The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated

A Special Briefing on Looming War With Iran

Jan 30, 2026
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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INSIGHT

Trump's Public Red Line Has Deterrence Purpose

  • Donald Trump framed a clear red line: if Iran kills protesters, the U.S. will "hit them very hard."
  • That public posture is meant to deter the regime and signal U.S. willingness to impose costs.
INSIGHT

Protests Reach New Scale But Regime Still Has Core Holdouts

  • Haviv Rettig Gur argues Iran's nationwide protests are unprecedented in scale and intensity.
  • He warns the regime is terrified but 20% remain committed and could produce violent resistance.
INSIGHT

Currency Crash Broadened Protest Base

  • Economic collapse and rial depreciation widened protests into new social groups like bazaaris and farmers.
  • That cross-section raises the chance of sustained unrest beyond typical activist movements.
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