Iran’s unofficial spokesman Dr. Mohammad Marandi was again in dialogue with the Schiller Institute’s Harley Schlanger, on Al Mayadeen-tv’s 50 minute Saturday evening wrap-up of coverage of the war. The major topic was the decision by Iran to re-close the Strait of Hormuz, following Israel’s repeated violations of the demand for an end to attacks on Lebanon in the MoU. Marandi said Iran had no option but to close the Strait to oil traffic: given their assessment that Trump’s support for the MoU was based on his reaction to the global effects of the depletion of oil reserves. This is the most efficient way to exploit the vulnerability, to force Trump’s hand to stop Israel’s genocidal attacks on Lebanon. He added that Iran is prepared to strike Israel if the attacks on Lebanon continue.
Schlanger reiterated that Trump’s turn-around on the war was due to a recognition of the fragility of the world economy, and growing anger in the American population to the inflation triggered by the shutdown, and the overall decline of the economy..
Schlanger emphasized the moment as an “historic turning point,” as the empire’s alleged military superiority and economic blackmail failed to trigger regime change in Iran, and instead exposed the ongoing collapse of the imperial model. Marandi agreed emphatically with that and said that understanding the historic nature of the change underlies Iran’s strategy. The host asked both if they believed Trump would stand up to Netanyahu. Schlanger said that Netanyahu is a sociopath, backed by support from the Greater Israel faction in Israel and the U.S., and will lie about supporting the MoU even as he sends waves of IDF fighters and bombers into Lebanon. Marandi agreed, and said that is why Iran reacted swiftly to close the Strait and is preparing a response to Zionist aggression.
This section concluded with Schlanger saying the Institute is engaged in an international campaign to organize a new strategic and development architecture, while exposing the suicidal nature of the Zionist Lobby in the United States. Marandi backed that up by saying that Israel has lost any credibility they had, and the attempt to isolate Iran has failed.
