Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg told Newsmax on Wednesday that President Donald Trump should abandon diplomacy with Iran, demand access to its nuclear program, and consider military options including seizing Kharg Island, calling it the Tehran regime's economic lifeline.
On "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Kellogg said Trump had exhausted diplomatic options.
"The president's right. He gave diplomacy a full shot. Give him full credit for that," he said. "He's finally been a president that has done something about Iran."
Kellogg argued that "negotiations are over."
"We should probably call it a while ago, but we gave diplomacy a chance," he said.
He outlined what he described as a three-part strategy: sending international inspectors backed by American advisers to secure Iran's enriched uranium and centrifuges, ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz "by military force" if necessary, and warning Tehran to stop supporting proxy groups and threatening neighboring Gulf states.
"We're going to get your enriched uranium. We're going to get your centrifuges," Kellogg said. "We are going to open up the Strait of Hormuz and if you damage any of those ships, we're going to take your frozen assets."
He also called on Iran to stop supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
"That's over with. Lay off your neighbors," he said.
Discussing reports that Trump is considering seizing Iran's Kharg Island, the country's primary oil export terminal, Kellogg said any operation would involve limited objectives rather than an invasion.
"When you talk about boots on the ground, you're not talking about invading Iran. You're talking about taking very strategic targets," he said. "We can take it. It's 16 miles offshore."
Kellogg said capturing Kharg Island would strike at the regime's finances.
"You're taking away their economic lifeline," he said. "If you start taking away their economic lifeline, it starts to affect the people."
He also suggested the United States support a provisional Iranian government if the Iranian people seek regime change.
"If the people want to change, they'll have a provisional government they can go to," he said.
Kellogg rejected suggestions that Americans would oppose a broader effort against Iran, saying public support would follow if Trump explained the stakes clearly.
"He's changed the dynamics of the Middle East for decades to come," Kellogg said. "He's eliminating a potential future nuclear power."
"I think the American people, when he explains it to them that way, they will support him," he added.
Asked about Trump's decision to fly home from Turkey aboard the previous Air Force One rather than the replacement donated by Qatar's government, Kellogg dismissed speculation it reflected renewed security concerns regarding Iran.
"I think what he's done makes a lot of sense," he said. "One thing I've got to say about President Trump is his instincts are spot-on."
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 much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com