Interviews 02
Interviews 02
February 17, 2026

Mohammad Marandi: Iran JUST Closed the Strait of Hormuz - Wiped Out: Iran Plans to Sink the US Navy

Quick Read

Iran conducted live-fire military maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling an 'all-out war' doctrine against the US and its regional allies, predicting global economic devastation and the collapse of US influence if conflict erupts.
Iran's military doctrine has shifted to offensive, aiming for swift, comprehensive destruction of US interests and regional collaborators.
The Persian Gulf's extreme vulnerability to Iran's vast missile and drone arsenal guarantees global economic devastation in a conflict.
Negotiations are a blame game; Iran will not yield on its nuclear program, missiles, or regional alliances, viewing the US as controlled by an 'Epstein class' serving Israeli interests.

Summary

Mohammad Marandi discusses Iran's recent military maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz, framing them as a clear message of intent to engage in an 'all-out war' if provoked by the United States. He details Iran's extensive missile and drone capabilities, emphasizing the extreme vulnerability of oil and gas installations, shipping, and US bases across the Persian Gulf. Marandi asserts that regional Arab dictatorships hosting US forces are complicit and will face severe consequences, predicting their collapse. He contrasts a 'united' Iran with a 'fragmented' and 'unpopular' US, controlled by an 'Epstein class' driven by Israeli interests. Marandi highlights Iran's upgraded military technology, including anti-drone capabilities and cruise missiles, acquired through cooperation with Russia and China. He states that ongoing negotiations with the US are primarily for international blame assignment, as Iran will not concede on its nuclear program, missile capabilities, or regional alliances. The core conflict, he argues, is about Palestine, with European nations deemed irrelevant and destined for greater misery in any conflict.
This episode provides a direct, unvarnished look into a specific Iranian geopolitical perspective, offering insights into how Iran views its military capabilities, regional allies, and potential adversaries. Understanding this perspective is critical for assessing the risks of escalation in the Persian Gulf, particularly concerning global energy markets and international trade routes. The discussion underscores the potential for a catastrophic global economic crisis if a conflict erupts, driven by Iran's stated intent to target all US interests and collaborators, and highlights the deep ideological underpinnings of Iran's resistance doctrine.

Takeaways

  • Iran's partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills is a direct message of intent to use advanced weaponry against US assets and allies.
  • Iran possesses enormous, dispersed firepower, including surface-to-sea missiles, short/medium-range missiles, and hundreds of thousands of drones, making the Persian Gulf highly vulnerable.
  • Gulf Arab states hosting US bases are considered complicit and will face consequences, with their regimes predicted to fall in a conflict.
  • The US is portrayed as divided and unpopular, while Iran is united, with mass public rallies demonstrating national resolve.
  • Iran's military doctrine has shifted from defensive to offensive, aiming for an 'all-out war' that strikes all US interests and collaborators swiftly.
  • Iran has significantly upgraded its military capabilities, including anti-drone technology and cruise missiles, through cooperation with Russia and China.
  • Negotiations with the US are seen as a means to expose US aggression and assign blame for any future catastrophe, with no concessions on Iran's red lines (nuclear program, missiles, regional alliances).
  • The core conflict is framed as being about Palestine and Iran's support for liberation movements, with other issues serving as pretexts.
  • European nations are considered weak, irrelevant, and destined for greater suffering if a war between Iran and the US erupts.
  • The 'Epstein class' is depicted as controlling US politics and media, driving war for Israeli interests, but their power is seen as crumbling.

Insights

1Iran's Offensive Military Doctrine and Regional Vulnerability

Iran's military doctrine has shifted from defensive to offensive, meaning any conflict will be an 'all-out war' with immediate, devastating strikes. The Persian Gulf region, rich in oil and gas infrastructure, ports, and shipping lanes, is described as extremely vulnerable to Iran's vast arsenal of surface-to-sea, short-range, medium-range, and cruise missiles, as well as hundreds of thousands of drones. This vulnerability is intended to deter aggression by threatening global economic collapse.

Marandi states, 'Iran's doctrine has shifted completely from defensive to offensive. So Iran when it when war starts, it is going all out. it will destroy everything and swiftly.' He details the region's 'enormous' vulnerability due to 'oil and gas installations, oil and gas wells... refineries... ports for exporting oil and gas... ships, tankers coming and going.'

2Complicity and Collapse of Gulf Arab Regimes

Arab dictatorships in the Persian Gulf that host US military bases are considered complicit in any US aggression against Iran. Marandi asserts they cannot claim neutrality and will 'pay a price,' predicting their regimes will not last due to their unpopularity and reliance on foreign workers. He suggests their leaders would flee, leaving their countries vulnerable.

Marandi states, 'all of the Arab family dictatorships in the Persian Gulf which are... despotic regimes... host US bases... They cannot pretend that they're neutral. They will be complicit in a war of aggression.' He adds, 'these regimes... will not last. Bahrain will not last. None of them will last. They're unpopular.'

3US Internal Divisions vs. Iranian Unity

The US is portrayed as politically fragmented and its leadership (the 'Epstein class') as unpopular, lacking public support for war. Conversely, Iran is depicted as united, with millions participating in recent rallies, demonstrating strong national cohesion against external threats. This contrast is presented as a significant strategic advantage for Iran.

Marandi notes, 'the United States is divided and the American people don't want war... On the Iranian side, we've seen two massive shows or two massive gatherings of people in Iran across the country... millions came to the streets.'

4Negotiations as a Blame-Assignment Strategy

Iran's engagement in negotiations with the US, mediated by Oman, is not aimed at making concessions on its 'red lines' (nuclear program, missile capabilities, regional alliances). Instead, the primary objective is to demonstrate Iran's reasonableness to the international community, ensuring that if a conflict occurs, the blame for the 'catastrophe' falls squarely on the United States and its 'Epstein class' proponents of war.

Marandi explains, 'The Iranians want the international community to know that when if and when this catastrophe happens, you know who to blame.' He emphasizes Iran's refusal to 'give any concessions on missiles or their alliances or they're not and they're not going to give up their right to enrich uranium.'

5The 'Epstein Class' and Israeli Influence on US Policy

US foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran, is attributed to an 'Epstein class' of elites who are 'Israeli firsters' and prioritize Israel's interests over those of the United States or the global economy. This class is seen as controlling both political parties and mainstream media, orchestrating propaganda to demonize Iran and justify war, but their power is perceived to be crumbling due to public dissent.

Marandi states, 'Washington is controlled by the Epstein class. This is the Epstein regime. And the people around Trump and and the Senate and the House, they are Israeli firsters. They don't care about the United States or about the global economy... They care about Israel.' He later adds, 'the Epstein class is in big trouble.'

Bottom Line

Iran's military preparedness includes advanced anti-drone capabilities and imported helicopters from Russia, alongside its own upgraded missile technology, indicating a focus on countering modern aerial threats.

So What?

This suggests Iran has learned from recent conflicts and is actively developing asymmetric warfare capabilities to counter superior US air power, potentially increasing the cost and risk for any US military intervention.

Impact

For defense analysts, this highlights the evolving landscape of drone warfare and counter-drone technologies, suggesting a market for advanced, integrated air defense systems tailored to regional threats.

The Taliban in Afghanistan, despite past ideological differences, are 'tilting towards Iran' due to Iran's perceived sincerity on the Palestinian cause, challenging traditional sectarian narratives.

So What?

This indicates a potential realignment of regional alliances based on shared anti-Western sentiment and support for specific causes, rather than historical or sectarian divides, strengthening the 'Axis of Resistance.'

Impact

Geopolitical strategists should monitor how such realignments could impact regional stability and the effectiveness of traditional diplomatic blocs, potentially opening new avenues for influence or conflict.

European countries are considered by Iran to be 'irrelevant' and 'without status' in negotiations, having 'burnt all their bridges' with major powers and facing 'greater misery' and de-industrialization.

So What?

This reflects a significant decline in European diplomatic and economic leverage from Iran's perspective, suggesting that European efforts to mediate or influence regional conflicts will be largely disregarded.

Impact

This perspective could inform policy adjustments for non-European powers seeking to engage with Iran, emphasizing direct bilateral relations over multilateral European-led initiatives, and highlights the diminishing returns of aligning solely with US foreign policy.

Lessons

  • Recognize that Iran's stated military doctrine has shifted to an offensive posture, implying immediate and widespread retaliation in the event of conflict, rather than a measured defensive response.
  • Understand that Iran views Gulf Arab states hosting US bases as direct collaborators, making them potential primary targets in any escalation, which could destabilize the entire region.
  • Factor in Iran's perception of US internal divisions and the 'Epstein class' influence as key drivers of US policy, which Iran believes makes the US vulnerable and its leadership illegitimate.
  • Consider that Iran's engagement in negotiations is primarily a strategic move to assign blame internationally, rather than a willingness to compromise on core national security interests like its missile program or regional alliances.
  • Prepare for potential severe global economic disruption, particularly in energy and trade, if conflict erupts in the Persian Gulf, as Iran explicitly threatens to halt oil flows and destroy infrastructure.

Notable Moments

Iran partially closed the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire military maneuvers, using weapons intended for use against the US and its regional allies.

This action serves as a direct, tangible demonstration of Iran's military capabilities and its willingness to disrupt critical global shipping lanes, signaling a clear escalation of its deterrent posture.

Marandi claims the US 'Epstein class' controls Washington, prioritizing Israeli interests over American ones, and that this class is now 'in big trouble' due to public dissent.

This frames US foreign policy as driven by a corrupt, external influence, providing an ideological justification for Iran's resistance and suggesting that internal US weaknesses could be exploited.

The speaker contrasts millions attending Iranian rallies with perceived US disunity, stating, 'while the West is... the United States is fragmented, Iran is united.'

This highlights Iran's perceived internal strength and popular support for its government, which is presented as a crucial advantage over a divided and unpopular adversary.

Quotes

"

"The global economy will be devastated and the price of energy will go through the roof."

Mohammad Marandi
"

"Washington is controlled by the Epstein class. This is the Epstein regime. And the people around Trump and and the Senate and the House, they are Israeli firsters. They don't care about the United States or about the global economy or European economies. They care about Israel."

Mohammad Marandi
"

"Iran's doctrine has shifted completely from defensive to offensive. So Iran when it when war starts, it is going all out. it will destroy everything and swiftly."

Mohammad Marandi
"

"The United States is far more vulnerable than Iran and the US being divided and on the decline and despised across the world... The advantage is lies with Iran."

Mohammad Marandi
"

"It's always been about Palestine. It's never been about the nuclear program. It's never been about uh I don't know terrorism or human rights. I mean, come on. The Epste the Epstein class and human rights. Uh you know, it's a joke."

Mohammad Marandi

Q&A

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