Former Veterans Affairs Secretary and Undersecretary for Defense Robert Wilkie said Saturday that U.S.-led strikes against Iran have "altered the balance of power, not just in the Middle East," arguing the operation will have sweeping global consequences.
Appearing on Newsmax's "America Right Now," Wilkie told host Tom Basile he was not surprised by the military action.
"You and I were speaking last week. You said it's going to happen, and it's happening," Basile said, prompting Wilkie to respond by pointing to early reports out of Israel.
"The first thing, the Times of Israel is now reporting that they believe that the Supreme Leader is dead," Wilkie said, citing Israeli sources who suggested Iran's top leader may have been killed in the initial wave of attacks.
"Today, we will probably see a prerecorded message from the supreme leader — one that was probably recorded months or weeks ago."
Wilkie said the strategic implications extend far beyond Tehran.
"Take out the Iranian regime and you have altered the balance of power — not just in the Middle East, but this impacts Russia and its supplies to fight the Ukrainians," he said.
"This impacts China because it loses its outpost in the Middle East."
He added that the strikes expose the limits of Iran's alliances.
"They were incapable of defending [deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro," Wilkie said.
"They're incapable of defending [ousted Syrian President Bashar] Assad. They were incapable of defending the ayatollahs."
Wilkie also pointed to broader regional dynamics, saying Arab nations view Iran's ruling Shiite regime as "not only a deadly threat to them, but they also believe they're heretical."
"This has many strains," he said, arguing the operation must continue.
"We'll be in this for a week or so. This has to be a comprehensive air campaign."
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James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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