Lawrence Jones calls for US to target Iran’s radical Islamist leaders, saying 'Kill them'

WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News host Lawrence Jones said Tuesday, March 10, that the US military should kill radical Islamist leaders in Iran, arguing they are unwilling to negotiate and are motivated by ideology rather than economic pressure.

Jones remarked during a discussion on Fox & Friends about tensions with Iran and its leadership following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a military operation known as Operation Epic Fury.

Fox News' Lawrence Jones backs elimination of Iran's radical Islamists

Speaking with co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt, Jones said he believes economic pressure would not influence Iran’s religious leadership, Mediaite reported.

"Maybe the people in Iran are influenced by economic pressure," Jones said. "But the mullahs and the people that, you know, the next supreme leader, unless he is the supreme leader, they’re not influenced by economic pressure."

He then added, "I feel like at the end of the day, you have to kill them. You really do. These aren’t people that are gonna negotiate."

Earhardt asked for clarification, responding, "The radicals, you mean?"

"The radicals. 100%," Jones replied. "That’s why every Middle Eastern country came to the negotiation with the president. Because they don’t subscribe to that. They are Muslims, but they are not Islamists; these are Islamists. They don’t want to negotiate for economic prosperity. They are willing to die for the cause."

Applying economic pressure on Iran

The comments came during a conversation about the US strategy toward Iran and energy markets. Kilmeade cited remarks made in 1988 by Donald Trump, suggesting the US could seize Kharg Island to exert economic pressure on Tehran.

Kilmeade argued that targeting Iran’s economy and restricting access to resources could weaken the government, pointing to shortages in the capital, Tehran.

“That could be the case, but you have to put pressure on the entire regime,” Kilmeade said. “You deprive them of money … that gives you pressure on this country.”

Jones maintained that economic pressure alone would not influence hardline Islamist leaders, repeating that they were driven by ideology rather than economic considerations.

The segment aired as tensions remain high between the US and Iran following the death of Ali Khamenei and reports that his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could assume leadership within Iran’s political and religious hierarchy.