Trump’s military leverage against Iran nearly gone, warns former Israel Air Force commander
Speaking to 103FM on Thursday, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben Eliyahu said the Strait of Hormuz talks remained incomplete and warned that regional demands could stretch US air defenses thin.
Former Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben Eliyahu warns that US President Donald Trump's military leverage against Iran is nearly gone, amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Ben Eliyahu spoke about these tensions on Thursday morning with Nissim Mishal and Anat Davidov on 103FM, alongside the shortage of US interceptor missiles and a dispute between Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the issue.
According to Ben Eliyahu, the sides have not yet reached a full, formal agreement. Iran is controlling entry into the strait, while the exit from the Gulf remains unclear. The United States demands no payment for the agreement, while Iran and Oman demand different commission percentages, with Iran asking for 7% and Oman for 3%.
Ben Eliyahu also addressed Iran's strategy and Trump's military leverage, stating that the Iranians operate in a way that Trump does not fully understand. He believes Trump does not comprehend this mentality, and they are not responding as expected.
Moreover, Ben Eliyahu criticized Trump for attacking Iran frequently, questioning how many times he can "cry wolf" without achieving results, and whether his military leverage will continue to hold. He noted that Iran is prepared to sacrifice and endure to the last soldier, suggesting that the use of force loses its leverage when they reach that point.
Regarding the shortage of US interceptor missiles, Ben Eliyahu admitted that he does not have definitive information on the exact percentage depleted. However, he emphasized that the US has likely depleted nearly 80% of its air-defense interceptor stockpile. He explained that while this issue might be a concern for Israel, the situation is far more dire for the broader Middle East region, as it involves defending multiple countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, and Turkey.
Ben Eliyahu concluded by stating that the shortage of interceptor missiles makes a significant difference, as a small number of Iranian missiles could require the deployment of a complete defense system in areas like Qatar. He emphasized the intolerable situation that would arise if the Middle East were left entirely exposed to missile launches without any means to stop them.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
