Eye For Iran

Can Iran’s Economy Survive the Internet Blackout and Economic Fury? | Eye for Iran 103

Fri, 15 May 2026 18:30:03 GMT

In episode 103 of Eye for Iran, Mohamad Machine-Chian is filling in for Negar Mojtahedi.
In this episode, Holly Dagres, senior fellow at Washington Institute discusses the continued internet blackout in Iran.
Operation Epic Fury may be over but Operation Economic Fury is just getting started. Siamak Javadi, from Texas University explains what's next for Iran’s economy.#iraninternational #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The price of oil and the future of Hormuz

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:15:04 GMT

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues. Can Tehran weaponize Hormuz for years to come? Are Iranian oil fields nearing the point of no return?

In episode 102 of Eye for Iran, two energy experts assess the potential scenarios ahead.

#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada let Iran football chief linked to IRGC in — then got caught | Eye for Iran | EP 101|

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:30:04 GMT

An Iran International exclusive has triggered a political firestorm in Ottawa — after Mehdi Taj, Iran’s football chief and a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence commander, was granted entry into Canada despite being legally inadmissible under the country’s own terrorist designation.

Taj was issued a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) — a rare override used to bypass national security inadmissibility — allowing him to travel to Vancouver for a FIFA Congress. But after the story broke and public pressure mounted, he was stopped at the airport and sent back.

Now, Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing mounting questions:
Who approved the permit? Why was an IRGC-linked figure allowed in? And did the government only act after being exposed?

Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, joins Eye for Iran to demand accountability, warning that this case exposes deeper failures in Canada’s immigration system, national security screening and enforcement of its own IRGC terror listing.

But this story doesn’t stop at Canada.

At the same time, the UK is facing a surge in violent attacks targeting Jewish communities — including a stabbing in Golders Green, attempted synagogue firebombings and arson attacks on Jewish ambulances.

British authorities are now investigating whether these attacks are linked to Iran and a shadow network known as HAYI (Harakat al-Shabab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah).

Alex Winston of The Jerusalem Post explains why intelligence officials fear this reflects a broader Iranian strategy: proxy networks, online radicalization
and sleeper cells recruited across Europe

Len Khodorkovsky, former U.S. State Department official, breaks down the war of narratives, Trump’s warning to Iran and how the regime is using internet blackouts and information control to hide unrest and shape global perception.

This episode connects the dots between immigration policy, terrorism and the Islamic Republic’s global reach — and asks critical questions.

Guests: Melissa Lantsman, Len Khodorkovsky, Alex Winston
Host: Negar Mojtahedi
Program: Eye for Iran

Eye for Iran is a podcast series brought you by Iran International that takes you beyond the headlines and brings you the Iran stories that matter most.

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Highlights | Taj turned away, Trump warning, UK Jewish attacks

02:15 Melissa Lantsman | How did Mehdi Taj get a permit?
03:25 Melissa Lantsman | “Somebody issued him a permit”
05:16 Melissa Lantsman | IRGC concerns in Canada
07:42 Melissa Lantsman | “They circumvented the rules”
08:51 Melissa Lantsman | Who approved Taj’s entry?
10:09 Melissa Lantsman | Canada’s privacy excuse
11:27 Melissa Lantsman | Parliament demands answers
12:09 Melissa Lantsman | Did Canada act only after being exposed?
13:41 Melissa Lantsman | Canada’s wider IRGC problem
15:44 Melissa Lantsman | Ottawa’s confusing response
16:47 Melissa Lantsman | What happens next?

18:47 Alex Winston | UK Jewish attacks and possible Iran links
19:41 Alex Winston | Golders Green, synagogue firebombings and HAYI
20:07 Alex Winston | Iran’s external operations playbook
22:30 Alex Winston | Telegram, IRGC-linked media and proxy networks
24:03 Alex Winston | Why proving Iran links is difficult
26:39 Alex Winston | Was HAYI born out of the war?
27:38 Alex Winston | How Iran takes the war to the West
29:45 Alex Winston | Is the West waking up?
30:51 Alex Winston | Is regime change the only solution?
32:38 Alex Winston | Where the war could go next
36:01 Alex Winston | Fears of more sleeper-cell attacks

38:02 Len Khodorkovsky | Iran, messaging and information warfare
38:27 Len Khodorkovsky | America’s message to Iran’s regime and people
42:00 Len Khodorkovsky | Iran’s internet blackout and the battle for truth
46:10 Len Khodorkovsky | Western media narratives and the Iran war
52:06 Len Khodorkovsky | Trump’s warning and negotiation strategy
56:00 Len Khodorkovsky | Iran’s people, blackout and Western silence
59:42 Len Khodorkovsky | Prince Reza Pahlavi, the press and agenda-driven narratives
01:01:51 Len Khodorkovsky | How journalism standards have changed
01:05:15 Len Khodorkovsky | How audiences should consume news today

01:08:05 Closing Remarks | Final thoughts and newsletter details

#iran #irgc #fifa #iranwar #operationepicfury #canada #usa #trump #carney #immigration #uk #jewish #israel #youtube #shorts #podcast #news #middleeast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tehran turns on itself as Iran’s regime fractures | Eye for Iran | EP 100 |

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:00:04 GMT

Veteran journalist Eli Lake of The Free Press and host of the Breaking History podcast joins Eye for Iran to discuss real fractures inside Iran’s regime, why Tehran’s leadership may be turning on itself and how internal power struggles could eventually bring down the Islamic Republic from within.

Lake says Iran’s rulers now need a deal more than Washington does, and argues any negotiations should begin with restoring internet access, freeing political prisoners and ending executions.

Lake also offers hope for Iran’s future, saying the Iranian people remain the country’s greatest strength: “You cannot keep these people down.”

Hudson Institute research fellow Zineb Riboua then breaks down China’s growing anxiety over the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing’s weakening leverage over Tehran, Iran-China ties and whether Operation Epic Fury is really about weakening China’s position in the Middle East.

Finally, Iran International journalist Shervin Shahrestani reveals his major investigation into Iran’s expanding influence network in Kashmir and India, including ideological outreach, funding networks and why some call the region a “Mini Iran.”

A special 100th episode covering Iran regime fractures, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, China, the IRGC and the fight for Iran’s future.

Contents for this video:

00:00 Intro: Tehran Turns on Itself? Fractures in Iran’s Regime
02:16 Eli Lake Joins Eye for Iran
02:38 What Is Really Happening Between US and Iran?
05:25 Why Give Tehran More Time?
06:03 Eli Lake: Put Iranian People First
07:56 Any Deal Must Include Internet & Prisoners
11:51 Xi Jinping Pressures Tehran Over Hormuz
12:57 Are Iran’s Internal Fractures Real?
17:35 Can the Islamic Republic Fall From Within?
24:38 Why Even Ahmadinejad Is Criticizing the Regime
27:56 How Change Could Happen Inside Iran
32:54 Biggest Bet: Collapse From Within
34:43 Are Negotiations Psychological Warfare?
36:03 Iran’s Nuclear Program & What Comes Next
40:25 Eli Lake: “You Cannot Keep These People Down”
46:01 Eli Lake on His Iran Podcast Series
52:31 Zineb Riboua Joins Eye for Iran
52:32 Why China Suddenly Spoke on Strait of Hormuz
56:30 Beijing’s Weakness Exposed?
58:32 Is China Panicking?
01:02:16 What China Stands to Lose
01:05:28 Is Operation Epic Fury Really About Weakening China?
01:07:45 Are US and Israel Fully Aligned?
01:09:22 What to Watch Next: Gulf States & China
01:12:27 Shervin Shahrestani Joins Eye for Iran
01:13:00 Iran’s Influence Network in Kashmir
01:15:02 Why Kashmir Is Called “Mini Iran”
01:19:54 How Tehran Builds Influence in India
01:22:30 Security Risks: Sleeper Cells & Lone Wolves?
01:26:21 Why This Story Matters Now
01:28:19 Is Iran More Dangerous After the War?
01:30:16 Final Thoughts / Subscribe

#iran #iranwar #israel #trump #nuclear #podcast #news #usa #youtube #shorts #middleeast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran war: ceasefire holds, Strait of Hormuz reopens — what now? | Eye for Iran | EP 99 |

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:45:04 GMT

A fragile ceasefire may be holding between the United States and Iran — but is the war really over, or just paused?

As the Strait of Strait of Hormuz reopens after weeks of disruption, new questions are emerging about the true impact of the conflict: who’s actually winning, how much pressure the Islamic Republic is under, and whether this moment leads to a deal — or another round of escalation.

On this episode of Eye for Iran, Charlie Brown, Senior Advisor at United Against Nuclear Iran, and Dr. Iman Nasseri, Managing Director for the Middle East at FGE, break down the maritime and economic battlefield — from Iran’s shadow fleet and sanctions evasion networks to the real timeline for when a blockade actually hits Tehran’s economy.

We also examine the nuclear file with Dr. David Albright, Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, who warns that while Iran’s ability to build a bomb may have been set back, its incentive to pursue one could be growing.

And in a stunning regional development, Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks for the first time in decades. Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Research Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explains what this could mean for Hezbollah, Lebanon’s sovereignty, and whether Iran’s grip on the region is beginning to weaken.

Is this the beginning of the end — or just the calm before the next phase of conflict?

Watch Eye for Iran.

Recorded just before the Strait of Hormuz reopened, offering a real-time snapshot of a rapidly shifting situation.

Chapters:

00:00 Is the Iran war really over?
00:39 Hormuz reopens: what it means now
02:07 Conflicting narratives: is Iran winning or losing?
03:22 Can Iran survive the blockade?
05:15 How long until sanctions actually hit?
07:54 What’s really happening at sea right now
11:44 Will the next 10 days change everything?
15:11 Is Iran still making money from oil?
17:32 Shadow fleet & sanctions evasion explained
19:01 Shadow banking crackdown: does it work?
22:10 U.S. strategy: pressure or regime change?
26:19 What’s the endgame here?

Nuclear file segment

32:16 Can Iran still build a nuclear weapon?
36:54 Could Iran be hiding enriched uranium?
43:23 Is Iran now a greater long-term threat?
49:09 Where do global powers stand?
53:52 Why regime change isn’t so simple
57:59 What has this war actually achieved?
01:03:32 Missiles, drones & future threats
01:06:12 Are we heading toward another war?

Lebanon / regional shift segment

01:06:35 Historic Lebanon-Israel talks explained
01:08:39 Is Lebanon breaking away from Iran?
01:10:42 Does Hezbollah still have power?
01:11:52 What do Lebanese people really think?
01:15:26 How Lebanese view Iran’s role
01:17:54 Iran’s internal divisions revealed
01:19:02 Decoupling Lebanon from Iran
01:23:32 Is Iran weakening across the region?
01:27:02 Could Lebanon normalize with Israel?

01:29:57 Final thoughts & what comes next

#Iran #IranWar #MiddleEast #StraitOfHormuz #Hormuz #OilMarkets #Geopolitics #USIran #Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah #NuclearDeal #EnergyCrisis #BreakingNews #EyeForIran

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran-US ceasefire: pause before escalation or deal? | Eye for Iran | EP 98 |

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:30:03 GMT

A fragile ceasefire appears to be in place between Iran and the United States, but is it really a ceasefire, or simply a brief pause before a new phase of conflict?

In this episode of Eye for Iran, former CIA analyst and former National Security Council director Ken Pollack explains why he believes both sides may not have agreed to the same terms, and why the current moment could still lead to renewed escalation. He also warns that if this war ends with the regime intact, the Iranian people may once again be left to pay the price.

Then, writer, activist, and Middle East expert Dalia Ziada breaks down the regional fallout. She explains why many Arab states, especially in the Gulf, feel sidelined despite being directly affected by the conflict, and why frustration is also growing over Pakistan’s role.

Finally, investigative reporter Jay Solomon joins us to discuss his months-long investigation into Calla Walsh, the 21-year-old American activist who has become a prominent voice amplifying the Iranian regime’s narrative. How did her radicalization happen, and why does it matter?

Watch the full episode of Eye for Iran, and subscribe for more in-depth interviews and analysis.

Contents for this video:
00:00 Fragile ceasefire or pause before escalation?
01:42 Ken Pollack joins: what this “ceasefire” really means
03:24 Why Washington and Tehran are talking past each other
07:05 Will the Iranian people be abandoned again?
13:27 What a new phase of war could look like
17:24 Trump’s messaging to the people of Iran
23:02 Is regime change still possible?
30:51 Why Gulf states may move closer to Israel
36:51 Dalia Ziada: regional fallout and Arab frustration
39:11 Could this accelerate Arab-Israeli alignment?
44:02 Pakistan’s role and Saudi disappointment
47:08 Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran’s regional reach
49:37 Qatar rethinking ties to Tehran?
52:10 Jay Solomon: who is Calla Walsh?
54:29 Cuba, radicalization, and Tehran’s influence
01:00:36 How Walsh became part of Iran’s narrative machine
01:05:14 Why Gen Z radicalization should worry the West
01:07:37 Is this Iran exporting its revolution?
01:09:46 Subscribe for more Eye for Iran

#iran #usa #israel #war #ceasefire #pakistan #youtube #shorts #youtubeshorts #news #podcast #middleeast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UAE hits Iran’s economic lifeline | Decoding Trump’s speech | Special report| Eye for Iran | EP 97 |

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:30:03 GMT

The UAE’s arrest of dozens linked to the IRGC’s sanctions-evasion network could mark one of the biggest blows yet to Tehran’s economic lifeline.

Former U.S. Treasury sanctions strategist Miad Maleki, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Research Director Daniel Roth, and Iran International senior economic journalist Mohammad Machine-chian break down what this could cost the regime — and whether it could cripple Tehran’s ability to fund repression, proxies and sanctions evasion.

Then Republican strategist, former Bal Harbour, Florida Mayor and Standpoint podcast host Gabe Groisman unpacks what President Trump’s Iran speech really signaled, who the message was intended for and whether “strategic ambiguity” is part of the plan.

Plus, Iran International journalist Azadeh Akbari reveals new findings from a special report showing the regime moved weapons and personnel into at least 70 civilian sites, including schools.

You can watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran or listen on any podcast platform.

Chapters:

00:00 Trump’s Iran Speech and What It Really Means
00:35 UAE Arrests IRGC-Linked Money Changers
01:31 Special Report: Regime Used 70 Civilian Sites
02:06 How Important Is Dubai to Tehran’s Survival?
05:35 Why the UAE Is Cracking Down Now
07:26 How Much Money Is the Regime Set to Lose?
12:56 Can This Disrupt Iran’s Global Money Laundering?
17:48 Iran’s Other Financial Lifelines: Turkey, Erbil, Herat
19:34 Impact on Proxies, Repression, and the Rial
22:02 Political Fallout for Iran-UAE Relations
24:11 Tehran’s Strategic Miscalculation
28:57 Gabe Groisman on Trump’s Iran Speech
32:10 Trump’s Tone: Planned, Measured, Strategic
34:11 Is Trump Using Strategic Ambiguity?
37:52 Was Trump Also Sending a Message to Tehran?
39:08 Regime Change: Goal or Byproduct?
42:26 Strait of Hormuz and Regional Allies
46:30 October 7 and Iran’s Biggest Miscalculation
49:13 Why Trump Didn’t Mention Oman
50:24 Was Trump’s Speech Escalatory?
52:59 Could Ground Troops Still Be on the Table?
55:05 Trump vs Netanyahu on Messaging
58:55 Special Report: Weapons Moved Into Schools and Civilian Sites
59:13 How Iran International Verified the Investigation
01:03:46 Are Civilians Being Used as Human Shields?
01:07:05 Children Put in Harm’s Way
01:08:15 What This Says About the Regime’s Wartime Doctrine

#iran #uae #money #sanctions #trump #usa #iranian #HumanShields #israel #war #iranwar #news #podcast #shorts #youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran just proved its reach — how much further will this war go? | Eye for Iran | EP 96 |

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:00:04 GMT

A war already underway — now entering a more dangerous phase.

We begin with Iran’s reported strike toward Diego Garcia — a moment that signals something critical: this threat is no longer abstract. It is real.

Defense experts Farzin Nadimi of The Washington Institute and Janatan Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) break down what this reveals about Iran’s capabilities — from vast underground missile networks, some “the size of small cities,” to a growing global threat. As Sayeh warns, “Iranian missiles and drones were already being used on European soil through Russia — now the regime itself can launch them directly from Iranian territory.”

Then — what comes next.

Former US State Department official Joel Rubin and foreign policy expert Dr. Walid Phares analyze the global response and the role of diplomacy as well as signs the conflict may be moving toward a broader escalation.

Reacting to a striking op-ed by the UAE ambassador to Washington calling for a “conclusive outcome,” Rubin underscores the stakes, saying “this is how Iran behaves — willing to disrupt the global economy to protect itself.”

Phares, meanwhile, argues current talks are part of a strategic calculation — “less about peace and more about buying time” — as momentum builds toward a more decisive phase that could include limited ground operations.

They also point to developments in Lebanon — long seen as firmly within Iran’s sphere of influence — as evidence that Tehran’s regional grip may be weakening in real time.

And finally — the human reality behind it all.

Ali Rezaei Majd, the Iranian protester whose video from inside Iran was seen by millions, speaks out after escaping the country:
“We cannot make a deal with them. Dealing with them means letting this cancer continue.” Watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

YouTube Chapters

00:00 Opening: “They were shooting people like a video game”
00:06 The viral witness: Ali Rezaei Majd
00:43 Iran fires toward Diego Garcia
01:20 UAE warns ceasefire is not enough
01:58 Iran’s missile capabilities and what comes next
02:42 Farzin Nadimi on Iran’s true missile range
04:55 Could Iran’s missiles reach the UK?
06:16 Why this is a global wake-up call
07:30 How much of Iran’s missile arsenal remains?
11:08 Inside Iran’s underground missile cities
12:44 Missile sites hidden near civilians
15:04 Factories, launchers, and urban danger zones
17:32 Kharg Island and the regime’s economic lifeline
20:27 What Iran is still capable of militarily
24:01 Threats to the US homeland?
25:17 UAE sounds alarm on Iran as a global threat
27:52 Is the region shifting against Tehran?
30:35 Are talks stalling?
33:27 Could boots on the ground be next?
37:21 Lebanon and Iran’s loosening grip
42:33 Ali Rezaei Majd on the January massacre
43:12 The viral video from inside Iran
45:16 Why he recorded it
46:43 What he witnessed on the streets
50:55 How he escaped Iran
54:33 His message to the world: no negotiations
58:14 First Nowruz after the massacre
01:02:04 “It was like a video game”
01:03:03 Final message from Ali Rezaei Majd

#iran #diegogarcia #trump #ballisticmissiles #irgc #iranmissiles #uae #lebanon #hezbollah #israel #usa #middleeast #podcast #news #youtube #shorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The call for another uprising in Iran is near, Israeli security insider says| Eye for Iran | EP 95 |

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:45:03 GMT

“It’s a matter of weeks.”

That is Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi’s message on what may come next in Iran. The Israeli security insider and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum says conditions could soon be in place for Iranians to rise up safely against the Islamic Republic. But, he says, Israel and the US would first assess whether those conditions had truly been met — and would remain overhead in the skies, with drones and advanced capabilities, to protect the people of Iran.

“Above their heads, there will be Israeli drones and American capabilities defending them from the air, and any attempt to hit the Iranian people will be met by an attack,” Avivi told Eye for Iran.

Then, what could Washington do next?

Investigative journalists Jay Solomon of The Free Press and David Patrikarakos, special correspondent for the Daily Mail, join us to discuss the next phase. Solomon says his sources in Washington indicate the Trump administration wants to secure the more than 400 kilograms of unaccounted-for highly enriched uranium. But with Pickaxe Mountain believed to be so deeply buried, an aerial mission alone may not be enough — raising the possibility of US ground forces entering tunnels.

“The Marine Expeditionary Unit, MEU, that’s kind of been moving closer to Iran … could potentially be a unit that would be utilized to go in and try to safeguard the materials,” Solomon says.

Patrikarakos shares what his sources are seeing inside Iran, including reports of growing disorder and signs that some IRGC elements may be turning against one another. Is the Revolutionary Guards Corps nearing a breaking point?

“They paint a picture of a regime in disarray, its security apparatus is in disarray,” Patrikarakos says.

And finally, we speak with Daniel Levinson, the son of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in Iran while on an unsanctioned CIA-linked mission and is presumed dead. He tells us why the latest US and Israeli strikes may bring his family closer to the truth.

“Khamenei had the power to free my dad at any point and chose not to. He knew what was happening and did nothing, so for our family, it’s been an emotional moment — but not one of grief.”

You can watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents for this video:

00:00 Avivi: “The goal is clear”
00:24 Avivi says a turning point could be weeks away
00:54 Larijani dead, regime vows revenge
01:22 New reporting on IRGC infighting and next US moves
02:17 Robert Levinson case: Daniel Levinson joins later
03:45 Avivi on the three stages of the war
07:07 When can Iranians safely rise up?
09:20 Why Larijani’s killing matters
10:51 Is regime change the end game?
12:31 What conditions need to be met inside Iran
13:21 Avivi claims major defections in some units
16:01 Jay Solomon and David Patrikarakos join
16:35 David Patrikarakos on regime disarray
19:08 Are IRGC members turning on each other?
21:05 Jay Solomon on Pickaxe Mountain and US options
25:29 Could US boots go into the tunnels?
28:55 Kharg Island and pressure on the regime
34:07 Is this war also about China?
41:20 What is the actual US objective?
44:20 Could more regime officials be targeted?
45:27 Executions continue inside Iran
47:13 Iran’s information war in the West
52:44 Daniel Levinson joins the program
54:12 Robert Levinson’s disappearance explained
55:30 The family’s 19-year search for answers
56:58 Official linked to Levinson case killed in strikes
58:06 “No one was more responsible than Khamenei”
59:55 Could this bring justice?
01:01:00 Message to officials who know what happened
01:01:25 What accountability looks like now
01:01:53 Levinson family trips to Iran
01:03:26 Did the US do enough?
01:04:19 What Americans should understand about Iran
01:07:40 How Daniel wants his father remembered

#iran #israel #trump #war #youtube #shorts #podcst #news #iranian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Iran: Basij strikes, purported message & voices from Tehran | Eye for Iran | EP 94 |

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:30:04 GMT

The war against the Islamic Republic may be entering a new phase after Israeli drone strikes targeted Basij checkpoints in Tehran. The Basij — a paramilitary force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — has long been responsible for carrying out repression and violently suppressing protests across Iran.

In this episode of Eye for Iran, John Hannah, who served in senior foreign policy positions for both Democratic and Republican administrations, including as former Vice President Dick Cheney’s National Security Advisor from 2005–2009 and Deputy National Security Advisor for the Middle East from 2001–2005, explains why these strikes could mark a turning point that may weaken the regime’s ability to control the streets and potentially shift the balance in favor of the Iranian people.

Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to appear publicly. Instead, his first communication reportedly came in the form of a written message rather than a video statement — raising new questions about who is truly in charge. A panel of experts, including historian Shahram Kholdi, former U.S. government appointee Shayan Samii, and former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed, analyzes what the message said and what it may reveal about the power struggle inside the regime.

Finally, actress and producer Tara Grammy shares messages from inside Tehran, describing how many Iranians are experiencing the war — and why some say decades of repression have reshaped how they view danger, and hope for change.

Contents for this video:

00:00 Introduction
02:19 John Hannah: Basij checkpoints hit in Tehran
03:10 John Hannah: Could this fracture the regime?
05:08 John Hannah: Is this phase two of the war?
07:42 John Hannah: Can the opposition seize the moment?
09:32 John Hannah: When is it safe for Iranians to rise up?
11:00 John Hannah: What does regime change mean?
12:54 John Hannah: FBI warning and retaliation fears
14:34 John Hannah: Was wider escalation inevitable?
16:10 John Hannah: Military success vs political success
17:49 John Hannah: Is this also about China?
20:51 John Hannah: Message to the axis of aggressors
23:11 John Hannah: How long can the regime survive?
25:00 John Hannah: Advice to Trump
30:01 Shahram Kholdi, Shayan Samii and Avi Melamed join
30:15 Shahram Kholdi: Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?
33:57 Avi Melamed: Who is really in charge?
35:14 Shayan Samii: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
39:24 Shahram Kholdi: What did the alleged message say?
47:23 Avi Melamed: What is Israel’s endgame?
53:44 Shayan Samii: Mojtaba’s message and what it means
58:12 Shahram Kholdi: Is the IRGC running the show?
01:03:58 Avi Melamed: What Mojtaba’s silence suggests
01:06:45 Tara Grammy joins Eye for Iran
01:07:30 Tara Grammy: Why some Iranians cheer the bombs
01:08:56 Tara Grammy: Threat normalization and trauma
01:13:02 Tara Grammy: Why outsiders do not understand
01:17:19 Tara Grammy: A 1% chance at freedom
01:18:34 Tara Grammy: The bombs and the regime
01:20:14 Tara Grammy: Voices from inside Iran
01:21:52 Tara Grammy: January 8 and 9 changed everything
01:24:44 Tara Grammy: The role of the diaspora
01:26:55 Tara Grammy: The message from inside Iran — regime change
01:28:33 Tara Grammy: Shoot-to-kill orders and hospital killings
01:30:35 Tara Grammy: Why the world ignores the massacre
01:32:18 Tara Grammy: What the West should be talking about
01:33:06 Outro

#Iran #IranWar #IranProtests #IranRegime #IslamicRepublic #IRGC
#Basij #news #podcast #youtube #shorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran's regime needs to be "removed from power", says Ted Cruz | Eye for Iran | EP 93 |

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:04 GMT

Senator Ted Cruz joins Eye for Iran as the United States and Israel intensify their campaign against the Islamic Republic. In this episode, Cruz lays out what he sees as the objective of the war, whether regime change is now on the horizon, what victory would look like, and whether limited U.S. ground engagement is possible.

Host Negar Mojtahedi also speaks with Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about possible endgame scenarios, and also taking a deeper look at Mojtaba Khamenei, the man now in charge of the Islamic Republic.

From Israel, journalist and defense analyst Yaakov Katz joins the program to discuss daily life under missile fire, Israel’s military coordination with the United States, how this war is reshaping the Middle East, and why many Israelis see the freedom of the Iranian people as central to the region’s future.

Chapters:

00:00 Ted Cruz: “The objective is to remove the regime from power”
00:34 War with Iran: what victory could look like
01:38 Senator Ted Cruz: What are the next steps in the war
04:18 Does victory mean regime change in Iran
05:58 Who could lead Iran after the regime
07:35 How the Iranian regime could collapse from within
11:21 Could the U.S. deploy limited ground forces
14:45 Ted Cruz on Kurds and arming protesters
19:35 Mark Dubowitz: Endgame scenarios for Iran
33:00 Yaakov Katz: Life inside Israel during the war
42:43 Did Iran make a catastrophic strategic miscalculation

#iran #war #trump #israel #usa #middleeast #news #podcast #youtube #shorts #usisraeliran #tedcruz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EU lawmaker to Iran's regime: “Your time is up” | Eye for Iran | EP 92 |

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:00:04 GMT

"Your time is up.”

A senior European lawmaker from Malta delivers a direct message to Tehran on this episode of Eye for Iran. Daniel Attard — Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iran — calls for tougher action against the Islamic Republic following its deadly crackdown on protesters, urging Europe to expel Iranian diplomats, halt trade, and increase pressure on the regime while standing firmly with the Iranian people.

“The time for negotiation is over. We must match the courage of the people of Iran,” Attard tells Eye for Iran, arguing that the European Union must support Iran’s opposition — not its oppressors — and act when a regime turns its violence against its own citizens.

We then break down President Donald Trump’s State of the Union warning about Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and the implications of ongoing Geneva talks. Joining the panel are Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Shayan Sami’i, national security analyst and former U.S. government appointee; and Shahram Kholdi, international security and law analyst and Middle East historian. The panel examines whether Washington’s shifting rhetoric signals a turning point in U.S. policy toward Iran.

Finally, we present our joint Iran International–Free Press investigation with Jay Solomon, investigative reporter at The Free Press, uncovering how the Islamic Republic built and spread a coordinated disinformation campaign blaming a CIA-Mossad conspiracy for what was in fact a homegrown uprising. Using digital forensic analysis and investigative reporting, the investigation traces how Tehran’s narrative spread globally and helped obscure accountability for the January massacre.

Contents of this video:

00:00 “Your time is up” — EU message to Tehran
00:10 What’s coming up on Eye for Iran (EU action, Trump, Geneva, investigation)
00:02:29 Interview begins: Daniel Attard (EU Parliament)
00:03:04 R2P: “Sovereignty can’t be a shield”
00:04:26 “No more business as usual” — halt trade, shut embassies
00:05:37 Geneva talks: why Attard says negotiations must end
00:06:28 What the EU should do now: sanctions, IRGC, accountability
00:07:41 Why IRGC designation took so long + closing embassies
00:09:06 Will Europe actually expel diplomats and cut ties?
00:10:22 Attard’s message to Iranians: “Your courage is seen”
00:11:11 Attard to the regime: “Your time is up” (again)
00:11:25 Trump’s missile warning: what it means for Europe
00:13:34 The human toll: Attard reacts emotionally to images of the killings
00:16:01 Panel begins: Trump’s tone + Geneva talks (Sayeh, Sami’i, Kholdi)
00:17:30 Is this a prelude to war? 3 pillars: nukes, missiles, human rights
00:19:21 Tehran’s reaction + rebuild after the “12-day war”
00:23:39 What is Washington waiting for? legitimacy vs. delay
00:26:09 How long can this go on? signs of escalation
00:28:11 Next steps: deterrence, force posture, and consequences
00:32:14 Is there bipartisan consent? avoiding Iraq/Afghanistan mistakes
00:35:27 Investigation segment begins: the CIA/Mossad disinfo lie (Jay Solomon)
00:36:04 When it became a coordinated information operation
00:38:19 The “TikTok” version: how Tehran seeded the narrative before the massacre
00:40:01 Western influencers + the far-left/far-right convergence
00:41:22 Bots and amplification: Russia-linked networks + inauthentic traffic
00:43:31 Why accountability vanished: how disinfo buried the massacre
00:44:46 Mossad/Pompeo posts: how the regime weaponized them
00:47:00 What Tehran might do next if strikes happen: incitement + hybrid warfare
00:49:48 Why the world didn’t respond: blackout + parallel narrative toolkit
00:51:34 Jay’s biggest worry: collapse of verified media, rise of paid narratives
00:53:04 Outro + newsletter plug

#iran #irannews #iranpodcast #iranrevolution #israel #usa #trump #eu #youtube #youtubeshorts #news #eyeforiran #politics #shorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran Massacre: “a final bullet in hospital,” says father of slain teen | Eye for Iran | EP 91

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:00:04 GMT

Seventeen-year-old Sam Afshari was wounded during Iran’s January protests and taken to a hospital in Karaj, where doctors were trying to save his life. According to his father, Parviz Afshari, security forces entered the room while a breathing tube was still in his mouth — and fired a final, fatal shot.

On this episode of Eye for Iran, we speak with Sam’s father, who is now calling for justice — and for the end of the Islamic Republic — after his son was killed following detention during the nationwide crackdown that left tens of thousands dead.

Then, as Iranian officials prepare to appear before United Nations human rights bodies in Geneva, UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer calls for a diplomatic walkout and accountability for the regime’s actions.

And as a reported end-of-February nuclear deadline approaches, threats escalate from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military deployments intensify — including the arrival of the USS Ford carrier strike group. Is diplomacy running out of time? Is war now imminent?

Featuring analysis from Dr. Casey Babb, Director at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute; Peter Roff, Contributing Editor at Newsweek; and Adelle Nazarian, Senior Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy.

#iran #iranprotests #unitednations #war #usa

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'A plea for help': why are Iranian people watching the skies?| Eye for Iran | EP 90

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:45:04 GMT

A high stakes week in Washington raises one question: are we watching “good cop bad cop” diplomacy that is really a prelude to military strikes on the Islamic Republic?
After President Donald Trump meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US military deployments intensify, Dr. Eric Mandel, founder and director of MEPIN (Middle East Political and Information Network), and Ambassador John Craig, a former American diplomat, unpack the pressure campaign on Tehran, the tight circle around Trump and why one guest calls this moment a prequel to military action.

Then the human reality behind the geopolitics. Mina, speaking from Germany with her identity protected, shares what she is hearing from inside Iran after the January 8 and 9 killings, including the story of slain protester Hamid Reza Najari and two imprisoned brothers.
She describes a level of desperation many outside Iran struggle to grasp: people monitor air traffic every night hoping intervention is coming because they feel they have no way left to fight a brutal state with empty hands.

Finally, former UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir John Jenkins explains the Persian Gulf states’ private calculations. Many would like Iran to change but fear the consequences of sudden collapse, regional spillover and unpredictable escalation. What are Iran’s neighbors quietly preparing for and how might their interests shape Washington’s next move?

Contents for this video:

00:00:00 Opening montage: Iran’s uprising, deaths, desperate pleas
00:00:59 The geopolitics shaping what comes next, Iran’s Arab neighbors, Sir John Jenkins
00:02:19 Interview begins, how Gulf states are reading Tehran after the massacre
00:05:49 The Gulf’s priority: avoiding open-ended conflict, Vision 2030 anxiety
00:09:22 Transitional government talk, referendum idea, Iran as a potential economic giant
00:13:18 Regional map: Israel, UAE, Jordan, Turkey, post-Oct 7 alignments
00:18:44 A new order or a new disorder, keeping Iran weak vs fearing collapse
00:19:36 Who sways Trump, personalized White House, Netanyahu factor, military options
00:23:36 Soleimani and “performative” retaliation, why escalation fears may be overblown
00:25:55 Turkey, Syria, Kurds, and why Ankara fears a powerful Iran
00:36:18 Europe’s role, IRGC networks, snapback, money flows, hostile state activity
00:39:57 Strait of Hormuz, can Iran really close it, China’s interests, mining scenario
00:42:41 Jenkins final thoughts, hope for peaceful regime change

00:43:05 Voices from inside Iran: Mina’s testimony, slain protester and imprisoned brothers
00:43:54 Hamid Reza Najari killed, family misled, body returned after 20 days
00:47:09 Why they protested: a future without the Islamic Republic, chants and hope
00:48:28 Damun and Yashar arrested, fear of silence, families under pressure
00:52:17 The mood inside Iran: “last battle,” nationwide despair, duty to amplify
00:54:11 Munich protests and hope, people inside Iran tracking turnout and weather
00:57:24 Why some plead for intervention, “watching air traffic,” the desperation point
00:59:50 The victims’ lives, “normal life” stolen, why none will be the same
00:01:01:33 Mina’s final message: use freedom outside Iran, stay loud, stay united

00:01:02:47 Trump-Netanyahu meeting: what was decided and what it means for Iran
00:01:03:27 Dr Eric Mandel, inner debates in Trump world, nuclear vs missiles vs proxies
00:01:08:08 Neglecting Iran’s people, why “nuclear-only” deals keep failing
00:01:11:17 Ambassador John Craig: carrier moves, “prequel” to military action
00:01:16:09 What targets could look like, Israel’s role, “accept terms or else”
00:01:17:27 Talks about talks, stalling, and why diplomacy may be a setup for force
00:01:24:05 Who’s in the tight circle, Witkoff, Kushner, Vance, Barrack, Rubio question
00:01:27:07 Regional pressure on Washington, Gulf states, stability argument vs regime fall
00:01:30:14 Final messages to Trump, legacy, midterms, “be unconventional”
00:01:32:20 End of episode

#iran #freeiran #netanyahu #trump #iranprotests #iranrevolution #rezapahlavi #nucleardeal #usa #israel

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Day of infamy” and why the regime can’t kill its way out | Eye for Iran | EP 89

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:30:03 GMT

“You cannot kill your way out of this.”

That is how Iranian-American historian Abbas Milani describes the Islamic Republic’s response to Iran’s latest uprising, a crackdown he calls unprecedented in modern Iranian history.

In this episode of Eye for Iran, Milani explains why mass killing and mass arrests have exposed the regime’s political death rather than restoring control. Drawing on new research documenting thousands of protests across Iran, he argues that fear no longer works, resistance is cumulative and the Islamic Republic cannot survive by violence alone.

He also examines the chain of command behind the crackdown, the role of the IRGC and why negotiations with Tehran after mass killings risk throwing a lifeline to a sinking regime.

The conversation then turns to the international response with Major Andrew Fox and Jake Wallis Simons, co-hosts of The Brink podcast. Fox, a conflict researcher and senior associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, served 16 years in the British Army from 2005 to 2021. Together, they assess whether diplomacy is buying time for Tehran, break down US options and warn that attempts to tame the regime risk normalizing mass killing.

The episode concludes with frontline testimony from physicians documenting the human cost of the crackdown. Dr. Homa Fathi and Dr. Panteha Rezaeian of the AIDA Health Alliance describe hospital raids, doctors arrested for treating protesters and a growing epidemic of untreated wounds and preventable deaths as fear keeps the injured away from care.

Contents for this video:

00:00 Cold open: “You can’t kill your way out of this”
00:00 Iran’s darkest chapter and the information war
00:02 Doctors targeted for treating protesters
00:02 Abbas Milani: how unprecedented is this crackdown
00:06 Why the regime can’t murder its way to survival
00:08 Friday talks: what is even left to negotiate
00:13 A crackdown planned for decades
00:16 Chain of command: how mass repression is executed
00:19 Tehran’s soft power and influence networks
00:23 Why negotiations fail and what comes next
00:29 Andrew Fox and Jake Wallace-Simons join
00:33 Trump’s options: deal, strikes, or “taming” the regime
00:40 Can a “Maduro model” work in Iran
00:51 Why Trump told protesters “help is coming”
01:00 The information war in Western streets
01:08 Doctors and AIDA Health Alliance: arrests, raids, snipers
01:17 Virtual clinic and the epidemic of infected wounds
01:29 Patients taken mid-treatment and what the world must do
01:34 Closing

#iran #iranprotests #freeiran #youtube #news #podcast #trump #negotiations #eyeforiran

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are US strikes now imminent? | Eye for Iran | EP 88

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:30:04 GMT

As President Donald Trump issues a final warning to Tehran and US military assets appear to be moving into place, a defining question emerges: are targeted strikes against the Islamic Republic now around the corner?

In this special edition of Eye for Iran, Negar Mojtahedi is joined by four crucial voices as Iran faces an unprecedented moment of crisis and possibility.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus analyzes what potential US and Israeli military action could look like, which targets could weaken the regime’s command structure and what must follow to prevent chaos in a post-Islamic Republic Iran.

Human rights activist and former political prisoner Shiva Mahboubi shares disturbing reports of detainees being forcibly injected and killed in custody, a hidden campaign of repression unfolding inside Iran’s prisons.

Retired US federal judge Mark Wolf, chair of Integrity Initiatives International, explains how Iranian regime kleptocrats and their enablers could one day be held accountable and how stolen billions abroad may be frozen, seized and repatriated.

Finally, analyst Khosrow Esfahani breaks down the regime’s escalating war of narratives and disinformation as Tehran seeks division while Iranians press forward with pain and resolve.

Four conversations. One historic turning point.

Contents for this video:

00:00 “We Will Win” — Iran’s Uprising Reaches a Breaking Point
00:40 Trump’s Final Warning — Are US Strikes on Tehran Now Imminent?

02:16 Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus — What Targeted Strikes Could Look Like
07:08 Conricus — The World’s Silence as Iran Faces Massacre
10:12 Conricus — “It’s Only a Matter of Time” Before Military Action
17:55 Conricus — Key Targets That Could Collapse the Regime
24:15 Conricus — After the Fall: Preventing Chaos & Securing Transition

28:55 Shiva Mahbobi — Forced Injections & Killings in Iranian Custody
36:26 Mahbobi — What the International Community Must Do Now

41:05 Judge Mark Wolf — Holding Regime Kleptocrats Accountable
44:16 Wolf — Freeze, Seize, Repatriate: Recovering Iran’s Stolen Wealth

54:33 Khosro Isfahani — Tehran’s Disinformation War & Narrative Battle
01:20:07 Isfahani — “Pain, But Resolve” in Iran’s Fight for Freedom

#eyeforiran #iran #iranprotests #trump #israel #NUFDI #IslamicRepublic #IRGC #HumanRights #PoliticalPrisoners #IranPrisoners #IranRevolution #Disinformation #accountability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran is bleeding: Will the world act now? | Eye for Iran | EP 87

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:15:03 GMT

As Iran’s streets turn into killing fields, the debate in Washington is no longer theoretical. Eye for Iran examines the Islamic Republic’s escalating violence against civilians under a near total digital blackout and asks the most urgent question yet: what will the world do now?

Michael Makovsky, President and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and Blaise Misztal, the Institute’s Vice President for Policy, argue the United States should pursue one clear objective: regime collapse. They explain why this moment may be a rare strategic window, what collapse could unlock for US policy and regional security and what concrete steps could weaken the regime while supporting Iranians risking their lives.

Democracy and internet freedom activist Mehdi Yahyanejad then shares what his sources inside Iran are reporting despite the blackout, including how censorship, propaganda and fear are shaping what the world can and cannot see. He describes the role of Starlink access, the dangers faced by those sending information out and the stories emerging from the crackdown.

Finally, Dr. Nazak Tavakoli of the Iranian Association of Human Rights and Allies, political activist Iman Vaez and Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs contributor Sogand Fakheri come together for a deeply personal conversation about grief, resilience and the human cost of this uprising, as families inside Iran vanish into silence and the diaspora struggles to respond.

Subscribe for ongoing coverage of Iran’s uprising, the regime’s bloody crackdown and the global decisions that may shape what happens next.

Contents of this video:

00:00:00 Cold open: eyewitness accounts under blackout
00:00:25 Opening montage: “war on civilians” framing
00:01:14 Segment 1 teaser: regime collapse argument (Makovsky + Misztal)
00:02:55 Show open + guest introductions (Makovsky, Misztal)

00:03:32 What does “regime collapse” actually mean
00:05:07 Regime change vs. regime collapse: key distinction
00:05:59 What collapse would unlock for US + region
00:09:12 Does this moment have a “window”
00:11:31 Trump red line: credibility, consequences, deterrence
00:15:04 Most effective next step for Washington
00:16:15 Building a long-term “collapse strategy” (comms, defections, pressure)
00:20:41 Mixed signals: Witkoff, negotiation talk, military moves
00:23:55 Where is this headed + closing thoughts (Segment 1 wrap)

00:26:34 Segment 2 intro: Mehdi Yahyanejad (internet freedom + sources inside Iran)
00:27:09 What he’s hearing now: fear, shock, missing loved ones
00:28:51 Starlink pipeline + protecting identities
00:35:29 Paint the picture: escalation, tactics, scale of violence
00:41:32 Disinformation + confusion as a regime tactic
00:49:09 Stories weighing on him most + what Iranians want from the world
00:58:38 Victims + the human toll (Segment 2 wrap)

01:01:03 Segment 3 intro: Nazak Tavakoli, Iman Vaez, Sogand Fakheri
01:01:55 How they’re holding up: trauma, grief, resolve
01:07:03 Family and friends back home: silence, fear, loss
01:11:13 “This is war on unarmed people”
01:11:36 Nazak’s story: legacy, missing contact, waiting for news
01:16:14 Nazak on her father and the long shadow of repression
01:22:03 Iman: messages from inside Iran + the diaspora’s role
01:30:19 Message to Iranians: don’t lose hope
01:32:19 Imagining Iran after: dignity, remembrance, rebuilding
01:34:40 Closing thanks + sign-off + where to follow / newsletter

#iran #iranprotests #usa #trump #iranrevolution #freeiran #podcast #iranpodcast #news #youtube #youtubeshorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Iran's killing spree: eyewitness speaks out | Eye for Iran | EP 86

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:15:03 GMT

An eyewitness who recently fled Iran and whose identity is being withheld for his safety recounts indiscriminate gunfire that turned city streets into a battlefield. He says he saw thousands of bodies stored at a cemetery as families searched for missing loved ones during a nationwide digital blackout.

He is risking his life to speak out and send a message to the world that the killings are still ongoing and Iranians urgently need help. He describes witnessing indiscriminate gunfire directed at unarmed civilians, narrowly escaping being shot himself.

Eye for Iran host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman about what the United States may do next as Iranian lives hang in the balance. She also speaks with writer and human rights advocate Roya Hakakian on why this moment could mark a historic rupture for Iran and what pressure might reduce further civilian deaths.

The program also features Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn Chairman of the Austrian Committee for NATO Enlargement on why he supports the Iranian people and what he believes Europe should do in response.

This episode contains disturbing testimony.

Contents of this video:

00:00 Eyewitness: “They Started Shooting with Heavy Guns”
01:48 Iran’s Digital Blackout Begins
02:13 Eyewitness Account from Tehran Streets
03:58 Burying the Dead at Behesht Zahra
06:48 “Thousands of Bodies” in Cemetery Warehouses
11:18 Indiscriminate Gunfire Turns Streets Into a Battlefield
14:59 “They Shot into the Crowd”
16:38 Is This a Genocide?

23:28 US Response to Iran’s Violence
23:54 Congressman Marlin Stutzman on Trump and Iran
29:46 Are Regime Officials Preparing an Exit?

34:55 Roya Hakakian: A Historic Rupture
50:36 Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn on Europe and Iran
01:03:37 Final Thoughts and What Comes Next

#iran #iranprotests #trump #tehran #iranrevolution #news #podcoast #iranpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran on the brink of a revolution: is this the moment? | Eye for Iran | EP 85

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:30:03 GMT

A wounded protester in Iran puts it starkly: “I’m not scared. For 47 years, I’ve been dead.”

As protests spread across the country and chants turn openly existential, this special episode of Eye for Iran asks the question many are now asking: is Iran approaching a revolution? Is this the moment?

Negar Mojtahedi is joined by former UK Security Minister and Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat, former senior CIA official Norman Roule, Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, and David Patrikarakos, journalist, author and special correspondent for The Daily Mail.

Tugendhat argues the Islamic Republic has entered its endgame, warning that Iran’s security forces will be judged by what they do next. Roule explains how Washington is assessing fast-moving unrest and what President Donald Trump’s warnings could mean in practice. Brodsky and Patrikarakos break down why this protest wave feels fundamentally different from 2009 and 2022, what real regime-change momentum looks like, and the decisive question ahead: can street protests translate into a coherent political alternative and meaningful defections inside the system?

You can watch this episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing. You can also switch to Persian captions or any language of your choice on YouTube.

Contents for this video:

00:00 “I’m not scared. For 47 years, I’ve been dead.”
01:08 Iran on the brink of revolution: is this it
02:57 “This is the endgame” – Tom Tugendhat
06:15 Why this protest wave is different
09:33 Signs of regime panic and elite exits
13:23 Why the West should care now
18:36 Iran, Venezuela and collapsing proxy power
22:31 Is the West preparing for a post-regime Iran
23:37 Trump’s warning and the red line on repression
25:59 Has the regime’s myth of invincibility shattered
29:50 Former CIA official Norman Roule joins
31:53 Will Trump act if killings escalate
35:26 How relevant is Khamenei today
39:47 Succession battles and IRGC power
44:08 How intelligence reads a system in collapse
51:56 The cost of Western silence
55:47 Why this moment feels different from past protests
01:02:40 Can protests become real regime change
01:09:52 What happened to “Woman, Life, Freedom”
01:21:50 Final reflections: courage, risk and Iran’s future

#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #eyeforiran #iran #regimechange #middleeast #Geopolitics #WorldPolitics #ForeignPolicy #USIran #news #podcast #youtube #FreeIran

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Mullahs must get lost": Iran protests threaten to topple the theocracy | Eye for Iran | EP 84

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:45:04 GMT

Chants of “Mullahs must get lost” are spreading across Iran six days after a collapsing currency and shuttered bazaars triggered the largest nationwide protests since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom movement. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship has evolved into a nationwide uprising directly targeting the Supreme Leader, posing one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocracy in years.

On Eye for Iran, host Negar Mojtahedi asks: Can the Islamic Republic still control the situation — or is something deeper breaking?

Joining us:

* Shayan Samii — former US government appointee in intelligence and foreign policy
* Arash Azizi — journalist and author of What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom
* Danny Citrinowicz — former head of the Iran branch in Israeli military intelligence
* Alan Eyre — former US State Department Persian-language spokesperson and Iran specialist
* Alex Vatanka — Director of the Iran Program, Middle East Institute
* Joseph Epstein — Director, Turan Research Center at the Yorktown Institute
* Bozorgmehr Sharafedin — Iran International Digital lead and former Reuters journalist

We break down:

– Who these protesters are — and why bazaaris matter
– How economic collapse is fueling anger nationwide
– How the Islamic Republic may respond, and what signals to watch next

Plus: a deep dive into growing talk of regime change after the Trump–Netanyahu meeting — what Israel actually wants, what Washington is prepared to do and how any external pressure could shape the protests inside Iran.

Bozorgmehr also explains why this protest wave may be harder to contain: broader networks, deeper grievances and a regime weakened after the 12-day war and ongoing economic freefall.

Will these protests lead to the end of the Islamic Republic? Tell us in the comments.

Contents for this video:

00:00 – Cold open: anger over economic collapse
00:23 – Intro: is Iran’s regime nearing the end?
03:45 – Who are the protesters and what do they want? (Shayan)
06:24 – Protests spread nationwide and the leadership vacuum (Arash)
13:19 – No “silver bullet” for Iran’s economic crisis (Danny)
19:00 – Protester courage, opposition factions and Western support
27:29 – Who is on the streets? Gen Z, bazaaris, workers (Arash)
32:55 – Opposition disunity and scenarios for change after Khamenei
44:39 – Regime change versus change from within, and the exiled opposition
54:40 – Does fixing the economy save the regime? (panel wrap)

57:44 – Trump and Netanyahu meeting: is regime change a fantasy?
01:03:04 – How could regime change or system collapse actually unfold?
01:09:41 – Hopelessness inside the regime and IRGC’s next moves
01:13:23 – War scenarios: Iran, Israel, Trump and the next clash
01:18:53 – Ten features that make this protest wave different (Bozorgmehr)
01:25:58 – Bazaaris break with the regime and Iran’s failing state economy
01:34:41 – Comparing this to Women, Life, Freedom and what comes next
01:41:06 – Final thoughts and Eye for Iran newsletter promo

#iran #iranprotests #iranuprising #iraneconomy #iranpolitics #trump #netanyahu #israeliran #womenlifefreedom #middleeast #podcast #irgc #usforeignpolicy #iraninternational #eyeforiran #youtube #shorts #middleeast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran 2025: crisis without collapse —Israel, accountability & YouTube creators | Eye for Iran | EP 83

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:00:03 GMT

Iran exits 2025 under visible strain. Direct confrontation with Israel, setbacks to Tehran’s proxy network, and rising domestic pressure have shaken the regime — but not toppled it.

In this Eye for Iran special, Avi Melamed, Jay Solomon, and Dr. Shahram Kholdi explain what really changed inside Iran, what didn’t, and the biggest risks heading into 2026 — including potential renewed conflict between Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.

We also speak with Shahin Milani, Executive Director of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, about a landmark criminal complaint naming 40 Iranian officials for alleged crimes against humanity during the Women, Life, Freedom protests — and what universal jurisdiction could mean for accountability.

And Siavash Rokni, an Iranian pop culture expert joins us to unpack YouTube’s new ad policy, how it has slashed income for Iranian creators, and why it may strengthen the regime’s cultural control despite fewer ads for viewers.

Contents for this video:

00:00 — Intro: Iran exits 2025 in crisis — but not collapse

00:46 — Panel begins: What really changed this year?

03:05 — Iranians losing fear — and what that means for the regime

05:54 — Did the 12-Day War with Israel change the balance?

10:22 — Deterrence shattered: Israel vs Iran’s proxy strategy

14:49 — Looking ahead to 2026: escalation risks and miscalculation

27:43 — Predictions: confrontation, diplomacy… or both?

37:18 — Accountability segment: Argentina files landmark case

39:15 — Universal jurisdiction — how Iran’s officials could face charges

44:39 — Victims’ stories and why documenting evidence matters

50:20 — YouTube policy change: Iranian creators lose revenue

54:23 — Culture vs control: how the regime benefits

1:06:57 — Final thoughts & outro — what to watch next

#Iran #EyeForIran #WomenLifeFreedom #IranIsrael #MiddleEast #HumanRights #geopolitics #youtube #iran #digitalfreedom #shorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drought to Flooding, Travel Ban on Iranians and Mass Arrests in Iran | Eye for Iran | EP 82

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:15:04 GMT

Iran's convergence of crises is upending people's lives both inside and outside the country.

On this episode of Eye for Iran, we examine three developments you need to understand right now. Environmental researcher and hydraulic structures expert Roozbeh Eskandari explains how Iran can go from severe drought to destructive flooding, why these extremes are driven by mismanagement rather than nature alone and why flooding does little to resolve Iran’s deepening water crisis.

We then turn to the United States, where expanded travel bans and immigration restrictions are leaving many Iranians in limbo. Iranian-American immigration attorney Ali Rahnama breaks down what the new policies actually mean in practice, who is most at risk and what families should be prepared for in the weeks and months ahead.

Finally, we look inside Iran, where arrests continue following a memorial ceremony for a human rights lawyer who died under disputed circumstances. Psychotherapist and activist Azadeh Afsahi, who works closely with political prisoners and their families, shares what is known about the detainees, the conditions they face and what these arrests reveal about the reality behind claims of social opening in Iran.

You can catch episode 82 of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

#iran #water #flooding #nargesmohammadi #khosrowalikordi #toomajsalehi #trump #usa #immigration #drought

Contents of this video:

Segment 1 – From drought to flooding: Iran’s water crisis
Guest: Roozbeh Eskandari, environmental researcher and hydraulic structures expert

00:00 Intro – Iran at a breaking point
00:13 Why Iran’s drought turned into flooding
02:07 How bad governance drives both extremes
03:10 Climate change as an intensifier, not the cause
05:27 Soil erosion, urban planning and destructive floods
07:19 Environmental injustice and who pays the price
09:18 Why poorer neighborhoods flood first
11:26 Can flooding recharge Iran’s aquifers
13:43 “Territorial collapse” and water bankruptcy
18:51 Water scarcity, social tension and what comes next

Segment 2 – US travel ban and immigration crackdown
Guest: Ali Rahnama, Executive Director of the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund

25:36 What the new US travel ban actually changes
27:03 Deportations, paused visas and green card uncertainty
31:42 Asylum seekers, detention and due process concerns
34:59 Allegations of coordination with the Iranian regime
42:29 Notices of intent to deny and legal limbo
46:41 Dual nationals and long-term immigration risks

Segment 3 – Arrests, repression and resistance inside Iran
Guest: Azadeh Afsahi, psychotherapist working with political prisoners

50:17 Arrests after memorial for human rights lawyer
51:30 Families left without information or legal access
54:10 Visible defiance under the same laws and repression
56:10 Toomaj Salehi, trauma and breaking the silence

Segment 4 – Closing
01:03:02 Final thoughts and where to watch or listen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the Islamic Republic endures despite discontent | Eye for Iran | EP 81

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:15:05 GMT

Former CIA analyst and National Security Council director Kenneth Pollack joins Eye for Iran to explain why he believes Iran has been in a “pre-revolutionary state” for years, why revolutions succeed only when regimes lose the will or capacity to use force and how Khamenei’s eventual succession could reshape everything.

Then, Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) breaks down President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy and why Iran is dramatically downplayed compared to 2017 — plus the risks of an “indifference” moment when the Islamic Republic, according to Taleblu, is “down but not out.”

Finally, we speak with Tatyana Eatwell of Doughty Street Chambers in the UK about the death of Iranian defense lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. Authorities cite cardiac arrest, while colleagues raise serious concerns about state involvement. What does this case mean for lawyers, detainees and due process in Iran and what role can international mechanisms play?

You can watch episode 81 of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents of this video:

00:00 Intro — Is Iran in a Pre-Revolutionary State?

Ken Pollack: Iran, Revolution, and Regime Change
01:22 Why Iran Has Been “Pre-Revolutionary” for Years
06:55 Why the Nuclear Issue Isn’t the Core Iran Problem
11:30 Iran’s Regional Ambitions and the Axis of Resistance
16:20 After October 7: Is Tehran Winning or Losing?
20:43 Why Iran’s Uprisings Keep Failing
28:49 What Happens After Khamenei?

Behnam Ben Taleblu: Trump’s Iran Strategy
37:18 Trump’s New National Security Strategy and Iran
41:56 Why the Iran Threat Is Being Downplayed
44:37 “Down but Not Out”: Risks of Strategic Indifference

Tatyana Eatwell: The Alikordi Case
47:36 The Death of Lawyer Khosrow Alikordi
48:32 Tatyana Eatwell (Doughty Street Chambers) on What This Means
52:32 Why Lawyers and Dissidents Face Growing Danger

58:08 Closing — Why Iran’s Future Remains Uncertain

#iran #usa #trump #cia #youtube #shorts #khamenei #regimechange

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran’s cultural explosion: is it real or state controlled? | Eye for Iran | EP 80

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:45:03 GMT

This week on Eye for Iran, we look at Iran through three connected lenses: history, culture, and a society that some say is transforming in real time.

First, Ambassador John Limbert – one of the American diplomats taken hostage in 1979 – reflects on what he witnessed in the early days of the revolution, how the Islamic Republic has (and hasn’t) changed over five decades, and why the hostility between Washington and Tehran has outlasted the Cold War. He reacts to Donald Trump’s assertion that “Iran is a bully no more,” and explains why he’s wary of predictions about the Islamic Republic's collapse.

Then, researcher and postdoctoral fellow Siavash Rokni breaks down the controversy over Shervin Hajipour’s licensed album and the sudden “normalization” of rap in Iran. He explains how shows like BaZia and state-linked streaming platforms are being used to hijack youth culture, control the rap aesthetic and turn 25 years of underground music into a profitable, controllable industry and why he sees it as a sophisticated PR performance.

Finally, journalist and senior Iran analyst at DAWN Omid Memarian joins to examine Iran’s apparent social renaissance: street concerts, jazz festivals, desert raves, and a Gen Z that openly pushes back on hijab rules and refuses to live a double life. He argues that the loosening of social restrictions is driven from below, not granted from above, and that this movement has deep political implications, even if the clerical establishment tries to present it as a controlled opening.

You can watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents of this video:

00:00:00 – Intro: Is Iran really changing?
00:01:49 – Ambassador John Limbert joins the program
00:02:03 – Trump says “Iran is a bully no more” – Limbert reacts
00:06:30 – How the hostage crisis reshaped Iran and crushed democratic hopes
00:11:28 – Same rulers, new society: what has (and hasn’t) changed in 45 years
00:16:35 – Brain drain, diaspora, and a creative generation stuck between two Irans
00:22:18 – Segment 2: Siavash Rokni on youth culture and rap
00:23:27 – What is BaZia and why it matters for Iran’s rap scene
00:30:02 – Why the state is “normalizing” rap: money, control, and PR performance
00:39:12 – Shervin Hajipour backlash: betrayal, survival, and public anger
00:41:06 – DIY and parallel economies: how independent artists resist the system
00:45:36 – Segment 3: Omid Memarian on Iran’s social opening and crackdown
00:46:24 – Mahsa Amini, the 12-day war, and a “worn out” repression machine
00:51:55 – Not just Tehran: how far the social shift reaches beyond big cities
00:53:20 – Explosion of expectations: Gen Z vs the system
00:55:27 – Raves, festivals, and imagining a future without the Islamic Republic
01:02:11 – Outro and Eye for Iran newsletter/info

#iran #shervinhajipour #music #rap #news #culture #podcast #youtube #shorts #usa #trump #eyeforIran #genz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran wary of US push in Venezuela | IRGC cyber leak & child marriage probe | Eye for Iran | EP 79

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 19:00:03 GMT

The United States has launched one of its most visible military deployments in years off the coast of Venezuela — a major operation aimed at narco-terror networks and the Maduro government. Retired four-star General Joseph Votel joins Eye for Iran to explain how decisions like this are made, what Washington’s posture actually signals, and why moves in the Caribbean inevitably carry an indirect message for countries like Iran, even if they aren’t the main focus.

Next, we examine an Iran International investigation revealing new details about “Department 40,” an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence and cyber unit known as Charming Kitten. Cybersecurity expert Amin Sabeti explains how leaked files show the unit tracking dissidents, diplomats, journalists, think tank experts -- and even hacking institutions in countries friendly to Tehran.

Finally, we look at a separate investigation by an Iranian reformist newspaper uncovering that a licensed matchmaking platform in Iran is allowing parents to register children as young as 13 for marriage. Child rights advocate Nazanin Afshin-Jam explains why this platform will likely increase the number of child marriages in Iran especially with the fraught economic conditions.

A look at US policy, Iran’s external activities, and the human rights issues unfolding inside the country — all in one episode.

You can watch Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents of this video:

00:00:00 US sends 12,000 troops near Venezuela – cold open and episode intro
00:02:47 Venezuela, Iran and US planning – first question to Gen. Votel
00:05:15 How Washington makes military decisions on Venezuela
00:07:05 Indirect impact on Iran and messaging to Tehran
00:09:24 Covert options and information warfare against Maduro
00:13:46 Deterrence, 12,000 troops and message to other adversaries
00:17:05 Votel’s time as CENTCOM commander and Iran’s influence in the region
00:21:05 How to confront and engage Iran going forward
00:24:15 Can the US sustain major deployments in the Caribbean and Middle East?
00:26:37 Leak exposes IRGC Department 40 cyber unit
00:30:36 Why Iran’s hackers target even friendly states
00:35:50 How deep the hacks go and how to protect yourself
00:39:04 Investigation: matchmaking platform and child marriage
00:43:22 Nazanin’s past campaign saving a child bride from execution
00:47:43 What the world can do to pressure Tehran on child marriage
00:49:28 Outro – how to follow Eye for Iran

#iran #venezuela #usa #trump #hacker #hack #children #centcom #narconews #podcast #shorts #youtube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would Iran race toward the bomb? | Eye for Iran | EP 78

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:00:04 GMT

Iran says it is ready to talk to the United States on its own terms and has paused uranium enrichment after US and Israeli strikes. At the same time Tehran is allegedly building a secret enrichment site at Pickaxe Mountain and blocking inspectors. This while a leaked UN watchdog report shows there is no clear oversight of its 60 percent enriched uranium - enough for around ten nuclear weapons.

In this episode of Eye for Iran Negar Mojtahedi sits down with nonproliferation expert Mark Fitzpatrick, author of “The Iranian Nuclear Crisis,” former US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Non Proliferation and associate fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). They break down Iran’s long-term strategy of nuclear hedging, why the Twelve Day War may have strengthened Tehran’s desire for a nuclear option and how Israel’s strikes have “temporized” but not ended the threat.

They also explore what happens if Saudi Arabia secures a civilian nuclear deal with President Donald Trump, whether this could spark a regional nuclear arms race involving Egypt, Turkey and the UAE and if Iran might ever turn to North Korea for help. What is Washington’s real end game and how far will Israel go to block any US–Iran deal? Watch the full conversation to find out or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Contents of this video:

0:00 Intro
01:23 – Introducing Mark Fitzpatrick
01:59 – Iran’s long term nuclear hedging strategy
04:26 – Growing calls inside Iran to pursue the bomb
06:02 – Risks of a nuclear armed Iran and regional dominoes
07:33 – Saudi nuclear ambitions and Trump meeting in DC
09:03 – Could Saudi enrichment trigger a regional arms race
10:55 – Iran–US negotiations and the zero enrichment deadlock
13:21 – Israel’s strikes and the era of “temporizing”
17:55 – Missing 60 percent uranium and IAEA blind spots
20:12 – Did the Twelve Day War help or hurt long term stability
31:37 – Could Iran turn to North Korea for nuclear help

#iran #israel #saudiarabia #usa #trump #nuclear #podcast #news #youtube #shorts #middleeast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran’s water crisis, Israel–Iran tensions and Syria’s new direction | Eye for Iran | EP 77

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:45:04 GMT

Iran is confronting one of the most serious environmental and geopolitical turning points in its modern history. In this edition of Eye for Iran, three critical conversations reveal how quickly conditions are shifting and what may come next for the region.

The episode opens with Dr. Kaveh Madani, former senior Iranian environmental official and now head of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. He warns that Tehran is rapidly approaching what he calls Day Zero, with major reservoirs hitting dead storage, groundwater collapsing, and millions of residents at risk of losing reliable access to water. He explains why drought, climate pressure, and years of mismanagement have pushed Iran into national water bankruptcy.

Professor Aram Hessami, a political science professor based in Maryland, then breaks down new reports suggesting that senior Israeli officials believe the window is closing to force major change in Iran before 2029. He explains what these claims actually signal about Israel’s strategy, why regime change rhetoric rarely matches reality, and how misreading the Iranian public could lead to deeper instability.

Jasmine Naamou, who was in the room with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his historic visit to Washington, describes Syria’s emerging shift away from decades of Iranian influence and toward a closer alignment with the West.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

#iran #water #israel #syria #trump #usa #podcast #news #middleeast #youtube #shorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From guns to votes? Iran's plan in Iraq and why it matters | Eye for Iran | EP 76

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:15:02 GMT

Tehran is allegedly urging its Shia militias in Iraq to swap guns for ballots in a shift that could reshape Baghdad’s power balance and test Washington’s resolve.

“Iraq may become, in a very odd way, the Achilles heel of the Trump administration,” said historian Dr Shahram Kholdi on Eye for Iran.

Jay Solomon, author of the Iran Wars, said that while Tehran is “on its back foot,” it remains “committed to rebuilding its proxy network."

Alex Vatanka, Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute, added that “the regime is trying to rebuild” rather than reform.

This week, host Negar Mojtahedi and her three guests also examine Iran’s nuclear standoff, Khamenei’s praise for the 1979 embassy takeover and the suspicious death of dissident Omid Sarlak.

#iran #iraq #usa #trump #news #podcast #middleeast #youtube #shorts

You can watch Eye for Iran on Youtube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A free Palestine would undermine Tehran’s power, Gaza activists say | Eye for Iran | EP 75

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:45:02 GMT

Two Gaza-born activists tell Eye for Iran that Tehran’s support for Hamas has not only prolonged Palestinian suffering but also strengthened hardliners in Israel.
Khalil Sayegh, now based in Washington DC, and Hamza Howidy, who fled Gaza in 2023, argue that Iran has used Palestinians as pawns to justify its regional ambitions.
They say a free and independent Palestine would strip the Islamic Republic of its main ideological weapon — the plight of the Palestinian people — and further weaken Tehran’s regional sway after two years of war.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube or any podcast platform of your choosing.
#gaza #israel #hamas #usa #iran #shorts #youtube #podcast #news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War fears and viral scandal: Iran faces upheaval inside and out | Eye for Iran | EP 74

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:45:03 GMT

Former Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren tells Eye for Iran that Tehran’s growing isolation and lessons it drew from the recent 12-day war could make it a more formidable opponent. “Iran feels cornered,” Oren warns, “and that’s when nations become most dangerous.”

Oren discusses Iran’s evolving military tactics, Israel’s decision to agree to a ceasefire and why he believes the post-war Middle East may be undergoing its most significant changes since the Six-Day War.

Later, host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with Iran International’s Maryam Sinaiee about the leaked video of the lavish wedding for ex-security chief Ali Shamkhani’s daughter - a scandal that has unsettled Tehran’s ruling elite. Sinaiee examines the public backlash and potential infighting surrounding the video.

You can watch this episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

#iran #iranian #israel #usa #trump #nuclear #wedding #shamkhani

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ex-Israeli intel officer: Iran–Israel war ‘almost imminent’ | Eye for Iran | EP 73

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 17:45:03 GMT

Former Israeli intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz tells Eye for Iran a new and far deadlier conflict between Israel and Iran is “almost imminent.”

Citrinowicz says both sides wrongly believe they “won” the last war — a miscalculation that makes another, even more violent escalation inevitable. He warns the United States is still chasing a deal while Israel aims to weaken or topple the clerical establishment, a dangerous imbalance that could ignite a wider regional war.

We also examine satellite evidence appearing to show Iran’s rebuilding its nuclear capabilities south of Natanz, President Trump’s Knesset speech claiming victory, and growing signs that Washington and Tel Aviv are no longer aligned on Iran policy.

Watch the full Eye for Iran interview on YouTube for insight into what the next Iran–Israel war could look like — and whether diplomacy can still stop it. You can also listen to this episode of Eye for Iran on any podcast platform of your choosing.

#iran #israel #iranian #israeli #intelligence #war #podcast #news #middleeast #shorts #youtube #iraninternational

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why some hardliners in Iran want to keep sanctions in place | Eye for Iran | EP 72

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:15:03 GMT

Oil sanctions were meant to throttle Iran’s revenue but have instead enriched its elite.
Eurasia Group Iran and oil analyst Greg Brew joins Negar Mojtahedi to explain how Iran keeps selling over a million barrels of barrels a day through shadow networks which profit wildly from the murky trade.
We also explore China’s role in sustaining Iran’s oil industry and shadowy tycoons like Babak Zanjani, who embody the paradox of Iran’s undercover economy.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.#iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #china #sanctions #oil #usa #trump #youtube #shorts #podcast #news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran sanctions snapback heralds suffering, possible war | Eye for Iran | EP 71

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 18:45:02 GMT

International sanctions renewed on Tehran over the weekend are already making life harder for ordinary Iranians and may signal an impasse that could lead to renewed war, experts told Iran International’s podcast Eye for Iran.
In this Eye for Iran episode, host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with economist Mahdi Ghodsi and analyst Holly Dagres to break down what may lie ahead.
Subscribe to Eye for Iran for expert insights, real voices, and in-depth analysis you won’t hear anywhere else.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform of your choosing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNGA Special: After snapback, will the US declare victory too soon? | Eye for Iran | EP 70

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:00:02 GMT

From the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Eye for Iran asks: Are we moving closer to war with Iran? At the center of this year’s agenda is Tehran’s nuclear program and the enforcement of snapback sanctions.

Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains what snapback really means for Iran. Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon weighs in on whether diplomacy is enough — or if military action is inevitable. And author Jonathan Harounoff joins to discuss his new book "Unveiled", diving deep into the Women, Life, Freedom movement and the disconnect between Iran’s rulers and its people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arash Sobhani on Mahsa Amini & Iran’s viral concerts: propaganda or progress? | Eye for Iran | EP 69

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:45:04 GMT

Musician Arash Sobhani (Kiosk) joins journalist Negar Mojtahedi on Eye for Iran to unpack the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini, the paradox of joy under repression, and why “hope misled us.”

From women discarding compulsory hijab at Tehran concerts, to trust, honesty, and unity in the Iranian opposition, Sobhani asks whether joy itself can be resistance — or if it risks being used as propaganda.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple, and all platforms.
Subscribe to our channel.
For Farsi captions, please press CC button on YouTube.
#iran #sirvankhosravi #iranconcerts #youtube #shorts #news #podcast #iranian #iraninternational #kiosk #music #persian #culture #iranian

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US attack on Iran was sound but talks must win peace, ex-US diplomat says | Eye for Iran | EP 68

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:15:03 GMT

US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites forestalled their potential push toward a bomb but a deal must be reached to guarantee Tehran will not go nuclear, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin told Iran International.
#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nuclear crisis looms: expert warns Iran sanctions snapback could spark war | Eye for Iran | EP 67

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:45:02 GMT

Nicole Grajewski of the Carnegie Endowment joins Eye for Iran this week to warn that Europe’s move to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran through the so-called "snapback" mechanism could push Tehran to quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — and give Israel justification for new strikes. With uranium stockpiles near weapons-grade and US diplomacy on the sidelines, is a nuclear crisis inevitable? Watch this week's episode of Eye for Iran on YouTube or any podcast platform of your choosing. #Iran #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #NuclearCrisis #SnapbackSanctions #IranSanctions #IAEA
#NonProliferation #USIran #IsraelIran #EyeForIran #MiddleEast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shirin Ebadi: “We are moving closer to end of Islamic Republic” | Eye for Iran | EP 65

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:52:53 GMT

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi says Iran is heading toward collapse — with daily executions, economic freefall, and widespread shortages of water and electricity. In this Eye for Iran interview, she explains why reform is impossible, why Western governments have failed Iranians, and how the people themselves can bring about peaceful regime change through unity, nationwide strikes, and a UN-supervised referendum.

Her message to Iranians: the cost of living under this regime is greater than the cost of change. Unity is the key to victory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 46 | Iran: deal or no deal?

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:09:44 GMT

Tehran and Washington head into high-stakes talks in Oman this weekend that could decide whether the region is headed for detente or all-out war. Will these negotiations open the door to a nuclear deal or mark the beginning of a dangerous escalation?

On Eye for Iran, we’ve brought together a powerhouse panel to break it all down:
Gabriel Noronha, former Special Advisor for the Iran Action Group at the US State Department under Trump,
Arash Azizi, Iran analyst and author of What Iranians Want,
Jay Solomon, investigative reporter with The Free Press,
Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director at FDD.

Noronha says Saturday’s meeting will test how serious Iran is about diplomacy. Azizi argues Iran’s political and economic desperation could push it toward compromise. Taleblu contends that walking away from the table might be the best option for the US to prevent being dragged into months of endless negotiations. And Solomon sheds light on the deep divisions within the Trump camp on how to deal with the Islamic Republic.#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #podcast #trump #nuclear #usa #news #shorts #negotiation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 45 | Iran may never be this vulnerable again -Mideast analyst

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:34:25 GMT

In the shadow of President Donald Trump’s threats to strike Iran and following more than a year of punishing Israeli attacks, a battered but unbowed Islamic Republic is plotting its comeback, warns Middle East security analyst Dr. Eric Mandel.

“Iran is not giving up,” said Mandel, founder of MEPIN, the Middle East Political Information Network. “Iran's proxies, they may be down—Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis—but they're not stopping.”

According to Mandel, the moment to pressure Iran is now. He calls it a fleeting “window of opportunity” that could soon close. A potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine may open the door for Moscow to supply Iran with advanced weaponry, including the S-400 air defense system—an upgrade from the S-300 system that Israel destroyed in an October 26 strike in response to Tehran’s October 2 missile barrage.

But without clear US backing for the Iranian people, Mandel warns, even a successful strike on nuclear facilities could prove short-lived. Iran, he says, would simply rebuild—preserving the Islamic Republic's grip on power and undermining any hope for real change.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 44 | Iran ensures military gets paid, people struggle

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 21:33:45 GMT

Ordinary Iranians are bearing unprecedented economic pain as their Islamic government's row with its hated enemies Israel and the United States ramps up and Tehran prioritizes military spending to shore up defense and its regional clout.
Iran implemented a 200 percent increase in military spending for the Persian year beginning this month and will aim to boost revenue through higher taxes despite a big deficit and a moribund currency besetting the economy.
According to Mahdi Ghodsi, an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, and Mohamad Machine Chian, a senior researcher at the Center of Governance and Markets at Pittsburgh University, Iran’s leadership continues to prioritize military spending on proxy wars and the Revolutionary Guards over the welfare of its own citizens.
Speaking on the program Eye for Iran, Ghodsi and Machine Chian said the Iranian government has no concrete plans to provide economic relief for its citizens in this year’s budget.
But will this economic crisis lead to the downfall of Iran’s clerical establishment?
Watch Eye for Iran to hear insights from the experts.
#iran #trump #usa #news #podcast #shorts #youtube #economy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 43 | Iran's turning point: will 2025 be the year of war or a nuclear deal?

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 22:41:06 GMT

Iran will witness a turning point this year, marked by what may be the most consequential decision yet to be made by the country’s Supreme Leader. The outcome will likely come down to two options: pursuing a nuclear deal or facing the prospect of war.
That’s according to Mark Dubowitz, the CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and a well-known voice on Iran policy. He told Eye for Iran that the Trump administration is preparing for all scenarios — including military action if diplomacy fails.
While Trump’s goal is to block all pathways to Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb, Dubowitz argues that lasting success is unlikely as long as the Islamic Republic remains in power.
According to him, Washington has failed to provide sufficient support to the people of Iran. He believes that if the Islamic Republic remains in control, it will eventually violate the terms of any agreement, regardless of how strong the safeguards are.

#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #trump #israel #nuclear #youtube #shorts #podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 42 | Russia may have outgrown Iran's usefulness

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:17:40 GMT

Iran and Russia seem closer than ever since Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Tehran emerging as a key supplier of drones and missiles to Moscow. However, journalist Tanya Lukyanova suggests this partnership may not be as solid as it appears, especially as shifting geopolitical tides—including Donald Trump’s return to the White House—reshape global dynamics.

With a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire more likely than ever, Moscow-born Lukyanova unpacks how this marriage of convenience could evolve as Russia recalibrates its position in the Middle East and beyond.

#vladimirputin #donaldtrump #iran #nuclear #geopolitics #podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 41 | How Iran's losses will lead to Turkey's gains

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:19:43 GMT

Global alliances are in flux as President Donald Trump casts doubt on U.S. commitments. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, a 40-year insurgency between Turkey and the outlawed PKK has ended in a ceasefire. Ankara has reportedly offered peacekeepers to Ukraine, contingent on a war-ending agreement.

As Turkey navigates domestic challenges, it could seek to replace Iran as the dominant regional power, said Henri Barkey, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to Iran International. Meanwhile, Russia has positioned itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran over nuclear talks.

"No leader has done more for Russia than Trump, so Moscow could pressure Iran," Barkey told Eye for Iran.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on major podcast platforms.#iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #podcast #news #youtube #shorts #turkey #russia #ukraine #trump

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 40 | The cycle of Israel-Palestinian violence – and why Iran fuels it

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:59:26 GMT

To understand why a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine remains so elusive, one must first recognize that the conflict extends far beyond the two peoples directly involved. Regional powers, particularly Iran, play a pivotal role in sustaining the turmoil, award-winning author and foreign correspondent Yardena Schwartz told Eye for Iran.

According to Schwartz, the plight of the Palestinians serves the interests of the clerical rulers of Iran as a geopolitical tool in its broader quest for regional dominance and its rivalry with Israel.

As the conflict drags on, Schwartz observes a shift within Israeli society, particularly in the wake of the October 7 attacks. She draws a historical parallel to the 1929 Hebron Massacre, an event that, she contends, set in motion a cycle of violence that continues to shape the region today.

Schwartz delves deeper into these themes in her book Ghosts of a Holy War. #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #israel #palestine #gaza #youtube #hebron #shorts #news #podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 39 | Military hits on Iran's enrichment sites won't resolve nuclear crisis

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:38:36 GMT

Sina Azodi, an expert on U.S.-Iran relations, told the Eye for Iran podcast that Iran
could rebuild nuclear facilities hit by air attacks which would delay but not resolve the crisis.

Azodi's analysis comes as Israel weighs striking Iran’s nuclear sites, per U.S. intelligence assessments cited by The Wall Street Journal in February.

Iran could rebuild nuclear facilities hit by air attacks within 6 to 12 months, Azodi said, referring to publicly available data.

If strikes fail to end Iran’s nuclear program, he warned, Tehran may pursue the 'ultimate weapon of defense.'

See our playlist to see more Eye for Iran episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrqEUp1jEA7Wh9Wgwh15AjwEETFIN7T4G

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 38 | To free Israeli hostages Iran must feel the pain, ex-intel officer says

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:27:02 GMT

US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas is doomed to fail unless Tehran is under threat and faces consequences, a former US Intelligence officer and military adviser told Iran International.

This comes after Trump set a deadline to return all the hostages in Gaza and warned that “all hell will break out” if the Israeli hostages are not freed by the weekend.

Michael Pregent, appearing on Eye for Iran, said the Islamic Republic controls Hamas and “Tehran needs to feel pain,” if any change is going to happen. Pregent also alleges that Qatar has influence over several high-profile US officials and that this must end for a path forward.

#donaldtrump #hostagedeal #israelhamaswar #ceasefire #iran

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 37 | Bolton: Trump’s Iran policy lacks strategy

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:38:14 GMT

Ambassador John Bolton, appearing on this week's episode of Eye for Iran, argues that Trump has issued conflicting statements on Iran. While reinstating his maximum pressure campaign to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero, Trump has also expressed a willingness to negotiate, aiming for a verifiable agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

During the signing of an executive order memorandum, Trump even admitted he was "torn" about enforcing tough measures on Iran. Is this part of a grand strategy, or something else? We explore the answers with Bolton. #iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #trump #iran #israel #youtube #shorts #news #podcast #youtube #sanctions #executiveorder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 36 | How Iran is fighting for Gen Alpha's mind

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 17:11:35 GMT

Iran is undergoing a demographic crisis as Iranians are not getting married and having babies. Diving deep into the issue is Holly Dagres from The Washington Institute on why there's been such a generational shift and how the clerical establishment is now trying to shape Gen Alpha and Beta as the model citizens of the Islamic Republic.#iraninternational #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #iran #genz #genalpha #demographics #elonmusk #youtube #youtubeshorts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 35 | Trump may open up discussions with Iran, US policy expert predicts

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:32:05 GMT

Donald Trump's first day of returning to the White House saw a flurry of activity, including the firing of Brian Hook, the special envoy for Iran during the first Trump administration who championed heavy sanctions.
Hook's dismissal to observers wondering how Trump will approach its foreign policy on Iran.

Alexander Farley, a program associate at the Wilson Center, told the Eye for Iran podcast that Trump's Iran policy may depart from the maximum pressure campaign of sanctions, which defined his first term.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 34 | Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal strikes blow at Iran’s hostage diplomacy

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:28:27 GMT

The ceasefire deal announced this week between Israel and Hamas sends a signal of defeat to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a former hostage in Tehran who was also part of influencing the ceasefire negotiations told Iran International.
Nizar Zakka, the head of Hostage Aid Worldwide, was kidnapped in 2015 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after being invited to attend a conference in Tehran. The US-Lebanese dual national was locked up four years in Iran’s notorious Evin prison, spending 18 months in solitary confinement.
“It's a big lesson that this [hostage diplomacy] will not work,” said Zakka on Eye for Iran.
#iran #syria #israel #hostagedeal #palestine #netanyahu #trump #podcast #youtube #news#Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 33 | The Untold Story form the last Israeli military attaché in Iran

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:15:43 GMT

As the United States bid farewell to former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, his legacy surrounding Iran's 1979 revolution returned to the spotlight. For Yitzhak Segev, Israel's last military attaché in Iran before the revolution, it is Carter who is partially responsible for the rise of Islamic rule in Iran.
Serving as military attaché in Iran from 1977 to 1979, Segev shared the conversations he had with Carter that offer a nuanced picture of an American president grappling with supporting a democratic movement in Iran while focused on out manoeuvring the Soviet Union amid the Cold War.

#iran #israël #middleeast #jimmycarter #usa #revolution #youtube #news #podcast #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 32 | Why 2025 is set to be tougher for Iran

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 19:47:28 GMT

For some countries in the Middle East, 2024 was a year of historic changes and milestones, but for Iran it appears to be one of setbacks and defeat for its clerical establishment.
The fall of Iran’s greatest Arab ally in the region, Bashar Al-Assad capped off a disastrous year that saw Iran’s proxy forces diminished that further fueled domestic and economic unrest.
Kamran Matin, an international relations scholar from Sussex University in the UK told the Eye for Iran podcast that 2025 will likely be an even more difficult year for the Islamic Republic. What could 2025 hold for the mullah rulers in Iran. Will Iran push forward to become a nuclear power with no other leverage seemingly or will they try to negotiate with incoming President Donald Trump out of desperation?
Watch this week’s episode of Eye for Iran with Kamran Matin.
#iran #trump #houthi #israel #saudiarabia #syria #youtube #youtubeshorts #podcast #news #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 31 | Inside the grim chronicle of Iran's assassinations

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:27:11 GMT

Iran carried out 862 extrajudicial executions across the world, according to a landmark report by US-based rights group the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center (ABC) for Human Rights in Iran.

Negar Mojtahedi spoke to Roya Boroumand, the executive director of the centre, about how documenting these cases helps expose the Iranian government's tactics and motives behind its transnational repression.

#iran #repression

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 30 | Biden and Trump made big mistakes on Iran, Democratic congressman says

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:04:14 GMT

We are just weeks away from Donald Trump's return to the White House as President Joe Biden's term nears the end. Many are already asking what Biden's legacy has been on Iran and what the next Trump administration plans to achieve in the Middle East?
Democratic Congressman and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brad Sherman joined Eye for Iran this week to answer those questions and more. Sherman said the U.S. needs to do more, and that both Biden and Trump's policies have not halted Iran's nuclear enrichment.
#iran #podcast #trump #biden #nuclear #middleeast #news #israel #syria #iraninternational #Iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 29 | Despite Syria setback, Iran could strike deal with Trump - former envoy says

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:54:22 GMT

With Iran losing Syria, one of its greatest Arab allies and satellite states, president-elect Donald Trump will likely still strike a deal with Iran. Trump’s maximum pressure policy was never aimed at regime change, despite some expectations, his last special envoy for Iran told Iran International's Eye for Iran podcast. It was about making a deal.
Elliott Abrams, the former special representative for Iran during the first Trump administration, said achieving a comprehensive plan to halt Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions is likely the endgame for Trump’s second presidency.
#iran #podcast #youtubeshorts #youtube #news #trump #syria #israel #hezbollah

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 28 | Iran won’t let go of Syria but how much longer can it hold on?

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 21:25:56 GMT

Iran is willing to do everything to keep their grip on Syria through their support of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. But with Russia's attention diverted to Ukraine, the Islamic Republic will struggle to manoeuvre the battlefield like it did in 2016.

That's how Qutaiba Idlbi, a Senior Fellow from the Atlantic Council’s Syria Initiative, sees the rapid developments unfolding in Syria. Idlbi, who was imprisoned and tortured under the rule of Assad, told the Eye for Iran podcast that while Iran publicly provides support to Syria, they are limited in how much they can do after being weakened by Israel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 27 | Is Syria next after ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:25:01 GMT

While global attention is focused on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah this week, a former Israeli intelligence official told Iran International that Syria may become the next target of the Jewish state as it continues to counter Iran-backed proxies.

Avi Melamed told the Eye for Iran podcast that what transpires in Lebanon cannot be separated from Syria, where Iran and Hezbollah operate.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 26 | Iran's nuclear program is on a path to military conflict -ex UN inspector

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:20:22 GMT

Former UN inspector David Albright told the Eye for Iran podcast that he feels worried about the future with Iran getting closer to a nuclear bomb, saying that the current mechanisms are not working to detect suspicious activity.

Albright, who is the founder and president of the non-profit Institute for Science and International Security, told Iran International there's overwhelming evidence to suggest Iran is hiding and keeping secrets on its nuclear program. He said the technical team in Iran is ready to build a bomb but international pressure, the unpredictability of incoming president Donald Trump and the changing geopolitical situation with Israel seems to be working to tone down Iran's advancements.

#iran #nuclear #nuclearweapon #israel #geopolitics #podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 25 | White House shakeup, Trump's picks 'baby steps' to change in Iran

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:48:31 GMT

Major (ret) Andrew Fox joined the 'Eye for Iran' podcast to discuss the future of Iran with the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the clues his cabinet picks offer. While many believe Trump's arrival and choosing the likes of Iran hawk Marco Rubio as Secretary of State spell trouble for Tehran, Fox sees it more as "baby steps" for change in the Islamic Republic down the road but nothing immediate. The Trump administration's first goals are to limit Iran's aggression in the region and prevent it from becoming a nuclear power. But will that strategy work or will Iran double down and push even closer to nuclear weapons? We've got answers in this week's episode of Eye for Iran.
#iran #israel #youtube #youtubeshorts #podcast #news #military #saudiarabia #war #trump #usa #iraninternational

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 24 | Trump's fix for the Middle East could be Jared Kushner, again

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 16:43:46 GMT

Donald Trump's return to the White House will likely mean Jared Kushner, the President-elect's son-in-law, will have the task of figuring out again how peace can be established in the Middle East. That's what Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a former informal adviser to Trump, told Iran Internationa's Eye for Iran podcast.

#donaldtrump #jaredkushner #israelhamaswar #middleeast #podcast #geopolitics #uspolitics

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 23 | US ELECTION SPECIAL: Iranian-Americans feeling betrayed by Democratic Party

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:16:38 GMT

Iran International's Eye for Iran speaks with two Iranian Americans, one who was a former Democrat turned Trump supporter and the other a Democrat who won't vote this time around due to his dissatisfaction with both candidates. Find out what this election means to them and why it's proven to be one of the toughest for them emotionally - not just politically.
#iraninternational #ایران_اینترنشنال #trump #harris #biden #uselection #usa #iran #youtube #podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 22 | Iran may be more dangerous after Israel's air attacks

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:02:50 GMT

When Israel struck Iran on October 26, many wondered if the limited attack would push the Islamic Republic into a corner or embolden them. Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman, told this week's Eye for Iran podcast that the latter option was the most likely outcome. With Iran's proxies deteriorating and direct strikes occurring between the two regional rivals, Levy is asked if Iran will double down on its floundering strategy or change course?

#eyeforiran #israel #iran #iraninternational #israeliranwar #podcast #geopolitics

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 21 | Israel has will and desire for long war with Iran

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:37:17 GMT

Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of Wars of Ambition, joined Eye for Iran to discuss what a potential Iran-Israel war might entail. Ostovar explained that if Israel perceives an existential threat from Iran, it will likely have the will to pursue a prolonged conflict. He warned that as a war drags on, the risk of targeting nuclear facilities increases, potentially leading to radiation fallout. Ostovar emphasized that Iran must now confront the reality of provoking an existential threat for Israel, especially post-October 7

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 20| Does Yahya Sinwar's killing change Iran Israel equation?

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:03:47 GMT

Abstract: Amichai Stein, an Israeli journalist with Kan news, reveals his insider knowledge on Sinwar's death, what that means for the fate of the remaining hostages and how it impacts Iran. Stein says the killing of Sinwar is forcing Iran to attempt to try and scale down Israel's planned reprisal against the Islamic Republic out of fear now that Hamas has been severely weekend along with Hezbollah. The success in Gaza may actually lead to Israel delaying its response on Iran.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 19 | Iran could race for a bomb if nuclear facilities are targeted

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:54:35 GMT

Alex Vatanka, founding Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute, appeared on this week's Eye for Iran, discussing Iran's nervousness about potential Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities. According to Vatanka, Iran is using its nuclear program as leverage, not to send a message to Israel, but to the U.S., pressuring the American administration to rein in Israeli actions. He also noted the unprecedented openness of Iranian officials and media discussing the possibility of a nuclear bomb—something unthinkable just a few years ago.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 18 | Israel's attack on Iran may include Khamenei's Tehran residence

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 14:26:58 GMT

Retired Lt. Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a senior fellow at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joined this week's episode of Eye for Iran to discuss possible Israeli targets in Iran -including the official residence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He also discusses how much arsenal Iran possesses and what steps Israel will take to first peel away Iran's defensive capabilities. Conricus, a former spokesperson for Israel's military, foresees multiple strikes in Iran, and how targeting regime officials, though risky, is not off the table.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 17 | Special interview with Masih Alinejad

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:46:03 GMT

Iran International's Negar Mojtahedi sat down with Iranian women's rights activist and journalist Masih Alinejad during the closing days of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss Iran's diplomatic fortune as the country faces crises both within and abroad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 16 | 'Iranians for Trump' movement emerges

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 07:44:15 GMT

The 'Iranians for Trump' movement has emerged ahead of the US presidential election. Iran International's Negar Mojtahedi sat down with one of its founders Sarah Raviani who explains why she, a Gen Z with immigrant roots, is voting for Trump.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 15|The US losing the Red Sea to the Houthis means Tehran wins

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:55:14 GMT

Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy Commander, who served alongside US forces in the Red Sea for 20 years, said the Americans are losing to the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group. He describes it as a dire situation with economic, geopolitical and environmental impacts on the world. Sharpe warns on the 'Eye for Iran' podcast that Iran is winning, and the US and West are losing this battle if policymakers don't change tactics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 14| Should we be worried about Iran's ballistic missiles and nuclear ambitions?

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 21:51:33 GMT

A recent report questions the accuracy of Tehran's long-vaunted missile program. On this episode of Eye for Iran, we speak with Farzin Nadimi, a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute, specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the greater region, and Jay Solomon, an investigative reporter with the Free Press. They tell us about how some of Iran's missiles are percise and deadly and how Iran is a lot closer to the nuclear bomb than most experts thought. Find out how Iran's missile program is connected to its nuclear ambitions, and why that matters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 13| Iran and Russia, friends in need or rivals in crisis?

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:45:13 GMT

Russia and Iran are embroiled in regional conflicts that seem to have no end in sight. Ukraine's Aug 6 incursion into Russia took the war back to the country that started it, while the apparent Israeli assassination of Hamas’ leader in Tehran on July 31 has left Iran spitting venom at its foes, with uncertainty on its next move.

Joining this week’s episode of Eye for Iran is Greg Brew, a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, who brings together the web of connections between Iran, Russia and their allies in the Middle East while war wages on two continents.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 12| Discover how a Jewish woman tricked her way into meeting Khamenei

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:19:18 GMT

A French journalist and analyst came face-to-face with Iran’s Supreme Leader in 2017, an encounter that was years in the making as she was groomed into becoming a propagandist for the Islamic Republic. Speaking about her experiences, Catherine Perez-Shakdam revealed new details about the decade she visited Iran and managed to infiltrate Iran's ruling class, meeting the country's most powerful men. In Episode 12 of 'Eye for Iran' Shakdam tells us how she managed to form relationships and build trust, her personal encounter with two former presidents and why she believes the West is in danger of the Islamic Republic's influence.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 11| Iran and Israel playing ‘chicken' amid ratcheting nuclear threat

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 04:22:00 GMT

While Iran and Israel remain on the knife edge of all-out war, the two adversaries appear to be playing ‘chicken’, according an international relations expert speaking on this week’s episode of Eye for Iran.The tension between the two countries comes in the backdrop of the highest threat to regional stability.Tehran, long suspected by Israel to have ambition of obtaining nuclear arms, is planning to test nuclear bomb detonators, according to exclusive reporting by Iran International.University of Waterloo Political Scientist Professor Bessma Momani tells Eye for Iran podcast that this is part of a psychological warfare by Iran to show Israel that there's a price to pay for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. But in this tit-for-tat, mistakes can happen, said Momani, that could edge us closer to regional war.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 10 | Israel's next major move against Iran may be in Lebanon, Knesset member hints

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:31:09 GMT

The Middle East is on the edge - bracing for a potential war as Iran decides how it retaliates to the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran. Speaking to Israeli lawmaker Amit Halevi, Negar Mojtahedi examines how Israel respond to a potential attack from Iran, and how are neighbouring Arab countries reacting, beyond the official statements?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 9 | Iranian insider likely to be behind the assassination of Hamas leader

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:02:01 GMT

A British-Australian academic who was falsely imprisoned in Iran under espionage charges said the systematic incompetence of Iran’s security apparatus and the Iranian public’s sympathies to their own government’s enemies were the possible reasons why the leader of Hamas was assassinated in northern Tehran on July 31. Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who came into contact with high-level IRGC and state officials while jailed in the notorious Evin prison, explains why she believes there was likely an insider behind the suspected Israeli hit, as Iran reels in the wake of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination. Speaking to host Negar Mojtahedi, Moore-Gilbert also shares what she learned about her captors and what that means about the state of mind of high-ranking government officials in this week's episode of 'Eye for Iran.'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 8 | Is Israel's anti-Iran messaging failing and what is Biden's Iran legacy?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:51:13 GMT

During his address to Congress this week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a military alliance in the Middle East to counter Iran. The Eye for Iran podcast talks to one of his former advisors, Alex Selsky about this plan and what Netanyahu’s speech meant for the US and Iran. Also on this week’s episode, we’ll be asking Iranian-American advocate Sarah Raviani about President Joe Biden’s legacy on Iran as he made the historic decision to drop out of the US presidential elections.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 7 | Trump's second presidency may be soft on Iran, says John Bolton

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:53:26 GMT

A former Donald Trump top advisor revealed in this week's episode of 'Eye for Iran' that a second Trump presidency may have a 'zeal for a deal,' leading to negotiations with the Iranian government and fewer confrontations. John Bolton, a former U.S. national security adviser and long-time proponent of regime change in Iran, told host Negar Mojtahedi that Trump would be likely to compromise with Tehran rather than seek the overthrow of the cleric-ruled system.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran I Ep 6 I Is Pezeshkian a 'charm offensive' ploy in case of a Trump presidency?

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 19:23:45 GMT

In this week's 'Eye for Iran' podcast, host Negar Mojtahedi asks a former U.S. special envoy if Iran's new president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, is part of Tehran's tool to 'charm' the US and the Western world. Ellie Cohanim, the Deputy Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism during the Donald Trump administration, discusses the Iranian influence network that is operating at the heart of the U.S. government, citing an Iran International investigation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran I Ep 5 I Hezbollah’s Big Win & Iranians Reject Elections

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 17:55:57 GMT

On Episode 5 of Iran International’s English podcast ‘Eye for Iran’ we discuss the Arab League’s decision to remove Hezbollah from its terror list and Iran’s low voter turnout in the first round of its presidential election. Why did the Arab League’s decision come on the heels of a potential war between Israel and Southern Lebanon? And does the low voter turnout signify a distrust in the ruling system? Host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with Roya Boroumand, the co-founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center and Dr. Walid Phares, a foreign policy expert who has advised US presidential candidates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran I Ep 4 I Next steps after Canada lists IRGC as terrorist entity & Iran's Elections

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:02:43 GMT

On this week's episode of Iran International's English podcast 'Eye for Iran', host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with Minister Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of Canada's opposition party, the Conservatives.

What will be Canada’s next steps after enlisting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist entity and why did the government act now? And Negar also discusses Iran's elections and what Iran's Supreme Leader’s legacy will be, with Patrick Clawson from the Washington Institute.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 3 | Hamid Nouri: Is Iran's Hostage Diplomacy Outplaying the West?

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 17:32:20 GMT

In this week’s episode of ‘Eye for Iran,’ how is Iran’s hostage diplomacy working against the interest of West nations? As a convicted war criminal Hamid Nouri walks free following a prisoner swap deal between Iran and Sweden, host Negar Mojtahedi speaks with two people who have been personally impacted by Iran's violations of human rights and unjust detentions.

In this episode, we hear from Iranian-Canadian human rights lawyer Kaveh Shahrooz, talking about his uncle Mehrdad Ashtari who was killed during the 1988 political prisoner massacre that involved Nouri. Alongside Sharooz is Mariam Claren, a German-Iranian fighting for her mother, Nahid Taghavi who has been unlawfully detained in Iran’s notorious Evin prison since 2020.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 2 | 'Not Free and Fair' Elections in Iran

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 18:15:04 GMT

From Iran International comes the 'Eye for Iran' podcast, a weekly show that will take listeners beyond the headlines, deep into the Iran stories that matter most. With compelling interviews, expert analysis and high-impact investigations, host Negar Mojtahedi examines the latest developments in and around Iran. In this episode of ‘Eye for Iran,' Negar speaks with author and journalist Arash Azizi and Former Iran Advisor at the US State Department Gabriel Noronha on Iran's upcoming snap election, which many consider to be a selection process highly engineered by the state. They look into the candidates selected by the Guardian Council and examine what they mean for the future of Iran.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eye for Iran | Ep 1 | The race to replace Raisi: Will Iran's election shake things up?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 21:29:06 GMT

From Iran International comes the 'Eye for Iran' podcast, a weekly show that will take listeners beyond the headlines, deep into the Iran stories that matter most. With compelling interviews, expert analysis and high-impact investigations, host Negar Mojtahedi examines the latest developments in and around Iran. In the first episode of ‘Eye for Iran,' Negar speaks with Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran and Behnam Ben Taleblu, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) about the significance of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s death and how the event is perceived by the power brokers of Iran. ‘Eye for Iran’ also looks into the political heavyweights throwing their names into the mix ahead of the election, their backgrounds and examines how the Guardian Council will make its final decision on who gets to run amid succession.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.