The Democrats’ Platner Problem & The Tech CEO Who Smuggled for Iran | 6.9.26

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Morning Wire 16 min 6 speakers 8 chapters transcribed 3 months ago
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What are the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict?

Georgia Howe 0:04
President Trump fights to maintain the fragile ceasefire after a massive flare-up in the Middle East.
Behnam Ben Taleblu 0:09
It's hard to think of any Israeli prime minister that would take a missile barrage from the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and do nothing in response.
Georgia Howe 0:18
I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley. It's Tuesday, June 9th, and this is Morning Wire.
Georgia Howe 0:32
Are Democrats willing to overlook a Nazi tattoo and now allegations of sexual misconduct to win a key Senate race?
Batia Ungar Sargon 0:39
Anti-Zionism has become the most important plank in the progressive platform.
Georgia Howe 0:45
It is now the cause du jour on the left. And the FBI uncovers a pipeline moving American tech into the hands of the Iranian regime. We talked to a reporter who was on the ground for the pre-dawn raid.
Ben Chapman 0:57
This guy was living in a $35 million Italianate estate.
Georgia Howe 1:02
It was quite a dramatic scene. Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned, we have the news you need to know.
John Bickley 1:11
For 250 years, America has been a bastion of freedom. And as we look ahead to the next 250, we're reminded that freedom is ours to defend. Today, Alliance Defending Freedom stands in courtrooms across the country to protect those freedoms we cherish. Life, free speech, religious freedom, parental rights. These freedoms are at the core of who we are as a nation, and they must be preserved. ADF is approaching a critical fiscal year-end fundraising deadline. Your support today helps ADF defend these freedoms so they may endure for many years to come. Every dollar you give will be doubled thanks to a special matching grant while funds last. Visit joinadf.com slash wire or text wire to 83848 to give today.
John Bickley 1:44
That's joinadf.com slash wire or text wire, W-I-R-E to 83848.
Georgia Howe 1:52
With Iran and Israel exchanging missile strikes, President Trump is calling on both sides to stand down. Joining us now is Benham Ben-Taliblu, Senior Director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He specializes in Iranian security, sanctions, and nuclear policy, and has spent years analyzing the regime's strategy, both at home and abroad. Benham, thanks for coming on.
Behnam Ben Taleblu 2:14
Great to be with you. Thanks for having me.
Georgia Howe 2:16
So tell us, where do things stand currently between Israel, Iran, and the Trump administration?
Behnam Ben Taleblu 2:22
Well, it's something of a hot potato dance. The Trump administration has kind of entered the Middle East, restraining both adversary and ally, calling for a return to ceasefire. The Islamic Republic, meanwhile, has been looking to use escalation, being against America's partners in the Persian Gulf. or more recently Israel, in a way to restrain the Trump administration. And the challenge here is how best the Trump administration can one, stand with its partners like Israel, two, deter the regime from continuing to engage in these attacks while allegedly there is a ceasefire, and three, be able to actually get what it wants, which is some sort of a larger diplomatic settlement that first and foremost opens up the Strait of Hormuz.
Behnam Ben Taleblu 3:04
And the real X factor here to know if Iran was successful in flipping the script on the Trump administration is if the thing that brought the regime to use force, the Israeli response of fire against Hezbollah, continues in the same way or not. So after the 24 hours and more of missile exchanges in the Middle East, don't look for diplomacy as the telltale sign that things have been successful. Look for a more freer hand or a more restrained hand to know if things are looking up or down in the region by Israel.
Georgia Howe 3:39
What kind of messaging have we heard from the White House?
Behnam Ben Taleblu 3:42
Well, the White House is still walking this fine line, this tight rope, talking about a ceasefire, de-escalation, and de-confliction. And the challenge here really is, this is an administration that has pioneered maximum pressure. This is an administration that has really created a very successful maritime blockade against the Islamic Republic's ports. And so while the Trump administration has been talking about keeping the blockade, the rest of their rhetoric and even some of their actions point to

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