Watch: Retired IDF Brigadier General Explains Why It's Critical to Hit Iran Hard and US Is Key to That

President Donald Trump has been crystal clear when it comes to Iran: They cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. It's evident, based on actions taken by Israel and the administration's unwavering support of them, that both nations are in agreement on that and determined to ensure that Iran does not acquire such weaponry.

President Donald J. Trump has never wavered in his stance that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon — a pledge he has made repeatedly, both in office and on the campaign trail.

🧵 Here are only a few examples:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 17, 2025

On Tuesday, retired IDF Brigadier General Amir Aviv explained on the IDSF Daily War Briefing why it is critical that this threat is eliminated.

In his commentary, General Aviv first gives an update on the war, affirming that Israel has been largely successful in defending itself and minimizing harm to its own citizens while making key, strategic strikes against Iran. He notes that Iran was thought to have an arsenal of roughly 2,500 ballistic missiles and has fired approximately 350 of those — much less than expected. He adds that the IAF is successfully destroying Iranian launchers and missiles. He also notes that none of the Iranian drones sent have been able to successfully attack Israel. He affirmed that just two days into the war, Israel controlled Iranian airspace.

General Aviv then spoke to the involvement of the U.S., asserting that Israel can eliminate the Iranian nuclear facilities without the U.S., but contending that it is important for the U.S. to be part of the process and project power for global security. His contention being that if the U.S. shows that it is unwilling to engage unless it is attacked directly, then that will send a signal to other bad actors, such as China, encouraging them to make a move on Taiwan.

He noted the shift in rhetoric from President Trump and the administration in the last day, with military assets being directed to the Middle East and Trump himself demanding Iran's surrender in no uncertain terms.

Trump himself was asked about possible U.S. involvement on Wednesday morning.

.@POTUS: "We're not looking for long-term war. I only want one thing — Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's it." pic.twitter.com/8gl7Wp2NBy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 18, 2025

REPORTER: Some of the people in the base don't want a long-term war. They're afraid that we're going to get into a long-term war, which is—
TRUMP: We're not looking for long-term war...I only want one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's it. I'm not looking long-term, short-term. And I've been saying that for 20 years. I've been saying it as a civilian, who got a lot of publicity — people would cover it. Very simply: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's it. It's not a question of anything else. And if you did, you wouldn't have much of a country, because they would use it on us and they'd use it on other people and they'd be a terror all over the world.

That's the crux of it, and why, if the U.S. does get involved, it's fair to assume it won't be for "a long-term war." Rather, it would be to take out Iran's nuclear program and ambitions for the foreseeable future.

And it appears that whatever moves will be made, they will be made soon.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: The next week is going to be VERY BIG. Maybe less than a week.

"War is very complex. A lot of bad things can happen." pic.twitter.com/i6kL5uaVcT
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 18, 2025

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