‘Fascinated, Impressed’ with Trump’s Bombing of Iran [WATCH]

Retired Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, offered rare praise on CNN for President Donald Trump’s recent military operation targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

In an interview with Anderson Cooper, Kimmitt said the strike demonstrated tactical ingenuity and “may have saved the potential loss of American lives.”

President Trump announced the airstrikes on Saturday night, confirming that U.S. forces had carried out precision attacks on three major nuclear-related sites in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

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The sites are considered central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program and its missile infrastructure.

Trump’s remarks came as he urged Iran to pursue peace, warning that future military actions would be “far greater and a lot easier” if Tehran continued to provoke conflict.

Kimmitt described the operation as calculated and deliberate, citing the element of surprise that followed an unexpected two-week diplomatic pause.

“I’m fascinated and, candidly, I’m impressed,” Kimmitt said during the CNN interview.

“I never really could understand what the two-week pause meant or what it was for… In many ways, it was much like a Trump deal. I mean, he’s trying to make a deal to buy an apartment, but all of a sudden the apartment was destroyed. So where’s the negotiation?”

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The general highlighted the role of deception and timing in the success of the strike, comparing it to the kind of strategic maneuvering associated with Trump’s business style.

“I think the use of deception and trickery in this case, first of all, was successful,” Kimmitt said, “but second of all, it saved the potential loss of American lives.”

Kimmitt also noted that while significant damage was likely inflicted on the nuclear sites, it remains unclear whether the facilities were completely destroyed.

He said it is possible that additional strikes may be necessary depending on the extent of the damage and Iran’s next steps.

CNN guest and retired General Mark Kimmitt on President Trump bombing Iran: “Well, I’m fascinated and candidly, I’m impressed. I never really could understand what the two week pause meant or what it was for, what was left to negotiate. What were we going to expect the Iranians… pic.twitter.com/Zb8UURYix9

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) June 22, 2025

The Fordow site, located near the city of Qom, is buried deep beneath a mountain and is one of Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear installations.

Natanz, located in central Iran, has served as the country’s primary uranium enrichment facility.

Esfahan, meanwhile, houses missile development and related assets, adding to its strategic importance in Iran’s defense and nuclear programs.

Saturday’s strikes followed a period of tension that included back-and-forth statements between Iranian officials and the Israeli government.

According to sources close to the White House, President Trump delayed final authorization for the strike until Iran publicly rejected negotiations while under Israeli military pressure. The decision was made shortly thereafter.

President Trump, speaking from the White House alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, declared the strikes a military success and urged Iran to take the opportunity to pursue peace.

The Biden-era Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had long been criticized by Trump and his national security team.

Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in 2018, citing Iran’s continued destabilizing activities across the region and concerns over the deal’s sunset clauses.

The Saturday strike is the most forceful military action against Iran’s nuclear program since that withdrawal.

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