Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Warns on Iran Kinetic Strikes as President Donald Trump Delays Military Action

WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump delays potential military action against Tehran, Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg is raising a major concern regarding the strategy, warning that an over-reliance on Iran kinetic strikes could overshadow the critical objective of securing a comprehensive denuclearization agreement.

The decision to hold off on a massive military offensive, described as the “big bang,” follows requests from Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, to pause the strikes. The administration currently anticipates a potential opening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside the establishment of parameters for a new denuclearization deal.

Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute and former U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, praised the executive push for a diplomatic solution but expressed deep frustration with Tehran’s historic stalling. He compared negotiating with Iranian leaders to the classic “Peanuts” comic strip scenario where Lucy repeatedly pulls the football away just as Linus attempts to kick it, warning that the American public is growing exhausted by the endless cycle of broken promises.

While acknowledging the utility of military force, Kellogg stressed that kinetic strikes must be heavily contextualized alongside broader economic and diplomatic efforts. Drawing on his extensive military background, he noted that overwhelming aerial bombardments did not yield immediate resolutions during the Vietnam War—where more steel was put on target than in World War II—nor during the initial 30-day air campaign of the Gulf War. He argued that airpower alone does not guarantee swift closure, a reality the current administration recognizes.

To achieve a lasting resolution, Kellogg argues that sustained pressure must ultimately lead to a change in Iran’s theocratic government by actively supporting internal resistance. Furthermore, he advocates for a long-term, NATO-like security alliance with Gulf States to stabilize the region and prevent future crises from continually drawing the U.S. back into the Middle East.

The current strategy relies heavily on maximum economic pressure rather than immediate military intervention. A strict naval blockade has successfully halted Iranian oil sales, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “Operation Economic Fury” ensures crippling sanctions remain firmly in place. However, Kellogg notes that economic sanctions and diverted shipping routes take time to fully impact the target’s economy, testing the patience of the American public.

A significant point of frustration for Kellogg is the shifting focus from the original primary goal: eliminating Iran’s enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust.” He warned against allowing the Strait of Hormuz disputes to overshadow the existential threat of a nuclear-armed Middle East. Citing the historical failure to denuclearize North Korea—which eventually became the world’s tenth nuclear power—Kellogg insisted that the U.S. cannot afford to allow a tenth nuclear state to emerge.

Currently, diplomatic efforts appear to be largely confined to back-channel negotiations between Oman and Iran, with the U.S. operating on the periphery. Kellogg described Tehran’s diplomatic strategy as “marketplace negotiations,” likening it to haggling for a rug in the Middle East where no fixed price exists and endless delays are used as a primary tactic.

Despite acknowledging that the current administration has severely decimated Iran’s military and economic capabilities, Kellogg insists the U.S. must declare an end to endless negotiations. He urges the administration to maintain strict focus on total denuclearization, trust its strategic instincts, and finish the job for future generations.