The Commentary Magazine Podcast Iran Impasse
22 snips
May 7, 2026 
Jonathan Schanzer, FDD senior fellow and Middle East policy expert, explains Iran’s resistance to deals and the regional balance after recent strikes. He unpacks Gulf state hedging, limits on military escalation, munitions shortages, economic pressure tactics, Israel’s calibrated campaign, and suspicious insider activity on betting markets.
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Munitions Shortage Shapes U.S. Strategy
- U.S. constraints are now munitions availability and political limits on destroying Iranian economic assets like oil infrastructure.
- Jonathan Schanzer says expensive precision weapons are limited and Trump resists destroying Iranian oil fields to preserve value for post-regime outcomes.
Rules Based Order Is A Strategic Constraint
- U.S. adherence to a rules-based international order limits escalation options against Iran even after heavy degradation of its forces.
- Schanzer argues legal and reputational costs constrain attacks that might finish the regime, creating an impasse.
Use Economic Siege Before More Bombing
- Prioritize an economic siege: choke Iranian oil exports and isolate banks to inflict pressure without expending scarce munitions.
- Schanzer (ex-Treasury) recommends sanctions, banking cutoffs and preparing for well capping within weeks.
