Kellogg Urges US to Abandon Iran Memorandum of Understanding

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg said the U.S. should discard the proposed memorandum of understanding with Iran [1, 2].

This shift in strategy would signal a move away from diplomatic agreements toward a policy of strict verification and military readiness. Such a pivot could escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran if the U.S. abandons the framework for a more confrontational approach.

Kellogg, who previously served as national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, said his views during an interview on Fox News’ "Hannity" program ^[3]. He also appeared in separate media segments with Varney & Co. and The Post [3, 2].

Kellogg said that Iran is not an equal partner in negotiations [1, 2]. He cited the country's past behavior as a reason to distrust the current diplomatic trajectory, suggesting that a final agreement could be deceptive [1, 2]. Instead of a memorandum of understanding, Kellogg said the U.S. should prioritize verification, and remain prepared for military options [1, 2].

There is a notable contrast in how Kellogg addressed the public regarding these tensions. In a Yahoo Finance video interview, he said to viewers to "chill out a little bit" ^[1]. However, in a separate appearance with The Post, he took a more urgent tone regarding the necessity of preparation ^[2].

"Trump should brace Americans for round two with Iran," Kellogg said ^[2].

By advocating for the abandonment of the MoU, Kellogg suggests that the U.S. should stop treating the negotiation as a partnership. He believes the current approach lacks the necessary safeguards to prevent Iran from continuing its activities, while benefiting from a diplomatic deal [1, 2].