The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Live: U.S. and Israel Strike Iran
20 snips
Mar 1, 2026 
Scott R. Anderson, senior editor and national security law analyst, Troy Edwards, former federal prosecutor with maritime interdiction experience, and Ariane Tabatabai, Iran specialist, discuss Khamenei's role and succession. They examine the targets and risks of U.S.-Israeli strikes, legal self-defense claims, maritime counterproliferation actions, and the regional and domestic fallout in Iran.
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Khamenei Built The Regime Not Just Led It
- Ali Khamenei institutionalized the Islamic Republic by building an ecosystem of power rather than serving as a charismatic founder.
- Ariane Tabatabai explains he compensated for weaker religious credentials by consolidating institutions across the 1990s and 2000s, shaping Iran's modern structure.
Khamenei's Decisions Fueled Nuclearization And Proxies
- Khamenei's policies drove Iran's nuclear weaponization efforts, regional proxy expansion, and international sanctions that culminated in the 2015 JCPOA framework.
- Ariane Tabatabai links his decisions to sanctions, the 2015 deal, and long-term regional destabilization.
Plan For Civilian Harm When Striking Tehran
- Expect civilian casualties when strikes target Tehran's political bodies because many government facilities sit inside densely populated urban areas.
- Ariane Tabatabai warns Tehran's vertical megacity layout means military hits risk schools, hospitals, and residential buildings nearby.