
The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated A Special Briefing on Looming War With Iran
Jan 30, 2026

Guest
Karim Sadjadpour

Guest
Eli Lake

Guest
Richard Goldberg
Guest
Jim Talent

Guest
Danielle Pletka
Guest
Rear Admiral Mark C. Montgomery (Ret.)

Guest
Behnam Ben Taleblu

Guest
Mark Dubowitz

Guest
Haviv Rettig Gur

Guest
Donald Trump
Karim Sadjadpour, Iran analyst at Carnegie; Eli Lake, journalist; Richard Goldberg, FDD strategist; Jim Talent, former senator; Danielle Pletka, AEI defense expert; Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery (Ret.), naval strategist; Behnam Ben Taleblu, IRGC specialist; Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO; Haviv Rettig Gur, Times of Israel analyst; Donald J. Trump, 45th President. They discuss Tehran’s internal stability, protest dynamics, military options and risks, targeting strategies, sanctions and oil leverage, regional coordination, and likely international reactions.
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Episode notes
Proxy Strategy Serves Regional Legitimacy
- Haviv explains Iran funds regional proxies to prove Shia Islamist superiority and regional leadership.
- This explains Iran's outsized investment in Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis despite domestic costs.
Weigh Energy Targets Against Regional Escalation
- Behnam Ben Taleblu cautions the U.S. may avoid directly striking oil terminals to prevent Gulf escalation.
- He recommends weighing naval seizures and sanctions against kinetic strikes on energy nodes.
Trump's Ambiguity Is Intentional Leverage
- Benham warns Trump values operational secrecy and often feigns options to intimidate adversaries.
- That unpredictability is itself a strategic tool to induce regime overreaction.











