Is economic pressure enough to break Iran's nuclear ambitions—or can the regime simply wait out the U.S.?

As U.S. strikes against Iranian targets continue and tensions escalate across critical global shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, the conflict entered a pivotal phase this past week.

Recently on the FOX News Rundown, host Dave Anthony sat down with Brian Hook, former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor during the first Trump administration, to break down the complex geopolitical conflict.

They examine the economic bottleneck of the crisis and explain why Iran is leveraging asymmetric terrorism to target energy facilities and drive up global oil and gas prices.

Hook provided inside context on "Pickaxe Mountain"—detailing what lies more than 350 feet beneath the ground at Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear facility and whether U.S. bunker-busters can neutralize it.

He also shared what he says is the truth behind Iran’s negotiating tactics, their history of violating MOUs, and why Tehran believes its non-democratic regime can outlast American presidential election cycles.

We often have to cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full interview.

Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we will share our entire interview with former U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook.

Listen daily for full analysis, expert interviews, and breaking geopolitical coverage on The FOX News Rundown.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices