Podcast Summary:

Redacted News – US Imposes DEVASTATING Naval Blockade on Iran, Threatening Global Oil Supplies & World War
Hosts: Clayton & Natali Morris | Guests: Jeremy Scahill, Murtaza Hussein | Date: April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the dramatic escalation of US-Iran tensions following the failed Islamabad ceasefire talks, focusing on President Trump’s newly imposed US naval blockade on Iran, the global impact on oil markets, the risk of wider war, and the multipolar fallout involving Turkey, Russia, China, Europe, and the Vatican. In-depth analysis is provided by investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill and national security reporter Murtaza Hussein, with the hosts highlighting the media, political, and historic ramifications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Naval Blockade & Collapse of Ceasefire Talks

[00:30-02:46]

• US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad fail, as anticipated by many in Washington and Tel Aviv.
• President Trump orders naval blockade: US Navy now intercepts any vessel bound for Iranian ports; ships to non-Iranian ports may still pass, but traffic has nearly stalled.
• Immediate economic shock: ~2 million barrels/day of Iranian oil could be blocked, with oil prices spiking above $100/barrel.
• Neocon escalation: Nikki Haley “praised” the blockade and preps the public for the possibility of ground troops in Iran.
  • Clayton: “Nikki Haley popped up... Whenever neocons like Nikki Haley pop up…she predicted the US will probably need to send ground troops into Iran.” [01:32-01:55]
• Potential retaliation: Iran threatens to close Red Sea routes with Houthi help; global tanker traffic is rerouting or reversing.

2. Reality Behind US/Iran Negotiations & Power Dynamic

Guest: Jeremy Scahill
[02:46–07:08]

• Scahill disputes US narrative:

  "I'm one of the handful of reporters...speaking regularly to Iranian officials. What they have said is that...it was in fact special envoy Steve Witkoff that was asking the Iranians to come to the table...the United States that has been asking us for a deal." [03:20-04:14]

• US painted as desperate, not Iran:
  • Trump “painted himself into a corner,” stuck in a quagmire—ceasefire gave Iran greater leverage.
• US delegation’s lack of "intellectual heft" compared to Iran’s PhDs and diplomatic skill; Iran winning by "not losing," holding the cards for ceasefire or escalation.
• Blockade irony: US claims it’s to “open” the Strait, but actually risks wider global economic crisis.

3. Iran’s Public Relations and Media Trolling

[07:08–10:02]

• Iran’s online presence lampoons Trump, using Western-style trolling and effective PR.
  • Natalie: “I think it's instigating with our president who is used to being the master troller…that as sad as it is, is an element of risk for the whole world."
• Iranian official social media outmaneuvers Trump, using old memes (e.g., “covfefe”) and sharp, meme-driven criticism.
  • Jeremy: “The Iranian intellectual heft at those meetings just dwarfs what the United States sent…if you look at the Twitter game…it's pretty ferocious…” [07:41-09:00]

4. Neocon Capture of US Foreign Policy

[10:02–13:41]

• Shift from Trump’s first to second administration:

  Jeremy: “The Netanyahu wing of the Trump movement has completely seized control of American foreign policy.” [10:29-11:00]

• Bipartisanship:

  “There is a bipartisan consensus…Hillary Clinton…said if elected president, she was going to bomb Iran. The Democrats also wanted this…Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries…wanted this war.”

• Conclusion: Iran war is a convergence of the “Israel-first” Trump faction and American political elites' long-standing goals.

5. The Multipolar Response: China, Turkey, Russia

China’s Role
[13:41–17:15]

• China refuses to recognize US restrictions on Strait of Hormuz.
• China quietly mediating; unlikely to pressure Iran despite US hopes. Iran feels secure, refuses to capitulate to US demands.
  • Jeremy: “China does not portray Iran as the aggressor…China is highly dependent upon the transit…through the Strait of Hormuz.” [14:02-15:00]

Turkey & Russia’s Positions
[17:15–19:43]

• Turkey signals it will view attacks on Iran or Lebanon as direct threats.
• Netanyahu’s strategy may ultimately include plans against Turkey, despite NATO complications.
  • Jeremy: “Netanyahu views Turkey as a potential target down the line...Turkey is a member of NATO...I think Netanyahu does view Erdogan and Turkey as a threat.” [17:43-19:10]

6. What Happens Next?

[19:33–21:19]

• Scahill: The “pause” was possibly to let Israel and US replenish arms/interceptor stocks; with supplies secure, fighting likely to resume soon.

  “I think they [Iranians] are desperately flooding Israel now with more interceptors and it's quite possible that the war will resume.” [19:43-20:30]

• Unless there's a diplomatic miracle, expect escalation and Iranian retaliation.

7. European and Australian Pushback; NATO Splinters

Guest: Murtaza Hussein
[25:31–32:27]

• Europe/Australia refuse to join US blockade:
  • Clayton: “Keir Starmer says the UK will not join Trump’s blockade…Australia saying sorry, we're not down for that…” [26:53-27:06]
• Hussein: US prioritizes Israel over allies, possibly breaking NATO:

  “The way this entire war has been prosecuted has been almost calculated to blow up America’s existing defense relationships and alliances.” [27:29-28:00]

• Europe’s energy crisis and failed Russia containment strategy fuels anger at US policy.
• Political cover gone: US fighting Iran alone, without NATO alliance optics.

8. Russia vs. Israel: A New Front

[32:04-34:10]

• Israel strikes Iran’s Caspian seaport, a key Russian hub, prompting Putin’s warning of “severe consequences.”
  • “Russia currently a country that has more nukes than anyone else in the world, including the United States.” [25:31-26:00]
• Israel moves closer to overt Ukraine support, sharpening globally aligned conflict lines and risking anti-American Eurasian bloc formation.

9. Israel’s Global Isolation & Shifting EU Bloc

[34:10-39:48]

• Hungary’s Orban voted out; new leader aligns more with EU consensus, removing Israel’s last internal EU defender.
• Growing worldwide pro-Palestinian sentiment, mounting potential for EU sanctions, especially as impacts spread in Asia and beyond.
  • “Support for Israel is kind of whittled down to a segment of the Republican Party.” – Murtaza Hussein [35:25-35:35]
• Criticism of Israel framed by some as anti-Semitism, but guests/hosts argue this is losing persuasive power as evidence of war crimes and economic hardship grows globally.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeremy Scahill:
  • “Donald Trump right now says that he’s blockading the Strait of Hormuz to try to achieve an opening of the Strait of Hormuz…Donald Trump, I think for anyone paying attention, has egg on his face. He's been utterly humiliated by the Iranians.” [05:53-07:08]
• Natali:
  • “The matter [Trump] gets, the worse it gets for all of us.” [07:08-07:27]
• Clayton:
  • “You don't do that if you believe that a ceasefire is imminent.” [22:03-22:06]
• Murtaza Hussein:
  • “The war has actually changed everything…now it seems that the stresses have become so great that…these countries are already trying to plan for a post-American future outside of NATO.” [28:24-29:44]
  • “This is another step towards isolation of Israel…with the loss of some of its last defenders.” [36:52-39:00]

Additional Deep-Dive Segment: The Vatican, Power, and the Iran War

[40:06–60:00]

• Overview: The hosts discuss US political pressure on the Vatican amidst the war, highlight President Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, and recount the mysterious death of Pope John Paul I (“the Smiling Pope”) in 1978—a cautionary tale about challenging institutional power, corruption, and so-called “globalists.”
• Parallel to today: The episode’s narrative suggests that any institution—be it the Vatican or political figures—opposing war and elite interests is swiftly undermined or removed.
• Key assertion:

  “When institutions speak against war, expansion, coercion of conscience, they become inconvenient to power. And when they become inconvenient, they are challenged, undermined, and reframed.” – Natali [59:32-59:44]

Important Timestamps

• 00:30-02:46 Blockade announcement, oil crisis, political fallout
• 03:20-05:53 Jeremy Scahill: US desperation in negotiations
• 07:08-10:02 Iran’s media campaign, trolling Trump
• 10:02-13:41 Neocon/Netanyahu influence on US foreign policy
• 13:41-17:15 China’s response and involvement
• 17:15-19:43 Turkey and Russia’s threats and implications
• 25:31-32:27 Murtaza Hussein: European/Australian/NATO dissent
• 32:04-34:10 Russia-Israel conflict escalation
• 34:10-39:48 Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation
• 40:06-60:00 Vatican “deep state” segment: Pope John Paul I’s death, power, and anti-war stance

Tone & Style Notes

• Critical, urgent, and skeptical: The hosts and guests maintain a challenging tone, particularly toward mainstream US political and media narratives.
• Conversational but heavily analytical: The breakdown remains accessible but rich in historical and political context; humor and irony are used, especially with references to memes and historic scandals.

Conclusion

This episode of Redacted delivers a sobering analysis of a world on the brink: US-led escalation against Iran is fracturing alliances, shocking energy markets, and risking wider conflict. The detailed discussion with two leading journalists underscores both the intractability of the situation and the rising power of alternative narratives, suggesting that the global order is shifting beneath our feet. In parallel, the Vatican story serves as a reminder: any institution challenging entrenched power—whether on matters of war or peace—becomes a target.