Post Reports: Netanyahu’s Long Game in Iran – Detailed Summary
Episode Release Date: June 24, 2025
Hosts: Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi
Guest: Jerry Shi, Jerusalem Bureau Chief for The Washington Post
Introduction
In the June 24, 2025 episode of Post Reports, hosted by Elahe Izadi and featuring Jerusalem Bureau Chief Jerry Shi, the discussion centers on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategic maneuvers against Iran amidst the unfolding Israel-Iran conflict. The episode delves into the recent ceasefire declarations, the breakdown of peace efforts, and the broader geopolitical implications of Netanyahu's actions.
Ceasefire Breakdown and Current Conflict Status
Elahe Izadi begins by recapping President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on social media, stating, "within a day, the war will be considered ended" (00:01). However, the ceasefire quickly unraveled as both nations accused each other of violations and continued aggression. By June 24th, the conflict had resulted in over 600 Iranian deaths according to Iran's Health Ministry, with human rights groups estimating the toll closer to 1,000. In Israel, 28 lives were lost as per local officials.
The fragile ceasefire remains tenuous, with mutual claims of victory and ongoing military actions. The episode underscores the rapidly evolving situation, emphasizing the uncertainties surrounding the conflict's trajectory.
Netanyahu’s Calculus and Political Strategies
The focus shifts to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his strategic decisions that led to the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. Jerry Shi explores Netanyahu's motivations, highlighting his longstanding perception of Iran as an existential threat to Israel. Gloria (Jerry Shi) notes, "Netanyahu launched attacks that have decimated Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and nuclear sites, significantly boosting his political standing" (05:43).
Netanyahu's actions have garnered substantial support within Israeli society, positioning him as the guardian against Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions. His ability to rally the nation and secure backing from the United States has been pivotal in his rise amid the conflict.
Historical Stance and US Relations
Netanyahu’s antagonistic stance toward Iran has been consistent over the past two decades. He has persistently warned of Iran's imminent threat, stating on various platforms that "Iran is on the verge of a bomb within months" (06:02). His relationship with successive U.S. administrations has been complex:
- Obama Administration: Negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, which Netanyahu vehemently opposed.
- Trump Administration: Israel supported Trump’s decision to withdraw from the deal, believing it would curb Iran’s nuclear advancements. However, the subsequent absence of the deal enabled Iran to accelerate its nuclear program (07:18).
With the current U.S. administration reengaging with Iran to negotiate a new deal, Netanyahu has expressed frustrations, fearing any concessions would embolden Iran and threaten Israel's security.
Impact of October 7, 2023 Attacks and Domestic Pressures
The October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages, intensified the conflict. This attack led to a protracted war in Gaza, with over 55,000 Palestinian casualties. Gloria explains, "The prolonged Gaza war has created deep fissures within Israeli society, pressuring Netanyahu to seek alternative strategies to maintain his political standing" (12:30).
Netanyahu faced significant domestic backlash, with factions advocating for different approaches:
- Some urged him to continue military operations until Hamas's complete defeat.
- Others pressured for humanitarian concessions to end hostilities and secure the release of remaining hostages.
Military Strategy and Regional Power Dynamics
Netanyahu's strategic offensive against Iran is part of a broader plan to reshape Middle Eastern power dynamics. Gloria outlines Israel's military campaigns:
- Hezbollah: Decimated by Mossad's operations and targeted airstrikes, crippling Iran's proxy in Lebanon.
- Syria: Israel took advantage of Bashar al-Assad's downfall to facilitate airstrikes against Iranian assets.
- Yemen: Conducted attacks to practice long-distance airstrikes, ensuring preparedness for operations against Iran.
These actions have established Israel as a dominant military force in the region, enhancing its ability to project power and challenge Iranian influence directly.
Intelligence and Justification for Strikes
A critical point of contention is the justification for the strikes on Iran. Gloria discusses the intelligence assessments: "While Iran has amassed a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the imperative to strike was based on intelligence indicating an imminent threat of nuclear weaponization" (22:10). However, ongoing debates question the immediacy of this threat, suggesting that the strikes may have been as much politically motivated as they were based on tangible intelligence.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
Netanyahu's aggressive stance has yielded substantial political gains. Public displays of patriotism and military success have bolstered his popularity, despite underlying societal divisions. Gloria remarks, "Netanyahu is capitalizing on a wave of euphoria from military victories, strengthening his political position even as his actions contribute to regional instability" (23:33).
Conversely, the United States is experiencing internal divisions over the war's direction, potentially weakening Trump's political influence. This dynamic raises questions about the sustainability of the Israel-U.S. alliance and Netanyahu's future maneuvers in leveraging this relationship for strategic advantage.
Conclusion
Netanyahu's strategic offensive against Iran exemplifies his long-term vision to neutralize perceived existential threats to Israel. While his actions have temporarily solidified his political standing and showcased Israel's military prowess, they also contribute to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The episode concludes by highlighting the precarious balance Netanyahu maintains between military strategy and domestic political pressures, leaving the future of Israeli-Iranian relations uncertain.
Notable Quotes:
- "We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the fuck they're doing. Do you understand that?" – Unknown Speaker (00:44)
- "Netanyahu is writing on it." – Gloria (05:43)
- "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple. We don't have to go too deep into it. They just can't have a nuclear weapon." – Unknown Speaker (10:06)
- "These days, everything's getting more expensive. Groceries, gas, prescriptions..." – Advertisement Segment (15:04) [Note: Skipped as per instructions]
Production Credits:
- Produced by Renny Stranovsky
- Assisted by Arjun Singh
- Mixed by Sam Baer
- Edited by Lucy Perkins
- Additional Thanks to Allen Cypress
Additional Content:
The episode also includes advertisements and promotions for services like GoodRx, Gab’s Tech in Steps, and Square’s payment solutions. However, these segments were excluded from the summary as per the content guidelines.