Michael Oren argues that Iran is behaving irrationally in the current crisis, lying about its capabilities and using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage even as its own economy nears a breaking point, and he supports a tough U.S. and Israeli stance including the naval blockade as a way to “dry out” both the regime and its regional proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Main points from the transcript
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The host says Iran is “playing with fire” by threatening and then effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz during a blockade, despite its fragile economy.
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Oren responds that Iran “lies” about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and about keeping the Strait open, noting its missiles reach further than claimed and that it has again closed Hormuz.
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He stresses that Iran’s leadership is not a rational regime in the normal sense, comparing it to Hamas in Gaza, which is willing to see Gaza destroyed without caring about civilian cost.
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Because of that, he welcomes statements by the U.S. president that “all options are on the table” and by the Secretary of War that all military responses are prepared, saying Israelis see this as good news and as standing up to Iran instead of playing its game.
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When asked how far military force can go without leaving nothing for Iran’s people or a future post-theocracy government, Oren says the key is to “dry them out” economically.
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He calls the Strait of Hormuz blockade a “great move” he has long advocated, arguing that it strangles not only the Iranian regime but also its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where he says there is no real purely military solution.
