Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg on Monday praised President Donald Trump's handling of Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the effort to reopen vital shipping lanes "brilliant," while urging a more aggressive strategy to hasten an end to the conflict with Iran.
Speaking on Newsmax's "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Kellogg credited Trump with applying sustained pressure on Tehran as U.S. forces work to secure commercial transit through one of the world's most crucial oil chokepoints.
"Give the president a lot of credit. He's done this thing brilliantly," Kellogg said, pointing to the deployment of U.S. naval assets and escorts designed to move oil shipments back onto global markets.
Project Freedom comes as tensions escalate in the region, with U.S. officials reporting Iranian attacks on American warships and regional targets, alongside efforts to disrupt Gulf shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of the world's oil supply, making its security central to global energy stability.
Kellogg, however, warned the U.S. approach risks being too gradual.
"The only concern I've got right now is sequencing. We seem to be going, for lack of a better word, incrementally," he said, adding the U.S. has "the combat power to get those ships out of there using our naval assets."
He acknowledged the risks involved but argued they are necessary in wartime conditions.
"We're assuming more risk. That's OK. We know we can do that. We may take a hit, but we'll be able to get those ships out of there," Kellogg said.
Looking ahead, Kellogg outlined a strategy aimed at accelerating Iran's internal breakdown by targeting its command structure rather than civilian infrastructure.
"One of the principles of war is unity of command, and what you want to do is fracture the unity of command," he said, suggesting intensified strikes against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' 31 regional headquarters.
"If we keep attacking their 31 headquarters … and maybe take out strategic targets as well … we make it so they really can't do any command and control," he added.
Kellogg emphasized such actions would weaken Tehran's grip internally by disrupting forces like the Basij paramilitary.
"If you can fracture that and break that up, then you really compound problems for them to have some control over the population," he said.
He also cautioned that Iran's recent escalation might signal desperation rather than strength.
"When regimes are near the end of their lives, they lash out really hard, and I think you're seeing that right now with the Iranians," Kellogg said.
Despite the heightened danger, Kellogg argued the U.S. holds the advantage.
"We're in absolute control of this. The president has done this brilliantly … we've got all the cards, let's play all the cards," he said.
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