Episode Player
Why the U.S. and Iran Are Fighting Again
Israel Policy Pod
Chapters
0:04
Iran Escalation And Israel Elections
3:46
How The Ceasefire Became An MOU
6:34
Article 5 And Competing Interpretations
16:06
Shipping Reality And Iran’s New Leverage
20:56
Why Tehran Chooses The Hard Line
30:54
Trump’s Escalation And The Blockade
43:26
What Happens Next And Miscalculation Risks
51:41
Will Israel Get Pulled In
56:23
World Cup Detour And Closing
Israel Policy Pod
Why the U.S. and Iran Are Fighting Again
Jul 16, 2026
Israel Policy Forum
On this week's episode, Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at International Crisis Group, joins Tel Aviv-based journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber to discuss the renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran, why the Strait of Hormuz has once again become the central flashpoint, the Iranian regime's continued hardline posture, President Donald Trump's strategy of brinkmanship, the likelihood of further escalation or a return to full-scale conflict, whether Israel could become directly involved, the broader regional implications, and more.
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