Iran's regional position is under significant strain, with its air defenses destroyed and key allies isolated, according to Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser for the Trump administration.
"Iran is on its back foot thanks to the leadership of [Israeli Prime Minister] Bibi [Benjamin] Netanyahu and the Israelis," Waltz said, adding that the Tehran's "air defenses are destroyed" after two massive airstrikes from Israel last year.
Speaking on CBC’s "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Waltz credited Israeli operations for what he called a strategic shift in the Middle East.
He highlighted Israel's targeting of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in weakening Iran's regional alliances, as well as last month's overthrow by Islamist rebels of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as critical blows to Iran’s influence.
Asked whether President-elect Donald Trump would support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities under what the Trump administration has promised to be a 'maximum pressure' approach to Iran, Waltz said: "This is a moment to make those key decisions, and we'll be doing that over the next month."
Waltz assumes his role as national security adviser on Monday.
