In this episode of The Silk and Steel Podcast, host Carl Zha is joined by Arnaud Bertrand (French entrepreneur and geopolitical analyst) to dissect the astonishing developments in the Iran war – where Iran is not just winning tactically, but strategically reshaping the entire Middle East.
The headlines are staggering:
• Iran said weeks in advance: "If you hit our nuclear site at Natanz, we will hit your nuclear site at Dimona." Israel hit Natanz. Iran hit Dimona – twice.
• Iran has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a tollbooth – and countries are paying
• Trump is now begging China for help – and getting ignored
• The US just attempted a secret special forces raid to capture Iran's nuclear material – and it appears to have been a major disaster
• The official story of a "heroic rescue" of a downed pilot is falling apart – hundreds of troops, multiple transport planes, and $300 million in equipment lost
We break down:
• Why this war is America's Suez Crisis – the moment the empire lost control
• How Iran's tollbooth system will permanently change the security architecture of the Middle East
• The failed special forces raid – and why the official story makes no sense
• Why even the former CIA director says he trusts Iran more than the Trump administration
• The USS Ford "laundry room fire" – Trump himself blew the cover story
• How Europe is fracturing from the US – and why French kids now hate America
• Why Atlanticism is dead – and what comes next for Europe
Plus: The BBC's insane propaganda (then quietly deleted), why the Iranians are winning the social media war, and the one thing that could force Trump to back down.
Arnaud Bertrand is a French entrepreneur and geopolitical analyst. Follow him on Twitter and Substack under his name.

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00:00 - Introduction: "This is the first multipolar war"02:30 - Iran's strategic victory: From "losing tactically" to winning everywhere05:00 - Iran hit Dimona – twice – after warning Israel not to hit Natanz08:00 - The Strait of Hormuz tollbooth: Iran is now charging for passage11:00 - Countries are paying – including France (officially, maybe not, but...)14:00 - Trump's desperation: "Open the frickin' street" and begging China for help17:00 - The Suez Crisis parallel: America's imperial humiliation20:00 - Iran's 10-point plan: Permanent control of Hormuz23:00 - The failed special forces raid: What really happened?27:00 - Why the "heroic rescue" story makes no sense (hundreds of troops, multiple planes)31:00 - Trump confirms hundreds of special forces were involved – for one pilot?34:00 - The USS Ford "laundry room fire" – Trump blew CENTCOM's cover37:00 - Former CIA director: "I trust Iran more than the Trump administration"40:00 - Europe's fracture: Why French kids now hate America44:00 - The BBC's insane propaganda (quietly deleted)47:00 - Atlanticism is dead – but what comes next for Europe?51:00 - The "gray rhino": Europe needs a new ideology – and it could go either way55:00 - Can Europe play a constructive role? (The Suez role reversal)58:00 - Closing thoughts and where to find Arnaud