(Left: Kevork Djansezian/AP File, Right: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Photo)
In X’s Friday post, Ret. lieutenant general Russell L. Honoré ripped defense minister Pete Heggs Iran’s “reckless and shameless” rhetoric about the war, speculating that this “may have been what led to the torture or killing of these pilots.”
axios reporter Barak Ravid An F-15 aircraft was shot down by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air defense system over Iran and its two American crew members have been rescued by U.S. special operations forces, reports said on Friday. The search for the second one is still ongoing.
“Before the White House attempts to fan more war fever over these American fighter pilots who were downed in Iran, it is worth noting that under international law, Iran has the right to shoot down a U.S. fighter jet and detain these pilots as prisoners of war until the end of hostilities,” Honoré wrote on Friday afternoon.
“This is why @DeptofWar’s recent ‘no mercy’ rhetoric is so reckless and shameless, and why it may be what led to these airmen being tortured or killed,” he continued, referring to Hegseth’s mid-March pledge to have “no mercy, no mercy” on our enemies.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, “showing no mercy” means “refusing to spare the life of anyone, even those who are clearly unable to defend themselves or who have expressed a clear intention to surrender” in wartime.
Honoré continued to mimic the thought process of Iran’s leadership as they continued to hear Hegseth’s comments: “Iran: ‘Then you declare to the world that you do not recognize the international humanitarian laws of war.'”
“Prayers for our pilots and rescue teams,” he concluded. “We need a ceasefire now! Follow the international rules of war.”
The retired general’s comments come at an already sensitive time for Hegseth, who is CNN’s senior political correspondent. Aaron black A new “brutal” poll for the war secretary was shared on Friday.
“35% support, 65% disapprove. That’s -30,” he wrote on X. “76% of independents and 26% of Republican leaners disapprove.”
The article “Could be what led to these pilots being tortured or killed”: Retired general dismisses Hegseth’s war rhetoric as “reckless and shameless” appeared first on Mediaite