The Warning with Steve Schmidt Steve Schmidt - On the brink of war with Iran with Malcolm Vance and Ken Harbaugh
Feb 22, 2026
Ken Harbaugh, former Navy pilot and veteran advocate, offers aviator perspective and warns about carrier risks and moral injury. Malcolm Nance, retired Navy senior chief cryptologist and intelligence veteran, analyzes Iran’s capabilities, strike timing, and escalation hazards. They discuss carrier vulnerability, Strait of Hormuz dynamics, asymmetric Iranian tactics, and the dangers of unclear objectives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Iran's Asymmetric Precision Threats
- Iran has invested heavily in asymmetric anti-ship and ballistic missile capabilities since the 1980s, making deep strikes costly.
- Malcolm Nance warns Iran can move nuclear material and use Chinese C-802 style missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles to blunt U.S. power.
Past U.S. Hits Shaped Iran's Strategy
- Historical strikes like Operation Praying Mantis showed tactical success but taught Iran to prioritize anti-access capabilities.
- Malcolm Nance recounts 1988 operations and Iran's pivot to missile buys that later threaten U.S. ships.
1988 Gulf Combat Shaped Iran's Capabilities
- Malcolm Nance recounts serving in the 1988 Gulf actions where U.S. ships sank Iranian vessels and struck platforms.
- He connects that mission to the later evolution of Iran's naval and missile program.