![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/newsmax_809\/516bba38e8104e9125aeb3c824d9b2d1.jpg\"\/)
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Robert Wilkie at the White House June 17, 2020 in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Alex Wong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former Undersecretary of Defense Robert Wilkie and retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward said Saturday\u00a0the United States should maintain military and economic pressure on Iran.<\/p>\n
Wilkie argued\u00a0that Washington must “see this thing through” with\u00a0Harward saying the strategy is designed to impose a “very significant economic and structural penalty” on Tehran.<\/p>\n
Appearing on Newsmax’s “Saturday Agenda,”<\/a> Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said Iranian missiles and drones remain a primary target because they are Tehran’s “best ability to project power” and threaten shipping and oil flows through the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n “We will continue to not only strike any of those missiles and missile launchers whenever we can, but if Iran continues to use that until we can destroy them, we will make them pay a very significant economic and structural penalty for that,” Harward said.<\/p>\n The strategy, he said, now includes “economic pressure” and targeting infrastructure that “will degrade them for years to come.”<\/p>\n “I think it’s a sound strategy to drive the demise of the regime, ultimately,” Harward said.<\/p>\n “If we can’t destroy all the missiles and drones every time they use one, we’re going to make it very painful and costly for them, not only for the short term, but for the long term.”<\/p>\n Asked about a Wall Street Journal report that President Donald Trump was considering declaring victory and winding down the conflict, Wilkie argued against ending the campaign before the Iranian government collapses.<\/p>\n “We either destroy this regime or it will be considered a mistake, and in some quarters, a defeat,” Wilkie said.<\/p>\n Wilkie said the United States has moved from “an operation that was designed to destroy their ability to make nuclear weapons” to one “fully engaged in the collapse of the regime,” pointing to what he described as a devastated economy, “a worthless currency” and “a disaffected population.”<\/p>\n Harward said Washington is now employing military, economic and political pressure “to undermine this regime and drive it to a long-term, sustainable government in Iran that does not pose a threat to us, our allies, or anyone in the region.”<\/p>\n “You could call that war,” Harward said, “but it’s a very limited war in how we’re using offensive military capability appropriate to our long-term objectives.”<\/p>\n Wilkie was more categorical, saying the blockade itself means the United States is at war.<\/p>\n “A blockade is a war,” he said, citing President John F. Kennedy’s decision to describe the U.S. action against Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis as a “quarantine.”<\/p>\n “They’re still shooting, and we’ve lost Americans in this fight,” Wilkie said.<\/p>\n “We can’t just blow it off as saying, ‘Well, it’s not really a war.'”<\/p>\n Wilkie also called for continued military action against supply routes he said Russia and China use to support Tehran.<\/p>\n “There is still a lot of work to be done on the military side,” he said. “Let’s see this thing through. And hopefully this regime will return to the ash heap of history where it belongs.”<\/p>\n GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:<\/p>\n NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!<\/p>\n Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.<\/p>\n You need to watch NEWSMAX today.<\/p>\n Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty \u2013 and many more!<\/p>\n Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system \u2013 Go Here Now<\/a><\/p>\n BEST OFFER:<\/p>\n Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.<\/p>\n Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.<\/p>\n Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!<\/p>\n Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.<\/p>\n Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!<\/p>\n