranian conflict a lot easier. "So, look," he said, "there are two main priorities."
He outlined where he sees Trump putting his focus. "First of all is to get the oil through the Strait of Hormuz. We may control it, but risk, commercial risk, is going to determine whether ships decide to go through the strait," Self said.
"Remember, 20% of the world's oil goes through the Strait of Hormuz," he added.
Beyond that, Self explained, is the remaining capacity of Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. "That 900 pounds or so of 60%-enriched uranium that they still own," he said, "that's what the president looks like he's focused on, as he should be, because it is a short step from 60% to the 90% that would be weapons grade."
He offered that there are remaining questions whether Iran has the capability to do that on its own. "You need to have a centrifuge to do it, but that is concerning. And if we're going to truly say that they cannot have a nuclear weapon, we have to focus on that 60%-enriched uranium," he said.
Self also told Newsmax that the loss of American military service personnel in the Gulf region marks a sad turning point in the conflict. "Let's recognize the three service members that were lost," he said.
"This is what it means when we send young men and women into harm's way. Some of them may lose their lives. We need to remember their families in prayer," he said.
Self told Newsmax last week that Iran created the foundation for its downfall. Iran has exhausted its opportunities to pursue peace and now faces "the ultimate consequences," as the United States may need to target Iranian civilian infrastructure to force the regime back to the negotiating table, he said.
"President Trump has given them every opportunity to be a good player, and they have chosen not to," Self said. "[Trump] realizes that now. So, we are going to finish the job."
The U.S. conducted a new round of airstrikes against Iran on Monday after announcing the death of another American service member.
Iran responded by bombing American allies Kuwait and Bahrain, home of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.
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