Newsmax guest on US ceasefire with Iran: “Like we've gotten the football to the 5-yard line and we're just calling the the game”
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From the April 7, 2026, Newsmax coverage
KATRINA SZISH (HOST): I do want to ask you, Mike, though, you did mention obviously some concern about Iran and their plan here, obviously wanting to charge, potentially charge people to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Also, lots of questions whether it is safe or not. We talked a lot about potentially seizing Kharg Island. President Trump did, also even potentially some of the smaller islands around that area in order to secure the strait, to reopen it, and maybe to even force it open. Do you think that's something we still might see happen within or after these two weeks possible?
MIKE SARRAILLE (GUEST): Possible, yes, within the two weeks. While negotiations are going on, probably not. Kharg has strategic significance to the cash register of Iran. The other islands are more strategic to the security of the Strait of Hormuz. But ultimately, you know, what does success look like here? To Rick's point, you know, we have shattered Iran, but is some semblance of the regime that remains in power? Is that a sign of success or is that a sign of failure? It almost, in my perspective, feels like we've gotten the football to the 5-yard line and we're just calling the the game. And that also comes from a warped view of having fought against the Iranians, to Rick's point, in Sadr City in 2008, where they killed hundreds of American troops, either directly or through IEDs that were manufactured in Iran called explosive forming projectiles. So I would love to know what the the definition of success is, not only for the United States, the Middle East, but the globe.
GREG KELLY (HOST): All right. I mean, you know, degrade the missiles, degrade the nuclear, stop them from exporting terror — those are kind of within sight, aren't they? And do me a favor real quick, can you repeat that football analogy? Where is the ball right now?
SZISH: 5-yard line, I think.
KELLY: 5-yard line. And what is the state of play?
SARRAILLE: The state of play is we're winning.
SZISH: You said we're calling the game though, right?
RICK SANTORUM (GUEST): Yeah. I think the point Mike's trying to make is there's — I still think there's a great chance for for this regime to be toppled. And and it can be toppled one of two ways. Obviously a revolution, I was talking about the people rise up. I think that's probably least — less likely. But I look at the IRGC, which has been, you know — which really controls about a third of the economy. They're the major force there, but they've been saddled by these theocrats who have this ridiculous theology that they have to have a nuclear weapon to bring about the end of the world so their messiah could come back. I think if you can get some IRGC commanders to sort of throw off that regime, if you will, and throw off those in the IRGC that may believe in that and just be your typical military junta that just wants to survive and not try to project power. That's a win in my mind.