Ben Debates Top Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss on Iran War
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What negotiations are currently happening with Iran?
Are negotiations happening with Iran? Are they not happening with Iran? It seems like every 24 to 48 hours, we're getting different messaging, contradictions. On the one hand, you'll have a post like this, March 22nd, 2026, from Donald Trump's social media account. If Iran doesn't fully open without threat, the straight of her moves within 48 hours from this exact point in time, The United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plans, starting with the biggest one first. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 24 hours later, right before the markets open, in all caps, you get the following message. I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had over the last two days very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week.
I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants.
How does Trump's messaging contradict regarding Iran?
It should also be noted that back in June of 2025, Donald Trump had stated that Iran's nuclear facilities had been totally obliterated and any suggestion otherwise would be completely fake news. Iran responded by saying this was Donald Trump trying to engage in market manipulation. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says there are no negotiations. The fact that they are now talking about negotiations in the first place is an admission of defeat. Didn't they say unconditional surrender? So why are they now mobilizing their highest officials to negotiate with us at all? For countries we have identified as friends, we will allow them to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.
But there is no reason to allow our enemies to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The enemy must learn a lesson. never dare attack again and the damages to the iranian people must be fully compensated international guarantees are not 100 guarantees the intrinsic guarantee we have created ourselves means no one dares go to war with the iranian people anymore so far no negotiations have taken place And a ceasefire without guarantees is a vicious cycle that repeats the war. Many foreign ministers in the region have contacted Tehran, and Iran's stance has been principled and firm. This war clarified many facts. If the US has bases in your Arab nation countries, it only makes you a target. Meanwhile, you have Donald Trump saying that the war has essentially been won.
Here's a statement that Donald Trump made March 24th, 2026. He says, it's over. We've won it. It's ours. Here, play this clip.
What insights does Chris Voss provide about negotiation tactics?
Well, I think we're going to end it. I can't tell you for sure. You know, I don't like to say this. We've won this. This war has been won. The only one that likes to keep it going is the fake news. I mean, the New York Times, you read the New York Times, it's like we're not winning a war where they have no Navy and they have no Air Force and they have no nothing. And we literally have planes flying over Tehran.
Then you have Donald Trump saying the following on Iran. This was from a cabinet meeting that was on Thursday. They are saying to the people, he's saying the Iranians are saying this is a disaster. That's why they're talking to us. They're facing disaster. Let's play it.
The Iranian regime is now admitting to itself that they have been decisively defeated. They're saying to people. This is a disaster. They know. That's why they're talking to us. They wouldn't talk otherwise.
How does the media influence perceptions of negotiations?
But they're talking to us because they've got a disaster on their hands. They're defeated.
I want to bring on a guy by the name of Chris Voss. Chris Voss writes one of the, or has written one of the preeminent books on negotiation that's out there. Never split the difference. Negotiating as if your life dependent on it. And Chris, as we have thousands of Marine Expeditionary Units now heading to the Strait of Hormuz, as there are talks about a ground invasion potentially of Karg Island, the 86th Airborne Division being sent in,
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What negotiations are currently happening with Iran?
0:00–1:14
2
How does Trump's messaging contradict regarding Iran?
1:14–3:05
3
What insights does Chris Voss provide about negotiation tactics?
3:05–3:59
4
How does the media influence perceptions of negotiations?
3:59–7:30
5
What are the core values that drive negotiation outcomes?
7:30–10:09
6
How does autonomy impact decision-making in negotiations?
10:09–13:06
7
What parallels can be drawn between hostage negotiations and international diplomacy?
13:06–15:18
8
What are the implications of collaboration versus confrontation in negotiations?
15:18–24:40