74 retired US generals, admirals back Iran strikes, warn Tehran seeks to ‘spill American blood’

Seventy-four retired U.S. generals and admirals publicly endorse joint military operations with Israel targeting Iran's regional threats and capabilities. War With Iran 74 retired US generals, admirals back Iran strikes, warn Tehran seeks to ‘spill American blood’ Former commanders published letter through Jewish Institute for National Security of America backing Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion By Efrat Lachter Fox News Published March 4, 2026 12:33pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Hegseth says US sunk Iranian warship with torpedo, marking a first since World War II War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday a U.S. submarine sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean with a torpedo, marking the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A group of 74 retired U.S. generals and admirals recently voiced strong support for the joint U.S.-Israel military operation targeting Iran, calling it a necessary response to decades of threats from the Islamic Republic against the United States, its allies and regional stability. The endorsement came in an open letter published Tuesday by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) and signed by dozens of former senior American military commanders. The letter backs the current military actions, known as Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, which aim to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and partners across the Middle East. "As retired senior American military leaders, we support the joint U.S.-Israeli military action to degrade and weaken the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and the Iranian people," the letter states. "And we commend the valor of the outstanding United States Military and our Intelligence Community engaged in this operation." Open Letter from 74 Retired U.S. Military Leaders in Support of Joint U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran (Jewish Institute for National Security of America) Among the prominent signatories are former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., who served during the height of the Iraq War; former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jerome Johnson; former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. W.L. Nyland, who held the post during the early Iraq War; former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command Gen. Philip M. Breedlove; and former U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Timothy J. Keating.The retired commanders argue that Iran’s leadership has spent decades threatening American interests and supporting militant groups across the region. "Since its inception 47 years ago, the radical regime, whose slogan is ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ has committed to endangering the lives of U.S. troops, diplomats, and civilians across the Middle East and here at home," the letter says, noting that "hundreds of Americans have lost their lives at the hands of the Islamic Republic and its terrorist proxies."According to the signatories, the current military campaign is a direct response to Iran's continued efforts to expand its military capabilities. LONGTIME TRUMP CRITIC CREDITS HIM FOR RESTORING 'CREDIBILITY OF US DETERRENCE' AS IRAN STRIKES UNFOLD The Commander of the United States Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper recently visited Israel as the official guest of the chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. (IDF Spokesman's Unit.) "U.S.-Israel military action is a response to Iran’s unstinting efforts to make those ambitions a reality," the letter states. "Following last summer’s 12-Day War, Tehran has redoubled its missile building program to hold at risk our bases, our partners, and ultimately our homeland."Iran’s regional proxy network also remains a central concern, the letter warns. "Its proxy forces in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere continue to threaten U.S. targets, Israel, and freedom of navigation in some of the world’s most vital waterways."The letter further argues that Iran has continued pursuing nuclear capabilities despite previous military setbacks. "Since Operation Midnight Hammer against its main enrichment sites last June, Iran has attempted to rebuild elements of its destroyed nuclear infrastructure," the letter states. The signatories also point to Iran’s domestic repression as evidence of the regime’s nature. "The regime’s brutal crackdown on protestors showed the entire world just what it is willing to do to keep its people and the region under its thumb," they wrote. ISRAEL STRIKES IRANIAN LEADERSHIP MEETING CHOOSING KHAMENEI SUCCESSOR A U.S. Navy ship launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles in support of Operation Epic Fury. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs) At the same time, the letter stresses that coordination between the United States, Israel and regional partners will be critical for the campaign’s success."For all these reasons, it is noteworthy that the United States is working so closely with Israel and other regional partners," the letter states. "Such cooperation is vital to degr