Has the Iranian Threat Been Neutralized? | Michael Doran

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This is the 30 minute TV version of Jan Jekielek’s interview with Michael Doran. The longer-form version was released on Epoch TV on July 1st, 2025.

🔴 Watch the extended version of this episode: https://ept.ms/44tDpCo

To understand Middle East dynamics, Jan Jekielek always counts on Michael Doran, Director of the Middle East Center at the Hudson Institute.

“For the first time, Jan, in history, Israel and the United States have taken military action together. This is totally new,” he told him.

Michael Doran and Jan Jekielek sat down to discuss what has now been dubbed ‘The 12-Day War’ and how Middle East political realities have been transformed.

“One of the most amazing things about the Israeli attack against the Iranians is that they totally took the Iranians by surprise. Scientists were in their beds. Commanders all got together, thinking they were safe. That is just remarkable,” says Doran.

How did the strikes on Iran change the geopolitical landscape? Was World War III ever a real possibility? And has the threat of a nuclear Iran been neutralized … for good?

There’s still a little lingering doubt that maybe some of the enriched uranium was squirreled away by the Iranians in some other secret site,” says Doran. “Right now, Iran is a nuclear power of indeterminate status. So, we have to wait and determine.”

CHAPTER TITLES
0:00:01 - Introduction to Middle East Dynamics
0:00:22 - Israel's Surprise Attack on Iran
0:01:24 - Reshaping Middle East Political Realities
0:03:38 - Israel's Military Preparedness and Transformation
0:04:19 - Strategic Operations: Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria
0:06:55 - The Status of Iran's Nuclear Program
0:09:58 - Detailed Overview of Iranian Nuclear Facilities
0:11:57 - US-Israel Military Cooperation: A New Paradigm
0:12:52 - Turkey's Complex Role in Regional Dynamics
0:14:32 - The Abraham Accords and Future Diplomatic Realignments
0:16:04 - Reducing CCP Influence in the Middle East
0:16:58 - Implications of the Gaza War
0:18:24 - Reduced Threat of Regional Conflict
0:20:37 - Stakeholder Perspectives: Gulf States, US, and Iranian People
0:22:33 - Final Thoughts on Missile Programs and Future Policy