Professor Marandi Discusses War from Inside Tehran

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast – Professor Marandi Discusses War from Inside Tehran

Date: August 13, 2026
Host(s): Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Professor Mohammad Marandi (University of Tehran)

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Episode Overview

This episode examines the ongoing US–Iran conflict from the perspective of both American and Iranian societies, with a particular focus on the public humiliation campaign against Donald Trump and on-the-ground realities inside Iran. The Meiselas brothers host Dr. Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran and member of Iran’s negotiation teams, offering critical insight into Iranian public sentiment, government strategy, the status of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and recent negotiations involving Oman.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran Mocking Donald Trump Online

• [00:00–04:30] The show opens by highlighting how Iranian embassies worldwide are trolling Donald Trump and the United States online, reposting memes and stories that lampoon Trump’s purported fear and his alleged methods of escape during Iran-related crises.
  • Embassies have mocked Trump using images and viral posts—e.g., Trump “hiding in a catering truck” to escape a threat, calling him the “biggest loser,” and comparing him to Jimmy Carter.
  • Iranian officials gleefully comment on US gas prices and the “commander in sleep” meme targeting Trump’s public gaffes.
  • Discussion of US claims versus Iran’s portrayal—contrast between official US lines and the relentless Iranian social media campaign.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Once you have obliterated your enemy, show strength by hiding in the food you have.” (Iranian meme reposted by the hosts) [01:20]
  • “Every day, dude puts us through a humiliation ritual. Just fricking stop, man. Just go away.” – Co-host [03:56]

2. US Military Morale, Coverage of War, and Media Satire

• [04:30–07:36] The hosts discuss declining morale within US forces and the domestic political circus, referencing reports that sailors on US supercarriers are demoralized. They lampoon statements by US political figures who minimize or misrepresent the severity of current events (e.g., commentary from Pete Hegseth, Mike Huckabee).
  • Jokes and media criticism: Pete Hegseth and Mike Huckabee’s commentary are played and critiqued for their tangential and often unserious takes (e.g., linking “dudes in dresses” and “diversity” to military problems).
  • Pointed criticism of Trump and his administration’s actions and narratives about the Strait of Hormuz.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “No one’s calling it the wall of steel. No one knows what the hell you’re talking about.” – Co-host [03:54]

3. Introducing Professor Marandi: An Internal Iranian Perspective

• [08:09] Professor Mohammad Marandi is introduced as the guest, bringing insight into both government circles and Iranian public opinion.

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4. Changing Iranian Sentiment & Public Opinion Under Siege

• [09:23–12:59] Professor Marandi reports a profound shift in Iranian society toward stronger anti-US sentiment and increased domestic unity.
  • Trump’s betrayal at negotiation tables and subsequent military actions have hardened attitudes.
  • Even liberal/Western-oriented segments now back the government's defiance; initial support for nuclear weapons has shifted from a minority to a robust majority public opinion in favor of nuclearization.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Trump single handedly has convinced many Iranians that Iran should develop a nuclear weapon...despite the fact that the government...are still saying we shouldn’t pursue nuclear weapons, at least for now.” – Prof. Marandi [12:59]

5. Perceptions of Trump and US Leadership in Iran

• [12:59–15:44] The hosts and Professor Marandi discuss rumors of Iranian psychological profiling of Trump and the impact of his public statements in Iran.
  • Trump’s threats and pronouncements are no longer taken seriously in Iranian media or by the Iranian public; he’s become a background noise rather than a central figure.
• Notable Quote:
  • “He’s said so many things, so many different times...his statements are not really relevant anymore.” – Prof. Marandi [14:39]

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6. Foreign Relations & Iran’s Growing Regional Status

• [15:44–18:51] Significant change in the tone and respect granted to Iranian officials by global powers, especially China and Russia, since the recent wars.
  • Iran’s resilience has elevated its status internationally compared to the skepticism at the start of conflict.
  • Europeans, though still aligned with the US, are treating Iranian diplomats with more respect and less arrogance.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Leaders across the world have been treating Iranian officials with much respect...Iran’s status has grown immensely.” – Prof. Marandi [16:34]

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7. Life Inside Tehran: Sanctions, Resilience, & Public Mood

• [18:51–25:08] Contrary to US and Trump’s depiction, day-to-day life in Tehran remains outwardly normal and vibrant despite business challenges.
  • Restaurants and shops are full; visible damage from the war is largely cleared in the capital.
  • The public mood is one of resilience and steadfastness, with overwhelming skepticism about any dealings with the US. Millions participated in public mourning and protests, unified in hostility towards the US government (not its people).
• Notable Quote:
  • “Tehran is a very large city...a beautiful city. Foreigners...are very impressed by how clean it is.” – Prof. Marandi [20:37]

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8. Future Prospects: Negotiations, Compliance, and Skepticism

• [25:08–31:26] The hosts probe for paths forward—compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), or “wait it out” until Trump leaves office.
  • Prof. Marandi is deeply skeptical of renewed negotiations. He explains that Trump has violated every aspect of the MoU, eroding all trust; thus, only concrete action—not signatures or pronouncements—could restore dialogue.
  • Iran will not open the Strait of Hormuz nor make new deals until actual compliance occurs from the US side.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The only thing left really is actions...Trump’s signature means nothing.” – Prof. Marandi [29:53]

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9. Iran’s Willingness to Wait Out US Siege

• [31:26–33:45] Trump claims Iran “cannot wait” out the US pressure; Marandi insists Iranians will persevere, referencing Trump’s previous capitulations and the negative impact on the US economy.
  • The US public, Marandi suggests, has limited appetite to endure the costs of a war imposed by outside lobbies.
• Notable Quote:
  • “It is going to hit Trump hard. It’s going to hit the global economy...But the Iranians know that they have to persevere. They have no options.” – Prof. Marandi [32:54]

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10. Iran-Oman Agreement & The Strait of Hormuz

• [33:45–36:51] Discussion of the deal between Iran and Oman for monitoring and levying fees on ships passing through the Strait—kept quiet due to the ongoing siege but essentially agreed.
  • US attempts to interfere failed; Iran and Oman asserted their territorial rights.
• Notable Quote:
  • “There is an agreement...The Iranians will have oversight both over ships coming into the Persian Gulf and ships leaving...and there will be a fee.” – Prof. Marandi [34:17]

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11. Distinguishing Between US Government and People

• [37:39–39:51] Critical clarification: Iranians make a strong distinction between their opposition to US government policy and American individuals.
  • Americans visiting Iran are reportedly treated very respectfully, even during periods of protest, and slogans like “Death to America” are directed at the empire, not citizens.
• Notable Quote:
  • “When the Iranians do chant slogans like Death to America, it’s not to be taken literally...It’s just like when people say Yankee, go home.” – Prof. Marandi [39:29]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Trump single handedly has convinced many Iranians that Iran should develop a nuclear weapon.” (Marandi – [12:59])
• “He’s said so many things...his statements are not really relevant anymore.” (Marandi – [14:39])
• “Leaders...have been treating Iranian officials with much respect.” (Marandi – [16:34])
• “Trump’s signature means nothing.” (Marandi – [29:53])
• “When the Iranians do chant slogans like Death to America, it’s not to be taken literally.” (Marandi – [39:29])
• “Every day, dude puts us through a humiliation ritual. Just fricking stop, man.” (Co-host – [03:56])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00]–[04:30] – Iranian embassies’ meme war on Trump
• [04:30]–[07:36] – Satire and critique of US official/media narratives
• [08:09]–[09:23] – Introduction of Professor Marandi and opening questions
• [09:23]–[12:59] – Iranian public opinion shifts
• [12:59]–[15:44] – Psychological profiling and Trump’s fading relevance
• [15:44]–[18:51] – Foreign relations and Iran’s diplomatic stature
• [18:51]–[25:08] – On-the-ground life in Tehran, unity, and resilience
• [25:08]–[31:26] – Skepticism about negotiations and necessity for US action
• [31:26]–[33:45] – Can Iran “wait Trump out”? Economic and political calculus
• [33:45]–[36:51] – Oman agreement and Strait of Hormuz management
• [37:39]–[39:51] – Distinction between US government and people

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Conclusion

This episode provides a rare, nuanced look from inside Tehran as Iran’s government and people navigate the tail end of a grueling war and a bruising information campaign. Professor Marandi’s contributions highlight the depth of distrust toward the US government, the unifying effect of American hostility on Iranian society, and the new geopolitical realities post-conflict. Key takeaways include the symbolic shift in Iranian public opinion (especially regarding nuclear weapons), the reality behind memes and international antics, the limited space for negotiation in the absence of concrete US action, and an emphatic distinction between political animosity and views toward regular Americans.

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Transcript

[Host]

Donald Trump is panicking as Iran is putting the screws in and publicly taunting him. They're posting images and memes like this on their social media accounts from their various embassies. Brave American hero or a coward hiding in a catering truck. They also posted the one they claimed was hiding in a bunker was martyred in his office. Yet the one who boasted about his massive warships and advanced B2 bombers ended up fleeing in a food truck. The Iranian embassy in Zimbabwe posted from I've got a great idea to what have I done? Then they repost the story of Trump hiding in a food container to leave Turkey aboard a military plane because of his fear of Iran. And it says Iran won the war. And the Iranian embassy mocks Donald Trump

[Co-host]

and says the strongest army in the history of humankind.

[Host]

So you know how Donald Trump said

[Co-host]

the whole world was laughing at us once?

[Host]

No. They're actually laughing at you, Donald. I saw this being reposted as well. Trump Zoo. Once you have obliterated your enemy, show strength by hiding in the food you have. Iran's embassy in Armenia reposting the Washington Post.

[Co-host]

Trump underwent an elaborate plan to hide his flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom last month using a catering food

[Host]

truck amid Iran threat.

[Co-host]

And it just keep getting worse from there.

[Host]

The Iranian embassies were posting Donald Trump's meme about Iran has no money.

[Co-host]

51 years of bad behavior.

[Host]

The Iranian embassy social media accounts posted.

[Co-host]

His attention to our economy while he is still the President of the United States is admirable to share this concern with him. We just want to mention that the average price of regular gasoline in the US is $4.01. By the way, that is the highest average for US gas prices in August in US history. In Iran, they're also posting commander in sleep dream about opening the strait. Perhaps in your dreams it would be open.

[Host]

And it's a video of Donald Trump falling asleep, as he basically does now every time he is in public, which again is further humiliating to us here in the United States and bringing us so much shame to.

[Co-host]

They're posting images like this, the biggest loser.

[Host]

And it's Donald Trump and Jimmy Carter knowing that Donald Trump is terrified that he will be a Jimmy Carter is what Donald Trump says. Well, Donald is way worse than that. Like, like, let's be very clear, it's way fricking worse than that. Uh, there was this post from an

[Co-host]

Iranian embassy in July 2026, the US Secret Service secretly moved Trump to a military plane in Ankara using a catering truck due to a security Threat the White House. Trump on the way back home.

[Host]

And it's Trump in a fatty food truck over there.

[Co-host]

And the more information that comes out,

[Host]

the more humiliating it is. The Daily Mail reported.

[Co-host]

Inside the catering truck sat Trump's most trusted inner circle.

[Host]

A source familiar with the matter told

[Co-host]

the Daily Mail that In particular the 35 year old Natalie Harp's selection to ride safely with Donald Trump was, quote, a no brainer. She was Donald Trump's first pick.

[Host]

Sources are telling the Daily Mail. And with all of this going on,

[Co-host]

Donald Trump is saying the USA has told us what he said yesterday, has total control over the straight of Hormuz. I think we will keep it. Our naval blockade is being called by everyone a wall of steel and there is nothing Iran can do about it.

[Host]

No one's calling it the wall of steel.

[Co-host]

No one knows what the hell you're talking about. And every day, dude puts us through a humiliation ritual. Just fricking stop, man. Just go away. Go with Natalie Harp to Epstein island or whatever you want to do. Go to the Albanian island with the, with Natalie Harp and Ivanka. They look alike. Go, go there. What the hell are you doing? Actually, don't. I like, I like the Albanian protesters. Don't go to the Albanian Flamingo Island. Go make your own island. I don't know, go, go somewhere else. The the Iranian port authority that had

[Host]

been working out with Oman.

[Co-host]

They go. Claims and repeated posts by U.S. officials that the Strait of Hor is no longer blocked do not change the reality. The Strait of Hormoons remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted. And over here you can see Iran's Persian Gulf strait authority is accurate. If you actually look at what's happening in the Strait of Hormuz and if you look at the flow of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, if you look at our strategic reserves, if you look at every indicia right now, Donald Trump has destroyed the US Military. Our munitions are done, our soldiers, our sailors, our marines on the US super carriers, the USS super carriers. Abraham Lincoln and George H.W. bush have the lowest morale in history. Six of them wanted to jump overboard and end their lives because recently, because of the torment they are going through. This is an utter horror show. And what's Marco Rubio talking about? Secretary of State? Well, he's going on Stephen Miller's wife's podcast complaining that if he were to go back on the keto diet, he may get us into more wars. Here, play this clip.

[Pete Hegseth]

I did at one time Maybe four or five years ago, I tried this thing called keto. You've heard of it?

[Mike Huckabee]

Yeah, keto.

[Pete Hegseth]

And you just eat all this protein. And so you go through this massive withdrawal from sugar and carbohydrates for the first 72 hours. It was a near psychotic event for me. It's true. Like, if I did this in this job, I would be Mr. President. We must bomb, you know, you know, Paraguay. And it's like, why? I don't know. I'm just really mad. I haven't had any sugar.

[Co-host]

And then you have war criminal Pete Hegseth saying, well, under Biden, he focused on gender issues and diversity and dudes and women's. I don't know what are you even talking about here? Play this clip.

[Pete Hegseth]

Because just 18 months ago, the previous

[Co-host]

US administration under Joe Biden, especially the

[Pete Hegseth]

previous administration here at Southern Command, stood in front of you promoting priorities like gender issues, women, peace and security, or climate change or diversity. Dudes in dresses. I've said this before, but the Department

[Co-host]

of War is done with that nonsense. And then to add to the humiliation ritual, you have Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, saying, we are bankrupting Iran. This is a victory. This is a sma. This is what we wanted. To lose control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea and to have to abandon all of our military bases and run out of interceptors and then have the so called Commander in Chief hiding in food trucks because he's scared of Iran. Victori, here, play this clip.

[Mike Huckabee]

So today, before I got here, I did something that I thought was very important. I checked President Trump's social media to make sure this was not my last speech in Israel. As you know, he typically fires people in the middle of the night by way of social media. So I wanted to make sure that there was a reason for me to come. I'm happy to report that. So far, so good.

[Co-host]

Now I want to get a perspective

[Host]

from inside Iran right now.

[Co-host]

I want to get a perspective from a professor at the University of Tehran, Professor Morandi. I just interviewed Professor Morandi in Tehran and I have questions for him. I want to ask him what's actually going on in Tehran right now. I want to ask him what his perspective is on Donald Trump continuing to claim Trump controls the Strait of Hormuz. I want to ask him about the potential deal between Iran and Oman.

[Host]

The US Isn't involved in this at all. And what's the status over there? Let's bring in Professor Morandi. Now I want to Bring in Professor Morandi, professor at the University of Tehran. He was actually with the negotiating team, working with the media over there in the Islamabad negotiations with the Iranian negotiating team. Want to speak to you about what's generally going on in Iran right now, the sentiments regarding where we are with these, whatever you want to call the situation, I know I want to call it a negotiation taking place. What's your view of just kind of the current status of where things are right now?

[Professor Morandi]

Well, the mood in general has been one of defiance and resistance. And it's quite amazing what Trump has succeeded in doing since the war began. Before the war began, a segment, a significant segment of Iranian society wanted some sort of solution with the United States. But since Trump betrayed Iran at the negotiating table. In other words, both last year and this year, before the 12 Day War and this war, Iran and the United States were negotiating and during those negotiations, the United States attacked Iran. That has led even those Iranians who are liberal, Western oriented, who are influenced by Western media or Western funded Persian language media, they have shifted a great deal and they've become much more skeptical of the United States and much more supportive of the stance of the, of the, of the state, of the government, of the Supreme National Security Council in dealing with the United States. That's something that I have also experienced personally. It's anecdotal, but some of my students who previously were very critical, if not hostile towards the Islamic Republic because they believed Islamic Republic was unwilling to deal with the United States and to deal, to do a deal with the United States. Their views changed dramatically. And so, and another thing is that although it's not really the number one topic nowadays, but before the 12 day war last year, I think roughly half the Iranian, half of the Iranian population believe that Iran should have nuclear weapons. But now even, and that's the state and government officials have always been saying that we do not need nuclear weapons. And they were always explaining why we do not need nuclear weapons. And yet now, according to the polls that I saw two, three months ago, a very strong majority believe that Iran should have nuclear weapons. So what Trump has done is that he's shifted Iranian public opinion toward, I think a small minority believe, a small major majority believe back then that we shouldn't have nuclear weapons. But now a strong majority believes that we do need nuclear weapons. So Trump single handedly has convinced many Iranians that Iran should develop a nuclear weapon. Despite the fact that the government, the leader, political parties for the most part are still saying we, we shouldn't pursue nuclear Weapons, at least for now.

[Host]

I had read that the Iranian government prepared a psychological profile on Donald Trump. They read the art of the deal in preparing for, again, these negotiations or whatever it is. And there was a psychological profile regarding Donald Trump's behavior, even if he's capable of doing a deal or not doing a deal, going back and forth, kind of having phantom discussions. One day we're speaking when they were not speaking and just saying all of these things over and over, over again. What do you know about that? Like when you see the posts, for example, that Trump was making earlier today. We own the straight of Hormuz. I control it. I'm going to be. I'm a pirate. The memes that he posts, obviously, y' all are watching that pretty and seeing the behavior. And so what's the general view? One is, was there that psychological profile created? What's the general view of that right now?

[Professor Morandi]

Yeah, I've read about it. I, I don't know the details and I don't know how true it is. I think it's, it's. I think it's probably true, but I, I don't know the details. What I can say is that in general, the interest in Trump has, and in his. And his statements and his posts have decreased a lot last year. I think he was taken more seriously at the beginning of this war, somewhat seriously, but I think by the first, after two, three, four weeks, I'm just guessing interest in general in his statements, his threats, his, his truth social posts declined. And now when he says something, it has literally no impact. No one bothers to talk about it, or it's not discussed on television or on any of these online programs in Iran or in these telegram channels. It's sometimes reflected. I mean, if he says something about Iran, you'll, you'll see it in, in the news or in the different channels that exist. But then it doesn't have the sort of impact on society that it had a year, a year and a half ago, or even four or five months ago. He said so many things, so many different times. He's made so many different threats. He's changed his mind so many times in such short periods of time that his statements are not really relevant anymore.

[Host]

Talk to us about Iran's engagement at the Foreign Ministry level and at other government levels with other countries at this point, both the countries that are the

[Co-host]

neighboring countries,

[Host]

China, Russia, others, even Europe. I saw that Foreign Minister Aragchi was speaking to his German counterpart the other day and before that, Italy. Are you seeing kind of A different type of engagement. And as Iran do you see being treated differently at that Foreign Ministry engagement level? I know there's a lot to unpack there, but I'm observing new security structures being created and Iran's involvement looking different than it was before the February, Trump Netanyahu attacks and invasion.

[Professor Morandi]

There has been enormous change after this war. In particular after the 12 day war, there was some change. But after this current war that's been going on for five and a half months or so, leaders across the world have been treating Iranian officials with much respect. And the Chinese leaders and the Russian leaders in particular have been saying that Iran's status in, in their eyes and the eyes of others have have grown enormously. And it's largely because of the fact that most people outside of Iran believe that Iran would not survive the war, let alone win the war. Although I personally and many people in Iran, we never had any doubt, not everyone, but many of us never had any doubt that Iran would overcome and that it would succeed. Although I'm pleasantly surprised that it did, even better than I expected. But anyway, outside of Iran, the general sentiment among friends of Iran, people who I was personally in contact with, let's say some people abroad during the war, they were very skeptical about Iran's future. But after the war, Iran's status has grown immensely. And even the Europeans, who unfortunately, due to centuries of empire, they would regularly speak with Iranian leaders and diplomats with a particular type of arrogance, they have great difficulty in doing that nowadays. Their behavior towards Iran, they're still in the American camp, the Europeans, unfortunately to their detriment. But the way in which they approach Iran and the Iranians has definitely changed.

[Host]

I remember back in late April, Donald Trump was saying that based on the way the blockade was working, which we know it wasn't, but that the pipes were going to fill up and it was going to burst and there was three days and Iran was going to explode. And now he says we're semi negotiating and we're just going to low key it because if you read his posts and then our media here regurgitates it, you know, there's that, he says, you know, Iran and Tehran, they're broke, they can't afford anything. You know, it's all being destroyed and the blockade's working perfectly. Can you tell, we have lots of international viewers what, what's actually happening, you know, in Tehran and across Iran, what's the condition like and what's a day in the life like? And you know, we don't really get to see cameras of what's going on. And he posts that. What's, what's really happening over there.

[Professor Morandi]

Well, life in Tehran is quite ordinary. It's. If you travel to Iran tonight and it's 1am here, but if you travel to Iran tomorrow and walked around the streets or took a bus or a taxi or traveled around using the metro, it would be very normal. And you would, you would probably not see any damaged buildings because it's a huge city. And, and also some of the, the damaged buildings have all been brought down and they're rebuilding them. But, but still, you wouldn't probably see any damage. If you walk down the streets, the restaurants are full, the shops are full of customers. But I'm sure that if you went and asked the shop owners or the restaurants, how is business doing? They would probably say that it's not doing all that well and that business is, is not great. I'm sure some of them are doing quite well, but I would imagine that the overall sentiment is not that great. You wouldn't notice if you just drove around town or walked down the streets. It's just like any other pretty wealthy city that exists in the world. Tehran is a, is a very large city. It's a beautiful city. Foreigners who come here, you are very impressed by how clean it is. They take out the trash every day. It's, it's very, it's a very developed city, comparatively speaking. It's not a Shanghai, but still, it's, it's pretty good. The mood in Iran right now is. I don't know if the word hawkish is appropriate, but people are resilient, they're steadfast, and they believe that Iran has to be firm. Not many people believe that negotiations are of any use right now. There is a segment of society that believes that, but in general, the skepticism towards the United States is enormous. So they support the armed forces and they support the strong position taken by the state because they don't see anyone in the United States as being a real negotiating partner. That's one of the attributes of Trump. One of the things that Trump has done is that he has united people in Iran in a way which I've never seen before, at least in, since I was a teenager. And, and we saw this in the funeral. How the animosity toward Trump and towards his regime and the, the US Government in general. When many millions of people participated in the funerals in, in Tehran. And for the first time, Western media had to acknowledge the sheer size of the funeral, whether in Tehran or the holy cities. Of Bom and Mashat. So you saw a huge, you saw really unprecedented crowds. Tens of millions of people participated in the funeral. When you combine the three cities and the hostility towards the US Government, I think was profound. People sought revenge in the funeral. So what Trump has done is amazing. And I think that he himself alone, and Netanyahu, of course, alongside him, they have made it much more difficult for the United States to get anywhere with Iran because the mood in Iran has shifted so much against the United States. So even during the negotiations, which I, as you pointed out, traveled with the negotiating team, during the negotiations, there was a lot of skepticism. And I would meet people on the streets, even though I was not a negotiator who would say that, why are you negotiating? What is there to negotiate about? They killed our kids, they killed our school children, they killed the leader. They, they're completely untrustworthy. They'll attack us again. And after the MoU was signed, and then Trump again began to undermine the MOU and ultimately restarted the war, this mood intensified again. I mean, perhaps it was sort of there was, there are more people who were beginning to say, well, maybe there's a solution out there. But after Trump effectively tore up the MOU because he violated all of the different articles From Article 1 onwards, the mood again, again hardened. And if, and of course, this is my anecdotal experience, but when I would, even though, again, I'm not a negotiator, but many people, since they saw me with the negotiating team, assumed that I was a part of the negotiations. Most people who would ask me or speak with me about negotiations, most of them were critical.

[Host]

So where do we go from here? Trump says, and I guess when you even start something now, right, And I reflect on this, Trump says, it's words, it's okay. What does that even mean? Trump says, but today it's low keying it, it's wait and see. The block I control, the Strait of Hormuz. I mean, we here in the United States have now seen our gas prices. I think it's the highest average ever in history. Right now, at this point in time, the Strategic Petroleum Reserves have hit a tank bottom. That's not a state secret. I mean, y' all follow this. I mean, know these issues. I saw one of the Iranian generals talking about, he said, you know, it's not even like they're even doing anything purporting in the American interest. They just go just looking when the stock market closes. And that's when, that's when they time these things it's like, you know, and I saw that come. So, one, maybe there's. You all know, that, you know, is

[Co-host]

there a path forward?

[Host]

Is there other. Is it basically the mou and it needs compliance with the mou. Where do we even go from here? Or is it really, at this point, just kind of wait it out and wait until 2029, until another person comes in, or where do you see it?

[Professor Morandi]

You know, in Iran, people know a lot more about the United States than the number of people who know anything about Iran in the United States. English is our second language. At school, many people are. Are fluent or at least partially fluent in English. A lot of people follow American politics. You have. Most academics at important universities are fluent in English, or at least they can read and write in English. So there is a strong understanding of Iran in general. I'm not saying the whole population follows American politics, but there's a. There's a substantial number of people who do. And I have. I have students whose English skills, at least when they speak, they're more fluent than I, than I am. So that I think that shows how, how things are here. And there are very few books in the United States that I would endorse about Iran that would give a clear understanding about the country. Because the problem in the United States is that if you want to get anywhere, you. You have to be hostile towards Iran. If you want to get a job at a good university, if you want to get a. A position at a think tank, you can't do it by saying Iran is a normal country which is legitimate and the state is legitimate, and it has popular support among the people, the state, and so on. You just, you, you, you. You might as well get a different job and go and work in the supermarket. So there, there's very little that people. Material in the United States that I think people can read very few books that would help them understand Iran. That, that is a big problem. And that I think is made worse by the fact that Trump has no real experts on Iran anywhere near him or in the national security establishment. And therefore, everything that he says and everything that he hears is based on inaccurate information or propaganda or material provided to him by the Zionist lobby. So I, I'm very skeptical about the possibility for any form of progress at the negotiating table. We already have a deal. We have an agreement, at least mou, which Trump himself signed, but he effectively violated all of the deal. He was supposed to release Iran's stolen funds. He refrained from doing that. He was supposed to force the Israeli regime to withdraw from Lebanon and stop the killing. He refrained from doing that. He was supposed to lift the sanctions on the Iranian oil exports. He remove them and then put them back in place within a few days. And the list goes on. I mean, every article in the MoU he undermined. And then in Article 5, where he was supposed to, where the Iranians were supposed to control the straight of hormones and normalize the trade and the passage of ships through the, through the strait, he went and set up his own corridor with the Saudis and the Emiratis and the Kuwaitis in violation of Article 5. And that ultimately led to him attacking Iran again because Iran blocked it. So after he signed MOU and then undermined it in Iran, no one believes that his signature is worth anything and that negotiating with the United States is worthwhile. So I think the only thing left really is actions. If the United States, for whatever reason, begins moving towards some sort of implementation of the MoU, even if it doesn't declare it, that would be what the Iranians are looking. The only thing that's important for Iran right now is implementation and for the United States to carry out its commitments because again, as I said earlier, Trump's signature means nothing. Do the Iranians believe that the United States is going to carry out its commitments? No, I think there's a lot of skepticism and there's a lot of talk right now that Iran will just have to wait till Trump's presidency is over. So this conflict could hypothetically go on for well over two more years.

[Host]

And when Donald Trump says that Iran would be incapable of waiting it out and that time is on the side of the United States, what's the general view there? Just when that, that is a talking point that happens here a lot, which is we just keep this blockade, we've got the two super carriers there, you keep the blockade and then that'll resolve it. Two years, as Trump says, that's the best strategy. Iran won't be able to last that long, or something like that. Before we go, what's kind of the view there when he says that?

[Professor Morandi]

I don't think, at least, I don't know of anyone who thinks that Trump knows what he's talking about. When the war began, Trump demanded unconditional surrender. By day 40, he accepted the Iranian 14 point plan as the framework for negotiations that was accepting defeat. Then he started the siege warfare, assuming that Iran would collapse, and he ultimately had to accept the mou. So it was the global economy and the US Economy that was being hit hard. That forced him to accept it. Remember, he spoke about Herbert Hoover, the Great Depression, and he didn't want to be a president like Hoover. So it was clear that the siege back then wasn't working. And then he restarted the war again. It failed, and now we're in siege warfare again. The Iranians are going to be patient. It will hurt, but the Iranians will be patient. And ultimately, the global economy is heading toward a cliff, and the Iranians recognize that. And it is going to hit Trump hard. It's going to hit the global economy and the American people hard, just as it's hitting us hard. But the Iranians know that they have to persevere. They have no options. But the ordinary Americans, they have no incentive to resist because it's not their war. They know that the Israeli regime, the Zionist lobby, imposed it upon them, and they're suffering because of war. That was completely unnecessary. So I think it's pretty clear that the Iranians will definitely outlast Trump and

[Host]

the Iran Oman negotiations as part of the Gulf Organization. I know those discussions are continuing. I know that, you know, it seemed like last week the United States tried to. Trump tried to be like, I'm involved in that. And, you know, I think Iraq was like, no, you're not involved. You're not. We're not talking to you about this. We're doing the deal with Oman. Any sense of where that's going? It seems, you know, they're working on a route, you're working on a route together. What's. Do you know the latest.

[Pete Hegseth]

There,

[Professor Morandi]

There is an agreement with Oman. They're, they're not declaring it because there's no reason to, since there's a. The United States has imposed a siege. The Iranians have no intention of opening the Strait of Hormos as a result. But there is an agreement, and the two sides have agreed. The Iranians will have oversight both over ships coming into the Persian Gulf and ships leaving the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormones, and there will be a fee. So they've agreed upon that. There are, of course, details as to how everything will be carried out. But I think what is important for Trump to know is that that has been agreed upon, and I'm sure he knows the details or he's been told the details. I doubt he cares to listen. And to whoever explained it to him, but I think they've explained to him that the Iranians will be taking peace and they will have oversight. The, the Americans push a, put a lot of pressure on Oman to prevent any fee from being a part of this agreement and to prevent Iran from having full oversight. But the Iranians told Oman on numerous occasions that, look, we want to do this with you. We want to do this together, because these are not international waters. This is the territorial water of Iran and Oman. It's not wide enough to be in international waters, but if you do not cooperate with us, we'll do it alone. And this is a security issue for us. War has been waged on our people, and we're not going to. We're not going to just leave the Strait of Hormuz like it was before. And so ultimately, the Americans backed off. And Oman, they agreed. The Iranians and the Omani government came to an agreement. But again, this hasn't been declared yet, although they've made positive noise about the negotiations. But it hasn't been declared because right now, whether there's an agreement or not, nothing changes as long as the United States is imposing a siege on the Iranian ports, and also as long as the United States refrains from implementing its commitments in the MOU that Trump signed.

[Host]

That's fascinating, because two weeks ago, Treasury Secretary Bessen said, we've got this deal. It's about to be announced. And then Trump kind of swooped in and wanted to kind of take credit for. For it, as though, look at the deal that I did between Oman and Tehran. So hearing you say, yeah, look, they did the deal, it's just, why would they announce it if the Strait of Hormuz is closed at this point? And it would basically, what Trump's going to take credit for doing a deal he didn't do while the strait remains closed. So, no, follow the commitments of the Memorandum of Understanding, and then we can implement the structure. Anything we miss that you think is not being kind of talked about, that you want, that you think there's disinformation or misinformation about that, you know, that that was on your mind.

[Professor Morandi]

Iranians make a clear distinction between the American people and the US Government, and they have no hostility towards Americans. I've had many American friends traveled to Iran on numerous occasions, and they would even come to Iran, like during a time when there are anti American protests and they participate in them and to see what's going on. And they were treated with great respect, always. So Iran's problem with the United States has to do with the political regime, the leadership of the country. And it's not just Trump. Trump is more crude and more dishonest and more hostile, openly hostile than previous presidents. But the United States has. The US government has always been very hostile towards Iran. And the Iranians have been a victim of US policy for many decades, since 1953, when the Americans have been carried out a coup against the country and overthrew the national government and impose a police state for two and a half decades. But despite all that, as I said, any American who travels to Iran would really, within a couple of days recognize that Iranians have no hostility towards ordinary Americans. And when the Iranians do chant slogans like Death to America, it's not to be taken literally. This is about the American empire. It has nothing to do with the country of the United States where ordinary people live and have jobs and, and so on. This is just like when people would say Yankee, go home. They wouldn't, it wouldn't be taken literally. It didn't mean that if there's an American in that country that they'd have within or a person with an American passport that they'd have to leave the country. It meant that the, the empire should leave that country alone. So these are not to be taken literally.

[Host]

Professor Morandi, thanks for joining us. Appreciate the perspective. Appreciate you sharing what's happening in Tehran.

[Professor Morandi]

Thank you very much for having me. It's always a pleasure.

[Host]

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[Co-host]

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[Host]

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