Cuba, Not Iran, Is America’s ‘Deadliest Threat’ Over Last 60 Years – Victoria Coates

Former Deputy National Security Adviser Victoria Coates described the current situation with Iran as a “skirmish” in which the United States is performing exceptionally well, while emphasizing that Cuba remains one of America’s deadliest long-term threats due to its communist regime.

Coates addressed the decision by President Donald Trump to pause Project Freedom, the U.S. effort to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. She noted the pause came amid signs of progress in negotiations with Iran over the past 24 hours, including reports from The Wall Street Journal that talks may resume next week in Islamabad toward a potential one-page deal to end the tensions.

“We’re doing unbelievably well,” Coates said, drawing parallels to successful U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran. She stated that Iran “wants to make a deal and negotiate.”

Coates expressed support for Project Freedom as a strong leverage tool that removes Iran’s primary advantage by securing shipping routes closer to Omani territorial waters, where Iran has limited ability to interfere. However, she backed the temporary pause, explaining that the operation successfully demonstrated U.S. capabilities earlier in the week. This demonstration, she said, prompted China to summon Iran’s foreign minister and deliver a strong message, as Beijing’s oil imports have been disrupted.

“Trump is sensitive to the fact that rising gas prices impact American citizens [and] rising fertilizer prices impact American farmers,” Coates said. “He doesn’t want it to go on any longer than it has to, but at the same time he wants to finish the job.” She added that if Iran makes the necessary concessions amid its economic pressure, the U.S. is prepared to listen, but “he has reloaded everything” and is ready to resume operations if needed.

Coates also highlighted China’s role, noting that Beijing has stepped up efforts against U.S. sanctions by issuing blocking rules instructing companies not to comply with restrictions on Iranian oil. She suggested the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be the real headline, with Iran serving as something of a sideshow. In that context, Trump is expected to leverage America’s position as the world’s reliable energy supplier.

“We’re the world’s gas station. We’re reliable, not like the Iranians,” Coates said. “We don’t want to hold the world’s energy market hostage.”

On Cuba, Coates sharply criticized efforts by some Democrats, referencing Rep. Pramila Jayapal in connection with attempts to preserve the Iran nuclear deal after Trump’s election. She urged officials to focus on serving constituents rather than supporting communist regimes, describing Cuba as “probably the deadliest threat to our country over the last 60 years.”

Coates indicated that President Trump, working in conjunction with Secretary Marco Rubio, is focused on resolving these national security challenges through strength and negotiation rather than accommodation.