President Donald Trump said the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is over because he's "fed up" with the irrational leaders in Tehran, former Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told Newsmax on Wednesday.
Appearing on "Wake Up America" with co-hosts Marc Lotter and Sharla McBride, the former U.S. ambassador to NATO said Trump has run out of patience after Iran launched attacks against ships in the Persian Gulf despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
"I think he is fed up," Hutchison said. "I think they will keep talking. But I think the president's patience — and I have to say he has been patient — he has taken the hits. But Iran can't be dealt with when you can't even trust them in their own neighborhood."
She pointed to Iran's attacks on commercial shipping as evidence that the regime cannot be trusted.
"They aren't rational," Hutchison said. "And I think it is just imperative that Iran not get a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz be open. It's international waters, and so much of the world depends on the ability to get the oil and gas out of the straits."
Trump declared earlier Wednesday that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was effectively finished, saying Tehran's leaders had repeatedly acted in bad faith and describing them as "irrational."
His comments came after the United States carried out fresh military strikes following Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf, according to administration officials.
Hutchison also defended Trump's criticism of NATO members that declined to fully support U.S. operations against Iran, singling out Spain after Trump threatened to cut off trade with the country.
"The Europeans writ large have denounced that view," she said of Spain's resistance to boosting defense spending. "They are increasing their defense expenditures, as America has asked them to do."
She added that Spain's refusal to allow U.S. overflights and greater use of Naval Station Rota during operations targeting Iran's nuclear program was particularly frustrating.
Hutchison also addressed Trump's renewed focus on Greenland, saying the president has legitimate national security concerns about growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
"There is a legitimate issue with security and Greenland," she said, while praising Denmark as a reliable ally that has blocked China and Russia from establishing strategic footholds on the island.
Looking ahead to Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit, Hutchison said she believes the administration should continue backing Ukraine while increasing pressure on Moscow.
"I think we should be doing more for Ukraine," she said. "I think we should be clamping down on Russia in every way that we can," including providing additional Patriot missile systems to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com