Dear Friends,
This week, China, Russia, and Iran showcased their growing military strength and cooperation, putting the world on notice. The three authoritarian regimes conducted joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, sending a clear message to America and our allies that they stand prepared to challenge U.S. national interests across the globe.
Adding to this threat, Beijing will host talks tomorrow between the three autocracies on evading Western sanctions and the future of Iran’s nuclear program, potentially helping shield the Islamic Republic of Iran from international pressure as it inches closer to breaking out toward a bomb.
Veterans On Duty stands firmly in support of President Trump’s policy of restoring “maximum pressure” on Tehran. This means utilizing every available economic lever to bankrupt and cripple Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear and missile programs, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has argued. America and our allies cannot afford to allow Iran to achieve nuclear status, under any circumstances.
Still, the buck doesn’t stop with Tehran. It is critical that we pair this approach with efforts to hold its enablers—specifically China and Russia—accountable. The recent exercises in the Gulf of Oman are just the latest demonstration of China’s increasing confidence in projecting strength beyond its shores, adding to China’s recent live fire drills off the coast of Australia and New Zealand.
America must respond to these threats by projecting strength, deterring aggression, and acting decisively to ensure that our enemies never gain the upper hand. If America is to heed this call, we will need to expand our military industrial base, refill our stockpile of munitions, and bolster our maritime capabilities to decisively win a multi-theater war against an expanding number of adversaries.
Join us in demanding that our leaders take the necessary steps to ensure America remains safe, strong, and free. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and share this message with fellow veterans and patriots.
Signed,
Hooff Cooksey
Executive Director, Veterans On Duty