Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane appeared on Fox News Friday to offer his expert analysis on the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, specifically addressing Iran’s recent retaliatory missile strikes following Israel’s targeted attacks.
Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran Thursday, reportedly targeting top Iranian officials, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders and nuclear scientists, as well as Iranian nuclear sites. In response, Iran unleashed a wave of retaliatory missile attacks.
READ: Iran Launches Barrage Of New Attacks On Israel Amid Escalating Conflict
During his appearance on “The Story With Martha MacCallum,” General Keane detailed Iran’s initial assault, noting that “Iran’s first wave involved about 100 ballistic missiles, and only five to seven of them breached Israel’s defenses.” He observed a shift in targeting compared to previous engagements. “Israel expected the targets to shift from October, which were Air Force bases in the desert and the Mossad headquarters to population centers. And we’re seeing the evidence of that here.”
Keane highlighted a crucial development in the subsequent waves of Iranian attacks. “The second wave, 50 missiles and no penetration as of this moment. I believe another wave will be coming as well,” he stated. He interpreted the diminished effectiveness of the second wave as a positive sign for Israel. “The fact that the second wave of Iranian retaliation was less than the first is a good sign. It shows you that they’re having difficulty getting those launchers in the position. And obviously Israel is also conducting attacks inside of Iran as we speak. So that’s what’s happening here is the retaliation attack by Iran, and you’re likely going to see more.”
READ: Tucker Carlson Blasts Trump’s Iran Stance Amid Escalating Conflict, Calls To “Drop Israel”
Keane confirmed that Israel had anticipated a retaliatory strike after their recent offensive. He explained that Israel’s strategic objectives in their attacks on Iran included neutralizing air defense systems to secure air superiority and targeting leadership to create command and control issues. “The center of gravity certainly is the nuclear enterprise itself,” Keane emphasized, underscoring the critical nature of Israel’s focus.
He referenced past encounters, noting that Israel’s defense systems were tested in October when Iran launched 200 missiles, with 40 penetrating the system. “So what they focused on here was taking as many of the launchers of these systems down during their initial four waves of attack that’s been unfolding for the last 24 hours,” Keane explained regarding Israel’s defensive strategy.
The recent retaliatory attack by Iran saw about 100 ballistic missiles launched, with only a handful successfully penetrating Israeli defenses and targeting civilian areas. The Israeli military reported dozens of missiles fired, causing explosions in multiple cities, though Israeli interceptors largely neutralized the incoming threats, leaving at least five people wounded.
READ: DHS Slams KTLA5 Over “Fake News” Report On ICE Raid, Details Emerge
The escalating situation comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Thursday that Israel would “persist” in its campaign against Iran until the “threat” posed by the nation is eliminated. Netanyahu condemned Tehran’s alleged pursuit of Israel’s destruction and claimed Iran has advanced its uranium production to develop nine atomic bombs.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating that the U.S. had prior knowledge of Israel’s operation but was not directly involved. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump said.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
