Retired Army Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer said Saturday that recent U.S. military strikes against Iran are designed to further weaken the country's leadership by isolating it economically and disrupting its ability to maintain control, arguing Tehran has never seriously complied with international requirements related to its conduct.
Appearing on Newsmax TV's "Saturday Report," Shaffer dismissed the notion that Iran had adhered to previous agreements or restrictions, saying the country's actions amounted to a facade that allowed it to continue pursuing its objectives.
"They really never adhered to any of the requirements," Shaffer said.
"It was all just a facade that they allowed to kind of exist for purposes of them trying to continue to do what they do."
Shaffer made the comments when asked whether the United States and Iran were on the verge of an all-out war following the latest round of military action.
According to Shaffer, the strikes carried out within the past 24 hours were intended to further erode the Iranian government's ability to govern by targeting infrastructure critical to the country's economy.
He pointed to a strike on Bandar Abbas, describing it as a major shipping hub that plays a key role in moving goods into and out of Iran.
"The strike on Bandar Abbas has effectively separated the Iranian country from its ability to bring in" goods, Shaffer said, calling the port a major gateway for commerce.
Shaffer also referenced a strike on what he described as another port facility, saying the attacks were intended to demonstrate that the United States is seeking to isolate Iran from the global economy.
"We are now completely isolating them economically from the rest of the world," he said.
Shaffer argued the campaign is designed not only to damage Iran's infrastructure but also to deprive its leadership of financial resources needed to maintain its grip on power.
He said President Donald Trump had given Iran an opportunity to change course but contended that Tehran failed to do so.
"I don't think there was any doubt that the Iranians were ever going to follow anything," Shaffer said.
"President Trump gave them the shot, and now we're going to continue to devastate and isolate their leadership from any ability to make money or maintain their control over the country."
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