FDD Morning Brief The Iran war's dire straits | feat. Jonathan Hessen and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
6 snips
Mar 13, 2026 Jonathan Hessen, an Israel-based regional analyst on Iran, Lebanon, and proxy activity, and Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral with expertise in naval operations and counter-UAS, break down military aims and tactics. They discuss threats to the Strait of Hormuz, mine and drone warfare, Israel’s objectives in Iran, regional militia dynamics, and how partners could supply counter-drone defenses.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Air Dominance With Persistent Drone Threats
- The U.S. and Israel currently maintain air dominance over Iran while degrading Iranian missile and launcher stocks.
- Jon Schanzer reports missiles under 1,000 and launchers down to roughly 150, while drones and rockets remain active threats.
Six Lines Of Effort Guiding The Air Campaign
- The campaign follows six clear lines of effort including IRGC leadership, SEAD, missiles, drones, nuclear remnants, and maritime capabilities.
- Mark Montgomery notes U.S. bombers (B-2, B-1, B-52) and scale shift mean U.S. strikes likely now do two-thirds of the damage.
1980s Mines Story Shows Modern Strait Challenges
- Montgomery recounts 1980s mine and ship actions showing Iran repeatedly used mines and small craft to threaten transits.
- He describes clearing operations that took weeks and small boats laying simple floating mines that remain hard to fully eliminate.