Scott Jennings shuts down 'protracted war' narrative on CNN, defends Trump's strikes against Iran

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Conservative commentator Scott Jennings forcefully defended President Donald Trump during an exchange on CNN on Saturday, February 28, arguing that recent US strikes on Iran were not the beginning of a prolonged conflict but a necessary step to prevent one.

His remarks came after an anchor pressed him on how Trump’s long-standing “no new wars” promise stands violated with the escalation in the Middle East.

Scott Jennings counters 'prolonged war' narrative

Jennings pushed back strongly when asked, “How do you square the no war promise with the potential of a protracted war?” 

“Well, first of all, the president has consistently, over the course of his entire public life, said he will never permit the Iranian regime to have a nuclear weapon,” Jennings said.

“That's why he took action last summer and that's part of the reason he took action today.”

“I don't see this as him starting a war,” he continued. “I see this as a preventative measure to prevent a war against the largest state sponsor of violence in the world.”

Jennings framed the move as a decisive break from decades of US policy toward Tehran.

“My view is this is a new day for the people of Iran. It's a new day for the Middle East. And it's a new day for the world because the most courageous commander-in-chief of my lifetime said, 'I'm not putting up with this',” he said.

“'We've been banging our head against the wall for 47 years while these guys destabilize the world. And I'm not going to permit it any longer.'”

Scott Jennings claims Trump acted to save lives

Jennings also argued that the administration had actionable intelligence suggesting imminent threats.

“I talked to senior administration, very senior administration officials. They had intelligence that the regime was going to fire missiles into US military and civilian targets,” he claimed.

“They were still enriching uranium. They would not give up on that. We had a lot of justification to do this. They tried diplomacy. Iran wouldn't do it.”

“The president acted to save American lives. That was the justification.”

Jennings further stated that over nearly five decades, “hundreds of American troops have been killed by the Iranian regime and its proxies,” emphasizing what he described as a long history of hostilities.

He concluded by describing what he believes is Trump’s broader objective: “No more war, but peace and a government and a culture in Iran that can actually participate with the rest of the world instead of destabilize it. That's what the president did. He ought to be commended for it.”