Latest news with #CondoleezzaRice
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Iraq War architect Condi Rice heaps praise on Trump admin for Iran strikes
Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who was a key player in the George W Bush administration during the War on Terror, has praised President Donald Trump 's decision to launch airstrikes against Iranian nuclear targets in support of Israel 's Operation Rising Lion offensive. Speaking on Fox News 's Special Report on Thursday, Rice applauded the actions of the U.S. and Israeli military and told anchor Bret Baier: 'We will eventually know precisely how much the Iranian program was damaged, but I think all of the evidence is that it was substantially, significantly damaged to the place that, for a while at least, it will be hard to build a nuclear weapon.' She said the strikes would provide a 'shot in the arm for American credibility' on the global stage following the 'disastrous' presidency of Joe Biden. 'Credibility is not something that you establish one day and then you sort of dial it in and say it's done,' Rice said. 'We have to keep establishing that the United States is going to try and shape the international system, not just be a victim of it. But what's happened in the last couple of days is very, very good for American credibility.' While Trump would normally be expected to welcome such a glowing endorsement, the Bush administration's legacy of dragging the U.S. military into long-term regime change commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq in response to 9/11 is not remembered favorably by Trump's MAGA base. Trump ran for the White House on the promise that there would be no more unpopular interventionist 'forever wars,' and the phrase 'neocon' to describe Bush-era Republicans is frequently thrown about as a pejorative by the likes of Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Carlson, Bannon, and Greene were all opposed to Trump's decision to drop 12 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan and cheered his announcement of a ceasefire. The president's refusal to make the case or provide evidence that Iran was ramping up its ambitions to build a nuclear bomb prior to Saturday's attack has also been likened by critics to the Bush administration claiming that Saddam Hussein had a weapon of mass destruction, the basis for its invasion of Iraq in 2003, which turned out to be incorrect. As Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continue to rebuke The New York Times and CNN for reporting on a U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment that found the damage done to Iran's facilities was not as severe as they had indicated, Rice supported the administration's position. She told Baier she believed Iran's ambitions to become a nuclear power had received a significant setback and called the leak of the DIA assessment 'irresponsible.' 'When you look at what the Israelis were able to do to Hezbollah, what they were able to do to Hamas – the significant efforts against the Iranian military establishment, against scientists. This really is a now-crippled Iran, and a crippled Iran is good for the region.' Rice was dismissive about the value of engaging in further talks with the Iranians, telling Baier: 'We've had 46 years of the Iranians destabilizing the region, killing Americans. 'We've had 46 years of their proxies holding terror against Israel, against Iraq, against the people of the Middle East. So, no, they don't want peace.'
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump wins over lifelong Democrat with 'big, beautiful bill' and more top headlines
1. Trump wins over lifelong Democrat with 'big, beautiful bill' 2. Chinese 'agroterrorism' could threaten US 'survival as a nation' 3. Massive fraud uncovered at agency Dems tried to protect from DOGE AMERICA RESTORED – Condoleezza Rice reveals thoughts on Trump's strikes on Iran and their impact. Continue reading … 'BLATANT LIES' – Harris campaign accused of lying about interview set-up by comedian podcast host. Continue reading … FUNDING FALLOUT – Elite university faces crisis after White House slashes billions over campus protests. Continue reading … UNEXPECTED LIFELINE – Bryan Kohberger could escape death penalty because of leaked evidence aired during TV episode. Continue reading … PUPPET MASTER – Diddy's 'righthand woman' faces Maxwell-like scrutiny as closing arguments begin. Continue reading … -- STAYING IN – Cuomo refuses to bow out after shocking defeat to socialist candidate. Continue reading … DEFENSE GAP – Republicans raise alarm over U.S. vulnerability to mass drone strikes. Continue reading … DEPORTATION DEADLINE – Supreme Court tightens the screws on illegal immigrants fighting removal orders. Continue reading … 'FLAT-OUT WRONG' – White House promises 'irresponsible' Iran strike leaker will be held accountable. Continue reading … ONE YEAR LATER – How Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance forced his media allies to turn on him. Continue reading … BOLD STRATEGY – Seattle mayoral candidate outlines plan to 'Trump-proof' city. Continue reading … TOUGH LOVE – Michelle Obama urges parents to take harder stance on their kids' social media use. Continue reading … SURPRISING ALLIANCE – 'The View' co-host makes admission about Trump's Iran nuclear strike. Continue reading … CHRIS SWECKER – Trump neutralized Iran. But one big Middle East threat still looms. Continue reading … COREY DEANGELIS – What Randi Weingarten's DNC exit reveals about obnoxious teachers' union-Democrat alliance. Continue reading … -- BILLIONAIRE BASH – Bezos' $500M yacht proposal leads to lavish Italian wedding with A-list guests. Continue reading … PRESIDENTIAL MEETING – Eagles' star reflects on 'cool experience' of attending Trump rally. Continue reading … DIGITAL NEWS QUIZ – How closely were you following the news? Challenge yourself with this week's quiz. Take the quiz here … THAT'S RUFF – Coffee-shop customer sparks online debate after ignoring pet policy with dog in chair. Continue reading … DIVINE DISPLAY – Worshippers stare in awe as Jesus figure forms in clouds after mass. See video … REP. PAT HARRIGAN – You can't believe anything CNN is reporting on Trump's Iran strikes. See video … EMILY COMPAGNO – Mamdani's policies are that of a fantastical 8th-grade presidential run. See video … Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on the news that impacts you. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading… Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday.
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls US strikes on Iran a ‘shot in the arm' for American credibility
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States and Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities are a significant moment for the Middle East and a sign of bolstered American credibility on the global stage. Rice joined 'Special Report' on Thursday after the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, praising the American military and Israeli forces for their accomplishments. 'We will eventually know precisely how much the Iranian program was damaged, but I think all of the evidence is that it was substantially, significantly damaged to the place that, for a while at least, it will be hard to build a nuclear weapon,' she said. Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites were hit early Sunday morning by US B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. The B-2 bombers flew for 37 hours non-stop from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to drop 12 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Fordow and two on Natanz. 4 A poster of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is displayed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hold a news conference at the Pentagon on June 26, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Getty Images More than two dozen cruise missiles were also launched at Isfahan from a US submarine. Top Trump administration officials have maintained the 'obliteration' of Iran's nuclear program in the days following the strikes despite questions regarding the whereabouts of the Islamic Republic's highly enriched uranium. 'President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history. And it was a resounding success, resulting in a ceasefire agreement and the end of the 12 Day War,' said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Thursday press briefing at the Pentagon. 4 Ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Fox News 4 President Donald Trump gestures after arriving on Air Force One, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. AP 'There's been a lot of discussion about what happened and what didn't happen. Step back for a second. Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, decimating, choose your word, obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities.' Rice told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that she believes the US strikes set Iran's nuclear program back significantly. She criticized a leaked, 'low-confidence' preliminary intelligence assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency — which claimed President Donald Trump's strikes did not destroy key components of Iran's nuclear facilities — as 'irresponsible.' 4 The Pentagon released jaw-dropping footage showcasing how the 30,000-pound heavy-duty bunker buster bombs that were used against Iran successfully demolished fortified targets deep underground. Department of Defense 'When you look at what the Israelis were able to do to Hezbollah, what they were able to do to Hamas — the significant efforts against the Iranian military establishment, against scientists. This really is a now-crippled Iran, and a crippled Iran is good for the region,' the Stanford professor explained. The Trump administration is pushing for diplomatic talks with the Iranians following Operation Midnight Hammer, but Rice argued she has no doubts that the Iranian regime isn't interested in peace, given its 'legitimacy' is based on destroying Israel. 'We've had 46 years of the Iranians destabilizing the region, killing Americans. We've had 46 years of their proxies holding terror against Israel, against Iraq, against the people of the Middle East. So, no, they don't want peace,' she said. The former Bush official added that the US strikes were a 'shot in the arm for American credibility' on the global stage following former President Joe Biden's 'disastrous' withdrawal from Afghanistan. 'Credibility is not something that you establish one day and then you sort of dial it in and say it's done. We have to keep establishing that the United States is going to try and shape the international system, not just be a victim of it,' Rice said. 'But what's happened in the last couple of days is very, very good for American credibility.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Very good for US credibility': Ex-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice on Iran strikes; says Tehran's nuclear facilities 'significantly damaged'
Condoleezza Rice The strikes by US on Iranian nuclear facilities have "bolstered America's credibility on the global stage," according to former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice . "Credibility is not something that you establish one day and then you sort of dial it in and say it's done. We have to keep establishing that the United States is going to try and shape the international system, not just be a victim of it. But what's happened in the last couple of days is very, very good for American credibility," she told Fox News' Bret Baier on Thursday, five days after the US targeted Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites amid the conflict between America's ally Israel and Iran, their common rival. The conflict, which began on June 13 with the Israeli attack on nuclear and military infrastructure in Iran, ended a day after the American operation through a truce brokered by President Donald Trump. Meanwhile Rice, who was the United States' top diplomat in the administration of Trump's fellow Republican George W Bush, also offered her own assessment of the impact of the operation, dubbed Midnight Hammer. "We will eventually know precisely how much their nuclear program was damaged, but I think all of the evidence is that it was substantially, significantly damaged to the place that, for a while at least, it will be hard to build a nuclear weapon" Rice, now a Stanford University professor, stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Further, she criticized the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) leaked, "low-confidence" preliminary intelligence assessment, which claimed that the strikes did not destroy key components of the targets. Rice described DIA's preliminary assessment as "irresponsible." Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly asserted that the operation "completely obliterated" the targeted Iranian nuclear sites.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls US strikes on Iran a 'shot in the arm' for American credibility
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States and Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities are a significant moment for the Middle East and a sign of bolstered American credibility on the global stage. Rice joined "Special Report" on Thursday after the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, praising the American military and Israeli forces for their accomplishments. "We will eventually know precisely how much the Iranian program was damaged, but I think all of the evidence is that it was substantially, significantly damaged to the place that, for a while at least, it will be hard to build a nuclear weapon," she said. Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites were hit early Sunday morning by U.S. B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. The B-2 bombers flew for 37 hours non-stop from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to drop 12 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Fordow and two on Natanz. More than two dozen cruise missiles were also launched at Isfahan from a U.S. submarine. Top Trump administration officials have maintained the "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear program in the days following the strikes despite questions regarding the whereabouts of the Islamic Republic's highly enriched uranium. "President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history. And it was a resounding success, resulting in a ceasefire agreement and the end of the 12 Day War," said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Thursday press briefing at the Pentagon. "There's been a lot of discussion about what happened and what didn't happen. Step back for a second. Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war, decimating, choose your word, obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities." Rice told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that she believes the U.S. strikes set Iran's nuclear program back significantly. She criticized a leaked, "low-confidence" preliminary intelligence assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency — which claimed President Donald Trump's strikes did not destroy key components of Iran's nuclear facilities — as "irresponsible." "When you look at what the Israelis were able to do to Hezbollah, what they were able to do to Hamas — the significant efforts against the Iranian military establishment, against scientists. This really is a now-crippled Iran, and a crippled Iran is good for the region," the Stanford professor explained. The Trump administration is pushing for diplomatic talks with the Iranians following Operation Midnight Hammer, but Rice argued she has no doubts that the Iranian regime isn't interested in peace, given its "legitimacy" is based on destroying Israel. "We've had 46 years of the Iranians destabilizing the region, killing Americans. We've had 46 years of their proxies holding terror against Israel, against Iraq, against the people of the Middle East. So, no, they don't want peace," she said. The former Bush official added that the U.S. strikes were a "shot in the arm for American credibility" on the global stage following former President Joe Biden's "disastrous" withdrawal from Afghanistan. "Credibility is not something that you establish one day and then you sort of dial it in and say it's done. We have to keep establishing that the United States is going to try and shape the international system, not just be a victim of it," Rice said. "But what's happened in the last couple of days is very, very good for American credibility."
