Mark Meadows floats how Israel could cripple Iran not just militarily but financially

President Donald Trump’s former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Friday on “Hannity” that Israel could weaken Iran financially if they were to strike their oil refineries next.

Israel began its preemptive strikes against Iran Thursday, sending dozens of Air Force jets to complete the “first stage” on multiple military targets. While appearing on “Hannity,” host Sean Hannity asked Meadows if he believes Israel could target oil refineries, in addition to the nuclear facilities it’s already hit.

“At this point I don’t think they stop until they take out all of those nuclear facilities. The question is do they go further? Do they take away the ability of the Iranians to get any money at all, which would be oil, and that means take out their refineries?” Hannity asked.

“Well the only way they go after the oil is if indeed the escalation that we’re seeing tonight — literally as we’re talking, missiles are going into not only Tel Aviv but other areas of Israel. So if it continues to escalate, those kinds of oil production facilities and others will be targeted,” Meadows said.

Following the initial attack from Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an over seven minute video detailing the country’s “Operation Rising Lion.” He said his country will aim to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”

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Meadows said Israel has been strategic in attacking Iran.

“But your point of and [Republican Arkansas] Senator [Tom] Cotton’s point of the strategic nature of the attack last night where Israel came in and actually went after military, not only targets, but individuals and not after civilians. We’re seeing a different thing tonight. I will say that President Trump has been extremely patient not only with the 60 days but even giving them a second chance right now saying ‘Come on to the table.’”

“But let me just say even under the previous government in Iran with Foreign Minister Zarif and others negotiating, what we see is a lot of talk and very little agreement. They will talk on one hand, prolong the negotiations and actually not ever agree to anything that would preclude them from having a nuclear weapon.”

Iran struck back Friday, hitting multiple areas across Tel Aviv with a barrage of ballistic missiles. Prior to that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country “struck the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program.” Iranian state media reported the deaths of top military leaders, including Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement following Israel’s initial strikes, saying the U.S. was not involved. By Friday, Trump said the U.S. was aware of the operation beforehand but did not aid in the attack.