"We Must Move Militarily" – The Real Reason Iran is Terrified of Losing the Strait

Summary

Podcast Summary: Brian Kilmeade Show

Episode: “We Must Move Militarily” – The Real Reason Iran is Terrified of Losing the Strait
Date: July 18, 2026
Guests: Jonathan Hunt (Fox News Correspondent, international affairs and sports)
Theme:
A fast-paced conversation shifting between the geopolitics of the Middle East—specifically the rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and U.S./Israeli/Iranian relations—and a deep dive into the Men's World Cup, with analysis of the U.S. team’s performance and a Spain vs. Argentina final preview.

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Episode Overview

This episode begins with a sobering discussion of the growing anti-Israel sentiment in America, the challenges of U.S. foreign policy with respect to Iran, and the implications of military versus diplomatic strategies for securing the Strait of Hormuz. The conversation later pivots to soccer, covering the U.S. men's team’s World Cup campaign, the economics and structure of U.S. youth soccer, and a comprehensive preview of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina—complete with personal insights, colorful anecdotes, and predictions about soccer's biggest stars.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Shift in American Sentiment Toward Israel

[00:43–01:51]

• Jonathan Hunt recounts his two decades of experience reporting from the Middle East and highlights the surprising shift in U.S. public opinion against Israel, especially on college campuses.
• Quote:

  "It's the trendy thing to do, I think, to be anti-Israel. And it's deeply sad because it's not born out of a recognition or an understanding of the situation on the ground." — Jonathan Hunt, [01:14]

2. U.S. Politics and the Israel Debate

[01:51–02:49]

• Discussion of Republican politician J.D. Vance’s difficulty in countering anti-Israel narratives.
• Reference to criticism of a U.S.-Israel “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU), described as flimsy and problematic.
• Quote:

  "I would agree. The MOU was a terrible deal, remains a terrible deal." — Jonathan Hunt, [02:44]

3. Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Dealings, Dangers, and Military Calculus

[02:53–05:21]

• Skepticism about any diplomatic breakthroughs with Iran.
• Brian and Jonathan both see Iranian negotiating tactics as stall tactics, especially as U.S. elections approach.
• The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz has overshadowed nuclear concerns.
• Quote:

  "Now we're just talking about getting ships through the strait. It's crazy." — Jonathan Hunt, [03:53]

• Possibility and hazards of a military push to secure the Strait:
  • Vast, hard-to-control geography.
  • Iranian use of small, agile boats and threats alone can scare off shipping.
• Quote:

  "You can keep taking out Iranian assets along the strait there, but all they need are these tiny boats... Are you really going to take the risk? If Iran says we will, all they need to do is say, 'We will blow you out of the water.' That's all they need to do. It's the threat." — Jonathan Hunt, [04:40]

4. World Cup: U.S. Team Post-Mortem

[06:29–08:31]

• Hunt explains reasons for the U.S. team’s early success and exit, blaming a poor mindset versus Belgium and fallout from a controversial red card.
• Discusses the need for an accessible academy system to nurture American soccer talent, highlighting the high costs currently involved.
• Quote:

  "My daughters both played youth soccer. It's expensive. It's really expensive to do that... an academy that you take the kids in and if they've got the talent, you are not looking for money from the families is a great idea." — Jonathan Hunt, [08:10]

5. World Cup Final Preview: Spain vs. Argentina

[08:31–12:59]

• Spain is favored thanks to tactical intelligence, disciplined defense (just one goal conceded), and a strong midfield led by Rodri.
  • Watch for breakout star Lamine Yamal.
• Argentina relies on Messi’s brilliance; the team isn’t “great” unless he turns it on.
• Anecdote about Messi having given Yamal a bath as a baby during a UNICEF shoot—a full-circle World Cup story.
• Potential coaching shake-ups; prediction that Thierry Henry may be named France’s national coach.
• Quotes:

  "Spain would be my favorite. I picked Spain before the tournament began to win it all... They play beautiful soccer. They know how to keep the ball. They will have a plan keeping Messi off the ball." — Jonathan Hunt, [08:44]

  "Any team that has Messi, as they've shown again and again... you give them six minutes at the end and they're behind and they can still win." — Jonathan Hunt, [09:08]

  "There was this photo out there... Lamine Yamal's mom put him up for that... sitting in a bath and a 20-year-old Messi is giving him a bath. It's a weird photo... but that full circle moment, they had no idea... he was five months old." — Jonathan Hunt, [11:58]

6. Messi’s Last World Cup—and Admiration

[12:38–13:31]

• Speculation that this is Messi’s final World Cup.
• Discussion of his legacy and persona, contrasting him with Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Quote:

  “You could not begrudge Messi another World Cup if he does win it.” — Jonathan Hunt, [12:44]

7. England and Bellingham’s Meltdown

[13:31–14:36]

• Star player Jude Bellingham’s post-match frustration and confrontation with Messi and Argentine players.
• Debunking conspiracy theories about favoritism toward Messi.
• Quote:

  "Messi is a genius. He turned that England game on his own. Nobody in FIFA, no referees were influencing that. And, yeah, Bellingham needs to grow up a little." — Jonathan Hunt, [14:22]

8. Game Analysis: Key Moments

[14:36–15:05]

• Brian and Jonathan break down England’s mistakes—defensive substitutions and tactical errors that cost them dearly in overtime.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Anti-Israel Sentiment:

  "It's the trendy thing to do... it's tragic, the antisemitism we're seeing here." — Jonathan Hunt, [01:14]

• On Iranian Negotiations:

  "They're playing for time, as they always do... all they need to do is say, 'We're going to blow you out of the water.'" — Jonathan Hunt, [04:40]

• On Messi vs. Spain:

  "I think Spain has enough... They play beautiful soccer. They will have a plan keeping Messi off the ball. But... any team with Messi... can still win." — Jonathan Hunt, [08:44, 09:08]

• On the Messi/Yamal Photo:

  "What are the chances of Messi having given a bath to a zero year old... It's a weird photo to have chosen... they had no idea Lamine Yamal was going to become a prodigiously talented soccer player." — Jonathan Hunt, [11:58]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:43–01:51]: U.S. campus climate and anti-Israel sentiment
• [01:51–02:49]: J.D. Vance, U.S. politics, and the criticized MOU
• [02:53–05:21]: Iran’s strategy, military stakes in the Strait of Hormuz
• [06:29–08:31]: U.S. World Cup performance, youth soccer, and academy accessibility
• [08:31–12:59]: Deep dive: World Cup Final preview, Messi/Yamal connections, coaching predictions
• [12:38–13:31]: Messi’s (likely) last World Cup
• [13:31–14:36]: England’s exit, Bellingham’s flare-up, game theory

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Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational and urgent when discussing Iran and Israel
• Anecdotal and enthusiastic in World Cup analysis
• Analytical: Jonathan Hunt provides well-articulated perspectives on both international relations and sports
• Playful: Banter about Messi, the Messi/Yamal photo, and soccer legends

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This episode serves listeners who want an informed, nuanced take on both high-stakes global politics and international sport, all delivered in a lively, accessible style.

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

You know, you just told me how many times, Jonathan, you've been in the Middle east, in Israel for long periods of time.

[B]

Yeah, since 2002. I've been going there, yeah.

[A]

So can you explain, knowing what you know about Israel and what they've been up against since the attack on October 7, the change in sentiment towards them here?

[B]

I think it's inexplicable. I think they have lost the PR campaign. Certainly why that has happened is much more difficult to explain. But I think you look at what's going on in American colleges, you look at the anti Israel sentiment there, the anti Israel sentiment being put forward by a lot of professors in American colleges. And, you know, I've seen it. I've seen it with my own kids, to be perfectly honest. They are persuaded by that. It's the trendy thing to do, I think, to be anti Israel. And it's deeply sad because it's not born out of a recognition or an understanding of the situation on the ground. I think it's tragic what the antisemitism we're seeing here.

[A]

Are you surprised that J.D. vance has had trouble pushing back on it? In fact, subtly, I think he's playing into it. Listen to him with Joe Rogan cut 15.

[B]

And then can I just say one other thing about this? Because there are people, you know, you see Mike Pence, who's sort of a super hawk, my predecessor, who say this. There are people, you know, who are super hawkish in the American system who have attacked the deal and frankly, in some ways have tried to derail the deal. And what I always say to those people is, what is your proposal? What is your actual argument?

[A]

And he went on to say, a lot of that pushback is from elements in the Israeli government About. But the deal is, in my view, it's a terrible deal. The MoU is an absolutely awful deal.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And for people to criticize, for him, to think that he's not open for criticism on a deal that he just parachuted into is crazy. Yeah.

[B]

I would agree. The MOU was a terrible deal, remains a terrible deal.

[A]

And. But that was not. You're just speaking for our Gulf allies and Israel.

[B]

Right. I don't think you can get. You can trust the Iranians on anything. And the language in the MOU was loosely written. It. It. I don't know where we go from here, because to make the Iranians understand, there has to be change. You have to do. I think the only option at this point is to do more militarily. And I don't know that the President and the American people, for that matter, have the stomach for that.

[A]

You know, what the President's doing is not trying to sell it. Just do it. And he first, you know, take a pause, see if we get a deal. Took a pause, thought he had a deal a couple of times. I think he does talk to people that sound reasonable. And Steve Witkoff, who he really likes as the foreign minister, is ready to cut a deal and makes FAHITI and the IRGC look at the unreasonable ones, where if you listen to people that really know how the Iranians operate, there's really no difference. They just use that as a way to get a better deal.

[B]

Are they're playing for time, as they always do. And what's the.

[A]

Because they know it gets closer to the midterms.

[B]

Right. And what strikes me as the terrible thing here is that the only talk we have now is about the Strait of Hormuz. It's like everybody's forgotten the nuclear issue, which is the whole point of the thing in the first place. Now we're just talking about getting ships through the strait. It's crazy.

[A]

Right? And one thing that General Keane did bring up to me this morning is because now they're getting a nuclear program. Getting a nuclear bomb is further away.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Since 2025. Night hammer. Then we keep hitting it. We don't have any control of the pickaxe. The pickaxe because it's so far under underground. But I may wonder if there's a game plan for that. But the goal is now is to physically militarily take back the Strait from what you know about the topography there. And knowing that how easy and convenient and drones are. Do you think that's possible?

[B]

I think it's really difficult without Putting troops in much more in harm's way on Cog island, et cetera. That is a huge stretch of coastline. It's about, I think it's about equivalent to the entire west coast of the US in terms of the length as to how you control that completely. And you can keep taking out Iranian assets along the strait there, but all they need are these tiny boats and also you've got a bill, you know, a multimillion dollar tanker. Are you really going to take the risk? If Iran says we will, all they need to do is say we're going to. We will blow you out of the water. That's all they need to do. It's the threat. None of these companies want to take the risk.

[A]

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[A]

Let's talk about the World Cup. You're going to be covering it Saturday and Sunday. You're going to be out there. You've been covering for the last three and a half weeks and you grew up playing soccer.

[B]

I did.

[A]

And how's the US done?

[B]

US did very well early on. The capitulation against Belgium was terrible to see. They just did not come, I think, with their minds in the right place. So it's been great for US soccer. I wish they had gone at least one round further because I think that would have really made a big difference. And it was the mindset against Belgium. Two things of the players said after that game. We all thought we were going to be going to LA tomorrow for the quarterfinals. If you're going into that game with that mindset that you've already run and won and you're on your way to LA, wrong mindset elite sport. So I think that was a problem. I also think they were affected a lot more than anyone will admit by the Baligan red card controversy. And I think in a way it would have been better for the U.S. if that red card had stood because they had the moral high ground then they had the sense of injustice fueling the fire for them. Instead, with the red card, the suspension rescinded, it all flipped to Belgium, that moral high ground. And they ran on that fuel and they were determined to win. And I think that made a huge difference on the day.

[A]

So do you think that we reevaluate youth soccer in this country? Everyone plays, but we don't achieve on the men's side. And they talked about setting up an academy system that would be free. Get the next day, get the young David next, young David Beckham. Pull them out, get them an academy, but don't charge the family.

[B]

Right.

[A]

We should have enough money to be able to do that.

[B]

For sure. We should have enough money to be able to do that. And that is, you know, my. My daughters both played youth soccer. It's expensive. It's really expensive to do that. And as you keep moving up a level. So, yeah, they need to change the way it's run. And I think an academy that you take the kids in and if they've got the talent, you are not looking for money from the families is a great idea.

[A]

So let's talk about the final. You have. You have Argentina looking for the first. Be the first repeat World cup champions since 1962 against Spain, the European champions. Right away. I feel like Spain goes in the favorite. Do you?

[B]

I. Spain would be my favorite. I. I picked Spain before the tournament began to win it all. I wavered a little bit when France were playing so well, but yeah, I think Spain has enough. They won't do the stupid substitutions and backing off that England did in the semi final against Argentina. I think they've got enough. They play beautiful soccer. They know how to keep the ball. They will have a plan keeping Messi off the ball. But I say Spain without 100% conviction. Because any team that has Messi, as they've shown again and again in this World cup, you give them six minutes at the end and they're behind and they can still win.

[A]

What is your takeaway? Jonathan Hunt of why Cape Verde gave him such a hard time and why Egypt almost beat him?

[B]

Because I don't think Argentina are a great team. They're a very good team. I don't think they are a great team until Messi Decides it's time to be a great team. So if he decides that in the final on Sunday, they have every chance of winning if Spain can come up with a plan to close him down, I do not believe the rest of the Argentinian players around him have the ability to do it without Messi functioning at the highest level.

[A]

And now Spain had this vaunted defense that many people thought wouldn't be as strong, but it has been as strong.

[B]

Well, one goal they've conceded in the entire World cup so far. So they've been incredible. Their midfield, Rodri, I think, is probably the best midfield playing in international soccer right now. So they're great. And then we still are waiting for Lamine Yamal, 19 years old, the, the Messi to be in a way to fire on all cylinders. If he does that, Spain, I think could probably be unstoppable.

[A]

And right now you're going to get three o' clock in the afternoon. The pregame starts at 11:00am Eastern Time. We'll be out you. I'll be out there for Fox and Friends and you'll be out there all day and of course doing the recap at night. But you gotta feel like the ratings are gonna be through the roof.

[B]

Oh, I'm sure they will. I mean, it's a marquee matchup, like you say, reigning world champions against the current champions of Europe. It's the game. I think that if anybody thought about what do we want at the end, that's the game you would have chosen. It's going to be box office. And the ratings have already been through the roof for so many games. Fox Sports has done an incredible job in their coverage. Rebecca Lowe, my fellow English person, has been incredible. I think Zlatan, Alexi and Thierry, all amazing. Thierry, I think is going to go somewhere else at the end of this, is my prediction.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

I think Thierry might be the next manager for France.

[A]

Really?

[B]

You heard it here first.

[A]

Without any coaching experience.

[B]

He has some coaching experience and he just has, I think, the best soccer brain out there right now. And I think if he's not, then France are missing an opportunity. I think he would be a great national team manager.

[A]

So if you look for a coach to out coach another coach, you would think the teacher would out coach the student. And Scalani was a student. He said as soon as he was done playing, he went to Spain to a coaching academy. And his coach was Luis Del Le Fuente. Is that how you say it?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So that was his coach.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they've Been friends ever since.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Think about that. What are the chances?

[B]

I know, it's great. What are the chances of so many things here that, you know. What are the chances of Messi having given a bath to a zero year old? So there's this photo out there. It was taken in two 2007. There was a UNICEF charity shoot. They were looking for babies in the Barcelona area. Lamina's mom put him up for that. He got the job. Sitting in a bath and a 20 year old Messi is giving him a bath. It's a weird photo to have chosen anyway. But that full circle moment, they had no idea that Lamine Yamal was going to become a prodigiously talented soccer player when he was. I think he was five months old at the time. Right.

[A]

I don't think they'll reenact it. I don't think they're.

[B]

Let's hope not. Yeah, that would be.

[A]

That would be troublesome. We'll see what happens. And lastly, this will be Messi's last World cup game. Correct.

[B]

You've got it. He's 39 years old, so you've got to think this is his last World cup game. And you know, while I. While I would like Spain to win because Argentina knocked out England, I. You could not begrudge Messi another World cup if he does win it.

[A]

44. Are you kidding?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, that would be crazy.

[B]

It would be crazy. I mean, the dude is showing no signs of slowing down in this World Cup. He's amazing.

[A]

I know it is. And the other thing, the last twist would be where did he star most of his career? In Barcelona.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So people of Spain love the guy.

[B]

Yeah. It's hard not to love him.

[A]

Right. I mean, he seems like a good person.

[B]

Yeah, that's. And you know, that's the difference. Ronaldo from Portugal has always been in that conversation of the best of all time. But you. I think you have to put personality in there and character. Messi is such a good character.

[A]

So at the end of the game, we saw Bellingham, the. One of the best players in the world, kind of lose his mind a little bit. Could you describe what, you know, has happened?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

After England lost.

[B]

Bellingham is a great guy, but he does have a short fuse. And there are a couple of the. There was. That was a tough game. Argentina were going in hard throughout the game, and then some of the Argentina players were taunting the English players towards the end of it. Bellingham is not a guy who takes kindly to that. He. Whacked. One of the. One of the Argentinian players who'd been celebrating in their faces around the back of the head. Bellingham needs to tone it down a little bit. Let his. Let his actions do the talking on the field.

[A]

One of the words I heard, he went up to Messi and says, what is it like to be taken care of by the higher ups? And Ronaldo is better player than you.

[B]

Yeah, well, that's.

[A]

I mean, come on.

[B]

Both of those things are stupid. I think there's all this conspiracy theory about FIFA wants Messi to win again. And, you know, no, Messi is a genius. He turned that England game on his own. Nobody in FIFA, no referees were influencing that. And, yeah, Bellingham needs to grow up a little.

[A]

Right the cross, it wasn't the goal. It was. He went outside and crossed the ball and after it hit the post on

[B]

his right foot, which is not his favorite foot either. It was the most perfect cross you could ever see. Also, England had put on basically 11 defenders and they left a man unmarked in the box. What are they thinking?

[A]

And you were saying, too, that tied at one one, if one into overtime, you have no forwards left, right? So what do you think?

[B]

Yeah, I was. It was. It was the most stupid decisions by Thomas Tuchel, but he's German, I think, and ultimately wanted England to lose.

[A]

Jonathan, see you out there on Sunday. Watch you covered your weekend.

[B]

Cannot wait.

[A]

Jonathan, thanks so much.

[B]

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