LARRY KUDLOW: President Trump has crossed his own Rubicon

Let me quote from Truth Social, a very important quote from the president: “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over.” The president adds that “This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Daniel Cain and every leader in the military.” That was from President Trump’s Truth Social platform today. Let me just say, I fully support him and I fully support those sentiments.

And to some extent, I think this is a moment of truth for the president with respect to completely destroying the barbaric, totalitarian, Nazi-like regime that is still running Iran. They crossed his red lines by not reopening the Strait of Hormuz and continuing to develop their capabilities on the nuclear front. Those were the red lines, and they crossed them. He is now responding with major force, and this is where the game can finally be ended. Now, it’s being reported that America is increasing our aircraft numbers in the Middle East theater. America is planning to send additional F-16 and F-35 fighter jets from bases in Europe, plus additional aerial refueling tankers.

Also widely reported was the Situation Room briefing with various options such as capturing Kharg Island or bombing Pickaxe Mountain. Again, my hope is the president pursues both options. Capturing Kharg Island would be a Venezuela-like takeover of Iran’s oil and energy and economic capabilities. We, meaning America, can refine and export the oil better than Iran can, put it on ships and increase the world’s oil supply.

They’re bringing down prices, but the money won’t go to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regime. It’ll either be escrowed or given to our Gulf allies to rebuild from Iranian bombing damage. We can do the oil story with minimum invasion. And maximum world economic benefits.

And as for Pickaxe Mountain, my view is that any remaining nuclear capabilities should be smashed. And importantly, let’s bring in our Israel ally to help us as they always have, despite some egregious and foolhardy sniping at Israel from a senior administration source. 

Israel can help us in so many ways. And they’re supplying plenty of intelligence to our Gulf allies, including the Saudis, and they’re working hand in glove with our CIA. One thought I have is for Israel and the American secret service is to identify and supply Iranian dissidents with as much military and other help as possible to overthrow the IRGC regime. 

There’s a Ronald Reagan element to this. As the Gipper helped arm Poland, and so many other Eastern European states, to overthrow Soviet communism. Working with Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II, Reagan’s goal of overturning Soviet communism was realized. Why not try this with Iran? Perhaps we are already trying. There’s nothing wrong with conducting some kind of diplomacy while the military options are implemented and the daily bombing continues. 

Yet I think as far as Mr. Trump is concerned, he is intent on destroying the regime. He knows this is what history demands. They must not have any nuclear capabilities at all. And they must open the Strait of Hormuz. And if Iran won’t do it, we will do it for them. Mr. Trump knows this is about America First freedom. He’s not concerned about the midterm elections in my view, but he realizes that doing the right thing will be its own benefit. This is history.