Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has publicly urged the United States to 'finish the job' against Iran by escalating both military and economic pressure, rather than continuing diplomatic negotiations. Speaking on 'Hannity,' Kellogg advocated for the U.S. to seize strategic islands such as Kharg Island and those in the Strait of Hormuz, leveraging available military assets including the Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs) and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to execute such operations [1].
Kellogg emphasized Iran's 'fractured' command structure and ongoing economic collapse as vulnerabilities that the U.S. should exploit. He argued that the current fragile ceasefire, which has been extended to allow more time for negotiations, represents a missed opportunity to intensify pressure on the Iranian regime. Kellogg dismissed the value of further talks, stating, 'Let’s not negotiate anymore. Let’s just walk away. Let’s finish the job' [1].
He further recommended that the U.S. focus on crippling Iran's energy sector through targeted economic measures, such as a blockade, rather than attacking infrastructure that primarily impacts civilians. Kellogg also suggested arming and supporting insurgents within Iran, with U.S. special operations forces providing weapons, training, and support to build an organized guerrilla campaign [1].
Kellogg's remarks reflect a call for a significant escalation in U.S. policy towards Iran, moving away from diplomacy and towards direct military and economic action. No specific market reactions or analyst opinions were mentioned in the article [1].
CONCLUSION
Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg's statements signal a push for the U.S. to abandon negotiations with Iran in favor of aggressive military and economic measures. While no immediate market reaction was reported, the proposed actions could have significant geopolitical and economic implications if adopted.