The Commentary Magazine Podcast EMERGENCY POD: War With Iran
20 snips
Feb 28, 2026 
Ruthie Blum, Tel Aviv-based columnist with eyewitness updates, and Jonathan Schanzer, Middle East security expert, unpack Iran strikes, the reported killing of Ali Khamenei, and regional fallout. They discuss missile interceptions and debris, Iran widening attacks across neighbors, who is staying out of the fighting, and the differing U.S.-Israeli targeting strategies.
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Waking To A Preparation Siren In Tel Aviv
- Ruthie Blum described waking on Shabbat to a special siren that warned Israelis to stay near bomb shelters before an actual missile barrage occurred.
- She ran downstairs half-asleep to a filthy communal basement shelter, then spent 12 hours repeatedly returning as intermittent sirens and interceptions occurred.
Iran's Missile Arsenal Shows Wear
- Jonathan Schanzer observed Iran fired fewer missiles at Israel (about 180 early on) than expected, reflecting degraded capabilities and Israeli preemption of solid-fuel launchers.
- He noted liquid-fuel missiles are slower to prepare and harder to steer, reducing Iran's effective strike rate.
US Hits Sites Israel Targets Leaders
- John Podhoretz and Jonathan Schanzer described a division of labor: U.S. forces hit nuclear and strategic military sites while Israel targeted top Iranian leadership.
- Early reports said Israeli strikes likely killed senior figures including Khamenei and other IRGC leaders, signaling coordinated objectives.