Trump warned Iran it will 'pay many times over' for killing US soldiers. The US is sending F-16 and F-35 jets to the Middle East, Fox's Kudlow said, raising the risk of a supply disruption at the Strait of Hormuz.
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President Donald Trump warned Iran it would face retaliation "many times over" for any attacks on American soldiers, and the U.S. military is deploying additional fighter jets to the Middle East, Fox Business host Larry Kudlow reported Wednesday.
Trump posted on Truth Social: "Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over. 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."
Kudlow, a former White House economic adviser, said the president has crossed his own Rubicon in dealing with Iran. He cited two red lines: Iran's failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its continued nuclear development.
America is increasing its aircraft presence in the theater, Kudlow said, including additional F-16 and F-35 fighter jets from bases in Europe plus extra aerial refueling tankers.
The Situation Room has discussed options such as capturing Kharg Island or bombing Parchin, a site associated with nuclear work. Kudlow said he hopes the president pursues both. Capturing Kharg Island, he argued, would let the U.S. take over Iran's oil export capability, refine and ship the crude, and increase global supply without a large ground invasion.
"We can do the oil story with minimum invasion," Kudlow said. The proceeds could be escrowed or given to Gulf allies for reconstruction, he added.
On the nuclear front, Kudlow said any remaining capabilities should be destroyed, and he called for Israel to be brought in as an ally. Israel already supplies intelligence to Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia and works with the CIA, he noted.
Kudlow drew a parallel to Ronald Reagan's support for Eastern European dissidents against Soviet communism, suggesting the U.S. and Israel could arm Iranian dissidents to overthrow the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regime.
He acknowledged diplomacy could run alongside military operations. "There's nothing wrong with conducting some kind of diplomacy while the military options are implemented and the daily bombing continues," he said.
Kudlow dismissed concerns about midterm election fallout, arguing Trump is focused on what history demands: no nuclear capability for Iran and an open Strait of Hormuz. "If Iran won't do it, we will do it for them," he said.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil passes, has been a flashpoint for weeks. Iran's refusal to reopen the waterway after earlier threats has kept crude prices elevated. The new U.S. deployments add a military dimension to what had been a diplomatic and economic standoff.
Kudlow's comments aired on his Fox Business program. The Pentagon has not confirmed the specific aircraft movements he cited.
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