A group of 74 retired U.S. generals and admirals recently voiced strong support for the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against 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 U.S. military commanders.
The letter supports current military actions, known as Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, which aim to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and partners in the Middle East.
“As retired senior U.S. military leaders, we support 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 said. “And we commend the courage of the outstanding U.S. military and our intelligence community involved in this operation.”
Open letter from 74 retired US military leaders in support of joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran (Jewish Institute for National Security of America)
Among the prominent signatories are former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., who served during the height of the Iraq War; former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jerome Johnson; former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General WL Nyland, who held the post during the early Iraq War; former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of the U.S. European Command General Philip M. Breedlove; and former head of U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating.
The retired commanders allege that Iran’s leadership has threatened U.S. interests and supported militant groups across the region for decades.
“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 American troops, diplomats, and civilians throughout the Middle East and here at home,” the letter said, 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.
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The Commander of the US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, recently visited Israel as an official guest of the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. (IDF Spokespersons Unit.)
“The US and Israeli military action is in response to Iran’s continued efforts to make these ambitions a reality,” the letter said. “After last summer’s 12-day war, Tehran doubled down on its missile building program to endanger 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 American targets, Israel and freedom of navigation in some of the world’s most vital waterways.”
The letter further argues that Iran has continued to pursue nuclear capabilities despite previous military setbacks.
“Since Operation Midnight Hammer against its key enrichment sites last June, Iran has attempted to rebuild elements of its destroyed nuclear infrastructure,” the letter said.
The signatories also point to Iran’s domestic repression as evidence of the nature of the regime.
“The regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters has shown the entire world what exactly it is willing to do to keep its people and the region under its thumb,” they wrote.
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A US Navy ship launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles in support of Operation Epic Fury. (US Central Command Public Affairs)
At the same time, the letter emphasizes that coordination between the United States, Israel and regional partners will be critical to the campaign’s success.
“For all these reasons, it is remarkable that the United States is working so closely with Israel and other regional partners,” the letter said. “Such cooperation is vital to degrade and eliminate the regime’s arsenals, undermine its organs of oppression, and send a clear signal that it can continue to threaten not only core American interests, but also the broader security and prosperity of the Middle East and its own people.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the joint campaign as a decisive military operation aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and air defense networks.
Hegseth said Wednesday that the Israeli and U.S. air forces were quickly establishing air superiority over Iran.
“Starting last night and completing in a few days… the two most powerful air forces in the world will have full control of Iranian airspace. Uncontested airspace,” Hegseth said.
However, critics have warned that the operation could have the opposite effect, raising the risk of a wider regional war.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint after the strikes and warned that further escalation could destabilize the region, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the confrontation could spiral into a wider conflict and called for renewed diplomatic efforts.
Several Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concern about the strikes.
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said he believed the operation amounted to “a war of choice with no strategic endgame.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said after attending a classified briefing that he had seen no evidence of an imminent Iranian threat.
Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at JINSA, said the letter reflects the perspective of commanders who witnessed the Iranian threat firsthand.
“For more than two decades, Iran has focused on killing American men and women in uniform,” Misztal said. “The retired senior military leaders who signed this letter have seen this threat up close and firsthand. They understand the threat Iran poses to America, the urgent need to address it, and the tremendous opportunity the United States and Israel have to do so together.”
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A screenshot of a video released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which was accompanied by a press release describing the operation called Epic Fury, an attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, shows smoke and dust rising after an explosion at an unknown location, in this image obtained from social media, released on February 28, 2026. (US CENTCOM via X via REUTERS)
While supporting continued military pressure, signatories concluded that Iran’s long-term future ultimately rests with its citizens.
“It will ultimately be up to the Iranian people to topple the regime and enable a better future for Iran and the world,” the letter said.
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