Daesh momentum blunted in Syria, Iraq

Washington: The momentum of Daesh in Iraq and Syria has been blunted and the extremist group is not “on the march” as it was previously, CIA Director John Brennan said on Sunday.

“Clearly ISIS’s (Daesh) momenutm inside of Iraq and Syria has been blunted, and it has been stopped. So they are not on the march as they were several months ago,” Brennan said on “Fox News Sunday. The United States and its allies have conducted air strikes against the group for months. Brennan also credited Iraqi government forces for pushing back against Daesh.

“Our working with the Iraqis, and the Iraqis trying to push back against it, it is having some great progress.” Brennan said that even though both the United States and Iran are fighting the extremist group, “I wouldn’t consider Iran an ally,” in the fight. Brennan also said the US is confident it could prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons even if Tehran pulls out of talks.

“There are a number of things that the United States has available to it to prevent Iran from getting a bomb,” he said.

“President Obama has made it very clear that we are going to prevent Iran from having that type of nuclear weapon that they were ... going on the track to obtain,” Brennan added.

“So, if they decide to go down that route, they know that they will do so at their peril.”

When asked if he was concerned about the possibility of a regional arms race, Brennan said partners in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, are confident the United States can act as a regional security guarantor.

“We are going to keep close communication, I’m confident the Saudis will be a responsible partner and player in the region,” Brennan said.