Is Iran Really a Threat to the United States? A Debate.

About this episode

<p>Will Trump’s Iran strikes make the country’s regime “see the light”? In this episode of “The Opinions,” the director of the editorial board David Leonhardt moderates a discussion between the Opinion columnist Bret Stephens, who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/opinion/us-military-strike-iran-trump.html" target="_blank">applauds</a> U.S. military action on Iran, and Rosemary Kelanic, a director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/opinion/trump-israel-iran-war-attacks-nuclear.html" target="_blank">warns</a> the United States against striking Iran.</p><p>Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.</p><p>This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. The rest of the show's production team includes Derek Arthur, Vishakha Darbha and Kristina Samulewski. Mixing by Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Sonia Herrero and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. The director of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>