Retired Gen Jack Keane brands Iran ceasefire a trap, says Tehran 'very much in control' of Strait

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement with Iran is facing questions from some US officials and lawmakers following its announcement. The administration has described the deal as a success, with Trump calling it a “complete victory.”

However, retired Army General Jack Keane and Republican Rep Don Bacon raised concerns about Iran’s actions and intentions after the ceasefire. 

Jack Keane says Iran retains strategic edge after ceasefire

Retired Army General Jack Keane criticized the ceasefire arrangement, arguing that Iran continues to hold a strategic advantage by controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to FOX News, Keane pushed back on claims by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the agreement represented a decisive US victory.

Keane said Iran had already achieved its primary objective by halting hostilities while maintaining leverage in the region. 

“You’ve got to look at this from Iran’s perspective. Why did they shut down the Strait of Hormuz? What was their objective they were trying to achieve here? The objective was a simple one: to stop the war. They have achieved that objective. We have indeed stopped the war,” he said.

He added that Iran continues to exercise authority over maritime traffic. "So not only that, Iranians are still in control."

"The IRGC Navy has told all ships in the Gulf that, to pass through the straits, they need our permission. So they are very much in control of the Strait of Hormuz, and all those ships are going to abide by those warnings," Keane added.

Keane further described Iran as employing deliberate negotiation tactics. “They are bold about it. This is what we want to achieve. But they are setting the stage for extending the negotiations. They are masters at delay,” he said.

According to Keane, Tehran’s strategy is to prolong talks to reduce pressure on its leadership.

"Their objective going into the negotiation will be to delay the negotiation, extend the cease-fire. Why? Getting closer to a deal," he said.

"They’ll say anything to convince our negotiators of that. We are getting closer to a deal… Iran is buying time. Why? Because as time goes by, the oil prices start to come down, the pressure is off the president and the administration economically and financially, and also somewhat politically,” he said.

Don Bacon questions ceasefire viability amid ongoing attacks

Republican Rep Don Bacon also expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the ceasefire, citing ongoing Iranian actions in the region. Speaking on CNN’s News Central, he pointed to continued attacks on US allies.

“I am not sure there’s a deal,” Bacon said when asked about the ceasefire’s viability. He added that further military options remain available. “But if they keep firing, we still have more targets that we can hit in Iran.”

Bacon described the US military position as dominant, though not absolute.

"We have, I wouldn’t say air supremacy. Air supremacy is a technical term that we use in the Air Force. There is no threat of being shot down, but we do have air superiority," he said.

"We have 90-95% free access anywhere in that country with a minor threat they shoot us down," he added.