McCaul on 'Fox News Sunday': President Trump's Strikes on Kharg Island are like 'Checkmate' on Iranian Supreme Leader

WASHINGTON -U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) - chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees - joined Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday" to discuss the latest on Operation Epic Fury, Democrats' DHS shutdown, and more.

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Excerpts from the interview:

On the success of Operation Epic Fury:

"Well, look, this whole thing started in 1979. It began with weak leadership by President Carter, and it's going to end with strong leadership by President Trump. The military objective here is being accomplished. In fact, they're ahead of schedule. They're [destroying] the Navy, the Air Force, they're getting rid of the sea mines in the straits. The drones are probably one of the top issues right now, and they're dealing with that to clear the straits out, to have free access to energy going through that sector. The attack on Kharg Island, which is a crown jewel - 90% of the [crude oil] exports out of Iran come from there - is like a 'checkmate' on the Supreme Leader. It was absolutely brilliant military strategy. So the military objective is very clear, and it's going very well. ...

"Think about this: A world without Iran, without this regime of terror, a free Iran where normalization under the Abraham Accords can now take place, where you have the Gulf states now aligned against Iran ... was unheard of a year ago. The guts and the courage of this president to take this on for future generations, even though [there is] short-term pain for long-term gain, is quite extraordinary."

On what comes next for Iran:

"Once the military objective is completed, then the people of Iran can rise up. They need leadership, they need weapons, they need communications. I know Mossad and Israel, they know where the IRGC targets are. We have decapitated the Ayatollah, his executive cabinet, but there [is more] to do. When you get into that phase, it does get more complicated, and I do think that may not be the role of the United States completely. It probably shouldn't be. And I think Israel has a role to play, you know, on that one. But at the end of the day, free and fair elections in Iran is going to [result in] a far better Middle East. And that's a tricky part of this, but I do think it's achievable."

On Russia's collusion with Iran:

"I do think Russia has provided military intelligence to Iran to hit our military targets, to kill Americans. I don't think they should be rewarded by lifting sanctions. Having said that, the president is doing certain things to bring down the price of gas, [including releases from] the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and that's done internationally, you know, as well. But this will have far-reaching geopolitical ramifications. When you think about Venezuela being freed and liberated to Iran, [that has an impact] on Russia and China as you point out earlier. You know, all the energy coming to China from Kharg Island is going to be cut off. That has far-reaching implications. But I do think Mr. Putin has not been sincere, and I think he has not made any concessions. I don't like to see him rewarded, but I know this is a short-term lifting of sanctions."

On the Democrats' continued DHS shutdown:

"I remember the Boston bombing when I became chairman [of the House Homeland Security Committee], and I investigated that. You know, we saw this bombing scenario in New York [as] very reminiscent; it could have been a bigger attack than the Boston bombing. And since that time, [we've seen attacks in] Austin, Texas, in my hometown, to Virginia, you know, a veteran being shot down and killed - not overseas but in a classroom - and then the synagogue ... and you're going to see more. The idea of shutting down the Department of Homeland Security at such a high terror threat level is unconscionable. I think it's political malpractice, it is criminal, and if they continue this, Shannon, they will have blood on their hands."

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