Terry Gross

So it really doesn't pose a threat right now, and they have no missiles that can reach the U.S.

So am I summing that up accurately?

But we're not talking about those missiles.

Trump is talking about nuclear.

While we're talking about nuclear weapons, in one article you asked, like, is the era of nuclear weapons treaties over?

Because one with Russia just expired.

Can you talk a little bit about where Russia and China are in terms of nuclear weapons?

Let's take a short break here.

If you're just joining us, my guest is New York Times White House and national security correspondent David Sanger.

Our interview was recorded yesterday.

We'll be right back.

I'm Terry Gross, and this is Fresh Air.

So if we do attack Iran because the Trump administration is not satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, there are several ways that this could go.

One is limited bomb strikes against key places, and another is go for the regime change.

In terms of regime change, I mean, what I've been reading—and you might have been the one who wrote this—

is that the Ayatollah Khamenei has a succession plan in place and plans on becoming a martyr.

So, you know, it's not like you could assassinate him and, you know, it's not going to change anything.

And there's probably a pretty long succession line there.

I don't know how relevant it is, but the same general who is running the violent crackdown against the protesters, he's the same person who'd be running the war if there is one.

Do you think that the military leaders, including Dan Cain, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are concerned about Trump being commander-in-chief at a very volatile, dangerous time like this?