The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 1 - Weekend at Ayatollah’s
Date: March 16, 2026
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Hour 1 of today’s episode is dominated by discussion of the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, particularly focused on military actions around the Strait of Hormuz, the regional and global political fallout, the status of Iran’s leadership, and the effects on oil markets. The hosts also tackle related U.S. political reactions, media narratives, intelligence rumors about Iran’s supreme leader successor Mojtaba Khamenei, and inject their trademark humor along the way.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Military and Political Situation: Iran Conflict

• Strait of Hormuz and Carg Island Attacks

  • U.S. has carried out precise strikes on Iranian military targets, including Carg Island, but left oil infrastructure largely intact—for now.
  • The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping chokepoint, is under threat due to ongoing kinetic activity (01:00).
  • Oil markets are jittery, with prices expected to spike as shipping slows:

    “Nobody wants to be the first oil tanker to get blown to smithereens by Iranian missiles, drones. They have a whole bunch of stuff.” — Clay Travis (00:54)

  • The narrowness of the Strait (just three miles wide at points) makes it militarily vulnerable.

• Trump Administration’s Strategy and Communications

  • President Trump and his team have been frank about the goals: degrade Iran’s military, force international partners (especially in Europe and the Gulf) to contribute, and avoid open-ended occupation or "regime change" rhetoric (02:57).
  • Summing up the mission so far:

    “We are seeing a 95% reduction in Iran’s drone attacks and a 90% reduction in their missile attacks. …they don’t have many missiles left at this point. And so essentially they are wiped out.” — Clay Travis (22:59)

  • Trump highlights “mission accomplished” themes and encourages other oil-dependent countries to step up to ensure free shipping through the Strait (10:32–14:57).

Notable Segment: Trump Live Statement

President Trump speaks directly about destroyed Iranian targets and the global oil implications while calling on allies to support the mission.

• Timestamps: 10:32 – 14:57

Iran’s Leadership Crisis & Intelligence Rumors

• Mojtaba Khamenei “Disappearance” and Claims
  • Much was made of the lack of public proof or appearances by Mojtaba Khamenei, presumed successor to the Supreme Leader:

    “There are now stories coming out that nobody has any idea where Mojtaba Khamenei is. He may be gay.” — Clay Travis (07:12)

  • Hosts riff on intelligence rumors about Mojtaba’s sexuality and personal life, tying it to political instability and potential propaganda by Western intelligence (07:34–08:38).
  • They note this could be significant in Iran’s religiously conservative context.

    “I would imagine most Iranians who are religious do not want a gay ayatollah… Doesn't seem to me like Iran is a very progressive country when it comes to gay rights.” — Buck Sexton (07:46)

• Broader Implications
  • No signs of grassroots regime change or opposition movements inside Iran despite leadership ambiguity (09:45, 25:34).
  • U.S. intelligence resources likely focused on determining Mojtaba’s status, but outcomes for Iran and the world still uncertain:

    “Even if he’s... dead. Okay, so what? Right. The next step is still is not clear.” — Clay Travis (25:34)

Notable Segment: Rumors and Riffs on Mojtaba

Humorous and critical speculation about Mojtaba’s fate and its relevance to the power struggle in Iran.

• Timestamps: 07:12 – 09:59, 22:59 – 25:34

U.S. and Global Reactions

• Allies' Reluctance and Regional Dynamics

  • European partners hesitant to get involved; Germany with statements like “this is not our war.” Trump pushing hard for NATO and regional allies to take greater responsibility (02:57–03:40).
  • Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE reportedly encourage tougher U.S. action against Iran (28:03).

• Senator John Fetterman on “Weekend at Ayatollah’s”

  • Fetterman expresses agreement with Trump’s approach and urges the West to demand proof of life from Iran:

    “Iran has essentially been defeated. …I think the Iranians are doing kind of like a ‘weekend at ayatollahs’ and they're trying to pretend this guy is functional or even alive at this point.” — Sen. John Fetterman (22:11)

  • Hosts highlight Fetterman’s cross-party popularity and invite him on the show.

Economic and Energy Fallout

• Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Price Spikes
  • Temporary oil market disruptions are acknowledged, but the Secretary is confident supply and prices will stabilize post-conflict:

    “Prices today are still far below what they were in the Biden administration... at least this increase in gasoline prices is for something that's going to change the geopolitical situation in the world for forever.” — Energy Secretary Chris Wright (20:15)

• Global Oil Supplies
  • Trump: U.S. is less dependent on Strait of Hormuz oil; calls for Japan, China, Europe, and South Korea to help secure shipping (14:57).

Long-Term Implications and Uncertainties

• No Push for Regime Change
  • The hosts stress that the aim is to degrade Iran’s military, not install new leadership—a point echoed by Trump and Fetterman.

    “We’re taking away all the Ayatollah’s toys, blowing up all their stuff… This is a war.” — Clay Travis (25:34)

• Middle Eastern Shifts
  • With Iran’s influence diminished, hosts predict new opportunities for Arab-Israeli cooperation, especially potential Saudi signing of the Abraham Accords (28:03).
• Iran’s Internal Malaise
  • Discussion of how Iran has fallen behind regional peers economically and socially, leading to increased internal discontent (30:52–33:28).

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On the Stakes for Iran’s Leadership:

  “Now they've been overwhelmingly surpassed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and the UAE, certainly Israel. And if you're a proud, educated member of Iran's, you know, middle class… don't you have to look around and ask what you've gotten for the last 47 years?” — Clay Travis (28:03)

• Humor on the Gay Ayatollah Rumors:

  “There could be some upside here… The decor of the Tehran palace, probably going to get a whole lot nicer.” — Clay Travis (08:13-08:27)
  “Music probably going to improve. Just gonna say.” — Buck Sexton (08:32) “How are you not calling it the gay Atolla? It's right on a silver platter for you.” — Caller Justin from New Jersey (37:06)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------------------------------|------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction and Iran strike overview | Clay Travis | | 02:57 | Caroline Levitt (White House) on allies and NATO | Caroline Levitt | | 04:06 | Boots on the ground, Iranian retaliation speculation | Clay & Buck | | 07:12 | Mojtaba Khamenei rumors and Ayatollah’s fate | Clay & Buck | | 10:32-14:57 | President Trump’s live statement | Donald Trump | | 20:15 | Energy Secretary Chris Wright on oil disruption | Chris Wright | | 22:11 | Sen. Fetterman: “Weekend at Ayatollahs” | Sen. Fetterman | | 28:03 | Iran’s declining influence, regional politics | Clay & Buck | | 30:52 | Iran’s future, regime change analysis | Clay & Buck | | 37:06 | Listener call: “Gay Atolla” joke | Caller Justin |

Conclusion

This episode delivers a thorough, candid analysis of the fast-moving Iran conflict, with the hosts emphasizing the U.S. strategy under Trump to severely cripple Iran's military and pressure international partners without conducting traditional regime change. The leadership vacuum in Iran—fueled by rumors around Mojtaba Khamenei—is a subtext throughout, with the show's humor surfacing in light-hearted speculation about Iran’s future. Oil price spikes, global alliances, and the limits of U.S. goals dominate the substantive conversation, while playful jabs and pop culture references (including a brief Oscars mention and “Weekend at Ayatollah’s”) add entertainment value.

For listeners wanting a clear-eyed take on the Iran crisis and U.S. policy, this episode is incisive, occasionally irreverent, and packed with the hosts’ sharp analysis and signature wit.