Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States should take decisive steps to permanently weaken Iran’s military capabilities, arguing that the country has posed a threat to the US and its allies for decades.
Speaking in a recent television interview, Rice supported the ongoing military campaign led by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets. She said the goal of the operation should be to ensure Iran can no longer carry out military actions against the US or its regional partners. (Fox News)
Rice said that if Iran can be rendered “incapable of military action,” it would significantly improve security for the United States and its allies in the Middle East. She added that Iran has long been involved in conflicts with the US indirectly through regional proxy groups. (Fox News)
Support for US-Israel Military Operation
Rice’s comments come during a period of escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. In recent weeks, American and Israeli forces launched a large-scale military operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.
The campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, reportedly involved tens of thousands of US troops, fighter jets, and naval forces. According to military officials, the strikes targeted key Iranian facilities and leadership structures. (Fox News)
Reports from the conflict also suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the attacks, although the situation in the country remains unstable and rapidly evolving. (The Times)
Long-Standing Tensions Between Iran and the US
Rice said the conflict should be viewed within the context of decades of hostility between Iran and the United States. She pointed to Iran’s support for militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which Washington and its allies consider terrorist organizations. (Fox News)
According to Rice, Iran has used these groups to extend its military influence beyond its borders and challenge US interests across the Middle East.
She also argued that many American casualties during earlier conflicts in Iraq were linked to Iranian-supplied weapons used by militant groups.
Debate Over the Future of the Conflict
The expanding military campaign has raised concerns around the world about the possibility of a broader regional war. Iran has already responded with missile strikes against US bases and Israeli targets, increasing tensions across the Middle East. (The Times)
While supporters of the operation say it is necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear and military ambitions, critics warn that a prolonged conflict could destabilize the region and draw more countries into the fighting.
For now, US officials say the main objective is to weaken Iran’s military infrastructure and prevent it from threatening the United States and its allies in the future.