In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg detailed the strategic motivations behind current U.S. military actions in Iran, stating that President Donald Trump’s primary objective is the total prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons development.
Kellogg, who served as National Security Adviser and U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine under the Trump administration, noted that the President’s intent to intervene dates back to his first term. He cited the 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a response to concerns that Iran was moving toward weapons-grade uranium.
“They were enriching uranium well above the three to five percent, which you need for hospitals or anything commercial,” Kellogg told interviewer Tom Burges Watson. “They were doing a breakout to 60% or greater. You get to about 80% of enrichment, you’re going to have potential to have weapons grade uranium.”
The retired Lieutenant General outlined a “three-point campaign plan” currently in motion. The first priority is the destruction of nuclear enrichment facilities at sites such as Natanz, Fordo, and Esfahan. The second involves the systematic elimination of Iran’s missile and drone production. The third focus is “decapitating” the theocratic leadership.
According to Kellogg, the U.S. is currently “winning” the technological conflict. He noted that Iranian forces utilized top-tier Russian and Chinese hardware, including S-400 air defense systems and ICBMs, which U.S. forces have successfully neutralized without loss. “My recommendation is don’t buy Russian, don’t buy Chinese. We have proven we are first in class,” he said.
Addressing the possibility of ground troops, Kellogg suggested a limited approach rather than a full-scale invasion. He identified Karg Island—responsible for 80-90% of Iranian oil exports—and the Strait of Hormuz as strategic locations where troops could be utilized to apply economic pressure and protect shipping lanes. However, he noted that the “sheer size” of Iran’s geography makes a broad ground deployment unlikely.
Kellogg characterized the current escalation as an effort to “reset the Middle East” by transitioning Iran from a theocratic government to a secular one, which he believes would benefit neighboring Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
When asked about the reaction of global powers, Kellogg stated he does not expect Russia or China to intervene directly. He noted that while China relies on Iran for roughly 10% of its oil imports, both nations appear to be “sitting this one out” after seeing their equipment fail to stop U.S. strikes.
“Trump thought he needed to do this now,” Kellogg said, adding that the President views the mission as a way to remove the Iranian threat for the “next generation” so the U.S. can eventually shift its focus toward China.
READ: Louisiana Sen. Kennedy Explains Why He Spoke Out Against DHS Distractions
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.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
