Podcast Summary: Drop Site News – "The US-Israeli Agenda in Iran"

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Jeremy Scahill
Guest: Dr. Fouad Ezadi, Professor of American Studies and International Relations, University of Tehran

Main Theme

This episode centers on the current standoff between the US, Israel, and Iran, focusing on recent protests in Iran, the escalation of US and Israeli rhetoric, and the dynamics of regime change operations and their consequences. Through a detailed discussion with Dr. Fouad Ezadi, the episode seeks to provide Iranian perspectives not usually amplified in Western media, clarify competing narratives, and examine the strategic intentions behind recent unrest and military posturing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest Escalations & Background (00:00–05:01)

• Donald Trump has heightened threats against Iran, stating:

  "I've left notification, meaning with Iran, anything ever happens, the whole country is going to get blown up." – Donald Trump (via Jeremy Scahill, 00:35)

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Barrachi warned:

  "Our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack. ... An all out confrontation ... will certainly engulf the wider region and have an impact on ordinary people around the globe." (paraphrased, 01:04)

• Region’s Arab neighbors (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman) are lobbying the US not to attack Iran.
• Sanctions and economic hardship on ordinary Iranians, with recent protests sparked by worsening economic conditions.

2. Origins and Nature of Iranian Protests (05:03–14:04)

• Protests began among shopkeepers affected by currency fluctuations:

  "We had maybe about 200 shopkeepers ... upset about this currency fluctuation. ... This was a very legitimate concern." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (05:15)

• Initial demonstrations were “peaceful, no confrontation,” but quickly escalated:

  “On the third day, you had people that we believe are linked with the Israeli Mossad basically infiltrated these peaceful demonstrations." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (05:54)

• Armed violence erupted (shootings, stabbings, bombings), with Jan 8 described as “Iran’s 9/11”:

  “January 8th was Iran's 9/11. The Western media outlets frame what happened ... as vicious police attacking peaceful demonstrators. In reality, ... armed individuals ... shooting their way through ... trying to take over government buildings." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (07:38)

• External influences (references to CIA, Mossad, US/Israeli involvement, Pahlavi):

  “Pahlavi was giving these calls for people to come to the streets ... Mossad agents walking with them.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (06:28)

• Parallel drawn with the Libyan experience—warns of Balkanization and destruction if US regime change succeeds.

3. Violence, Death Toll, and Media Narratives (14:04–26:40)

• Both Iranian government and opposition claim significant casualties, but numbers are contested and politicized.
• Jeremy questions Dr. Ezadi on state violence against demonstrators:

  “Are you saying that … security forces tend not to use large scale violence…? What did you witness or ... understand of how the state then responded?" – Jeremy Scahill (14:38)

• Ezadi asserts Iranian police were under explicit orders to avoid violence, even when attacked:

  “In the first few days, police didn’t have the permission to shoot back even when they were shot. … That’s when you have a police kill.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (17:11) "They don’t shoot at demonstrators. … The frame that the corporate media wants to create, that if you demonstrate in Iran, you get shot, is 100% inaccurate." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (22:12)

4. The Pahlavi Factor and Protester Motives (24:36–26:40)

• Pahlavi (son of the Shah) pushed from abroad for regime change, but Dr. Ezadi claims his support in Iran is minimal:

  “This guy hasn’t had a job for one day … living off the money that his father stole from Iranian people. … His supporters … are quite small in numbers.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (25:07)

• Demonstrations in Iran were more anti-Trump/anti-Netanyahu than pro-government:

  “They were demonstrating against Trump and Netanyahu. Many ... have difficulties with government policies, but do not want their country to be run by Trump.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (25:42)

5. US/Israeli Military Strategy and (Non-)Intervention (26:40–38:51)

• Alleged justification for US restraint: Rumors that executions were imminent (quoting Trump), which Dr. Ezadi dismisses as false:

  “I think Trump realized that this regime change scheme is not working. … He never gave any evidence for the numbers that he presented. The main reason he didn't go with this idea of attacking Iran again was because he realized that attacking Iran again would have this rally around the flag effect.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (27:52)

• Shifts in Iranian military posture after the June war:

  “The people who replaced [the assassinated Iranian military leaders] ... have realized ... that was the wrong policy ... the goal is to get at least 500 American soldiers [as casualties if Iran is attacked]." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (34:01)

• Iran signals recalibration: If attacked, will retaliate without prior restraint, possibly targeting US troops and regional oil infrastructure.

6. Fallout for the Region & Allies (38:51–41:53)

• US bases in Gulf states may put those countries at risk:

  "If Iran is attacked, ... US bases [will be hit] with the aim of getting 500 people. And ... infrastructure in the countries that have provided bases ... will be hit." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (39:09)

7. Iranian Diaspora, Left-Wing Opposition, and National Identity (41:53–54:31)

• Complex diaspora dynamics: Monarchist/royalist, leftist, nationalist, etc.
• For leftist/nationalist opposition, Dr. Ezadi urges not to align with external regime change:

  “They realize ... if this government falls, Iran is not going to be taken over by the leftists ... Pahlavi is going to come ... his job is to disintegrate Iran. ... So they sort of tolerate the government because they don’t like the alternative." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (44:35)

• US-backed activists and Western media presence seen as tools of external interference.

  “Masih Alinejad ... at the UN as the voice of Iranian civil society. … She’s an employee of the United States Information Agency at least." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (47:35)

• Trump’s pressure is inadvertently fostering national unity and anti-imperialist sentiment, especially among youth:

  “Trump, in reality, has been educating Iran, especially the younger Iranians, in a manner that the Iranian government couldn't do." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (49:59)

8. Internet Shutdown and Cybersecurity (54:31–57:28)

• Internet connectivity to the outside world severed as a defense against cyberattacks:

  "The reason the government cut that [international link] is to take that option of cyber attack off Trump’s table." – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (54:52)

• Internal (domestic) Internet functioning; international reactivation expected soon, once risks are assessed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s strategy:

  “He wants Iran’s oil the same way he wants oil in Venezuela. He wants to take over Greenland.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (10:14)

• On the Western media narrative:

  “The frame that the corporate media wants to create, that if you demonstrate in Iran, you get shot, is 100% inaccurate.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (22:12)

• On national resilience:

  “In 1953, Iran was a victim of an American British coup. In 2026, Iran was a victim of an American Israeli regime change operation. In 1953, they were successful. This time they have not been successful.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (31:14)

• On the future:

  “I’m actually very optimistic about the future... Trump and Netanyahu are not going to be successful ... Iranians of different backgrounds [will] make sure that the country stays unified.” – Dr. Fouad Ezadi (52:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–05:01: Host introduction, setting context, recent Trump/Iran rhetoric.
• 05:03–14:04: Dr. Ezadi on protest origins, escalation, Mossad/US involvement.
• 14:04–26:40: Death tolls, state response, Pahlavi’s influence, media narratives.
• 26:40–38:51: US/Israel decapitation strategy, Iran’s military recalibration, regional implications.
• 38:51–41:53: Potential consequences for neighboring states.
• 41:53–54:31: Iranian diaspora, opposition complexities, impact on national unity.
• 54:31–57:28: Internet shutdown, cyber defense, return to normalcy.

Conclusion

This episode provides an incisive look at the multidimensional crisis facing Iran, challenging media narratives and articulating Iranian anxieties regarding foreign intervention, covert operations, and the long-term consequences of regime change. Dr. Fouad Ezadi advocates for Iranian agency and warns of the dangers of external manipulation, while also acknowledging the complexities and internal diversity within Iran. The discussion ends on a cautiously optimistic note regarding Iran’s future resilience and sovereignty.