System Update with Glenn Greenwald Prof. John Mearsheimer on U.S./Israeli War with Iran, Gaza, Trump's Foreign Policy, and More
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Jun 25, 2025 
In this discussion, John Mearsheimer, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Chicago, dives into the complexities of U.S. foreign policy concerning Israel and Iran. He critiques Trump's attempts to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal and assesses the military dynamics between Israel and Iran amidst the ongoing destruction in Gaza. Mearsheimer explores the resilience of the Iranian regime against aerial assaults, the strategic limits of military supplies, and the ethical contradictions in U.S. support for Israel, all while shedding light on the emotional toll of journalists covering these global conflicts.
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Iran's Nuclear Threshold Status
- Iran is a nuclear threshold state, enriching uranium up to 60% but not pursuing weapons.
- Their activities comply with international law under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Myth of Iran's Aggression
- The common portrayal of Iran as a reckless, warlike country seeking nuclear weapons is a myth.
- Iran has not started a war in over 200 years and values its survival like any state.
Israel's Nuclear Threat Potential
- Israel is more likely than Iran to use nuclear weapons if it perceives an existential threat.
- The real risk is Israeli preemptive use, not Iranian deployment of nuclear arms.
