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Good morning, glory and grace America.

I'm Hugh Hewitt, joined by Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, retired United States Navy.

Admiral, welcome, a senior fellow for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. Before I go to my questions, Admiral, what do you make of the exchange between the Iranians and the United States over the weekend, President Trump's gaggle in the White House today?

You know, I think that the United States is putting real pressure on Iran. You know, we've got

this blockade is real. It's stopping 18 to 20 billion dollars a month worth of exports,

you know, probably 90, 95 percent of their exports. The Iranians know it.

They're very scared about the idea that we would open up the rest of the Gulf to others to transit

through, through a secure access. And as a result, they're striking out. And President Trump

did this exactly right.

He said, look, they didn't hit the first time we let it go.

The second time, when they were firing at the U.A. We did a proportionate response against the weapons that fired at us.

I think if it happens again, we might be disproportionate.

You know, you only put up with this so many times before you go disproportionate and

escalate.

But he's trying to keep escalation management in his hands right now, and that's why he did

only a proportional response.

Okay, so I have two questions.

First of all, Operation Freedom, escort duty for getting the ships out, trapped, and perhaps some ships

...