Gen. Jack Keane (ret.) laid out the U.S. strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing during a Friday appearance on Fox News that the U.S. is returning to operations developed during Project Freedom.
"We're executing Project Freedom. Remember, that was the plan to open the Straits of Hormuz back on May the 4th. It was a plan, at that time, to be about two weeks in length. It was a very comprehensive plan, and we're executing it. We're not naming it, but that's the fact," Keane posited.
"And that plan is, one, to secure the straits, to clear the strait, and then also to protect shipping. And what you're seeing is, one, the focus to take down all the means for them to interfere with shipping, missiles, drones, fast boats, and then the things that help and enable it, command and control, sensors, radars, and the logistical infrastructure support for it. And then we're also hitting Iran's ability to retaliate against the Gulf states, U.S. Bases, or Israel, if they choose to do that as well," he continued.
Keane's comments came after the U.S. completed its sixth consecutive day of targeted strikes in Iran on Thursday. The campaign destroyed a number of bridges in Iran's southern region and took out a surveillance tower at a key Iranian port.
Keane also remarked on efforts by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen to shut down shipping in the Red Sea.
"The Houthis, certainly, can fire and initially shut it down," Keane said of the Red Sea, "but then they're going to pay an awful price," he continued.
"We came close to taking just about everything away from the Houthis once before. We didn't finish that campaign because they were willing to do what? They were willing stop interfering with the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which Bad Mandab leads to it. And they know full well what's coming if they attempt to do this. And it would likely bring the Israelis back into this in major combat operations again. So that's their choice to make, certainly, but we can deal with that if they execute them," Keane concluded.
Posted by Robert McGreevy