The Rest Is Classified 139. Trump vs Iran: Saddam Hussein and the Nuclear Bomb (Ep 2)
56 snips
Mar 18, 2026 
Arash Azizi, historian and author on Iranian politics and the Quds Force. He traces the US–Iran turn from 1979 to post‑2003 Iraq. Short takes cover Hezbollah’s rise, Qasem Soleimani’s role, lethal Iranian weapons in Iraq, Iran’s nuclear ambiguity, and why some strategies aim at regime change rather than mere arms control.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
9/11 Cooperation Was A Missed Rapprochement
- After 9/11 the US and Iran briefly cooperated against the Taliban, showing a realistic opening for rapprochement.
- The Bush 'Axis of Evil' line and subsequent policy choices closed that window despite on-the-ground military collaboration in Afghanistan.
2003 Goldmann Offer Reveals Lost Diplomatic Chance
- Iran offered normalization and concessions via the 2003 Goldmann letter but the US rejected it amid post‑Iraq invasion confidence.
- Washington's refusal reflected belief it could overturn Iran's regime after toppling Saddam.
How Iraq Became Iran's Main Arena
- Iraq's 2003 invasion created space for Iran to expand influence by cultivating Shia parties and militias, turning Iraq into a major confrontation theatre.
- Qasem Soleimani and the Quds Force built deep ties with Iraqi militias and used electoral and paramilitary levers.
