Drop Site News: State of the Union — War with Iran Edges Closer

Podcast Episode Summary
Date: February 24, 2026
Hosts/Reporters: Ryan Grim, Jeremy Scahill, Maz Hussein, Sharif Abdel Kouddous
Podcast: Drop Site News

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the mounting tensions between the United States and Iran, the increasing risk of war, the complexities around nuclear negotiations, and the ongoing impact on the Middle East. It features in-depth journalism, exclusive interviews with Iranian officials, analysis of media narratives, and a detailed investigative report on the Red Crescent massacre in Gaza.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of Iran-US Relations on the Eve of the State of the Union

Timestamps: 01:50–13:14

• Escalation Risks: Amid ongoing, high-stakes negotiations between Iran and the Trump administration, both sides navigate war threats, sanctions, and diplomatic overtures as Donald Trump prepares to address the nation.
• Unprecedented Diplomacy: Iranian officials, for the first time, signal an "unbelievable level of flexibility" in nuclear negotiations, attempting to avert a war that appears increasingly imminent.
• Media Role and Propaganda: The episode scrutinizes how US and international media recycle narratives reminiscent of the 2003 Iraq War, often amplifying unfounded claims about Iran's nuclear weapons capability.

"The attempt by the Iranians to avert the war that Trump seems intent on carrying out is reaching unprecedented levels."
— Ryan Grim (03:00)

2. Media Narratives and Echoes of the Iraq War

Timestamps: 05:51–09:37

• Historical Parallels: Jeremy Scahill draws direct lines from present narratives back to 2003, criticizing media complicity in echoing government propaganda.
• Disinformation Examples: Coverage in the New York Times and New York Post is highlighted for recycling debunked tropes, such as Iran's alleged links to Al Qaeda and atrocity propaganda.

"We're seeing this propaganda narrative. And so Steve Witkoff, without citing any current intelligence, just offhandedly says that the Iranians are probably a week away from being able to weaponize their enriched uranium. That flies in the face of every major national intelligence estimate..."
— Jeremy Scahill (08:35)

3. Reality of Iran’s Nuclear Capability

Timestamps: 09:37–12:18

• Absurdity of Claims: Maz Hussein notes the gap between sensationalist US rhetoric and the technical, bureaucratic realities of nuclear weapons development in Iran.
• Surveillance and Constraints: US aerial and intelligence surveillance, plus post-bombing site damage, makes imminent Iranian nuclear weaponization extremely unlikely.

"It very much seems like the Trump administration is almost like a parody version of neoconservatism..."
— Maz Hussein (10:06)

4. Iranian Negotiations: Inside Perspective

Timestamps: 12:18–22:12

• Exclusive Reporting: Iranian negotiators reveal exclusive details to Drop Site, stating they are willing to make substantial concessions if it genuinely averts war.
• New Red Lines: While willing to reduce nuclear enrichment, Iran stands firm on missile deterrence and regional alliances (Hezbollah, Ansar Allah).
• Sanctions Relief: Core Iranian demand is relief from punishing US sanctions that have devastated civilians and fueled protests.

"We have demonstrated an almost unbelievable level of flexibility on the enrichment issue itself..."
— Quoted Iranian Official (12:40)

• Military Calculations: Discussion about General Dan Kaine's role and leaked reports about his cautioning Trump, interpreted in media as "opposition" to war, setting off policy debates in Washington.

5. Hardliners, War Scenarios, and Military Logistics

Timestamps: 22:12–33:40

• Iranian Hardline Faction: Some Iranian advisors view the unfolding scenario as reminiscent of the prolonged, brutal Iran-Iraq War, preparing for an existential, protracted conflict if attacked.
• Material Limits on US/Israeli War Plans:
  • Massive expenditure of missile interceptors during recent conflicts has depleted US and Israeli reserves, with years needed for replenishment.
  • Iran’s geographic size and missile dispersal make a “decisive” strike by the US/Israel nearly impossible.
• White House Overconfidence: US political leaders may be mistaking previous regime change successes (Venezuela, Libya) for templates applicable to Iran, which is a vastly more complex society with developed civil and military institutions.

"If they think they're going to have some scenario like [Libya] involving Ayatollah Khamenei...this is pure fantasy."
— Jeremy Scahill (31:20)

6. Regional Politics: US, Israel, and Arab States

Timestamps: 33:40–43:10

• Controversial US Statements: The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, makes incendiary biblical land claims, provoking public outrage (but little substantive policy change) from Egypt and other Arab states.
• Arab Diplomatic Shifts: Iran is actively restoring diplomatic relations with Egypt and other regional powers, diminishing US/Israeli hopes for a regional anti-Iran coalition.

"Huckabee is more royal than the king...he's saying things that even Zionist Israelis in Israel don't say."
— Sharif Abdel Kouddous (36:28)

Investigative Segment: The Red Crescent Massacre

Timestamps: 43:10–67:23

Overview

Sharif Abdel Kouddous presents detailed reporting on the March 2025 Red Crescent massacre in Rafah, Gaza—one of the bloodiest crimes against medical personnel in the conflict, researched alongside Forensic Architecture and Earshot.

Key Findings

• The Incident:
  • Israeli forces ambushed and killed 15 Palestinian aid workers over a two-hour operation, using more than 900 bullets, including point-blank executions.
  • The massacre followed the US-acknowledged breakdown of a ceasefire and was part of a broader campaign that killed hundreds in hours.

"Over 900 bullets were fired at these medical workers...the shooting lasted upwards of two hours...the final shots...were done at execution range of just a meter at the very end."
— Ryan Grim (43:10)

• Forensic Reconstruction:

  • Utilized survivor testimony, video, and advanced audio echolocation due to the destroyed urban environment to reconstruct soldier positions and firing sequences.
  • Demonstrated that all gunfire came from Israeli positions; zero shots were returned.

• Israeli Military Response:

  • Initial claims (“no lights on”, “moving suspiciously”) disproved by video evidence.
  • Internal inquiry resulted in minimal discipline: one brigade commander dismissed, another reprimanded.
  • No criminal accountability for executing aid workers and for burying bodies and evidence.

• Regional Impact:

  • The massacre site was later repurposed for the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” seen as symbolic of the ongoing impunity.
  • Over 2,600 Palestinians died seeking aid under this system in following months.

"As a concentrated massacre that was deliberate and slow...this was the worst killing of the Red Crescent, which is under the Red Cross, also maybe in history..."
— Sharif Abdel Kouddous (62:06)

Memorable Quotes & Reflections

• On the horror and documentation:

  "To walk up after firing at these medical workers from 30, 40 meters away to walk up to their wounded bodies and execute them point blank...it's so far beyond the pale of what we understand to be humanity. Yet here it is."
  — Ryan Grim (61:46)

• On media coverage:

  "Testimony is...facts. As journalists...you have to double source it, and you can't just go with what one person says, but even one person says it's testimony."
  — Sharif Abdel Kouddous (66:49)

• On impunity and international law:

  "You're not supposed to kill any civilians, but particularly healthcare workers who are there to protect life. Attacking them deliberately triggers certain things in the Rome Statute..."
  — Sharif Abdel Kouddous (62:20)

Notable Moments & Quotes

With Timestamps

• 03:00 – “The attempt by the Iranians to avert the war that Trump seems intent on carrying out is reaching unprecedented levels.” — Ryan Grim
• 08:35 – “Steve Witkoff...offhandedly says that the Iranians are probably a week away from being able to weaponize their enriched uranium. That flies in the face of every major national intelligence estimate.” — Jeremy Scahill
• 12:40 – “We have demonstrated an almost unbelievable level of flexibility on the enrichment issue itself...” — Iranian official (quoted)
• 31:20 – “If they think they're going to have some scenario like [Libya] involving Ayatollah Khamenei...this is pure fantasy.” — Jeremy Scahill
• 36:28 – “Huckabee is more royal than the king...he's saying things that even Zionist Israelis in Israel don't say.” — Sharif Abdel Kouddous
• 43:10 – “Over 900 bullets were fired at these medical workers...the shooting lasted upwards of two hours...the final shots...were done at execution range of just a meter at the very end.” — Ryan Grim
• 62:06 – “This was the worst killing of the Red Crescent, which is under the Red Cross, also maybe in history...” — Sharif Abdel Kouddous

Conclusion

This episode presents critical, sobering reporting on the brink of war between the US and Iran, highlighting both the dangerous resurgence of war propaganda domestically and its catastrophic ramifications for civilians and aid workers abroad. Through exclusive interviews, on-the-ground intelligence, and forensic investigations, Drop Site News delivers insight into the high-stakes gamesmanship, the toll of sanctions and conflict, and the persistent absence of accountability for grave human rights violations in the region.

Further Reading/Viewing:

• Drop Site News coverage and full investigative reports: www.dropsitenews.com
• Forensic Architecture & Earshot’s Red Crescent massacre reconstruction (see episode notes for links)

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