
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
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.
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.
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.










