WireMarch 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
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Retired General Jack Keane has issued a stark warning against any ceasefire with Iran, asserting that the U.S. must maintain military pressure to compel Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. "If we go to ceasefire, that's playing right into their hands," Keane said during a televised interview. He emphasized that sustained pressure is crucial to securing a meaningful deal.
Keane's remarks come as President Donald Trump signals progress in negotiations with Iran while military strikes continue across the region. On Monday, Trump postponed U.S. military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure by five days. Earlier in the week, the president claimed that Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to negotiate, reiterating that Tehran "will never have a nuclear weapon."
"We're dealing with a regime that's pathological liars and cheaters, and they have done everything they can to deceive us in the past," Keane said.
Keane argued that any agreement must force Iran to dismantle critical capabilities, including its nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile program, and drone inventory. He stressed that continued military operations provide essential leverage in negotiations, warning that a premature pause in fighting would weaken the U.S. position. "We want to keep the pressure on them to make a deal that makes some sense," he concluded.