With more virus cases than anyone in the Middle East, Iran should have its hands full. Instead, the regime seems determined to show the world that it's got bigger priorities than the deaths of its own people. Wednesday, as a rocket shot high into the sky, carrying the country's first military satellite, it was obvious that even a global pandemic won't slow down Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
It takes a lot to distract the world right now, but Iran's ballistic program succeeded. And while no one is quite sure if Tehran's satellite is operational, they are sure that it was a blatant violation of U.N. resolutions. "I think today's launch proves what we've been saying all along here in the United States," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what it's done."
FRC's Lt. General Jerry Boykin agreed, arguing that if the test was successful, then "it's very significant." Not as significant as China or Russia's capabilities, he pointed out, but it would put Israel -- and everyone else -- in danger. "What that means is, if they match up a nuclear warhead with one of these intercontinental ballistic missiles or a missile that could go into outer space... [they are] within range of the United States or any other place in the world. [That] gives them a capability that they've never had -- and one that they have sought for a lot for a long time." Of course, he points out, Barack Obama was adamant that the tests would end once the Iran deal was reached in 2015. They didn't. Now that President Trump has pulled America out of the useless agreement, they're showing off.
Back at the White House, the president had warned U.S. foes not to test him. Even in a health crisis, his team said, America was prepared to respond. And when Iran's fighting force got a little too close for comfort in the Persian Gulf this week, that's exactly what Trump did. "We're not going to stand for it. If they do that that's putting our ships in danger and our great crews and sailors in danger. I'm not going to let that happen. "That's a threat... When they get that close to our boat, and they have guns... we'll shoot them out of the water."
If Tehran was expecting the timid response of the Obama years, they didn't get it. This president understands Iran's intentions -- and they aren't to bring peace and harmony to the region. "They've been doing this [harassing our ships in the Persian Gulf] for a long time," the general shook his head. "And every one of them... is a threat. Long ago, we should have started taking them out. Now, some will say, 'Well, they're just trying to provoke us to do that, and we ought to give them what they want.' Because right now, what America needs to do is show that even with all of the chaos that's going on in this country, we're still focused on national security. So I believe this is a good decision by our president."
