US strikes on Iran 'grand act of theater,’ no strategic goal: Ritter
2 Min Read
Scott Ritter criticizes the US airstrikes on Iran as a face-saving gesture by Trump, clarifying that the attack failed to achieve any strategic goals.
-
Scott Ritter at the annual St.Petersburg International Economic Forum in this undated photo (Sputnik)
Former US Marine intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter has sharply criticized the recent US airstrikes on Iran, describing them as a symbolic act aimed at salvaging political credibility rather than achieving any tangible military goal.
In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Ritter stated, in reference to the US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, "This is an act of theater, nothing more," asserting that “three empty sites were struck by the most advanced weapon systems in the American arsenal, so that the president of the United States could go before the American people and brag about how powerful the United States is.”
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump had described the attacks on the three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as a "very successful attack."
Ritter explained that the sites targeted by the US had already been hit multiple times by “Israel” and were devoid of any sensitive nuclear equipment, which puts into question Trump's claim of "success".
“If the goal and objective was to eliminate or retard Iranian uranium enrichment capability or nuclear program, they failed," added Ritter, explaining that enriched uranium, particularly the 60% enriched stockpile, had been sealed and relocated.
Iran safeguarded nuclear assets ahead of strikes
Sensitive equipment in Isfahan had also been evacuated according to Ritter, and the centrifuges were secured in secure locations.
“Nothing of significance was accomplished, except a grand act of theater,” Ritter continued, suggesting that the operation was a calculated move to allow the US president to extricate himself from an escalating crisis sparked by an Israeli surprise attack.
Supporting this claim, Iran's Expediency Discernment Council member Mohsen Rezaei noted that Iran had already moved all enriched nuclear materials to a secure location ahead of the strikes. This step was reportedly part of Iran's strategy to minimize damage in the event of an anticipated escalation.
The former US Marine intelligence officer argued that the Iranians have been launching a very effective retaliation, which left the United States "embarrassed".
With this "grand act of theater," Ritter concluded, “the president could save face and potentially disengage from this fiasco.”
