Recently, a group of 74 retired U.S. generals and admirals expressed strong support for the actions targeting Iran, asserting it as a necessary response to decades of threats from the Islamic Republic against the United States, its allies, and regional stability.
This endorsement materialized in an open letter released on Tuesday by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), which was signed by dozens of former senior U.S. military commanders.
The letter backs the current military operations, referred to as , which are intended to diminish Iran’s capacity to threaten U.S. forces and their partners throughout the Middle East.
The letter states, “As [signatories], we support the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation to reduce and weaken the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and the Iranian people. And we praise the bravery of the exceptional U.S. Military and our Intelligence Community involved in this operation.”
Prominent signatories include former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., who served during the height of the Iraq War; former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jerome Johnson; former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. W.L. Nyland, who held the position during the early Iraq War; former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command Gen. Philip M. Breedlove; and former U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Timothy J. Keating.
The retired commanders contend that Iran’s leadership has spent decades menacing American interests and backing militant groups across the region.
The letter states, “Since its establishment 47 years ago, the radical regime, whose slogan is ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ has been dedicated to endangering the lives of U.S. troops, diplomats, and civilians across the Middle East and within the United States itself. It also notes that ‘hundreds of Americans have lost their lives at the hands of the Islamic Republic and its terrorist proxies.'”
According to the signatories, the current military campaign is a direct reaction to Iran’s ongoing efforts to expand its military capabilities.
The letter states, “U.S.-Israeli military action is a response to Iran’s unwavering efforts to turn those ambitions into reality. Following last summer’s 12-Day War, Tehran has intensified its missile construction program to put our bases, our partners, and ultimately our homeland at risk.”
The letter warns that Iran’s regional proxy network remains a key concern. “Its proxy forces in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and other places continue to threaten U.S. targets, Israel, and navigation freedom in some of the world’s most crucial waterways.”
The letter additionally argues that Iran has continued to pursue nuclear capabilities despite previous military setbacks.
The letter states, “Since the strikes against its main enrichment sites last June, Iran has tried to rebuild parts of its damaged nuclear infrastructure.”
The signatories also cite Iran’s domestic repression as evidence of the regime’s true character.
They wrote, “The regime’s brutal suppression of protesters has shown the entire world exactly what it is willing to do to keep its people and the region under its control.”
The letter emphasizes that coordination among the United States, Israel, and regional partners will be crucial for the campaign’s success.
The letter states, “For all these reasons, it is notable that the United States is and other regional partners. Such cooperation is essential to reduce and eliminate the regime’s armaments, undermine its oppressive institutions, and clearly signal that it cannot continue threatening not only core U.S. interests but also the broader security and prosperity of the Middle East and its own population.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth characterized the joint campaign as a decisive military operation aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and air defense networks.
Speaking on Wednesday, Hegseth stated that the Israeli and U.S. air forces were rapidly establishing air superiority over Iran.
Hegseth said, “Starting last night and to be completed in a few days… the two most powerful air forces in the world will have full control of Iranian skies. Uncontested airspace.”
However, critics have cautioned that the operation could have the opposite effect, increasing the risk of a broader regional war.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint after the strikes, warning that further escalation could destabilize the region. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the confrontation could escalate into a broader conflict and called for renewed diplomatic efforts.
Several Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the strikes.
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., stated that he believed the operation amounted to ‘a war of choice with no strategic conclusion.’
Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., said after attending a classified briefing that he had not seen evidence of an immediate Iranian threat.
Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at JINSA, said the letter reflects the perspective of commanders who personally witnessed the Iranian threat.
Misztal said, “For more than two decades, Iran has been targeting and killing U.S. service members. The who signed this letter have seen that threat up close and personally. They understand the threat Iran poses to America, the urgent need to address it, and the significant capabilities that the United States and Israel have to tackle it together.”
While supporting continued military pressure, the signatories concluded that Iran’s long-term future ultimately rests with its citizens.
The letter states, “Ultimately, it will be up to the Iranian people to overthrow the regime and enable a better future for Iran and the world.”