Reveal: “Iran, the US, and the Making of a New Middle East”
Date: March 3, 2026
Host: Al Letson
Guest: Davar Ardalan (Journalist, Author, Director at BAI Group)
Episode Overview
This episode of Reveal examines the abrupt escalation in conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran following a deadly joint military strike that killed key Iranian leaders—including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—and prompted Iranian retaliation across the Persian Gulf. Host Al Letson interviews Davar Ardalan, an Iranian-American journalist and author, to unpack the historical roots of the crisis, the complex hopes and fears among Iranians both at home and in the diaspora, and what a peaceful future could look like for Iran and the region.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Immediate Repercussions of the US-Israeli Attack
- [00:22] The military strike killed several top Iranian officials, sparking regional violence.
- Iran retaliated by attacking US embassies and Gulf State targets, leading to American casualties.
- The Trump administration is sending additional troops and jets, with the conflict’s endgame unclear.
Memorable Quote
“There’s 90 million people in Iran with different reactions. Some are grieving... Others are hopeful... And then of course, there’s always fear, because war doesn’t really care who you voted for. It brings bombs... The Internet is dark. It’s impossible to know what’s going on.”
— Davar Ardalan [02:33]
2. Decades of Instability: How Did We Get Here?
- [04:22] Ardalan provides historical context:
- British and Western influence over Iran since the 1800s, primarily for resources like oil.
- 1953 CIA coup removing democratically elected Mossadegh, wounding Iranian trust in the West.
- Cycles of revolution, war, and sanctions have shaped modern Iran.
Notable Insight
“Iran has been an exercise of revolution, war, and then of course, later sanctions... a lot of that has to do with Western influence, whether it was the British or later the United States.”
— Davar Ardalan [04:22]
3. Iranian Sentiment on the Ground
- [02:33] Communications are fragmented; many rely on WhatsApp groups for news.
- Day-to-day life is unstable—families searching for basic staples, uncertainty reigns.
- Iranians are divided: some see a chance for change, others are fearful of foreign intervention.
4. Division Over the US Role and President Trump
- [07:51] Some Iranians view Trump as a “savior” for regime change; others condemn the attack as illegal.
- Diaspora largely split: many support intervention for modernization, others warn of outside interference.
Notable Quote
“We have to call it like it is. There are many Iranians in the diaspora who are looking at this moment as a moment that could bring more modernization and more change to Iran. While at the same breath I want to say that there’s also many who believe that it’s all illegal.”
— Davar Ardalan [09:45]
5. The Legacy and Future Role of Reza Pahlavi
- [11:00] Reza Pahlavi (the late Shah’s son) is seen as a transitional, symbolic figure, especially among some inside Iran chanting his name.
- His mother, Farah Pahlavi, remains widely beloved for her role in advancing Iranian culture and the arts.
- Real power must emerge from within the country; change externally imposed is viewed with skepticism.
6. Iranian Retaliation and Regional Calculus
- [12:39] Iran’s attacks on Gulf States and US interests serve as a show of defiance, seeking to signal strength and warn neighbors about siding with the West.
- Difficult to predict the future; regional players may pressure for conflict resolution as the Midwest feels the strain.
7. War’s Psychological and Social Impact
- [13:27] Both sides—regime loyalists and proponents of change—show willingness for prolonged struggle.
- Key concern: How long can the broader region withstand the devastation of war?
8. Personal Recollections: Childhood in Pre- and Post-Revolutionary Iran
- [15:26] Ardalan’s magical childhood in Iran: Girl Scouts, travels, Persian culture, architecture.
- Revolution abruptly upended life—protests, school closures, fear, execution of friends’ family members.
Memorable Moment
“You woke up and you were in a revolution, because as a teenager, you really aren’t political... Imagine that you had already lived in that magical time before the revolution ... and then waking up and seeing revolution in front of you.”
— Davar Ardalan [17:42]
9. Negotiating Identity: East and West, Tradition and Autonomy
- [18:49] Raised in both Iran and the US, Ardalan describes living a "split screen" life—destiny versus self-determination.
- Family legacy of reform: Her great-grandfather transformed the judicial system; her grandmother pioneered rural health care.
10. Prospects for a Better Iran
- [22:39] The optimal outcome:
- Accountable institutions, respect for Iran’s history, rights for women, minimal bloodshed, and transition rooted in Iranian—not Western—solutions.
Notable Quote
“The best outcome is for an Iran that is accountable for institutions and Iran that is not chaotic... an Iran that respects women and that women aren’t the ones that bear the brunt of political confrontation... a transition with minimal bloodshed... that even if the diaspora is going to help it modernize, that it would be within the context of an Iranian solution and not necessarily something that imposed from the West.”
— Davar Ardalan [22:39]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Immediate aftermath, escalation: [00:22]–[03:46]
- Historical roots of instability: [04:22]–[05:23]
- Iranian reactions and division: [05:23]–[09:45]
- Perspectives on Trump & regime change: [07:51]–[09:45]
- Reza Pahlavi’s potential role: [11:00]–[12:20]
- Regional ramifications, retaliation: [12:39]–[13:23]
- Societal impacts and endurance: [13:27]–[14:38]
- Personal reflections on revolution: [15:26]–[18:27]
- Women’s roles and identity: [18:49]–[22:30]
- Hopes for Iran’s future: [22:39]
Notable Quotes
- “War doesn’t really care who you voted for. It brings bombs.” — Davar Ardalan [02:33]
- “Iran has been an exercise of revolution, war, and then of course, later sanctions... a lot of that has to do with Western influence.” — Davar Ardalan [04:22]
- “As a teenager, you really aren’t political... and then waking up and seeing revolution in front of you.” — Davar Ardalan [17:42]
- “There are many Iranians in the diaspora who are looking at this moment as a moment that could bring more modernization and more change to Iran. While at the same breath I want to say that there’s also many who believe that it’s all illegal.” — Davar Ardalan [09:45]
- “...the best outcome is for an Iran that is accountable for institutions and Iran that is not chaotic... transition with minimal bloodshed... within the context of an Iranian solution.” — Davar Ardalan [22:39]
Final Thoughts
The episode provides a nuanced, deeply personal, and historically informed exploration of Iran’s current crisis, the role of foreign powers, the divided hopes among Iranians, and the urgent question of how real, accountable change might emerge. Through Davar Ardalan’s insights, listeners glimpse the enduring complexities and stakes for Iran, the region, and all those touched by its ongoing turmoil.