Ridealong has curated the best and most interesting podcasts and clips about Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Top Podcast Clips About Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
“I want to come to you guys. The Islamic Republic of Iran Judiciary on Thursday ignored the U.S. State Department warning, along with pleas from elite Iranian-American wrestlers to not execute 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohamadi for protesting against the Khamenei regime. Reports say Mohamadi was killed in a public hanging scene as a barbaric move by the Iranian regime to snuff out the ongoing movement seeking to topple it. Neema Fad, a human rights activist and Iranian …”“I want to come to you guys. The Islamic Republic of Iran Judiciary on Thursday ignored the U.S. State Department warning, along with pleas from elite Iranian-American wrestlers to not execute 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohamadi for protesting against the Khamenei regime. Reports say Mohamadi was killed in a public hanging scene as a barbaric move by the Iranian regime to snuff out the ongoing movement seeking to topple it. Neema Fad, a human rights activist and Iranian combat athlete, who is an expert on elite Iranian wrestling, told Fox News Digital his execution was a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic pattern of targeting athletes who crush dissent and terrorize society, as seen with Navid Afghari and others executed despite international outcry. He said the IOC, International Olympic Committee, …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Iranian regime executed 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi in a shocking act of political murder, ignoring international pleas for mercy. Human rights activists argue this brutal execution serves as a warning to other dissenters, especially athletes, highlighting the regime's oppressive tactics against its own citizens. With the world watching, the question remains: what will it take for the international community to hold Iran accountable for its atrocities?
PBD Podcast·Trump SLAMS Israel's South Pars Strikes + Iran Executes Wrestler | PBD #763·Mar 20, 2026
“… all of us Persians know it's 50,000 plus were killed in three days in Iran. This is a massacre. And the reason is because the bad guys, the Islamic regime of Iran, they all have guns. And the people don't. And they're getting slaughtered for protesting peacefully. And what these murals do is they give a voice to the people who have no voice. It lets them see that they are not forgotten. Oh, go ahead, please. So now, are you calling for now? Is that the purpose of the murals is to make sure people understand that there are freedom fighters? Let me say it a different way. There are people …”“… idea of the Esters rising up. So this whole idea of yes, the people can rise up, but give them a chance to defend themselves. Give them some sort of weapons because right now it's not a fair fight. And I know you said 20 or 30,000 were killed. But honestly, all of us Persians know it's 50,000 plus were killed in three days in Iran. This is a massacre. And the reason is because the bad guys, the Islamic regime of Iran, they all have guns. And the people don't. And they're getting slaughtered for protesting peacefully. And what these murals do is they give a voice to the people who have no voice. It lets them see that they are not forgotten. Oh, go ahead, please. So now, are you calling for now? Is that the purpose of the murals is to make sure people understand that there are freedom fighters? Let me say it a different way. There are people that adamantly oppose the Islamic theocracy. They've lived under for 47 years and they're prepared to act. But you're saying that they need arms that somehow either the Israelis or the Americans somehow have to get a massive amount of arms into Iran so they can at least have somewhat near a fair fight. Look, I'm not pro war. I'm not I'm not a guy who …”View more
Ridealong summary
The people of Iran are facing brutal oppression, with only the regime holding weapons against them. To level the playing field, they need arms to defend themselves and rise up against the Islamic regime. This call to action emphasizes the importance of providing the Iranian people with the means to fight for their freedom and shows the mural of a young martyr symbolizing this struggle.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5215: War Expands To The Gulf States; MSM Is Losing Grasp On Their Audience·Mar 14, 2026
“… mean, it's not just the people who were slaughtered, people tortured, people killed for political dissent, but the lives that have been robbed. The Islamic Revolution sent the country back. You know, Iran was... relatively modern, secular. You look at the pictures of my mum, be the same with your family, they look like they were in any European or any American city. You know, my mum's pictures, the last ones I've heard before the Islamic Revolution, beehive hair and miniskirts and, you know, and then you have this Islamist takeover and women are second-class citizens. They're forced to cover up. …”“… of a bitch, but it's kind of, you know. And Burn in Hell is universal. Yes, it is. So why? Why do you feel that way about Khamenei? Why do you feel that way about him? Well, because it's destroyed hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of lives. I mean, it's not just the people who were slaughtered, people tortured, people killed for political dissent, but the lives that have been robbed. The Islamic Revolution sent the country back. You know, Iran was... relatively modern, secular. You look at the pictures of my mum, be the same with your family, they look like they were in any European or any American city. You know, my mum's pictures, the last ones I've heard before the Islamic Revolution, beehive hair and miniskirts and, you know, and then you have this Islamist takeover and women are second-class citizens. They're forced to cover up. So that's a very visible sign. But obviously, the oppression is far more broad than that. Just freedom's gone. You can get stoned to death for adultery, for witchcraft, for leaving the religion, for blasphemy. I mean, it's just madness to see that happen to a country like Iran, which means it can happen anywhere. And that's why I think so many …”View more
Ridealong summary
The modern feminist movement has abandoned women in Iran, where they face brutal oppression under Sharia law. Despite the courage of those protesting for their rights, Western feminists remain silent, prioritizing other causes instead. This hypocrisy highlights a troubling shift away from genuine advocacy for women's rights globally.
PBD Podcast·Rita Panahi: Iran War, Sharia Law & Soccer Team Asylum | PBD #756·Mar 10, 2026
“… that Israel didn't only manage to collect hard, really rare intelligence before the war for its surprise attack that killed the leaders of the Islamic Republic, Hamina'i and others, it manages to collect now real-time intelligence during the war after the Islamic Republic has basically ordered its shutdown command to all of its leaders that went into hiding. And the fact that the Israeli intelligence can do that is very impressive, and it gives much more hope as to the rest of the war. And it's not only about this man that was killed, but as you said, the commander of the Basij force. The …”“… Supreme Leader was 86 years old. He was ill. He didn't make all the decisions. To a large extent, much was left to the apparatus. And the person who was handling the apparatus was Ali Lachit Yannick. So that's one issue. Another issue is that it proves that Israel didn't only manage to collect hard, really rare intelligence before the war for its surprise attack that killed the leaders of the Islamic Republic, Hamina'i and others, it manages to collect now real-time intelligence during the war after the Islamic Republic has basically ordered its shutdown command to all of its leaders that went into hiding. And the fact that the Israeli intelligence can do that is very impressive, and it gives much more hope as to the rest of the war. And it's not only about this man that was killed, but as you said, the commander of the Basij force. The Basij is basically a volunteer militia ideological that is set to safeguard the stability of the regime. And he was killed in a tent between buildings in Tehran. And one security official told me the reason he was killed in a tent is because he doesn't have any base or any apartment or anywhere to hide. So they thought that we won't be able to see him …”View more
Ridealong summary
Israel recently executed a high-stakes operation, killing key Iranian leaders, including Ari Larijani, who was pivotal in managing Iran's national security. This unprecedented move not only disrupts Iran's leadership structure but also showcases Israel's advanced intelligence capabilities during wartime, potentially shifting the balance of power in the region.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·The Strategy to Re-Open Hormuz - with Nadav Eyal·Mar 19, 2026
“… by Israel. Israel said we did this with the United States. This is massive escalation, folks. That is how Iran is perceiving it as well. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, they've now issued evacuation orders for four energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates following this morning's Israeli end. We know these were joint Israeli-U.S. strikes against energy infrastructure in southern Iran. And these facilities include the major facilities in those nations that I mentioned. A spokesperson for Qatar's foreign minister just issued the following statement. The Israeli targeting …”“… and Israel are confirming that they've just targeted Iran's largest natural gas processing facility earlier this morning in southern Iran. Iranian reports indicate that these facilities are affiliated with the South Pars offshore gas field were struck by Israel. Israel said we did this with the United States. This is massive escalation, folks. That is how Iran is perceiving it as well. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, they've now issued evacuation orders for four energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates following this morning's Israeli end. We know these were joint Israeli-U.S. strikes against energy infrastructure in southern Iran. And these facilities include the major facilities in those nations that I mentioned. A spokesperson for Qatar's foreign minister just issued the following statement. The Israeli targeting of facilities linked to Iran's South Pars field, which is an extension of Qatar's Northfield, is a dangerous and irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region. targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security as well as to the people of the region and its environment. We reiterate, as we have …”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's aggressive actions against Iran are unlawful and dangerously escalating tensions, threatening global energy security.
The US and Israel's joint strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure are dangerously escalating the conflict and threatening global energy security.
The US and Israel's joint strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure are a dangerous escalation that threatens global energy security and regional stability.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Panics as War Suddenly Escalates·Mar 18, 2026
“… supreme leader, Majtaba Khamenei, may be gay, and that his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability for the role of the Islamic Republic for that reason. I can imagine why. If there's like one country that's pretty tough to try to be a gay leader, it's probably Iraq. Well, remember, he wasn't the first pick. Right. This might be the reason why. Yeah. Really? No, his son was not the first pick. No, we aced the other guy. We aced the air. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, so they had to go to the emergency QB, who apparently had some grave concerns because of his sexuality. …”“… but I can definitely confirm and there is a gay Ayatollah in our midst. But anyway, so what happened was out of this report, according to the New York Post, President Trump was stunned to learn last week that the U.S. intelligence indicates a new Iranian supreme leader, Majtaba Khamenei, may be gay, and that his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability for the role of the Islamic Republic for that reason. I can imagine why. If there's like one country that's pretty tough to try to be a gay leader, it's probably Iraq. Well, remember, he wasn't the first pick. Right. This might be the reason why. Yeah. Really? No, his son was not the first pick. No, we aced the other guy. We aced the air. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, so they had to go to the emergency QB, who apparently had some grave concerns because of his sexuality. But I find this completely hilarious for so many reasons, not the least of which is Iran. of all countries on this planet might be the most homophobic and terrible of anything right I mean they they routinely as has been reported execute anyone who known to be gay Well they also give them transgender surgeries They have accepted transgender …”View more
Ridealong summary
U.S. intelligence revealed that Iran's new supreme leader, Majtaba Khamenei, may be gay, raising eyebrows about his suitability in a notoriously homophobic regime. This surprising twist comes as reports indicate that his late father feared the implications of his sexuality for leadership in Iran. The irony is stark: a country that executes individuals for being gay has a potential gay leader at its helm.
“… that we've taken out their Navy and their Air Force. CBS published an article today reporting that roughly 60 percent of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is still in existence, including fast tech speedboats and Iranian air power, while it's been degraded, is still significantly more functional than actually I had assumed about two thirds of the Iranian air force is still believed to be operational, despite the massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, largely targeting air production and storage facilities. The fact that you're looking at two thirds of Iran's Navy and air force still functional and …”“… means anymore. Decimate literally means to destroy like a tenth of a group, right? And yeah, that's pretty accurate, right? But the second part of that sentence, rendered it combat ineffective for years to come is not accurate. Neither is Trump's statement that we've taken out their Navy and their Air Force. CBS published an article today reporting that roughly 60 percent of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is still in existence, including fast tech speedboats and Iranian air power, while it's been degraded, is still significantly more functional than actually I had assumed about two thirds of the Iranian air force is still believed to be operational, despite the massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, largely targeting air production and storage facilities. The fact that you're looking at two thirds of Iran's Navy and air force still functional and at least about half their ballistic missile stockpile and their launch system stockpile intact, that's a significant difference from what the administration has claimed and evidence that were we to continue to press with the open fighting part of this conflict, it would be years probably before you're talking about like a complete degradation of …”View more
Ridealong summary
Operation Epic Fury was heralded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a historic victory against Iran, but the reality tells a different story. Despite claims of decimating Iran's military, evidence shows that a significant portion of their naval and air capabilities remain intact, challenging the narrative of complete destruction. The discussion dives into the implications of this discrepancy and the ongoing conflict dynamics.
Behind the Bastards·It Could Happen Here Weekly 229·Apr 25, 2026
“The Democrats are still blocking the funding for our friends at the TSA, our friends at the Coast Guard, our friends at the Secret Service, our friends at FEMA. What a damn disgrace. What a damn disgrace, seriously. And they can yammer all they want and spin and twist all they want. Everybody knows it's the Democrats who have defunded these people. They can't pay their mortgage payments. They can't pay their medical bills. And these are people who have jobs that are intended to protect you and me. I'm telling you, ladies and gentlemen, this …”“The Democrats are still blocking the funding for our friends at the TSA, our friends at the Coast Guard, our friends at the Secret Service, our friends at FEMA. What a damn disgrace. What a damn disgrace, seriously. And they can yammer all they want and spin and twist all they want. Everybody knows it's the Democrats who have defunded these people. They can't pay their mortgage payments. They can't pay their medical bills. And these are people who have jobs that are intended to protect you and me. I'm telling you, ladies and gentlemen, this Democrat party is no damn good. And they're out there spinning, spinning like a top. Because they want power, they want ICE destroyed, they want all the illegal aliens to remain. If they win the presidency, the House, and the Senate, mark my words right now, right this minute, they're going to give them all amnesty. That's what they're going to do. 20 …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Democrats are solely responsible for the TSA employees working without pay during the government shutdown, prioritizing political power over essential services.
Mark Levin Podcast·3/20/26 - The Fifth Column: Unmasking America's Hidden Propaganda Network·Mar 21, 2026
“… of Hormuz, which is an extremely critical lifeline for the world economy. I'm going to quote here from Al Jazeera quote, a commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that the Strait was quote, closed and that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be set quote, ablaze. Now, per CNBC there's about 13 million barrels of oil a day that flows through the Strait of Hormuz. It's 31% of all seaborne crude flow. The total impacted oil production and distribution from this is about It's about a fifth of the world's oil supply total that is being impacted by this. …”“… the blue check system on Twitter, which is still used for news sourcing across the world in the case of breaking events. So speaking of industry, so one of the other consequences of this war has been effectively the end of trade and passage to the Strait of Hormuz, which is an extremely critical lifeline for the world economy. I'm going to quote here from Al Jazeera quote, a commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that the Strait was quote, closed and that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be set quote, ablaze. Now, per CNBC there's about 13 million barrels of oil a day that flows through the Strait of Hormuz. It's 31% of all seaborne crude flow. The total impacted oil production and distribution from this is about It's about a fifth of the world's oil supply total that is being impacted by this. Liquefied natural gas is also being massively impacted because of the places where a whole bunch of natural gas and oil are produced. this is a very very significant blow to the world's energy supply and one of the reasons why even if you don't care like the u.s doesn't about you know obliterating iranian school girls with bombs this war is a terrible idea …”View more
Ridealong summary
The conflict in Iran is a terrible idea because it risks losing a fifth of the world's oil supply, and military escorts for tankers through the Strait of Hormuz are impractical.
The U.S. cannot effectively escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, making the current strategy unsustainable and likely to fail.
The U.S. strategy of escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is futile and won't prevent the inevitable rise in oil prices due to the conflict.
Behind the Bastards·It Could Happen Here Weekly 222·Mar 07, 2026
“… are meant to be seen as rational thinkers or somehow different from the clergy. You know, different sides of the same coin. You know, this is if the Islamic Republic was a clock. These are different moving parts with the same agenda. The idea that somehow we're going to turn it into a Venezuela scenario where we can somehow use someone from within the system. One, it's not going to play well with the Iranian populace. They want this regime gone in its totality. That's one. And two, I don't know if Israelis are going to be receptive to that. And three, and the most important one, you cannot get …”“But now the word reformist has now shifted to pragmatist. All of a sudden we hear this new term that somehow some of these individuals are meant to be seen as rational thinkers or somehow different from the clergy. You know, different sides of the same coin. You know, this is if the Islamic Republic was a clock. These are different moving parts with the same agenda. The idea that somehow we're going to turn it into a Venezuela scenario where we can somehow use someone from within the system. One, it's not going to play well with the Iranian populace. They want this regime gone in its totality. That's one. And two, I don't know if Israelis are going to be receptive to that. And three, and the most important one, you cannot get behavior change from an Islamic republic that was built on Islamist ideologies, anti-Americanism, and gender apartheid. You just can't do it. At that point, it's no longer an Islamic republic. But to your immediate question about whether regime change is possible or not, this is the closest we've been. And I think there's a few factors that we need to …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Iranian regime may be closer to collapse than ever, fueled by unprecedented public dissent and aggressive military strategies. As protests grow and internal fractures appear, both Israel and the West see this as a critical moment to act against a regime built on oppression. If this opportunity is missed, Iran could become a North Korea-like state, solidifying its repressive grip for generations.
The President's Daily Brief·PDB Situation Report | March 21st, 2026: The Fight With Iran Takes A Dangerous Turn & Inside China’s Iran Problem·Mar 21, 2026
“… and Iranian oil facilities were targeted. It was a very, very dark and difficult period. And yet, not only it survived the war, it consolidated the revolutionary system in those years. And this is the first war in almost 250 years in which Iran didn't lose territory. It didn't win territory, but it also didn't lose anything. And that created a narrative of martyrdom, of sacrifice that really consolidated the regime's power. You mentioned a minute ago how something that people are hearing a lot about now, Iran's ballistic missile program has its origins in that moment. There's something else they're …”“A lot of the purges that we talked about before were happening in conjunction with this war. Economically, Iran was on its knees. The price of oil had dropped significantly and Iranian oil facilities were targeted. It was a very, very dark and difficult period. And yet, not only it survived the war, it consolidated the revolutionary system in those years. And this is the first war in almost 250 years in which Iran didn't lose territory. It didn't win territory, but it also didn't lose anything. And that created a narrative of martyrdom, of sacrifice that really consolidated the regime's power. You mentioned a minute ago how something that people are hearing a lot about now, Iran's ballistic missile program has its origins in that moment. There's something else they're hearing a lot about now. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also has its origins in that war. So tell me about the IRGC how it emerged and what it over time became So when the revolutionaries came to power the moment of revolution victory was the moment that the Shah's army declared itself neutral in the fight between the state and the society. And …”View more
Ridealong summary
The segment discusses the emergence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran-Iraq War, a pivotal conflict from 1980 to 1988. It highlights how the IRGC was formed as a parallel military force to safeguard the Iranian revolution, especially after the Shah's army declared neutrality. This historical context reveals the lasting impact of the IRGC on Iran's military and political landscape, including its role in supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Ezra Klein Show·What Trump Didn’t Know About Iran·Mar 14, 2026
“… the arrival of the Mahdi and that whole thing, right, sort of creating the conditions for that to come about. There's kind of an undergirding the Islamic regime's thinking is this idea, and that's very dangerous to the idea that we don't want to have a nuclear war. Though that regime is not suicidal. I will sort of state that Khamenei was prepared to die for his cause, but he was not suicidal in the sense that he would go out and sort of, you know, if he could, I don't think, start a nuclear war that he knew his country was going to get destroyed fighting. That is, I think, one distinction. And …”“… we're – well, now this regime is up. We don't know what will happen with it. But having, you know, an – correct me on this pronunciation – you know, the idea that the Shia idea that the sort of apocalyptic end is not necessarily a bad thing. Oh, the arrival of the Mahdi and that whole thing, right, sort of creating the conditions for that to come about. There's kind of an undergirding the Islamic regime's thinking is this idea, and that's very dangerous to the idea that we don't want to have a nuclear war. Though that regime is not suicidal. I will sort of state that Khamenei was prepared to die for his cause, but he was not suicidal in the sense that he would go out and sort of, you know, if he could, I don't think, start a nuclear war that he knew his country was going to get destroyed fighting. That is, I think, one distinction. And I'm not saying North Korea is suicidal, but definitely what remains of the government there is not suicidal. I don't think there is ideological diehards as we saw in the founding fathers of which Khamenei was the last one. So that changes it a little bit. Now that he's dead, there's a philosopher, Eric Hoffer, he sort of wrote that great causes …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's military capabilities are rapidly depleting, with their missile stockpiles potentially exhausted in weeks, leaving them vulnerable despite their significant defense budget.
Iran's military strategy is unsustainable due to limited resources, but their strategic patience and ideological commitment pose a long-term challenge.
Iran's military strategy, heavily reliant on its missile stockpile and ideological army, is unsustainable in prolonged conflict, risking depletion and strategic errors.
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett·WW3 Threat Assessment: "Trump Bombing Iran Just Increased Nuclear War Threat" The Terrifying Reality·Mar 04, 2026
“… we are hearing that basically the regime the the the command control and functions of the state of Iran are now entirely in the hands of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. Meaning the mullahs are sidelined. Obviously, we don't know the condition of Muqtada Khamenei, the supposed Ayatollah, or the other mullahs. We heard the other day that another 50 leaders were eliminated in a strike on Saturday or something like that. If the IRGC is now functionally in charge of Iran, is that regime change? Because the regime is no longer being run by eight 90-year-old Shiite mullahs. Can Trump say, I've …”“… mullah has agreed to most of our terms okay i'm gonna okay i'm now going to ask the question i asked eli on uh you know in a chat and i asked our friend jonathan shanzer who's going to be on tomorrow and other which is this question for you we are hearing that basically the regime the the the command control and functions of the state of Iran are now entirely in the hands of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. Meaning the mullahs are sidelined. Obviously, we don't know the condition of Muqtada Khamenei, the supposed Ayatollah, or the other mullahs. We heard the other day that another 50 leaders were eliminated in a strike on Saturday or something like that. If the IRGC is now functionally in charge of Iran, is that regime change? Because the regime is no longer being run by eight 90-year-old Shiite mullahs. Can Trump say, I've made a deal with so-and-so, we're calling off the elimination of their civilization, and this is the new regime. I've made a deal with General Peshmaschki, and he will now be the leader of the regime. or something like that little known polish general in iran well peshmanian i don't know whatever anyway eli you said no no no no no no the iranian …”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's threats against Iran raise the question: is he orchestrating a regime change? While his administration claims positive negotiations are underway, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps now holds power, sidelining traditional mullah leaders. This situation could lead to a new regime, but could it also repeat past mistakes that led to the Ayatollahs' rise?
The Commentary Magazine Podcast·Threat Assessment·Apr 07, 2026
“… stock of what those attacks have accomplished. A new assessment reveals the regime remains largely intact and continues to hold power across the Islamic Republic. According to an exclusive report from Reuters, sources familiar with the intelligence say a, quote, multitude of classified assessments produced in recent days reviewed the impact of the joint strikes and reached a consistent conclusion about the regime's stability. Now, if you've been following our coverage here on the podcast of the expanding conflict in the Middle East, that finding may sound familiar. That's because the analysis …”“It's been two weeks of intense U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and American intelligence agencies are again taking stock of what those attacks have accomplished. A new assessment reveals the regime remains largely intact and continues to hold power across the Islamic Republic. According to an exclusive report from Reuters, sources familiar with the intelligence say a, quote, multitude of classified assessments produced in recent days reviewed the impact of the joint strikes and reached a consistent conclusion about the regime's stability. Now, if you've been following our coverage here on the podcast of the expanding conflict in the Middle East, that finding may sound familiar. That's because the analysis reflects the consensus view across the U.S. intelligence community and reinforces an earlier assessment produced by the National Intelligence Council one week before the conflict began. As I discussed this week, the report concluded that military action alone likely would be insufficient to topple Iran's entrenched clerical and military leadership. …”View more
Ridealong summary
Military action alone is unlikely to topple Iran's entrenched leadership, as the regime's power structure remains intact despite significant strikes.
The President's Daily Brief·March 13th, 2026: FBI Alert Reveals Possible Iran Drone Threat to California & Israel Expands War In Lebanon·Mar 13, 2026
“… because of who investigators believe was really behind the plot. Prosecutors told the jury that Merchant's scheme was directed by members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, and what emerged during the trial offered a rare glimpse into how prosecutors say that kind of operation can take shape. Evidence presented in the courtroom showed Merchant allegedly working to assemble a plan that went far beyond just a single act of violence. Prosecutors say the scheme involved recruiting criminals to steal sensitive government security documents, stage disruptive protests at political rallies launder money and …”“… transcending national boundaries, as well as murder for hire. He now faces the possibility of life in prison. Beyond the fact that the alleged targets included the president and other American politicians, Prosecutors say the case is so severe because of who investigators believe was really behind the plot. Prosecutors told the jury that Merchant's scheme was directed by members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, and what emerged during the trial offered a rare glimpse into how prosecutors say that kind of operation can take shape. Evidence presented in the courtroom showed Merchant allegedly working to assemble a plan that went far beyond just a single act of violence. Prosecutors say the scheme involved recruiting criminals to steal sensitive government security documents, stage disruptive protests at political rallies launder money and ultimately assassinate high American political figures Prosecutors say three names surfaced as targets during those planning conversations the president, former President Joe Biden, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Investigators say merchants' motivations were tied to the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani was the …”View more
Ridealong summary
A federal jury convicted Asif Merchant for his role in an Iranian-backed assassination plot targeting American political figures, including President Trump. The case revealed a complex scheme involving recruitment for violent acts and espionage, all orchestrated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Merchant's plan unraveled when an acquaintance turned informant, leading to his arrest after he attempted to pay undercover FBI agents for the hits.
The President's Daily Brief·PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 9th, 2026: Special Forces Raid Inside Iran? & Man Found Guilty of Iran-Backed Assassination Plot·Mar 09, 2026
“… course Israel and Jerusalem are caught in the middle of this because it's all started this go-round on October 7th so here's what I know about the Islamic Republic of Iran they are willing to die for this cause and this is why I respect the enemy they will die they will go to their death They will become martyrs They will practice jihad They will go to see Allah for this And I respect that. At the end of the day, we just talked about how we are going to save our boys' lives. The pilot that went down. There's a famous phrase in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. And it's this. They said, there …”“… or not, whether you want to say it or not, this is a religious war. This is at its core, a deeply, deeply ideological war. This is a class of civilizations. So if you don't think that this is history repeating itself, go look up the Crusades. and of course Israel and Jerusalem are caught in the middle of this because it's all started this go-round on October 7th so here's what I know about the Islamic Republic of Iran they are willing to die for this cause and this is why I respect the enemy they will die they will go to their death They will become martyrs They will practice jihad They will go to see Allah for this And I respect that. At the end of the day, we just talked about how we are going to save our boys' lives. The pilot that went down. There's a famous phrase in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. And it's this. They said, there will be peace when you value life more than you value death. And this is who these people are. That's why you constantly hear they're a death cult. My final point is this, and I'll keep harping on this. This is the number one most theocratic regime in the world. What does that mean? There's zero separation between church and state or mosque and …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Iranian regime views itself as a righteous force, willing to die for its cause, which is deeply rooted in ideology and religion. This perspective frames the conflict as not just military but a clash of civilizations, echoing historical battles like the Crusades. With 81% of Iranians reportedly wanting change, the question remains: who truly cares for the Iranian people—their regime or the Western world?
“… the badge policing the world, who do you want policing the world? You want China policing the world? You want Russia running the world? You want the Islamic Republic of Iran running the world? So in my opinion, America should be the policeman of the world. We might pull out a NATO. NATO, hey, EU, let me know how you're going to work without American funding. so as much as we don't want to intervene in every single conflict as much as we don't want boots on the ground if not America, then who? Well, let's do that. Let's go into this. Let's go into the great transition into this. Trump absolutely …”“… Yeah, my ultimate point was this. I'm not an isolationist and I'm not a complete interventionist. You know, the whole conversation of America can't police the world. America's not the world's police. Really? Who is? Because if America doesn't have the badge policing the world, who do you want policing the world? You want China policing the world? You want Russia running the world? You want the Islamic Republic of Iran running the world? So in my opinion, America should be the policeman of the world. We might pull out a NATO. NATO, hey, EU, let me know how you're going to work without American funding. so as much as we don't want to intervene in every single conflict as much as we don't want boots on the ground if not America, then who? Well, let's do that. Let's go into this. Let's go into the great transition into this. Trump absolutely considering NATO exit will rip Europe in primetime remarks. He said on Wednesday that he's absolutely considering withdrawing the United States from the NATO. Is this... Play the clip, Rob. Go for it. To be honest, I was really asking because I wanted to see what they do. We didn't need them. We blasted the hell out of them, out of the rent.”View more
Ridealong summary
The debate on whether America should intervene in global conflicts intensifies as voices question why the U.S. supports some nations over others. With Christians facing persecution in Iran and Nigeria, the discussion highlights the complexities of intervention and the role of the U.S. as a global 'policeman.' Ultimately, the conversation challenges listeners to consider who else could take on this responsibility if not America.
“… about is he's sitting on top of this edifice that has been built since the 1979 revolution that includes millions of people under arms. Right. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, the Basij militias that are usually responsible for the crackdowns that we see when they're peaceful protests, the Iranian military and police. There's a lot of depth to this regime. So taking out even the supreme leader doesn't in any way change the regime. And in fact, if you talk about people that might be afraid, you know, the IRGC has sometimes been kind of more hard line, even certainly than the political leadership that …”“… not sure how many years he had left. If we're just decapitating him, I mean, time was about to do that. But this is a deep, deep regime with ideological institutions that go far beyond even the Chavista regime in Venezuela. Because what you're talking about is he's sitting on top of this edifice that has been built since the 1979 revolution that includes millions of people under arms. Right. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, the Basij militias that are usually responsible for the crackdowns that we see when they're peaceful protests, the Iranian military and police. There's a lot of depth to this regime. So taking out even the supreme leader doesn't in any way change the regime. And in fact, if you talk about people that might be afraid, you know, the IRGC has sometimes been kind of more hard line, even certainly than the political leadership that Americans usually see in things like negotiations.”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's belief that he can change regimes without regime change is flawed and overlooks the deep-rooted nature of Iran's political structure.
Iran's regime is deeply entrenched, and military strikes alone won't collapse it, as the ideological institutions are vast and resilient.
The Ezra Klein Show·Trump’s Head-on-a-Pike Foreign Policy·Mar 03, 2026
“… are confirming that there would be movement through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranians are saying that this movement would be coordinated with the Islamic Republic. And I don't know exactly what that means. The president of the United States is saying that this would be a complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz. They would be meeting in Islamabad. Pakistan is going to moderate between the sides, to mediate between the sides, to try and reach, according to President Trump, peace between the Islamic Republic and the United States. The president tweeted this morning, U.S. Eastern Time, that Iran …”“… can you just walk us through what we know was agreed to? Well, you basically just named the main issues that have been agreed. Beyond that, we don't know much, Dan. We know that there is an agreement for a ceasefire. We know that the Iranians are confirming that there would be movement through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranians are saying that this movement would be coordinated with the Islamic Republic. And I don't know exactly what that means. The president of the United States is saying that this would be a complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz. They would be meeting in Islamabad. Pakistan is going to moderate between the sides, to mediate between the sides, to try and reach, according to President Trump, peace between the Islamic Republic and the United States. The president tweeted this morning, U.S. Eastern Time, that Iran would not be able to enrich uranium and that the U.S. will extract, in coordination with the Islamic Republic, the enriched uranium that is now buried. He called that enriched uranium dust in his Truth Social post. And that's extremely meaningful if indeed there was an agreement to that. Although the president, as far as I remember, did not say …”View more
Ridealong summary
The U.S. and Iran have tentatively agreed to a ceasefire that includes crucial terms like coordinated movement through the Strait of Hormuz and limitations on Iran's uranium enrichment. While the U.S. claims significant concessions from Iran, such as stopping uranium enrichment, the details remain murky, leaving room for speculation about undisclosed agreements. This situation is pivotal for the future stability of the region and reflects Israel's insistence on securing key objectives before halting hostilities.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·Ceasefire at the 11th hour - with Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz·Apr 08, 2026
“… in Tehran. Another senior Iranian military leader has been killed. Israel says its military has assassinated Ali Reza Tengsiri, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Gharakor naval forces, as well as other senior Iranian naval command officials. The commander has been a key figure behind Iran's near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Now, Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed his death. The extension came just 11 minutes after markets finished their worst day since the fighting began. Quoting now from his social media post, which landed at 4.11 p.m., As per Iranian government …”“… sort of control of the Strait of Hormuz? I believe they do. They will. Yeah, unless there's a regime change, unless, you know, we go in and we decide that, you know, all out, the only way that this comes out in our favor is to remove the theocracy in Tehran. Another senior Iranian military leader has been killed. Israel says its military has assassinated Ali Reza Tengsiri, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Gharakor naval forces, as well as other senior Iranian naval command officials. The commander has been a key figure behind Iran's near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Now, Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed his death. The extension came just 11 minutes after markets finished their worst day since the fighting began. Quoting now from his social media post, which landed at 4.11 p.m., As per Iranian government requests, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of energy plant destruction by 10 days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Talks are ongoing, and despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the fake news media and others they are going very well About an hour later the president phoned into Fox with …”View more
Ridealong summary
In a dramatic turn, Donald Trump announced a 10-day pause on threats to Iran's power infrastructure at their request, just after Wall Street's worst day since the war began. This comes amid escalating military options from the Pentagon, including potential ground forces and bombings, while Iran denies any direct negotiations. The stakes are high, especially with the recent assassination of a key Iranian military leader, raising questions about control in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5250: Live From CPAC Day 2·Mar 27, 2026
“being sent tonight to Iran and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire. The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal …”“being sent tonight to Iran and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire. The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Trump is saying the 10-point plan is a workable basis on which to negotiate. And that had all of those 10 features that I just read for you. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran. So Trump's saying there, he's …”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump has agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, surrendering to all ten of Iran's demands, aiming for a long-term peace in the Middle East. This two-week pause in military actions is backed by a proposal that has already seen agreement on key contentious points, facilitated by influence from China and Russia. Trump's statement reveals a significant shift in U.S. military strategy and diplomacy.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Fully Surrenders to Iran as Ceasefire Entered·Apr 08, 2026
“… that every investor needs to understand. And on Wednesday, the same day President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the sea spire, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hermoz. A container ship owned by Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company and a Greek-owned cargo vessel were both fired upon, boarded, and towed to Iranian waters. A third ship was also attacked off the Iranian coast and remained stranded. The IRGC claimed all three vessels were secretly attempting to exit the strait without authorization, and 15 Filipino crew members are confirmed aboard the …”“… to jump into this one because it is very timely. Yeah, the Strait of Hermoz is now a combat zone and nobody's willing to cross it. This is a story that's been escalating in the background for a couple months now, but this week it hit a tipping point that every investor needs to understand. And on Wednesday, the same day President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the sea spire, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hermoz. A container ship owned by Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company and a Greek-owned cargo vessel were both fired upon, boarded, and towed to Iranian waters. A third ship was also attacked off the Iranian coast and remained stranded. The IRGC claimed all three vessels were secretly attempting to exit the strait without authorization, and 15 Filipino crew members are confirmed aboard the sea ships. So here's why this matters so much. The Strait of Hormuz is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, but 20 million barrels of oil pass through it every single day. That's 25% of all seaborne oil and 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas. And since Iran effectively closed the strait on February 28th in retaliation for the …”View more
Ridealong summary
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran marks the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz conflict represents the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a combat zone, leading to the largest disruption in global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a combat zone, causing the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, with Iran's actions escalating tensions and impacting oil prices significantly.
The Strait of Hormuz becoming a combat zone represents the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz represents the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, with significant implications for global oil prices and economic stability.
The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has created the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, with oil prices surging above $100 a barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a combat zone, causing the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has created the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis, severely impacting global supply chains.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a combat zone, causing the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a combat zone, causing the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, in response to U.S. actions, is causing the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis.
Rich Habits Podcast·More Meta & Microsoft Layoffs, $166B in Tariff Refunds, & Kevin Warsh·Apr 24, 2026
“and Bahrain. Iran's IRGC-linked FARZNU agency, IRGC is the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, this is their state regime, FARZNU agency, cites an informed military source reports that Tehran has prepared special and unprecedented measures against the UAE and Bahrain in the event of any ground attack on Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. The warning follows U.S. threats of a ground operation and alleged support from these Gulf states, including hosting bases and providing infrastructure and advanced technologies. Tehran …”“and Bahrain. Iran's IRGC-linked FARZNU agency, IRGC is the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, this is their state regime, FARZNU agency, cites an informed military source reports that Tehran has prepared special and unprecedented measures against the UAE and Bahrain in the event of any ground attack on Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. The warning follows U.S. threats of a ground operation and alleged support from these Gulf states, including hosting bases and providing infrastructure and advanced technologies. Tehran said any response would be very damaging and instructive. And specifically, this infographic being circulated by Iranian media outlines key energy infrastructure across the UAE, drop site reports, including power stations, nuclear facilities, and solar hubs as potential targets in the event of escalation. Key sites being identified or desalination …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran has declared potential military targets across the UAE and Bahrain, warning that any ground attack could lead to devastating strikes on key energy infrastructure. This includes power stations and desalination facilities that are crucial to the UAE's economy. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's threats highlight the escalating tensions in the region amidst U.S. military maneuvers and support from Gulf states.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Panics as Iran Prepares 1 Million Soldiers·Mar 27, 2026
“… the war while working remotely with the exception of fighter pilots and crews operating and maintaining war plans and conducting strikes. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has urged people to report these new locations as it hunts for the dispersed troops. U.S. military officials say that the threat is not stopping the Pentagon from carrying out the war against Iran, which is in its fourth week. Many of the 13 military bases in the region used by American troops are all but uninhabitable, with the ones in Kuwait, which is next door to Iran, suffering perhaps the most damage. Six U.S. service members were killed …”“… all under the bus and now you're all in hiding in hotels. Should be a pretty big story, right? And all our military bases are abandoned right now and our soldiers and troops are hiding in hotels So now much of the land military is in essence fighting the war while working remotely with the exception of fighter pilots and crews operating and maintaining war plans and conducting strikes. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has urged people to report these new locations as it hunts for the dispersed troops. U.S. military officials say that the threat is not stopping the Pentagon from carrying out the war against Iran, which is in its fourth week. Many of the 13 military bases in the region used by American troops are all but uninhabitable, with the ones in Kuwait, which is next door to Iran, suffering perhaps the most damage. Six U.S. service members were killed in a strike on Port Shoaib that destroyed an army tactical operations center. Iranian drones and missiles also targeted the Ali al-Salam airbase, damaging aircraft structure and injuring personnel at Camp Buring, damaging maintenance and fuel facilities. In Qatar, Iran struck the Al-Yudid airbase, the regional air headquarters of U.S. Central …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran is actively targeting U.S. military bases with drones and missiles, aided by critical intelligence and resources from Russia. As U.S. troops find themselves in hiding, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is hunting for their new locations, showcasing the dire consequences of abandoned military positions. This escalating conflict illustrates a dangerous Russo-Iranian alliance that threatens U.S. interests in the region.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Abandons Bases in War!!!·Mar 26, 2026
“… a war would not restart and not have additional strikes by the United States and Israel ever again. Further, the top spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard put out the following message as well. You have reached a stage in your negotiations, U.S. and Donald Trump, where you are now negotiating with yourselves. Do not call your defeat an agreement. There will be no news of your investments in the region and you will not see the former price of energy and oil. Stop proposing nonsense. Stop pretending you are negotiating with us. If you don't agree to our terms of surrender, we are uninterested …”“… Iran says that there must be an end to all sanctions against Iran. There must be an end to Israeli operations against Lebanese Hezbollah. There can be no discussions on Iran's ballistic missiles. And Iran also says that it must have guarantees that a war would not restart and not have additional strikes by the United States and Israel ever again. Further, the top spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard put out the following message as well. You have reached a stage in your negotiations, U.S. and Donald Trump, where you are now negotiating with yourselves. Do not call your defeat an agreement. There will be no news of your investments in the region and you will not see the former price of energy and oil. Stop proposing nonsense. Stop pretending you are negotiating with us. If you don't agree to our terms of surrender, we are uninterested in having any communications with you and don't call your defeat an agreement. Meanwhile Donald Trump and his regime were proposing a 30 ceasefire and a 15 plan which Iran says well it seems like all you offering us is for you and Israel to be able to use a ceasefire in order to build back up your munitions to then further attack us during the …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's rejection of the peace proposal is seen as a refusal to negotiate with what they perceive as backstabbing negotiators, demanding terms that equate to a U.S. surrender.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Panics as Iran Says No Negotiations!!!·Mar 25, 2026
“… the civilians and the Iranian population, once the Ayatollahs and the IRCG are all dead. ...infrastructure. To date, our Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aviators have collectively flown more than 6,000 combat flights, demonstrating the unmatched capability of America's joint force as we maintain air superiority over Iranian skies. We continue to remain centered on our military objectives. These are well-defined and include eliminating Iran's ballistic missiles, drones, and naval threats. It's one thing to defend by striking launchers and intercepting missiles and drones, but it's another thing …”“… a large-scale precision strike on Karg Island, destroying... What after Karg Island? ...90 Iranian military targets, including storage bunkers for naval mines and missiles and other military... While leaving the oil infrastructure intact for the civilians and the Iranian population, once the Ayatollahs and the IRCG are all dead. ...infrastructure. To date, our Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aviators have collectively flown more than 6,000 combat flights, demonstrating the unmatched capability of America's joint force as we maintain air superiority over Iranian skies. We continue to remain centered on our military objectives. These are well-defined and include eliminating Iran's ballistic missiles, drones, and naval threats. It's one thing to defend by striking launchers and intercepting missiles and drones, but it's another thing to eliminate the wider manufacturing apparatus behind them. Yeah, yeah, and they're doing a really good job, by the way. 100, 100 Iranian naval vessels sunk. I'll do it like the count on Sesame Street. 99, 100, 100 naval vessels.”View more
Ridealong summary
In a stunning military operation, the U.S. has dismantled 90% of Iran's ballistic missile and drone capabilities, sinking over 100 naval vessels in just two weeks. Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt details how U.S. forces have successfully targeted more than 6,000 military locations while preserving civilian infrastructure for future recovery. This unprecedented takedown of the Iranian regime is largely unreported by mainstream media.
The Rob Carson Show·Epic Fury & Epic Comedy: Carson Takes On Iran, Protesters, and the Media·Mar 16, 2026
“… drowning The Sri Lankan Navy came and saved about 30 people from the boat but that was just about it Again Iran continues to retaliate You see the Islamic Revolutionary Guard striking a skyscraper near Dubai. You see them striking a social security building in Kuwait City. You see it right there. And by the way, I mean, as I mentioned before, You know, you have Kuwait shutting down its oil production at this point. You have Qatar shutting down its oil production at this point. And then His Highness, the Emir of Qatar, had a meeting with Donald Trump yesterday because they're flipping out in Qatar …”“And then as soon as the boat left Sri Lanka, the United States used a torpedo and blew it up as well, killing most of the crew. and then U did not render aid or assistance to the naval crew that was drowning The Sri Lankan Navy came and saved about 30 people from the boat but that was just about it Again Iran continues to retaliate You see the Islamic Revolutionary Guard striking a skyscraper near Dubai. You see them striking a social security building in Kuwait City. You see it right there. And by the way, I mean, as I mentioned before, You know, you have Kuwait shutting down its oil production at this point. You have Qatar shutting down its oil production at this point. And then His Highness, the Emir of Qatar, had a meeting with Donald Trump yesterday because they're flipping out in Qatar because, you know, Qatar, its main city, Doha, they have to advertise to the world that they're a safe place for investment. They're a good place for tourism. They've done everything they can to try to present Doha as a place of modernization and safety. Right. Same thing in the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi and in Dubai. Same thing. Now that …”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's actions have destabilized the Middle East, shattering the region's safety and igniting sectarian conflicts.
Trump's policies have exacerbated Middle Eastern tensions, leading to a breakdown of regional stability and escalating conflicts into water wars.
Trump's foreign policy has destabilized the Middle East, leading to increased violence and economic turmoil, with former allies now facing severe security threats.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Panics as Iran Threatens his Life in War…·Mar 08, 2026
“… now. Jack, one of the justifications, rationale for why it had to go now, as the White House said yesterday, is that they had intelligence that the Revolutionary Guard was going to target American – they were going to strike first and target American – particularly American vessels and bases. But that's where they went. Eric, it seems like it's not as intense as the strike that ended the 12-day war, but spectacular results, correct? I mean they took out the Ayatollah and its top 40 guys having a picnic lunch in the afternoon or gathering. The intelligence was pretty special in the fact they took the …”“Captain Fennell is going to be on about this, the Straits of Hormuz, because that will have a definite impact on oil markets tomorrow. Jack, it's interesting. I'm going to bring Eric Princeton now. Jack, one of the justifications, rationale for why it had to go now, as the White House said yesterday, is that they had intelligence that the Revolutionary Guard was going to target American – they were going to strike first and target American – particularly American vessels and bases. But that's where they went. Eric, it seems like it's not as intense as the strike that ended the 12-day war, but spectacular results, correct? I mean they took out the Ayatollah and its top 40 guys having a picnic lunch in the afternoon or gathering. The intelligence was pretty special in the fact they took the Ayatollah and 40 of its top guys out, sir? Look, Steve, it's, um, I'm, uh, I'm not happy about the whole thing. I don't think this was in America's interest. Uh, it's going to uncork a significant can of worms and chaos and destruction, uh, in Iran now. Who takes over? You still have tens, hundreds of thousands of IRGC people that will be positioning …”View more
Ridealong summary
The strike that eliminated the Ayatollah and his top officials may not lead to the regime change many anticipated, as chaos now looms over Iran's future. With the IRGC entrenched in power and no clear successor, the question remains: who will lead Iran next? Experts warn that air power alone won't solve the complexities of regime change, raising concerns about America's strategy in the region.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5274/5275: WarRoom Special War With Iran·Apr 05, 2026
“… that the tacit deal that had been made to keep them out of the fray has completely unwound as a consequence of Trump deciding to decapitate the Islamic Republic. He went bigger than the rules of the game allowed, and now the dominoes have all come tumbling down. So we're recording this at a time where we don't really know what's going to happen. And by the time you're listening to this, the Strait of War moves could be open. It could be closed. It could be open and closed. There could be ground troops.”“… missile and drone attacks here in the Gulf, despite the ceasefire. There's a great deal of economic impact that's already been felt in this region. That is a surprise. We're not it's not a surprise that they're in the Middle East. It's just a surprise that the tacit deal that had been made to keep them out of the fray has completely unwound as a consequence of Trump deciding to decapitate the Islamic Republic. He went bigger than the rules of the game allowed, and now the dominoes have all come tumbling down. So we're recording this at a time where we don't really know what's going to happen. And by the time you're listening to this, the Strait of War moves could be open. It could be closed. It could be open and closed. There could be ground troops.”View more
Ridealong summary
The geopolitical instability in the Middle East, exacerbated by Trump's aggressive stance on Iran, has exposed the vulnerability of Gulf states and disrupted global economic models.
TechStuff·The Future Is Inherently Uncertain, But What Could Go Right?·Apr 24, 2026
“… to sustain this war. They reckon that at this point, from their perspective, an existential conflict, from the Israeli perspective, an Iranian Islamic Republic existential conflict, they're going to draw this out. They know that Israel wants a much, much longer war than the United States does, and that the United States is going to be looking to find some kind of exit strategy, especially given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the overwhelming economic pain that's going to be attributable to its decision to launch this war of aggression. Yeah, I think really well said. And there's a …”“… in every single one of their press conferences. They focus on the air superiority that they've obtained. They focus on the reduced rate in missile fires, as if that tells you anything. It looks more like the Iranians are conserving their missile batteries to sustain this war. They reckon that at this point, from their perspective, an existential conflict, from the Israeli perspective, an Iranian Islamic Republic existential conflict, they're going to draw this out. They know that Israel wants a much, much longer war than the United States does, and that the United States is going to be looking to find some kind of exit strategy, especially given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the overwhelming economic pain that's going to be attributable to its decision to launch this war of aggression. Yeah, I think really well said. And there's a lot more that I could ask you with regard to what is going on here, the broader consequences. But I just wanted to end with this question. You mentioned earlier when you were talking about the history here that the United States was looking for a reason to stay in the Middle East and certainly saw Iran as part of the reason to do that and has built …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Gulf states are doubling down on their security demands from the U.S. as they face direct threats from Iran. Despite the ongoing conflict and the U.S. and Israel's perceived loss of control, Gulf leaders are not pushing for American withdrawal but rather seeking stronger guarantees of protection. This dynamic reveals the complexities of U.S. influence in the region amidst escalating tensions.
Tech Won't Save Us·The Long History of the US War on Iran w/ Spencer Ackerman·Mar 26, 2026
“… now ali larjani or sort of like the one of the triumvirate leaders of iran technically the secretary of the supreme national security council of the islamic republic which doesn't sound as important as um by ali khamenei to be his successor before he got whacked and so now the guy that ali khamenei had hoped to steer the ship is now no longer with us and it does seem like things are not going well for the regime meanwhile also the head of the is it the Basij? another guy named Soleimani but apparently no relation to the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Soleimani who was assassinated in …”“Momentous day yesterday or this morning or overnight in the war, the huge developments in the war. uh we have the assassination of the i don't know what you call him sort of like the civilian head of the government now ali larjani or sort of like the one of the triumvirate leaders of iran technically the secretary of the supreme national security council of the islamic republic which doesn't sound as important as um by ali khamenei to be his successor before he got whacked and so now the guy that ali khamenei had hoped to steer the ship is now no longer with us and it does seem like things are not going well for the regime meanwhile also the head of the is it the Basij? another guy named Soleimani but apparently no relation to the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Soleimani who was assassinated in 2020 this is a new different Soleimani assassinated overnight thus beheading the leadership of the internal security police Do I have that right Yeah, or maybe more simply the repression apparatus. So this one was a real shot in the arm to the Iranian people as they now weigh their next moves and consider getting back out into the streets to …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's leadership faces a seismic shift with the assassination of key figure Ali Larijani, a potential successor to the Supreme Leader, and the head of the Basij, signaling turmoil within the regime. Concurrently, Israel claims to have effectively neutralized Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, leaving the regime with limited options. This pivotal moment could reignite protests among the Iranian populace, as they assess their next moves in a rapidly changing landscape.
The Commentary Magazine Podcast·Failure to Launch·Mar 17, 2026
“… has only fueled speculation that the real power inside Tehran may currently rest with other figures, particularly the powerful commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, who have played a central role in directing Iran's military response ever since the war began. Still, Iranian state media appears to be turning his absence into a propaganda opportunity. Reports inside Iran have begun describing Moshtab al-Khamenei as a wounded leader, a narrative that frames him not as a man in hiding, but as a wartime survivor. In effect, the regime is attempting to cast the new supreme leader as a kind of wounded …”“… They say the new supreme leader is recovering from his injuries and is overseeing the country's leadership from a secure location. Now, there is some logic in keeping him hidden, given that Israel has already said that he's a target. But the silence has only fueled speculation that the real power inside Tehran may currently rest with other figures, particularly the powerful commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, who have played a central role in directing Iran's military response ever since the war began. Still, Iranian state media appears to be turning his absence into a propaganda opportunity. Reports inside Iran have begun describing Moshtab al-Khamenei as a wounded leader, a narrative that frames him not as a man in hiding, but as a wartime survivor. In effect, the regime is attempting to cast the new supreme leader as a kind of wounded war hero. For now, the man who has just assumed one of the most consequential positions in the Middle East”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's Supreme Leader, Moshtaba al-Khamenei, has not been seen in public since taking office, raising concerns about his health and power dynamics within the country. He was wounded in a recent attack that killed several of his family members, and while officials claim he is recovering, speculation grows that real power may lie with military leaders instead. State media is framing him as a 'wounded hero' to maintain public support despite his absence.
The President's Daily Brief·March 12th, 2026: Iran Fires Dangerous New Missile & Emergency Oil Release·Mar 12, 2026
“… military also said today that they have destroyed about 16 of these mine-laying vessels. Of course, these are very small vessels operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They can go undetected. It is very difficult right now for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, including the U.S. military, because not only of these mines, but also because Iran is attacking ships that transit there with drones. So it's a very fraught situation that, of course, has led to a ton of uncertainty in the global oil markets, given that this is such a key passageway for global oil production. We are in the world of the world.”“… feasibly continue to do so and lay hundreds of mines in the coming days. Now, President Trump has said that there are going to be serious military consequences for Iran writ large if they don't take steps to actually remove these mines. But the U.S. military also said today that they have destroyed about 16 of these mine-laying vessels. Of course, these are very small vessels operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They can go undetected. It is very difficult right now for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, including the U.S. military, because not only of these mines, but also because Iran is attacking ships that transit there with drones. So it's a very fraught situation that, of course, has led to a ton of uncertainty in the global oil markets, given that this is such a key passageway for global oil production. We are in the world of the world.”View more
Ridealong summary
The U.S. military's decisive actions against Iran have been overwhelmingly successful, showcasing America's military superiority and effectively neutralizing Iranian threats.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5206: Iran Continues To Lay Mines In The Strait Of Hormuz; AI Exceeds Cognitive Versatility·Mar 11, 2026
“… safely through one of the most crucial energy corridors on the planet, even as tensions with Iran continue to escalate. Earlier this week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, delivered a message that appeared to tie access to the Strait of Hormuz to a very specific political demand. According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, the IRGC announced that any Arab or European country that expels the ambassadors of the U.S. and Israel would be granted free passage through the Strait beginning Wednesday. Ooh, how do you spell extortion? The statement, carried by Iranian state media, amounted to a …”“… ships, which will now operate alongside other European naval assets already in the area, including France's aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. French officials say the mission is designed to ensure that commercial shipping can continue moving safely through one of the most crucial energy corridors on the planet, even as tensions with Iran continue to escalate. Earlier this week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, delivered a message that appeared to tie access to the Strait of Hormuz to a very specific political demand. According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, the IRGC announced that any Arab or European country that expels the ambassadors of the U.S. and Israel would be granted free passage through the Strait beginning Wednesday. Ooh, how do you spell extortion? The statement, carried by Iranian state media, amounted to a geopolitical ultimatum, and it arrives at a moment when traffic through the narrow corridor has already slowed dramatically. For years, many energy analysts believed Iran would hesitate to politicize access to the Strait of Hormuz so directly, given how critical the waterway is to the global economy, including to Iran and countries that maintain economic …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's geopolitical pressure in the Strait of Hormuz is a form of extortion, risking severe escalation with the U.S. and global economic disruption.
The U.S. military's aggressive stance towards Iran over the Strait of Hormuz could escalate into a broader conflict, risking severe disruption to global oil markets.
The US-Iran conflict is escalating dangerously, with Iran using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in a geopolitical standoff that risks severe military retaliation from the US.
The US-Iran conflict is escalating dangerously, with Iran using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in a geopolitical power play that risks significant global economic disruption.
Iran's geopolitical maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz are a form of extortion that could severely disrupt global oil supplies and escalate military tensions.
Trump's aggressive stance on Iran is escalating tensions and could severely disrupt global oil markets, risking significant economic instability.
Iran's use of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage is a geopolitical extortion tactic that could severely disrupt global oil flow and escalate military tensions.
The US-Iran conflict is escalating into a dangerous geopolitical standoff, with Iran using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in a form of extortion against Western countries.
The geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbated by Iran's actions, are creating significant risks for global oil supply and economic stability.
The geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are escalating into a dangerous game of extortion, threatening global oil supply and stability.
Iran's geopolitical maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz are a form of extortion, leveraging critical global shipping routes to exert pressure on international relations.
The President's Daily Brief·March 11th, 2026: Coup Inside Iran? The IRGC Seizes Power In Tehran & France Deploys Warships To Middle East·Mar 11, 2026
“… now feels that this is a war of civilizations. It's a clash of civilizations because Trump has framed it not as the United States going after the Islamic Republic and this Ayatollah regime. Donald Trump has framed it as an extension essentially of the Crusades, that this is the West or America, the American Empire. I, Donald Trump, am going to obliterate and send you to the Stone Age and destroy these savage animals. That framing of things, that discussion from the perspective of these are war crimes, if you're not humiliated by that as an American, again, I don't care what political party …”“… And he says these things, which are war crimes. Let's not mince words what he's saying, war crimes. And then the Iranian regime has used this to boost morale amongst its people. They use it to motivate their people. And if anything, you know, Iran now feels that this is a war of civilizations. It's a clash of civilizations because Trump has framed it not as the United States going after the Islamic Republic and this Ayatollah regime. Donald Trump has framed it as an extension essentially of the Crusades, that this is the West or America, the American Empire. I, Donald Trump, am going to obliterate and send you to the Stone Age and destroy these savage animals. That framing of things, that discussion from the perspective of these are war crimes, if you're not humiliated by that as an American, again, I don't care what political party you're from. If you're okay with this, you got to look in the mirror because this is some weak and pathetic stuff. Wasn't it last week where Donald Trump gave an address to the nation and said, we don't need the Strait of Hormuz at all? Why would we need it? We have all of the oil. So we're going to just leave it to the Europeans and France and the UK …”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump's alarming threats to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age reveal a dangerous escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions. With misinformation about military casualties and erratic behavior, his remarks are not only misleading but could also incite further conflict. As Iran uses Trump's rhetoric to rally support, the stakes for American troops and global stability have never been higher.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 4/7/26·Apr 07, 2026
“… came out from a top aide to the former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, the heterosexual one, not the homosexual one, who's speaking to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. And this was obtained by the Telegraph. Here's what he says. god's will was that most taba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return he was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile that was it okay that's it that's all we got he was outside does make you think you say hold on was was the homosexual Moshtaba, was he the one who ratted out his dad and everyone else? Was he, he just …”“… of everyone there, maybe all those issues in the Middle East, maybe they abate. Maybe they decline in severity or not Maybe it all gets worse I mean some of it will just depend on tactics on the ground every single day There some audio that just came out from a top aide to the former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, the heterosexual one, not the homosexual one, who's speaking to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. And this was obtained by the Telegraph. Here's what he says. god's will was that most taba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return he was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile that was it okay that's it that's all we got he was outside does make you think you say hold on was was the homosexual Moshtaba, was he the one who ratted out his dad and everyone else? Was he, he just happened to not be in the room when the missile struck, but probably not. It was probably just a quirk, a quirk of history that that missile, that Israeli missile could have taken out all of them, including the guy who's now the supreme leader, but it didn't. And now we need to figure out who the next leader is going to be. High stakes, high …”View more
Ridealong summary
Israel's alliance with the U.S. is under scrutiny as voices on the right question its benefits to American interests. While Israel has lost support from the left, the real danger lies in losing the right, which could jeopardize its reliance on U.S. power. As tensions rise in the Middle East, the stakes are incredibly high for both Israel and the United States.
The Michael Knowles Show·Ep. 1933 - The New Ayatollah Of Iran Is Gay?·Mar 17, 2026
“… Trump administration or by the war planners, that this is a regime that has seen the worst before. I often point to the first several years of the Islamic Republic when there were tribal revolts, there was urban street fighting, there was intense factionalism and terrorist attacks on the leadership. and severe economic constraints, and then the Iraqi invasion in September 1980. And the presumption was that Iran would simply collapse. That didn't happen. They fought back. And I think what we're seeing now is that same resilience, that same determination to push forward, even when the odds seem …”“… capabilities, but they have more than we fully appreciated. And they've also been able to both hide and reconstitute some of those capabilities that were already hit. I think that kind of resilience was something that was not fully appreciated by the Trump administration or by the war planners, that this is a regime that has seen the worst before. I often point to the first several years of the Islamic Republic when there were tribal revolts, there was urban street fighting, there was intense factionalism and terrorist attacks on the leadership. and severe economic constraints, and then the Iraqi invasion in September 1980. And the presumption was that Iran would simply collapse. That didn't happen. They fought back. And I think what we're seeing now is that same resilience, that same determination to push forward, even when the odds seem tremendously negative. And we discounted their ability to do exactly what they have done in the past.”View more
Ridealong summary
Despite military efforts, Iran's nuclear capabilities remain a significant concern. This segment discusses the complexities of Iran's nuclear program, the resilience of its military infrastructure, and the challenges faced in neutralizing its threat to regional stability. The analysis highlights the ongoing struggle to ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.
The Ezra Klein Show·Why Iran Believes It Has the Upper Hand·Apr 03, 2026
“… way, Islamists target their fellow Muslims with great frequency. They target Christians. They target Jews. Islamism, which is where we get radical Islamic terrorism, that's where on 9-11 Osama bin Laden was an Islamist. That is a particular ideology, and one of the real problems is leftists refuse to acknowledge it. In fact, I'll tell you, during the Obama administration, I chaired a hearing on the purge of radical Islamic terrorism from the Department of Homeland Security. And the Obama White House sent an email to DHS instructing it to purge. And by the way, purge was the word used by the Obama …”“By the way, Islamists target their fellow Muslims with great frequency. They target Christians. They target Jews. Islamism, which is where we get radical Islamic terrorism, that's where on 9-11 Osama bin Laden was an Islamist. That is a particular ideology, and one of the real problems is leftists refuse to acknowledge it. In fact, I'll tell you, during the Obama administration, I chaired a hearing on the purge of radical Islamic terrorism from the Department of Homeland Security. And the Obama White House sent an email to DHS instructing it to purge. And by the way, purge was the word used by the Obama White House political operative. purge from the DHS records any reference to jihad, any reference to Muslim Brotherhood, any reference to radical Islamic terrorism. And DHS under Obama either deleted or modified over 800 different records. And then when you'd have another radical Islamic terror attack, they'd be like, we have no idea where this …”View more
Ridealong summary
The failure to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism directly endangers American safety, as demonstrated by the Obama administration's decision to purge related terminology from Homeland Security records. This lack of transparency resulted in confusion during attacks and inadequate vetting of immigrants, leading to tragic consequences. Without addressing the ideology behind these threats, the public remains vulnerable and uninformed.
Verdict with Ted Cruz·FOUR Terror Attacks in Ten Days, and Still Dems Won't Fund DHS·Mar 13, 2026
“… been hitting the aluminum facilities in the Gulf and the rest of it it pinpoint strikes and damage it going to be doing to the West You look at the Islamic State and they just slaughtered for slaughter's sake. The Iranians are much more focused and have a plan. What is the offer and for Trump? Where does this, what's the best case scenario here? What's the worst case scenario? The best case scenario is he says, look, we changed the leadership. You know, everybody's been assassinated with the bad guys. We can deal with these guys and we're going to come to – he's going to declare victory and leave. …”“… and they wear the little white keys. It's because you agree with one of your soldiers rushing and dying to take out a machine gun nest in World War II. We're the same way. These people are not stupid. And they know what they doing and what they been hitting the aluminum facilities in the Gulf and the rest of it it pinpoint strikes and damage it going to be doing to the West You look at the Islamic State and they just slaughtered for slaughter's sake. The Iranians are much more focused and have a plan. What is the offer and for Trump? Where does this, what's the best case scenario here? What's the worst case scenario? The best case scenario is he says, look, we changed the leadership. You know, everybody's been assassinated with the bad guys. We can deal with these guys and we're going to come to – he's going to declare victory and leave. That's the best solution. I don't think the Iranians are going to surrender to the demands. I don't think Hezbollah is going to surrender. I think that's going to keep going on. so the best is declare victory and leave um you know we set them back 20 years in their industry and the rest of it but on the other hand if they control the oil coming in …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's military strategy is deeply rooted in historical grievances, dating back to the murder of the prophet's grandson. This sense of injustice drives their actions, leading them to perceive the U.S. and Israel as imperial forces. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, Iran's calculated military responses reveal a focused plan rather than random acts of violence.
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar·4/1/26: Russia Breaks Cuba Blockade, Kristi Noem Husband Scandal, Fmr CIA On Trump Bungling Iran War·Apr 01, 2026
“… first I have to say, because the internet is down in Iran and because we cannot access all of the Persian material, which is quite voluminous in the Islamic Republic, that it's extremely difficult to see certain things that before we could see them. For example, internal regime dissent. That's very difficult to tell from a distance unless you're actually looking at the newspapers for the guard corps, for the clergy, etc., where you can actually see differences of opinions floated, sometimes quite, you know, harshly. So we have to hesitate. And I think it's impossible to know whether the security …”“… Walk us through an analysis of the three pillars and where are we today And is it different from what we saw during the 12 war And do the Iranian opposition are they going to have more of a fighting chance if they come back to the streets? I mean, first I have to say, because the internet is down in Iran and because we cannot access all of the Persian material, which is quite voluminous in the Islamic Republic, that it's extremely difficult to see certain things that before we could see them. For example, internal regime dissent. That's very difficult to tell from a distance unless you're actually looking at the newspapers for the guard corps, for the clergy, etc., where you can actually see differences of opinions floated, sometimes quite, you know, harshly. So we have to hesitate. And I think it's impossible to know whether the security services are as solid, say, as they were on January 8th, January 9th, where they started, you know, quite the killing spree. I think it's fair to say on the one issue that they're probably having difficulty replacing people, that the decapitation strategy the Israelis have adopted means that the better people are dying. The older people, the more …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Iranian regime's survival hinges on three critical pillars, but recent internal dissent and a decline in security service competence threaten its stability. As experienced leaders are replaced by less capable individuals, the regime faces increasing challenges in maintaining control, making the prospect of opposition movements more viable. This degradation of quality among regime officials could signal a turning point in Iran's political landscape.
The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz·Cracking The Regime | feat. Ray Takeyh and Reuel Marc Gerecht·Mar 20, 2026
“… walk away from this without the Strait of Hormuz being opened up. In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is being run like a fucking toll road by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was not the case before the war. So Iran's gotten a stronger position because we literally just made everything worse. Yeah we made the Iran Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps like hold 20 of the world energy hostage If we walk away from that and our only solution is to ask like the Royal Navy as PXS said the big bad British Navy like as if it's, you know, the 19th century, like those countries are not going to bail Trump out …”“… the middle of previous negotiations? How can they trust a negotiation when Israel keeps assassinating people, including some of the people that would be engaged in those negotiations? So it's just totally incoherent. And now for him to say, we will walk away from this without the Strait of Hormuz being opened up. In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is being run like a fucking toll road by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was not the case before the war. So Iran's gotten a stronger position because we literally just made everything worse. Yeah we made the Iran Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps like hold 20 of the world energy hostage If we walk away from that and our only solution is to ask like the Royal Navy as PXS said the big bad British Navy like as if it's, you know, the 19th century, like those countries are not going to bail Trump out because he's treated them like shit because he's tariffed them. He's insulted them. He's humiliated them. He's threatened to invade Greenland. Why would they come bail Trump out by opening up the strait? And by the way, even if they decided they wanted to do that, Do you know how long it would take the Europeans to put together some naval armada to …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Trump administration's handling of the Iran crisis is chaotic, with unclear objectives and misleading claims about negotiations, exacerbating global instability.
Pod Save the World·Trump Begs Allies to Clean Up Iran Mess·Apr 01, 2026
“… agencies that protect the country. And the Republicans, one after another, voted them down, voted down funding TSA, voted down funding the Coast Guard, voted down funding FEMA. So Republicans are controlling both houses in the presidency. They can't very well blame the minority party for their own inability to govern, particularly when they're voting down Democratic motions to reopen these agencies. All right.”“… Kristen, as you know, we offered vote after vote, resolution after resolution, even as recently as this week, to reopen those agencies to fund them. And the Republicans voted it down. We said, let's let's wall off ICE funding. Let's fund these other agencies that protect the country. And the Republicans, one after another, voted them down, voted down funding TSA, voted down funding the Coast Guard, voted down funding FEMA. So Republicans are controlling both houses in the presidency. They can't very well blame the minority party for their own inability to govern, particularly when they're voting down Democratic motions to reopen these agencies. All right.”View more
Ridealong summary
The government shutdown is irresponsibly compromising national security by leaving essential agencies like TSA unfunded.
The ongoing government shutdown is a failure of Republican leadership, as they control both houses and the presidency yet continue to vote down resolutions to fund critical security agencies.
Meet the Press·March 15 — Sec. Chris Wright, Sen. Adam Schiff and Thomas Friedman·Mar 15, 2026
“… They have plenty of time to make a deal. If they don't want to make a deal, their whole country is gone, he said. And again, Donald Trump not saying Islamic Republic. He's talking about war crimes on the entire country of Iran. And that's how it's being perceived there as well. Moreover, in other news in the war, reports of major damage of at least one residential building in northern Israeli city of Haifa, you can see it right here, following an apparent direct impact of a medium-range ballistic missile launched by Iran.”“… his deadline for Iran. By the way, the deadline, his latest fake deadline is Monday at 10, 15 a.m. So let's just be clear. Now he's saying Tuesday. So there was already like he's already doing that. And then he goes, I don't want to talk about it. They have plenty of time to make a deal. If they don't want to make a deal, their whole country is gone, he said. And again, Donald Trump not saying Islamic Republic. He's talking about war crimes on the entire country of Iran. And that's how it's being perceived there as well. Moreover, in other news in the war, reports of major damage of at least one residential building in northern Israeli city of Haifa, you can see it right here, following an apparent direct impact of a medium-range ballistic missile launched by Iran.”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump threatened Iran with swift destruction, claiming the conflict could end in days, not weeks. In a shocking interview, he admitted that 'very little is off limits' in his approach, revealing a dangerous mindset towards international relations. This rhetoric not only escalates tensions but also raises serious concerns about potential war crimes.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump has Psychotic Easter Meltdown and Curses Out War·Apr 05, 2026
“… President Donald Trump said that he going to what was it take Iran back to the Stone Age and obliterate the civilization Now he may have meant the Islamic Republic theocracy, at least that's what I'm hoping, but it wasn't said that way, and it doesn't help. And again, when you do that, you're helping the Iranian regime. They can weaponize that, right? It's almost like you're giving them a gift. So why is it that they couldn't put something out like what you had when you corrected his tweet to the Islamic Republic civilization that has taken the Iranians hostage for all these years. So I think a …”“Why couldn't that come from the U.S. administration? It had to come from you the corrective version where President Donald Trump said that he going to what was it take Iran back to the Stone Age and obliterate the civilization Now he may have meant the Islamic Republic theocracy, at least that's what I'm hoping, but it wasn't said that way, and it doesn't help. And again, when you do that, you're helping the Iranian regime. They can weaponize that, right? It's almost like you're giving them a gift. So why is it that they couldn't put something out like what you had when you corrected his tweet to the Islamic Republic civilization that has taken the Iranians hostage for all these years. So I think a lot of it comes from their own faults as well. I keep telling President Trump to send his truth post to me first for editing and vetting, and he just doesn't. But it's not just him. Even Pete Hedsek had tweeted something along the lines of Stone Age, and I saw a bunch of other congressmen the night before the deadline saying, what was it? It's …”View more
Ridealong summary
President Trump’s inflammatory comments about Iran inadvertently bolstered the regime's narrative, allowing them to portray dissent as a foreign conspiracy. This manipulation of narrative is crucial, especially when the U.S. administration fails to provide a corrective perspective during crises. The discussion highlights the importance of careful communication in international relations, particularly when regimes weaponize words against their own people.
The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz·Regime Revisionism: Tehran's War Before the Iran War | feat. Jay Solomon & Negar Mojtahedi·Apr 09, 2026
“… and ultimately their supreme leader at the Ayatollah level who's ultimately responsible for making all of the main decisions. Then they've got their Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Then they've got their kind of state police force and kind of local domestic enforcers. And then they're decentralized in ways where the whole command structure has all of its orders and all of its succession plans already in place. So when certain things happen, the reactions in a very systematized way are already pre-planned, whereas the Trump regime is reacting to Donald Trump's kind of caveman-like emotions and malignant narcissism. And …”“… being made by Iran, they have a clear plan, clear goals. They have a parliament that's functioning, that's debating issues and discussing things. They have this decentralized mosaic model of leadership where they had the kind of spiritual guidance and ultimately their supreme leader at the Ayatollah level who's ultimately responsible for making all of the main decisions. Then they've got their Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Then they've got their kind of state police force and kind of local domestic enforcers. And then they're decentralized in ways where the whole command structure has all of its orders and all of its succession plans already in place. So when certain things happen, the reactions in a very systematized way are already pre-planned, whereas the Trump regime is reacting to Donald Trump's kind of caveman-like emotions and malignant narcissism. And that's one of the things we're playing out. Clearly, the American weaponry was the best in the world and is stronger and we have bigger bombs and bigger missiles and all of these things. But these Iranian Shahid drones, these FPV drone swarms, the ballistic missiles, their cluster munitions, their ability to use cluster munitions in deceptive ways, …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's leadership is not the chaotic force Trump portrays; instead, they have a well-organized strategy and a functioning parliament. While Trump reacts emotionally, Iran's military tactics, including advanced drone usage and deceptive munitions, reflect a calculated approach to warfare. This stark contrast raises questions about the effectiveness of U.S. negotiations and military strategy.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 3/31/26·Mar 31, 2026
“… a stain so it's it's just it's like a symbolic Marking honorable in Iran for someone who is very very religious So that person he was a senior IRGC revolutionary guard commander that rose to the rank of the deputy defense minister of Iran He was very very close with two people One is Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the chief nuclear scientist. And the other one is the national security advisor of Iran, Ali Shamakhani. Two very, very powerful people inside the Iranian defense establishment. Now, when the international community started to suspect Iran, that Iran is not just having some kind of a peaceful research …”“… fasikhi and myself through her they said that he had a stain here in the front part of their forehead yeah like a dent because this is a sign of people who religiously strictly praying five times a day and from the touching the carpet it creates such a stain so it's it's just it's like a symbolic Marking honorable in Iran for someone who is very very religious So that person he was a senior IRGC revolutionary guard commander that rose to the rank of the deputy defense minister of Iran He was very very close with two people One is Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the chief nuclear scientist. And the other one is the national security advisor of Iran, Ali Shamakhani. Two very, very powerful people inside the Iranian defense establishment. Now, when the international community started to suspect Iran, that Iran is not just having some kind of a peaceful research nuclear project, he was sent to foreign embassies to explain that Iran is not about nuclear military projects. This is all peaceful. And while doing that, he met with the British ambassador to Tehran. And the British ambassador presumably understood that this is someone that they can turn. He got him into contact with the MI6. And these people very …”View more
Ridealong summary
Ali Reza Akbari, a senior Iranian military figure, became a crucial spy for the West, revealing Iran's secret nuclear facility at Fordoo. Raised in a strict religious environment, he initially defended Iran's nuclear intentions but was eventually turned by British intelligence into a key asset. His transformation from a loyal commander to a pivotal informant highlights the complexities of espionage in the shadowy world of international relations.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·Part 2 - Inside Mossad’s Shadow War with Iran (INSIDE Call me Back sneak peek)·Mar 28, 2026
“… Israeli officials claim the Larjani assassination expanded the power vacuum and that it was being filled mainly by the IRGC. That's the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC are taking over Iran and they are crazy, a senior Arab official told Daxios. They are highly ideological and they are ready to die and meet Khamenei Sr. Iran is in pretty serious trouble and they know it. And that is why they are doing truly idiotic things. At any strategic level, what they just did over the weekend is really stupid. Firing a long-range missile that exposes their most far-reaching capacity is a dumb thing …”“… he is. According to Axios, quote, a U.S. official said it's beyond weird. We don't think Iran. would have gone through all this trouble to choose a dead guy as the supreme leader. But at the same time, we have no proof he's taking the helm. Two senior Israeli officials claim the Larjani assassination expanded the power vacuum and that it was being filled mainly by the IRGC. That's the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC are taking over Iran and they are crazy, a senior Arab official told Daxios. They are highly ideological and they are ready to die and meet Khamenei Sr. Iran is in pretty serious trouble and they know it. And that is why they are doing truly idiotic things. At any strategic level, what they just did over the weekend is really stupid. Firing a long-range missile that exposes their most far-reaching capacity is a dumb thing to do. They know they are in trouble, and they are throwing anything they can at the wall. They are hurling spaghetti at the wall at this point. Aside from firing new long-range missiles at American bases in the middle of the Indian Ocean, they also, over the weekend, fired a missile at the center of the old city of Jerusalem, which is where the …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's recent missile launches reveal their desperation as they fire long-range missiles at distant targets, including a civilian area in Jerusalem. With their command structure in chaos and the Revolutionary Guard taking control, these reckless actions could escalate tensions in the region. This is a sign that Iran, feeling cornered, is resorting to extreme measures to assert its power.
The Ben Shapiro Show·Ep. 2393 - AMERICA LAST: Conspiratorial Collaborationists Root For Our Enemies·Mar 23, 2026
“… bemoaning this, out of the 75,000 mosques in Iran, 50,000 of them have closed because no one shows up to them. The Iranian people are not of that Islamic Shiite ideology of the regime by and large. Probably 75, 80 percent of the people reject the regime outright. They will come out into the streets, as they have in the past, but this time there's no reason for them to, while this war is still ongoing, from the air with the leadership of these forces being degraded.”“… in the streets, that's all the regime people. Those are the people who come out there. But that's all photo ops. That's not the numbers. That's not the people in the street. Look, Steve, over the last few years, and this is the Iranians themselves bemoaning this, out of the 75,000 mosques in Iran, 50,000 of them have closed because no one shows up to them. The Iranian people are not of that Islamic Shiite ideology of the regime by and large. Probably 75, 80 percent of the people reject the regime outright. They will come out into the streets, as they have in the past, but this time there's no reason for them to, while this war is still ongoing, from the air with the leadership of these forces being degraded.”View more
Ridealong summary
Despite claims of support for the Iranian regime, evidence shows that around 75-80% of the population outright rejects it. While the Israeli military targets the regime's leadership, the Iranian people are currently waiting for the right moment to protest, as many have turned away from Islamic ideology. The regime's public rallies are mere photo ops, with a significant drop in mosque attendance indicating widespread discontent.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5237: War With Iran Enters Fourth Week Cont.·Mar 22, 2026
“… to their repression apparatus and we win the Battle of Hormuz, silver medal. Gold medal is we do everything aforementioned, but we bring down the Islamic Republic of Iran and we replace it with a new leadership that is pro-American, pro-Israel, pro-West. And we forge the Cyrus Accords with peace between Iran, Israel, and a new Iranian leader shakes hands with an Israeli prime minister on the White House South Lawn, and President Trump gets a well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize.”“… solutions. I never thought we were able to do this. And it's just remarkable to me. So that's a bronze medal. I mean, it may even be a silver medal. I think the silver medal is we do all that. We destroy their war making capability. We do severe damage to their repression apparatus and we win the Battle of Hormuz, silver medal. Gold medal is we do everything aforementioned, but we bring down the Islamic Republic of Iran and we replace it with a new leadership that is pro-American, pro-Israel, pro-West. And we forge the Cyrus Accords with peace between Iran, Israel, and a new Iranian leader shakes hands with an Israeli prime minister on the White House South Lawn, and President Trump gets a well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize.”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's ballistic missile production has plummeted from 100 missiles a month to zero, drastically altering the military landscape. This significant reduction comes after targeted actions against Iran's missile capabilities, which previously posed a considerable threat to U.S. interests and allies. The potential future scenarios range from merely degrading Iran's military power to completely transforming its regime in favor of pro-Western leadership.
The Iran Breakdown with Mark Dubowitz·Breaking Down The Islamic Republic | Cliff May feat. Mark Dubowitz·Mar 20, 2026
“… oil fields to European and global markets, permanently out of Iran's reach. Netanyahu also sounded hopeful about the possibility of toppling the Islamic Republic. He said the regime was showing signs of collapsing, giving the Iranian people an opportunity to take over. I'm not sure who's running Iran right now. What we see is that there's a lot of tensions inside the people who are edging for the top. It's not a uniform position. You see that sometimes with the contradictory orders that are given. Yes, yes, we're seeing cracks. We're trying to propagate them as fast as we can. Trump also …”“… exists To avoid the Strait of Hormuz Saudi Arabia has reportedly reactivated an oil pipeline that runs from the east of the kingdom to one of its ports on the Red Sea Extending the line northward to Israeli ports would create a direct corridor from Gulf oil fields to European and global markets, permanently out of Iran's reach. Netanyahu also sounded hopeful about the possibility of toppling the Islamic Republic. He said the regime was showing signs of collapsing, giving the Iranian people an opportunity to take over. I'm not sure who's running Iran right now. What we see is that there's a lot of tensions inside the people who are edging for the top. It's not a uniform position. You see that sometimes with the contradictory orders that are given. Yes, yes, we're seeing cracks. We're trying to propagate them as fast as we can. Trump also sounded optimistic on Thursday about the prospect of the war ending soon. It's going to be over with pretty soon. We've obliterated the Navy. We've obliterated their just about everything there is to obliterate, including leadership. Their leaders are gone. They pick new leaders. They're gone. They pick new leaders. They're gone. And now they're looking …”View more
Ridealong summary
Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu envisions a new energy future that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East, bypassing Iran's control over oil routes. By reactivating existing pipelines to connect Gulf oil directly to Israeli ports, Israel aims to secure energy independence and bolster regional stability. This strategy comes as the war with Iran continues, with significant implications for both Israeli and American Jewish perspectives on the conflict.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·Ark News Daily: Iran hits Qatari gas hub·Mar 20, 2026
“… December 2025, according to another BBC report, the US has launched strikes on the 25th of December as a Christmas present against militants in the Islamic State group in northwestern Nigeria. What should be noted, though, is they did not strike Boko Haram, which is based in northeast Nigeria. Yeah, it was really interesting to look at the build. I wrote about this a bit for my newsletter. but the u.s was flying intelligence gathering flights essentially for some time of an agiria right clearly like there must have been some kind of agreement with the nigerian government to allow this right but …”“… themselves from her and sure that anyway i can see why so in november 2025 according to a bbc report trump also said that he would send troops into nigeria guns a-blazing if its government continues to allow the killing of christians Then in December 2025, according to another BBC report, the US has launched strikes on the 25th of December as a Christmas present against militants in the Islamic State group in northwestern Nigeria. What should be noted, though, is they did not strike Boko Haram, which is based in northeast Nigeria. Yeah, it was really interesting to look at the build. I wrote about this a bit for my newsletter. but the u.s was flying intelligence gathering flights essentially for some time of an agiria right clearly like there must have been some kind of agreement with the nigerian government to allow this right but they were clearly trying to identify like where iswap and bohau haram were and like you could see them winding up to this strike and then yeah they i guess they waited to christmas day to go for it yeah yeah so there was the christmas present of the u.s bombing there yeah and this happened less than a week by the way after the alliance of sahel …”View more
Ridealong summary
Nicki Minaj's controversial comments about COVID-19 have distanced her from many, but they also intersect with political narratives, including Donald Trump's aggressive stance on Nigeria. In late 2025, Trump threatened military action against Nigeria over the killing of Christians, despite the complexities of the situation involving various groups and motivations in the region. This segment unpacks the intertwining of celebrity influence and geopolitical issues, revealing how cultural figures can impact serious global discussions.
Behind the Bastards·It Could Happen Here Weekly 227·Apr 11, 2026
“… is there a deal to be made? So I think that the easiest way to answer that question, Kelly, is to say that the people in charge in Tehran are the Revolutionary Guard leadership. It is very clear that they're the ones running the show. I thought that Raf made a very good point that Ali Larajani was always considered not necessarily a moderate, but certainly a pragmatist. And it reflected Ayatollah Khamenei's position, which was ultimately one of restraint when fighting the United States. He's now gone. Right. And he was the biggest voice in Iran arguing for a more moderate approach to this entire war. …”“… been in negotiations with Iran, But he has also said he's not clear on who the leader is now after the death of the Ayatollah and questionable status of his son. So if most of the leadership has been in one way or another killed, who is in charge and is there a deal to be made? So I think that the easiest way to answer that question, Kelly, is to say that the people in charge in Tehran are the Revolutionary Guard leadership. It is very clear that they're the ones running the show. I thought that Raf made a very good point that Ali Larajani was always considered not necessarily a moderate, but certainly a pragmatist. And it reflected Ayatollah Khamenei's position, which was ultimately one of restraint when fighting the United States. He's now gone. Right. And he was the biggest voice in Iran arguing for a more moderate approach to this entire war. And I think that's important, Kelly, because to go back to points that Courtney was making beforehand, you know, one of the real risks that the United States faces now that we've killed Ayatollah Khamenei and now Ali Larajani as well. Israelis have killed him. It's not clear that the Iranians are going to stop fighting. You know, the president may …”View more
Ridealong summary
With the death of key Iranian leaders, including Ali Larajani, the U.S. faces a critical question: who is now steering Iran's aggressive actions? European diplomats have made it clear that they see this as America's war, showing no interest in intervening. This creates a precarious situation for President Trump, as he navigates a complex landscape of military strategy and potential negotiations.
Meet the Press·Meet the Press NOW — March 17·Mar 17, 2026
Ridealong summary
Tolerating radical Islam in America poses a significant threat, as seen in the election of Zoran Mamdani, who shares extremist views. This issue is compounded by political leaders who downplay the dangers of radical ideologies, while failing to confront the reality of their impact on society. Understanding the consequences of this complacency is crucial for safeguarding American values and freedoms.
The Ben Shapiro Show·Ep. 2387 - Two Terror Attacks in One Day. What is Happening??·Mar 13, 2026
“… widespread that a news anchor there is comfortable saying yeah work to find the pilot There a bounty on his head and turn him over to the Iranian guard not like shelter them hide them till we can get them back to the Americans. There are also reports that Iranian state media is encouraging residents to shoot at search and rescue operations personnel. So our guys who are now over there in helicopters trying to perform the rescue may be getting shot at as they encourage residents to take up arms against us. Again, I thought we were going to be treated as liberators. According to the New York …”“… of the Americans inside of Iran. I thought we were supposed to be helping these people. I thought we were supposed to be greeted as liberators. I thought the vast majority of the Iranians were happy we were there. Why is it now so apparently the hatred widespread that a news anchor there is comfortable saying yeah work to find the pilot There a bounty on his head and turn him over to the Iranian guard not like shelter them hide them till we can get them back to the Americans. There are also reports that Iranian state media is encouraging residents to shoot at search and rescue operations personnel. So our guys who are now over there in helicopters trying to perform the rescue may be getting shot at as they encourage residents to take up arms against us. Again, I thought we were going to be treated as liberators. According to the New York Post, the Iranians are claiming that the Revolutionary Guards, quote, their newly developed and advanced air defenses are what downed this jet, which they report is, quote, completely destroyed. Now, assuming all of this is true and we don't have any official confirmation at this time, I mean, trying to piece information together out of Iran right now …”View more
Ridealong summary
A U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in Iran, sparking a search and rescue mission for the crew. Reports indicate that Iranian forces may be responsible, and one crew member has reportedly been rescued. Tensions escalate as Iranian media encourages locals to capture or shoot at American rescue teams.
The Megyn Kelly Show·Tiger Woods DUI Crash Video, and Truth About "Love Story," with Maureen Callahan, Plus American Jet Shot Down in Iran | Ep. 1288·Apr 03, 2026
Ridealong summary
In a bizarre twist, a cleric sent a cardboard cutout of himself to an important meeting with the IRGC due to an injury. This surreal moment left observers questioning the absurdity of the situation, likening it to a scene from South Park. Imagine if a world leader did the same—what would that say about their health and credibility?
The Glenn Beck Program·Did the IRGC Really Kiss a Cardboard Khamenei?! | Guests: Sharyl Attkisson & Chad Wolf | 3/11/26·Mar 11, 2026
“… place more than once because of the exceptional intelligence that our Israeli allies have. And to your point, he is a double betrayal of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He was not even trained well enough to be an ayatollah. He's only a mid-range cleric, number one. And number two, as you pointed out, dynastic succession. He is a Nepo baby. With the accent on die in the dynastic. So that's a double betrayal of the whole concept of the 1979 revolution. All you have now, Jesse, is the equivalent of a mafia family, very corrupt, with a little bit of a patina of religion over it. There you go. This is …”“… expat from Iran says that the old Ayatollah is in a comatola. Yeah, he's in a hospital in a comatola. Here is Chuck DeVore talking about the new Ayatollah. Well, certainly he's trying to move from place to place. He probably doesn't sleep in the same place more than once because of the exceptional intelligence that our Israeli allies have. And to your point, he is a double betrayal of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He was not even trained well enough to be an ayatollah. He's only a mid-range cleric, number one. And number two, as you pointed out, dynastic succession. He is a Nepo baby. With the accent on die in the dynastic. So that's a double betrayal of the whole concept of the 1979 revolution. All you have now, Jesse, is the equivalent of a mafia family, very corrupt, with a little bit of a patina of religion over it. There you go. This is a guy named Khosrow Isfani, and he is a secretary of the Supreme National Security. No, that's not him. He is the research director for the National Union for Democracy in Iran. Here's what he has to say about the new Ayatollah who's in a comatola. So on Mushtaba, you rightfully mentioned we are dealing with an impotent cleric who has the charisma …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's new supreme leader, Mushtaba Khomeini, is criticized as an impotent figure lacking charisma and political experience, even reportedly in a coma. This transition is seen as a betrayal of the 1979 revolution, with the regime now resembling a corrupt mafia. The speaker argues for a strong response to eliminate oppressive regime leaders and support the Iranian people's fight for freedom.
The Rob Carson Show·Trump Strikes Iran While Democrats Strike Out·Mar 11, 2026
“… is, both on a civilian level and a military level. I mean, this is a government that has been building horizontal institutions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. revolution. And in fact, we reported even before the bombs started hitting on February 28th, for weeks ahead of this, we were saying that the Iranians were very clear that they expected decapitation strikes. They expected that there would be an attempt that was likely to succeed in assassinating the supreme leader and the rest of the country's official top leadership. And so they created what they called a mosaic defense system. So …”“… back against the United States? Well, you know, the United States has not fought a modern nation state since really the end of World War II or the Korean War. And so I think there was a radical underestimation of how solid Iran's bureaucratic structure is, both on a civilian level and a military level. I mean, this is a government that has been building horizontal institutions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. revolution. And in fact, we reported even before the bombs started hitting on February 28th, for weeks ahead of this, we were saying that the Iranians were very clear that they expected decapitation strikes. They expected that there would be an attempt that was likely to succeed in assassinating the supreme leader and the rest of the country's official top leadership. And so they created what they called a mosaic defense system. So in advance of the United States attacking, Emily, what Iran did was they started to delegate further down the chain of command authority to launch attacks. And they had a predetermined bank of targets throughout the Persian Gulf and in Israel that if the United States and Israel attacked, they would be activated. And so what I'm told by Iranian …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran has developed a sophisticated defense strategy that allows for rapid military response in the event of U.S. attacks, effectively putting their operations on autopilot. This preparation, including a 'mosaic defense system', has enabled Iran to counteract U.S. intelligence and military operations, leading to significant damage to U.S. radar systems in the region. The U.S. underestimated Iran's resilience and strategic planning, revealing a stark shift in regional power dynamics.
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar·3/11/26: Trump Freaks Over Strait Of Hormuz, Mearsheimer Says US Losing War, Iran To Hit Israel Hard·Mar 11, 2026
“Now, in Iran's system, the president does not control the military. The real power, particularly during wartime, rests with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. and the country's security establishment. The IRGC controls large parts of Iran's military, intelligence services, and major sectors of the economy, making it the most powerful institution in the country. And the events of the past 24 hours suggest that the IRGC may be driving Iran's war effort far more than the civilian or clerical leadership. In fact, in his own speech, Przeshekin appeared to hint at that reality. He said that …”“Now, in Iran's system, the president does not control the military. The real power, particularly during wartime, rests with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. and the country's security establishment. The IRGC controls large parts of Iran's military, intelligence services, and major sectors of the economy, making it the most powerful institution in the country. And the events of the past 24 hours suggest that the IRGC may be driving Iran's war effort far more than the civilian or clerical leadership. In fact, in his own speech, Przeshekin appeared to hint at that reality. He said that after senior commanders were killed in Israeli strikes, Iranian military units may have acted independently during the early days of the conflict. This shouldn't be news to you if you're a regular listener to the PDB. As we've reported, it's very clear that Iran's military has been operating with little central command and has been launching attacks on …”View more
Ridealong summary
Iran's new supreme leader, Mushtaba Khamenei, is a figurehead as the IRGC consolidates power, signaling a shift away from clerical rule to military dominance.
The President's Daily Brief·March 9th, 2026: Cracks Inside Iran’s Regime Are Growing & Russia Supplies Iran With Intelligence·Mar 09, 2026
“… time. And there's usually some guy with a drum, which I don't understand. I don't know what they're trying to do if they're trying to LARP is like Revolutionary War, you know, put it up at the Patriot, you know, where they drum and they walk in step with the with the beat. I'm not sure what that what the deal is with the drum. But they seem to be remarkably coordinated for them to not be an organization. Anyone else find that weird? I find that weird. That's funny. So nine Antifa terrorists who the leader of this group distributed weapons to this group OK they convicted on these terrorism charges …”“… an idea I thought this was it wasn't an organization. They only have like matching uniforms and matching signs. And, you know, they all coordinate what they're going to wear. And they all happen to show up at the same time at the same place all the time. And there's usually some guy with a drum, which I don't understand. I don't know what they're trying to do if they're trying to LARP is like Revolutionary War, you know, put it up at the Patriot, you know, where they drum and they walk in step with the with the beat. I'm not sure what that what the deal is with the drum. But they seem to be remarkably coordinated for them to not be an organization. Anyone else find that weird? I find that weird. That's funny. So nine Antifa terrorists who the leader of this group distributed weapons to this group OK they convicted on these terrorism charges because the administration has classified Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization And I think some of it has been, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but some of the activity surrounding Antifa, the financial activity and otherwise, some of those funders and folks aligned with them around the world have been designated as FTOs, foreign tech. …”View more
Ridealong summary
In a groundbreaking decision, a Texas jury convicted nine members of Antifa on terrorism charges for their involvement in an ambush that left an officer shot. This ruling challenges claims that Antifa is merely an idea rather than an organized group, highlighting the coordinated actions of its members. The verdict marks a significant step in how domestic terrorism is classified and prosecuted in the U.S.
The Dan Bongino Show·America’s Enemies: Foreign and Domestic (Ep. 2473)·Mar 16, 2026
“… they had done on the command and control, not just the technological, but also the Ayatollah and the Mullahs on the religious side, but also on the Revolutionary Guard side, they had gone down to almost battalion level and taken out some folks. That's starting to show up, like President Trump says, we've got to find out who we can even negotiate with. this is why he has uh as i've said a number of times a lot of respect for field marshal what is it moon moon rent monren in pakistan essentially the chief of staff for the head of the pakistani army president trump thinks very highly of him he looks like …”“… Now it's also pretty evident that as he goes through the litany of who they've killed in their high command, and this is one of the things we talked on the show in the very first days of the attack itself back in late February, early March, that what they had done on the command and control, not just the technological, but also the Ayatollah and the Mullahs on the religious side, but also on the Revolutionary Guard side, they had gone down to almost battalion level and taken out some folks. That's starting to show up, like President Trump says, we've got to find out who we can even negotiate with. this is why he has uh as i've said a number of times a lot of respect for field marshal what is it moon moon rent monren in pakistan essentially the chief of staff for the head of the pakistani army president trump thinks very highly of him he looks like he's taking the lead and uh and i think it has served up to president trump at least part of the junta looks like a speaker of house away from their parliamentary system that actually can potentially make a deal. That's what I think President Trump keeps saying. Hey, we're talking to people now. It's a very, very fluid situation. But let me …”View more
Ridealong summary
The U.S. has strategically positioned 10,000 combat troops in the Arabian Sea, ready for deployment amidst escalating tensions with Iran. This military operation follows recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian facilities, highlighting the fluidity of negotiations and military strategy in the region. As President Trump navigates this complex situation, the stakes for U.S. troop readiness have never been higher.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5243: President Trump Declares Iran Agreed To Have No Nuclear Weapons·Mar 24, 2026
“… of this, get in, break the safes, take the stuff, go out, run away in not a second more than 6 hours and 29 minutes, which is the gap between one guard patrol and the next one. So the alarm system of the facility and the cameras are connected to the HQ of the IRGC, the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. So they need to hack the cameras and loop them, meaning they hack the cameras before they actually enter the site and they're able to feed the camera like there's nothing happening. So they pre-record footage and they just feed that into the surveillance video. So what the security system in Iran …”“… the story of how they actually did it. So on a stormy night, the 31st of January, 2018, after a few delays, the mission was given a go. And the mission is to open 32 safes, collect from the safes half a ton, 500 kilos of documents and disks, and do all of this, get in, break the safes, take the stuff, go out, run away in not a second more than 6 hours and 29 minutes, which is the gap between one guard patrol and the next one. So the alarm system of the facility and the cameras are connected to the HQ of the IRGC, the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. So they need to hack the cameras and loop them, meaning they hack the cameras before they actually enter the site and they're able to feed the camera like there's nothing happening. So they pre-record footage and they just feed that into the surveillance video. So what the security system in Iran is seeing is incorrect footage. Exactly. Inquiry of food use of basically nothing. Now, they arrive to the scene. They know that at the scene they have dogs as part of the protection. Because Mossad, already in the 60s, they came across this problem. Sometimes you need to break into a bank or a facility or even a house that have a dog. What do you …”View more
Ridealong summary
In a daring operation on January 31, 2018, Mossad infiltrated a heavily guarded Iranian facility to steal half a ton of nuclear documents. They executed a meticulously planned heist, using clever tactics like distracting guard dogs with female dog urine and hacking surveillance cameras to avoid detection. This operation revealed the surprising involvement of Iranian recruits, showcasing a new strategy in espionage.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·Sneak Peek: How Mossad Stole Iran’s Nuclear Archive - with Ronen Bergman·Apr 11, 2026
“… test the waters of the Strait of Hormuz to see if there were mines or if the IRGC was feeling nice today, I guess. Well, almost immediately, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps sent a drone to go threaten these ships, and the risk of even one ship getting blown up in the Strait of Hormuz is absurd. If an oil tanker gets blown up or if a U.S. destroyer gets blown up in the strait, That escalates tensions in the region so much so that we might as well be back on day one of the war and starting from fresh. Now, this all comes at a time when J.D. Vance is currently in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Iranians …”“… almost got everybody on board of these U.S. Navy destroyers killed. In Donald Trump's hubristic ceasefire that he thinks he's achieved, he sent two U.S. Navy destroyers to go through the Strait of Hormuz and try to test the waters, quite literally test the waters of the Strait of Hormuz to see if there were mines or if the IRGC was feeling nice today, I guess. Well, almost immediately, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps sent a drone to go threaten these ships, and the risk of even one ship getting blown up in the Strait of Hormuz is absurd. If an oil tanker gets blown up or if a U.S. destroyer gets blown up in the strait, That escalates tensions in the region so much so that we might as well be back on day one of the war and starting from fresh. Now, this all comes at a time when J.D. Vance is currently in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Iranians requested J.D. Vance to negotiate with in particular because they view Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as having betrayed them. And Kushner and Witkoff did kind of lead them on, lie to them, say they were about to get a deal, and then Donald Trump struck them relentlessly. So they wanted J.D. Vance there to lead the negotiations, and they know that J.D. …”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump's actions in the Strait of Hormuz have dangerously escalated tensions, risking significant conflict and undermining geopolitical stability.
Trump's Iran strategy is reckless, risking unnecessary military escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and spreading misinformation about naval operations.
Trump's Iran strategy is reckless, risking unnecessary military escalation and regional instability by sending U.S. destroyers into the Strait of Hormuz under false pretenses.
Trump's Iran strategy is dangerously reckless, risking unnecessary escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and spreading misinformation about military operations.
The Trump administration's actions in the Strait of Hormuz are reckless and risk escalating tensions to the brink of war.
The Adam Mockler Show·Iran Humiliates Trump as JD Vance GETS BURNED!·Apr 11, 2026
“… ships involved any tankers at all. Zero tankers. The last transit was yesterday morning. No vessels have completed a crossing since the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps declared Hormuz closed due to the ceasefire violations and that Israel attacked Lebanon in the biggest strike of the war, killing 100 people in one attack on Beirut and 258 people with over 1,000 injuries throughout the day yesterday. Take a look at this map that the Iranian Revolutionary, the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published. Take a look right here. They show the route. If you want to get through, Here's the route …”“… some more conquests elsewhere. I'll show you what he posted in just a moment. But here are the facts. Only four vessels managed to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire. That's really a ceasefire, in name only started. Not a single one of these ships involved any tankers at all. Zero tankers. The last transit was yesterday morning. No vessels have completed a crossing since the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps declared Hormuz closed due to the ceasefire violations and that Israel attacked Lebanon in the biggest strike of the war, killing 100 people in one attack on Beirut and 258 people with over 1,000 injuries throughout the day yesterday. Take a look at this map that the Iranian Revolutionary, the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published. Take a look right here. They show the route. If you want to get through, Here's the route right here. They show on this map that they've mined. They've put mines throughout the Strait of Hormuz.”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's Iran policy has backfired, leading to a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating military tensions.
Trump's ceasefire with Iran was a sham, and his failure to uphold the agreement has led to increased tensions and strategic setbacks in the Middle East.
Trump's ceasefire deal with Iran is a failure, with Iran outmaneuvering him and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed due to his inability to uphold the agreed terms.
Trump's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a desperate move after being outmaneuvered by Iran, risking further escalation in the region.
Trump's ceasefire with Iran was a sham, leading to a strategic failure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's ceasefire with Iran was a sham, and his failure to adhere to the agreed terms has led to heightened tensions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's attempt to manipulate the Iran deal has backfired, leading to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating regional tensions.
Trump's Iran strategy is failing as Iran has outmaneuvered him, leading to heightened tensions and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's Iran strategy is failing as Iran has outmaneuvered him, leading to heightened tensions and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration's handling of the Iran situation is chaotic and ineffective, leading to increased tensions and strategic failures in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's attempts to manipulate ceasefire terms with Iran have backfired, leading to heightened tensions and threats to global trade routes.
Trump's attempts at negotiating with Iran have backfired, leading to heightened tensions and threats of military action.
Trump's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a desperate move after being outmaneuvered by Iran, risking further escalation and instability.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump Panics as Ceasefire Plan Backfires!!!·Apr 09, 2026
“… in describing the military goals of this campaign. They were unclear in saying whether or not it involved actually toppling the government of the Islamic Republic, which of course has not been achieved. Similarly in Lebanon, describing the goal as defeating Hezbollah, which also has not been achieved. And then a perspective that I've heard repeatedly from mostly from Palestinians here in occupied East Jerusalem, but also from some Israelis that are critical of the Israeli government, is that we have seen this not just, as you pointed out, in the June war against Iran last year, which is the most …”“… in saying that Donald Trump seems to be following Netanyahu's lead here or perhaps learning the wrong lessons from Netanyahu. who since I've been here, the military and political officials that I've spoken to, have been similarly, let's say, ambiguous in describing the military goals of this campaign. They were unclear in saying whether or not it involved actually toppling the government of the Islamic Republic, which of course has not been achieved. Similarly in Lebanon, describing the goal as defeating Hezbollah, which also has not been achieved. And then a perspective that I've heard repeatedly from mostly from Palestinians here in occupied East Jerusalem, but also from some Israelis that are critical of the Israeli government, is that we have seen this not just, as you pointed out, in the June war against Iran last year, which is the most obvious, most recent precedent, but throughout Israel's history. I spoke a couple of days ago to a bookshop owner here in Jerusalem, who, from memory, rattled off all of the wars that Israel has fought,”View more
Ridealong summary
Despite Trump's boasts about U.S. military dominance over Iran, the reality is starkly different. Iran still possesses significant anti-air capabilities, raising questions about U.S. intelligence and strategy. This disconnect highlights the dangers of exaggerating military success, as seen in both Trump’s rhetoric and Israel's military history.
The Briefing with Jen Psaki·Trump struck dumb as realities of war make a mockery of his bluster·Apr 04, 2026
“… Maybe you could say this is terrible. He opened this Pandora's box and now it can't be closed. Of course it can be closed. It can be closed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is only 47 years old, being eliminated and a new regime, meaning a new constitution, a new system, all of that, which remember, France has had five since 1945. France has had five different constitutional republics since 1945. It not as though constitutions aren rewritten and regimes revised on the go It does happen This would be a much more extreme version of that but you know otherwise it so the more you say what has …”“… the idea that the united states has to win this war because there is no way to reopen the strait of hormuz fully without anxiety without insurance rates going up 80% from now until doomsday unless the regime is removed. Maybe that's our fault. Maybe you could say this is terrible. He opened this Pandora's box and now it can't be closed. Of course it can be closed. It can be closed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is only 47 years old, being eliminated and a new regime, meaning a new constitution, a new system, all of that, which remember, France has had five since 1945. France has had five different constitutional republics since 1945. It not as though constitutions aren rewritten and regimes revised on the go It does happen This would be a much more extreme version of that but you know otherwise it so the more you say what has trump done with the straight of rome was this is a nightmare the more the only answer is we have to get out the regime so that the straight is no longer threatened am i do i jonathan do i am i do i see another is there is there a rail politic world in which that answer is not the answer no i'm not even talking about ideologically i hate ron i don't …”View more
Ridealong summary
The only way to secure the Strait of Hormuz is to remove the Iranian regime, which poses an ongoing existential threat. This war, potentially the largest in recent history, demands a decisive military response to ensure stability in the region. Without regime change, the fears surrounding this critical waterway will persist, raising insurance rates and global tensions.
The Commentary Magazine Podcast·Wild Kharg·Mar 30, 2026
“… more radical because he has to show the people that he's gonna push back and there's always a tension inside of Iran between the IRGC, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the clerics who run the country They have a healthy I think tension between the two a rivalry IRGC leadership these are Qasem Soleimani troops These are the guys that Soleimani trained These guys most of them cut their teeth in the Iraq war A lot of them cut their teeth fighting us in Iraq. They cut their teeth fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. They created Hezbollah. They trained and armed Hezbollah. So these guys are actually …”“… weapon if you take him out if you kill him aggressively people are going to rally around that regime and the next ayatollah that you get and I think this is the case by all data that we have with the Sun, the next Ayatollah that you get is going to be more radical because he has to show the people that he's gonna push back and there's always a tension inside of Iran between the IRGC, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the clerics who run the country They have a healthy I think tension between the two a rivalry IRGC leadership these are Qasem Soleimani troops These are the guys that Soleimani trained These guys most of them cut their teeth in the Iraq war A lot of them cut their teeth fighting us in Iraq. They cut their teeth fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. They created Hezbollah. They trained and armed Hezbollah. So these guys are actually pretty serious and pretty hardline, And they're willing to fight and they want to fight. And so by killing the Ayatollah, we've given them more power because now internally they can go and they can say, hey, all you guys who thought that we could negotiate with the Americans, you're chumps. We have to fight them. So I think the longer this goes on, …”View more
Ridealong summary
The assassination of Iran's leaders, including negotiators, intensifies the power of hardline factions like the IRGC, pushing the nation towards more radicalism. This cycle of violence undermines any chance for moderation and escalates tensions with the U.S. and Israel, who may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions in the region.
The Tucker Carlson Show·Joe Kent Reveals All in First Interview Since Resigning as Trump’s Counterterrorism Director·Mar 19, 2026
“… and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire. The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point …”“… this evening, we learned that the horrifying announcement of the morning was indeed cover for Trump to declare victory and get out of the crisis he has caused in the Middle East. Trump posted, Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire. The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, Trump continued, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalized and consummated. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also …”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's actions have left the United States significantly worse off, empowering Iran and resulting in unnecessary loss of life.
Letters from an American·Trump’s Mad and Desperate Threats·Apr 08, 2026
“… before, Donald, what you're saying. It won't work. Iran will not surrender. The administration and the president do not fully grasp what drives the Islamic Republic. Faced with pressure, Iran is more likely to escalate than to concede. And so Trump's going to have to decide. You're making these threats. Are you going to escalate even more than you already are? Or are you going to try to remove American troops and get out and cut your losses at this point and let Iran control the Strait of Hormuz like they do right now and just move on with it and accept that this was one of the most, this was the …”“… analysts top Middle East analysts for their security apparatus His analysis has been pretty on point about the Iranian thinking and why the strategy by Trump and Netanyahu would not work. Here's what he posted this morning. You've probably heard this before, Donald, what you're saying. It won't work. Iran will not surrender. The administration and the president do not fully grasp what drives the Islamic Republic. Faced with pressure, Iran is more likely to escalate than to concede. And so Trump's going to have to decide. You're making these threats. Are you going to escalate even more than you already are? Or are you going to try to remove American troops and get out and cut your losses at this point and let Iran control the Strait of Hormuz like they do right now and just move on with it and accept that this was one of the most, this was the most catastrophic international war, international, whatever you want to call it, in United States history by far. Iran is responding. According to the Iranian state-run Fars News Agency, citing a spokesman for a key unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the country is getting ready to unveil new air defense systems on the battlefield …”View more
Ridealong summary
The escalating conflict with Iran, fueled by Trump's aggressive stance, is leading to catastrophic consequences and could be the most disastrous international conflict in U.S. history.
The U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran are escalating tensions and could lead to catastrophic consequences, with Iran unlikely to surrender under pressure.
The U.S. and Israel's aggressive military actions against Iran are escalating tensions and could lead to catastrophic consequences, with Iran unlikely to back down under pressure.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·Trump PANICS as HELL RAINS DOWN in WAR!!!·Apr 04, 2026
“… get Iran involved. So Pakistan reached out to a former foreign minister who's viewed as kind of a more moderate person, if you will, within the Islamic Republic. And then the Trump regime killed that former foreign minister's wife and caused severe injuries to that former foreign minister, who the Trump regime asked to try to get involved. And so we'll talk about that. His name is Kamal Karazi. And he gave an interview at CNN, actually, back in mid to early March, where he was talking about – he was kind of predicting exactly what was going to happen. You also have Donald Trump attending …”“… average over $4.08 a gallon right now. Donald Trump and his regime have also been targeting anyone who's potentially involved in future negotiations regarding peace talks in Iran. So Donald Trump has been soliciting Pakistan. Please help Pakistan get Iran involved. So Pakistan reached out to a former foreign minister who's viewed as kind of a more moderate person, if you will, within the Islamic Republic. And then the Trump regime killed that former foreign minister's wife and caused severe injuries to that former foreign minister, who the Trump regime asked to try to get involved. And so we'll talk about that. His name is Kamal Karazi. And he gave an interview at CNN, actually, back in mid to early March, where he was talking about – he was kind of predicting exactly what was going to happen. You also have Donald Trump attending Supreme Court oral argument where Trump's tried to basically overturn the 14th Amendment birthright citizenship. After the Supreme Court justices who Donald Trump appointed started asking questions to the solicitor general basically the main attorney who does the oral arguments for the Justice Department Donald Trump got angry and then stormed out of …”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by boasting about bombing their bridges, leading to a mocking response from Iran about returning to the stone ages. Amidst this chaos, he also displayed erratic behavior in court, storming out when challenged by judges he appointed. As his administration crumbles, the fallout includes the firing of key officials and rising oil prices, painting a picture of a presidency in disarray.
The MeidasTouch Podcast·MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 4/3/26·Apr 03, 2026
“… According to the State Department, she promoted Iranian government propaganda, praised attacks against American forces, and openly supported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization Secretary of State Rubio said Afshar had, quote, celebrated attacks on Americans while living what officials described as a comfortable life inside the U.S. Afshar reportedly entered the country on a tourist visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and later obtained a green card in 2021. But according to the Department of Homeland Security, she traveled back to Iran multiple …”“… move came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally revoked their green cards, citing national security concerns. Officials allege that Afshar wasn't just a relative of a high-profile Iranian figure, but an active supporter of the regime itself According to the State Department, she promoted Iranian government propaganda, praised attacks against American forces, and openly supported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization Secretary of State Rubio said Afshar had, quote, celebrated attacks on Americans while living what officials described as a comfortable life inside the U.S. Afshar reportedly entered the country on a tourist visa in 2015, was granted asylum in 2019, and later obtained a green card in 2021. But according to the Department of Homeland Security, she traveled back to Iran multiple times after receiving that status, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of her asylum claim in the first place. And given the exalted status that her uncle, Qasem Soleimani, had within the IRGC, one could argue that her claim for asylum was completely bogus. And that's a key point, because asylum is granted based on a credible fear of …”View more
Ridealong summary
The U.S. has arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, niece of the slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, after revoking her legal status due to alleged ties to the Iranian regime. This action highlights a broader initiative by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies against individuals linked to adversarial states, emphasizing that legal residency is a privilege, not a right.
The President's Daily Brief·April 6th, 2026: Inside the Daring U.S. Rescue Mission in Iran & ICE Detains Soleimani Relative·Apr 06, 2026
“… women who were judged by their peers, is very competitive, you know, this promotion is the most competitive level to get into the general officer corps and judged worthy. And where not just the general, but Dan Driscoll, the secretary of the army, thought they should go ahead and approve this. And indeed, as I understand it, Congress, to prevent this kind of thing, has said that the defense secretary can reject the entire list, but he can't supposedly pick individuals. I assume Hicks is just ignoring this and saying that would be an unconstitutional constraint on the president's power or …”“… next to him at all these ceremonies at Arlington and places like that. And then recently, this long fight over the promotions to the one star, from the colonels to the one star, where Hegseth personally seems to have blocked at least two blacks and two women who were judged by their peers, is very competitive, you know, this promotion is the most competitive level to get into the general officer corps and judged worthy. And where not just the general, but Dan Driscoll, the secretary of the army, thought they should go ahead and approve this. And indeed, as I understand it, Congress, to prevent this kind of thing, has said that the defense secretary can reject the entire list, but he can't supposedly pick individuals. I assume Hicks is just ignoring this and saying that would be an unconstitutional constraint on the president's power or something. But you're not supposed to be able to sort of cherry pick the ones you like as sect if they kind of worried about this kind of thing. And as I say, the Secretary of Defense can send back the entire list for a rethink. But he's not supposed to do what he's done, as I understand it. But anyway, I mean, what do you make of that? And just, again, …”View more
Ridealong summary
The recent firing of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George raises alarms about political influence in military leadership during wartime. His dismissal appears linked to his opposition to discriminatory practices within military promotions, highlighting a troubling shift towards authoritarianism. This situation reflects broader implications for civil liberties and military integrity under the current administration.
Bulwark Takes·Trump is Remaking National Security to Enforce His Agenda (w/ Tom Joscelyn)·Apr 05, 2026
“… I think for the United States, we took essentially our biggest shot, certainly the biggest shot we've ever taken at the government of Iran, at the Islamic Republic. And that shot destroyed much of the regime, but did not remove or replace or change the regime. The government endured and survived and Iran's ability to continue fighting while diminished,”“… to be able to use this maximally effective tool. That's on what we learned. The other metric I've been thinking about is this balance of deterrence question. Where is the deterrent now on each side compared to where it was before the war? And I think for the United States, we took essentially our biggest shot, certainly the biggest shot we've ever taken at the government of Iran, at the Islamic Republic. And that shot destroyed much of the regime, but did not remove or replace or change the regime. The government endured and survived and Iran's ability to continue fighting while diminished,”View more
Ridealong summary
Despite significant military action, the U.S. may not have achieved strategic success in its conflict with Iran. While the U.S. has degraded Iran's military capabilities, the Iranian regime remains intact and continues to pose a threat. This analysis reveals the lessons learned and the implications for future U.S. military strategy.
The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer·Iran Ceasefire Explained: Winners, Losers, and What Comes Next·Apr 09, 2026
“… not just going to assassinate the leader and find some other compliant leaders going to do what you want. This is a deep regime and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is the strongest force inside the country And so if you decapitate the political leadership as Israel has done with American support you going to empower even more hardline people that have you know if you count the besieged militia and the military, you get to millions of people under arms, but a core of the IRGC that has been preparing for this for a very long time. And you would also know that when threatened with existential …”“… that speech than I did before. And that is saying something, given how incoherent this policy has been. And to your point, a three page bullet point intelligence community summary about Iran would tell you that, number one, this is not Venezuela. You're not just going to assassinate the leader and find some other compliant leaders going to do what you want. This is a deep regime and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is the strongest force inside the country And so if you decapitate the political leadership as Israel has done with American support you going to empower even more hardline people that have you know if you count the besieged militia and the military, you get to millions of people under arms, but a core of the IRGC that has been preparing for this for a very long time. And you would also know that when threatened with existential destruction, which is what Trump is doing, threatening regime change or threading all this civilian infrastructure, they're going to close the Strait of Hormuz. And they are now running the Strait. 20 percent of the world's fossil fuel energy is on a toll road controlled by the IRGC. That is the outcome of what Trump has done in Iran. We are worse …”View more
Ridealong summary
Donald Trump's recent address on Iran left many wondering about U.S. strategy, revealing a lack of coherent policy. Experts argue that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is now more powerful, controlling a significant portion of the world's energy supply, while Trump's claims about nuclear threats were unfounded. The chaotic approach raises concerns about potential conflict and economic repercussions.
The Briefing with Jen Psaki·In ironic twist, Epstein files apparently cost Bondi her job even as she shielded Epstein associates·Apr 03, 2026
“… where to start So first of all I watch Iranian state TV you know 24 seven just to read the moon There is no in the regime is there It called the Islamic Republic of Iran It become more militarized What happened is all the restraining forces which believe it or not, as much as a fan of, I was not by him, he defined my life. The course of my life would have been completely different if he weren't around. By Ayatollah Khamenei was a restraining force relative to the kind of younger commanders that are in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. These are the people who are in charge now. There is no …”“… what Trump is claiming here about how there's a new, more moderate regime in place that he's totally working on a deal with? I don't I don't know where to begin. That's such a like a kind of barrage of stupidities, pile the top stupidities. I don't know where to start So first of all I watch Iranian state TV you know 24 seven just to read the moon There is no in the regime is there It called the Islamic Republic of Iran It become more militarized What happened is all the restraining forces which believe it or not, as much as a fan of, I was not by him, he defined my life. The course of my life would have been completely different if he weren't around. By Ayatollah Khamenei was a restraining force relative to the kind of younger commanders that are in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. These are the people who are in charge now. There is no indication. Yes, they're taking heavy, heavy blows, but they think that they have they I'm going to use a polite word for it instead of what comes to mind. They think that they have the United States in an economic and energy vice grip and they're going to squeeze and squeeze until there is a kind of humiliating cry to uncle.”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's recent statements suggest a new, moderate Iranian regime is emerging, but experts vehemently disagree. They argue that the Islamic Republic has only become more militarized, with hardliners in control and a strategy to economically pressure the U.S. into submission. This situation raises serious concerns about the implications of Trump's rhetoric and potential military actions.
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar·3/30/26: Oil Crisis Expands, Israel Blocks Palm Sunday, Scientists Go Missing, Larry Wilkerson On Iran War·Mar 30, 2026
“… Because the SS would mow them down. He shot them dead. Right. As would the Iranian. And that's what you're seeing in Iran. Right. As would the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. But it's important that you understand. No, I get it, Bill. This is the question. You wrote the book Confronting Evil. In each one of those chapters, evil ended when the regime was taken down. Right. Evil continued in the Soviet Union even after Stalin died. So two questions. Has there ever been a time that making a deal with evil worked out? Yes, there have been times when you make a deal knowing that, well, there were a …”“… far as regime change is concerned, even at the end in 1945, when the Russians were coming in from the east, the Allies were coming in from the west to defeat Hitler, the German people did not rise up against Hitler. And you made that point in the column. Because the SS would mow them down. He shot them dead. Right. As would the Iranian. And that's what you're seeing in Iran. Right. As would the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. But it's important that you understand. No, I get it, Bill. This is the question. You wrote the book Confronting Evil. In each one of those chapters, evil ended when the regime was taken down. Right. Evil continued in the Soviet Union even after Stalin died. So two questions. Has there ever been a time that making a deal with evil worked out? Yes, there have been times when you make a deal knowing that, well, there were a lot of deals made before World War II that postponed the Armageddon. Okay? Neville Chamberlain made a deal with Hitler. Hold on. You're going to sit here and tell me Chamberlain at Munich was a success? But the word success never entered my mind. It postponed the armed conflict. OK, and maybe conflict. This is what I believe is in play now. This is …”View more
Ridealong summary
The hope is that the Iranian regime, weakened by negotiations and internal strife, could lead to a popular uprising against it. Historical parallels are drawn to pre-WWII deals, questioning whether such negotiations can ever yield positive outcomes. The discussion highlights the uncertainty surrounding Iran's leadership and the risks of trusting a regime that openly chants 'death to America.'
Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis·O'Round the World - March 29, 2026·Mar 29, 2026
“… we get into that, I think it's important to go back and talk about Millennium Challenge in 2002 with General Van Riper. He's a legendary Marine Corps general who was the head of the Red Force, aka the Iranian force, in a massive war game, multi-million dollar war game in 2002 where this exact scenario was gamed out at a very, very large level. It was a 14 war game that he ended on day one as fighting as the Iranians came after the American force stepping into the strait and annihilated it causing i think it was 20 000 simulated casualties in one day just ended it like straight out of the …”“… would hope that they're cautioning against that. There is plenty of data out there that speaks to the folly of trying a headlong assault into the Straits of Hormuz. And everybody keeps talking about Karg Island. That's probably not the target. But before we get into that, I think it's important to go back and talk about Millennium Challenge in 2002 with General Van Riper. He's a legendary Marine Corps general who was the head of the Red Force, aka the Iranian force, in a massive war game, multi-million dollar war game in 2002 where this exact scenario was gamed out at a very, very large level. It was a 14 war game that he ended on day one as fighting as the Iranians came after the American force stepping into the strait and annihilated it causing i think it was 20 000 simulated casualties in one day just ended it like straight out of the gate and the services were so upset by this that they reset the war game limited the capabilities that the iranians could use and then progressively what rigged their own war game oh yeah i mean come on it happens all the time But, uh, but why would you, that's like rigging an MRI. Why would you do that? We're giving you a lung x-ray, but we're, we're …”View more
Ridealong summary
Many troops today know that the U.S. military actions are heavily influenced by Israeli interests, a stark contrast to earlier conflicts like the Iraq War. This shift is detailed in a long-standing plan from the 90s, revealing how U.S. military decisions are often manipulated for foreign agendas. The implications for American soldiers are dire, as they may be sent to fight for another nation's goals, not their own.
The Tucker Carlson Show·Troops Being Dragged Into Iran, How It Will Cripple the US & the Real Goal of Israel’s Violence·Mar 26, 2026
“… a great patriot. Charlie loved Tulsi. She is knocking it out of the park on Islam. Absolutely, home run. Listen to her right here on the threat of Islamic terrorism, something that we care greatly about on the show, Sat 9. continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as al-Qaeda and ISIS remain weaker today than they were at their respective peaks. The spread of Islamist ideology, in some cases led by individuals and organizations associated with the …”“All right, so Tulsi Gabbard, I would say there's some high watermarks and there's some room for improvement here. And I'm trying to be constructive. I'm a fan of Tulsi's. I think she's a great patriot. Charlie loved Tulsi. She is knocking it out of the park on Islam. Absolutely, home run. Listen to her right here on the threat of Islamic terrorism, something that we care greatly about on the show, Sat 9. continues to face a complex and evolving threat landscape with a geographically diverse set of Islamist terrorist actors seeking to propagate their ideology globally and harm Americans, even as al-Qaeda and ISIS remain weaker today than they were at their respective peaks. The spread of Islamist ideology, in some cases led by individuals and organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, poses a fundamental threat to freedom and the foundational principles that underpin Western civilization. Islamist groups and individuals use this ideology for recruiting and financial support for terrorist groups and individuals around the world and to advance their political objectives of establishing an Islamist caliphate which …”View more
Ridealong summary
Tulsi Gabbard delivers a powerful critique of the ongoing threat of Islamic terrorism, emphasizing its implications for Western civilization. She highlights the dangers posed by Islamist ideology and the need for honest discussions about these threats, contrasting her views with those who downplay the issue. While her insights are commendable, there remains room for improvement in her overall approach to related political controversies.
The Charlie Kirk Show·Real Immigration Reform + Markwayne Mullin vs. Rand Paul·Mar 18, 2026
“… know, we've had two members of the Texas education. board on the show over last week about this, these hearings they've had in this effort of the Islamic, some of these Islamic entities, not for profits, trying to change Texas school books, Texas history and U.S. history. And of course, you know, Texas, because of the printing deals and just how much people think of Texas, it really, the way Texas education goes in school books changes, I think, 26 states. And both of them said at the time, hey, the Democrats have 100% lined up with the islamicists but he said also there's a handful of these uh …”“… and do something about it. And I don't think we moved fast enough under Biden, my Orcas. And God forbid we have a Democrat in 29. We got to be ready to fight. And with all respect to my opponent, he's never had to do a single thing in his life. You know, we've had two members of the Texas education. board on the show over last week about this, these hearings they've had in this effort of the Islamic, some of these Islamic entities, not for profits, trying to change Texas school books, Texas history and U.S. history. And of course, you know, Texas, because of the printing deals and just how much people think of Texas, it really, the way Texas education goes in school books changes, I think, 26 states. And both of them said at the time, hey, the Democrats have 100% lined up with the islamicists but he said also there's a handful of these uh middle of the road republicans are just afraid to step in the fray what are you going to do as attorney general let people know hey you can't be afraid here you got to step into this fight because we could folks texas is much this invasion in texas is much farther down the road and the media has not covered at all in this education these hearings …”View more
Ridealong summary
Texas education is under siege as some lawmakers claim Islamic entities are trying to alter school curricula. The urgency to combat this perceived threat is heightened by upcoming legislative votes, with a call for strong leadership to protect Texas values and prevent what they see as an invasion. The speaker emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the education system to ensure that taxpayer money isn't supporting agendas contrary to Texan principles.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5221: Pentagon Has Sights On Globalist Bankers For Defense Unit; Stopping All Immigration·Mar 17, 2026
“… navy is gone. Their air force is in ruins. Their leaders, most of them, terrorist regime they led, are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak. Their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, tailed and their weapons, factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces. Very few of them left. Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating large scale losses in a matter of weeks. Our enemies are losing in America as it has been for five years under my presidency is winning. bigger than ever …”“… Fury, targeting the world's number one state sponsor of terror, Iran. In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield. Victories like few people have ever seen before. Tonight, Iran's navy is gone. Their air force is in ruins. Their leaders, most of them, terrorist regime they led, are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak. Their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, tailed and their weapons, factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces. Very few of them left. Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating large scale losses in a matter of weeks. Our enemies are losing in America as it has been for five years under my presidency is winning. bigger than ever before. Before discussing this current situation, I also want to thank our troops for the masterful job they did in taking the country of Venezuela in a matter of minutes. That it was quick, lethal, violent, and respected by everyone all over the world. After rebuilding our military during my first term, we have by far the strongest military anywhere …”View more
Ridealong summary
In a powerful presidential address, Trump announces the overwhelming military victories against Iran, claiming their navy and air force are decimated. He emphasizes the success of Operation Epic Fury as crucial for America's safety, while also celebrating the achievements of NASA's Artemis II mission. This marks a significant moment in U.S. military history, showcasing unprecedented losses for Iran and a shift in global power dynamics.
Bannon`s War Room·War Room Special: PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESS TO THE NATION·Apr 02, 2026
“… the narrative of this regime. This is the eight-year war with Iran-Iraq. This is the decision by the Imam Khomeini, the leader, the founder of the Islamic Republic, when he decided to go for a ceasefire, he described it as drinking the poison chalice. And because of that, the idea that they will stopped because they understand that they have taken so much damages. It's possible, but we need to take into account the possibility that they'll just continue on shooting. Now, you have no leverage. The thing about threats is that you need to keep them at bay. And once you use the threat, once you make …”“… they will have enough resources to continue on shooting against targets in the region. They might not have an economy. People will be impoverished. The country will be even more miserable than it is today, but they can continue on shooting. This is the narrative of this regime. This is the eight-year war with Iran-Iraq. This is the decision by the Imam Khomeini, the leader, the founder of the Islamic Republic, when he decided to go for a ceasefire, he described it as drinking the poison chalice. And because of that, the idea that they will stopped because they understand that they have taken so much damages. It's possible, but we need to take into account the possibility that they'll just continue on shooting. Now, you have no leverage. The thing about threats is that you need to keep them at bay. And once you use the threat, once you make the threat, you mean? The Strait of Hormuz is a great example. for Iran, this was their nuclear option. We'll close down the Strait of Hormuz. And they succeeded in doing that. On face value, it's a huge success for them. Not only is the Strait closed, they are still producing oil. So it's not even closed. It's just closed to whoever Iran wants it …”View more
Ridealong summary
Even if Iran's economy crumbles, they might continue their military aggression in the region. This stems from a historical perspective where the regime has prioritized military action over economic stability, exemplified by their past decisions during the Iran-Iraq War. The implications of this behavior are significant for regional powers like Israel and the Gulf states, who are now strategizing on how to counteract Iran's threats effectively.
Call Me Back - with Dan Senor·Countdown to Trump’s 48-Hour Ultimatum — with Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal·Apr 05, 2026
“… them in this moment? You know, I have constituents who ask me about gas prices and affordability. I have a lot of constituents and we have National Guard deployed right now in the Middle East who want to know what the plan is. And then, you know, we just have people who were committed to they said, I thought this president was going to end the forever wars. That's what he said. Mikey, how do you think this is going to be different? And I have to tell them this war makes no sense. I served on the House Armed Services Committee. I was in the United States Navy for almost 10 years as a helicopter …”“… even before Trump started a war in Iran four weeks ago. And I was wondering, given that you ran on the issue, but also your background in national security, when your constituents ask you, when are our gas prices going to come down? What do you tell them in this moment? You know, I have constituents who ask me about gas prices and affordability. I have a lot of constituents and we have National Guard deployed right now in the Middle East who want to know what the plan is. And then, you know, we just have people who were committed to they said, I thought this president was going to end the forever wars. That's what he said. Mikey, how do you think this is going to be different? And I have to tell them this war makes no sense. I served on the House Armed Services Committee. I was in the United States Navy for almost 10 years as a helicopter pilot. I was there as we were fighting the global war on terror. And I can tell you, You can't simply remove a regime with no plan as we did. And that's how we got into the last 20 year war. We saw what happened in Vietnam as we had no good ground strategy. And now, again, what we've basically come to what Trump has accomplished here is he has taken …”View more
Ridealong summary
Trump's actions in Iran have led to skyrocketing gas prices, leaving constituents frustrated and confused about their future. A former Navy pilot and current governor explains how the lack of a coherent strategy in dealing with Iran has exacerbated the affordability crisis for everyday Americans. This situation illustrates the direct connection between political decisions and the financial strain on working families.
The Briefing with Jen Psaki·Psaki: Trump can't TACO out of Iran·Mar 27, 2026
“… if you look at it I think President Trump right I mean he took out the Ayatollah He taken out all the way down I think to the brigade level on the Revolutionary Guard right If he finds somebody to negotiate with, that to me, by definition, is the leadership. If he finds somebody to negotiate with, he hasn't found it yet, right? We have a path through the Pakistanis. There's some other group that keeps giving negative feedback. But once he finds that group that Whitcoff or the vice president or Jared Kushner, whoever's in the room with our people, I would say by definition, that's the leadership he's …”“… the thing that strikes me about your estimation as to what would define You didn't mention leadership. You didn't mention a change in leadership or the installment of some sort of Iranian leadership. Does that not factor into you? Well listen I think if you look at it I think President Trump right I mean he took out the Ayatollah He taken out all the way down I think to the brigade level on the Revolutionary Guard right If he finds somebody to negotiate with, that to me, by definition, is the leadership. If he finds somebody to negotiate with, he hasn't found it yet, right? We have a path through the Pakistanis. There's some other group that keeps giving negative feedback. But once he finds that group that Whitcoff or the vice president or Jared Kushner, whoever's in the room with our people, I would say by definition, that's the leadership he's comfortable enough with. So it's almost you find out who you can negotiate with that can actually represent the country as shattered as it is. And then and then we that to me is the leadership you deal with. You wonder if they can find a Delce Rodriguez over in Iran. You wonder if that can happen. It's whack-a-mole over there, Steve. It's …”View more
Ridealong summary
President Trump must define victory in Iran, focusing on dismantling their nuclear capabilities and ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The discussion highlights the need for a unified military front with regional allies and the challenge of negotiating with Iranian leadership. Ultimately, success hinges on finding a credible negotiating partner amid the chaos.
Bannon`s War Room·Episode 5247/5248: Live From CPAC Day 1·Mar 26, 2026
“… of the Joint Chiefs reiterates this. The CENCOM reiterates this. We have, to a degree, shattered their traditional, you know, Ayatollah Mullah, Revolutionary Guard. I think somebody told me down to the brigade level. Um and so president Trump the first issue he got to deal with is like who is even in charge to make a deal with And that why the Pakistani field you know the Pakistanis very well lovely lovely lovely folks The Pakistani field marshal, who is very close to President Trump, has offered up and offered to them to actually host this. You've got the Arab Council, the Gulf Council. Their guys …”“… and control, the command and control. And remember, the Israelis did more of kind of the decapitation move. The Americans focused on more of the technological command and control. But it's pretty evident. And the president reiterates this. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs reiterates this. The CENCOM reiterates this. We have, to a degree, shattered their traditional, you know, Ayatollah Mullah, Revolutionary Guard. I think somebody told me down to the brigade level. Um and so president Trump the first issue he got to deal with is like who is even in charge to make a deal with And that why the Pakistani field you know the Pakistanis very well lovely lovely lovely folks The Pakistani field marshal, who is very close to President Trump, has offered up and offered to them to actually host this. You've got the Arab Council, the Gulf Council. Their guys have come together and said, we want to help. We want to figure something out. and you've got the Turks. So from an intelligence point of view, how are they framing this with the president now? And how are they getting this type of operational intelligence to basically give the commander in chief, who is open to do a deal with someone, if it makes …”View more
Ridealong summary
President Trump faces a crucial question: who is in charge in Iran to negotiate a deal? With the U.S. having disrupted the traditional Iranian command structure, key players like Pakistan and the Gulf Council are stepping up to help facilitate dialogue. This segment explores the intelligence strategy behind determining the right contacts for effective negotiations.