The Opinions Is Iran Really a Threat to the United States? A Debate.
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Jun 25, 2025 
In a fiery discussion, Bret Stephens, an opinion columnist, advocates for U.S. military action against Iran, believing it may force the regime to reconsider its stance. Meanwhile, Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, cautions against such strikes, warning of the repercussions for regional stability and Iran's nuclear ambitions. They delve into contrasting perceptions of the Iranian threat, explore intelligence discrepancies, and propose alternative diplomatic strategies to address U.S.-Iran relations.
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Strikes May Spur Nuclear Effort
- The U.S. strikes on Iran risk pushing Tehran to aggressively pursue nuclear weapons instead of backing down.
- Before the strikes, Iran seemed focused on negotiation and sanctions relief, not outright weaponization.
Israeli Assessments Differ on Urgency
- Israeli intelligence suggests Iran was closer to a nuclear bomb than U.S. assessments indicated.
- Iran was enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels, making intervention urgent to delay a bomb.
Iran Nuclear Threat Is Regional
- Iran poses an intolerable nuclear threat to Israel but is not a direct nuclear threat to the U.S. homeland.
- U.S. conventional and nuclear superiority largely deters and prevents Iran from striking America directly.