"In the latest MBN Iran Briefing podcast, Andres Ilves speaks with Ilan Berman , longtime analyst of Iran, Russia, and Eurasian security. Their wide-ranging discussion covers Iran’s propaganda efforts and messaging in the West, how the regime controls the flow of information in and out of the country, and even draws some wisdom from boxer Mike Tyson,"
Jun 02, 2026•26 min•Ep. 14
In this edition of the MBN Iran Briefing podcast I’m joined by MBN Washington Bureau Chief Joe Kawly and Mohammed Soliman, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, as we look at the shifting geography of the Iran war, U.S. President Trump’s call to expand the Abraham Accords, and the roles of Pakistan and China in shaping what comes next.
May 28, 2026•43 min•Ep. 13
In the latest MBN Iran Briefing podcast, Andres Ilves speaks with MBN China Editor Min Mitchell and MBN Israel correspondent Yehya Kassem about Trump and Putin’s visits to Beijing, the Trump-Xi summit, and a groundbreaking story by our correspondent in Jerusalem — unpacking what these developments reveal about China’s position on the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of Chinese-Iranian relations.
May 21, 2026•29 min•Ep. 12
How are Iran and Lebanon’s Gen Z reacting to the war and the conditions they live in? To find out, check out the latest Iran Briefing podcast. In this edition I’m joined by MBN’s own Editor-in-Chief Leila Bazzi and by Holly Dagres, curator of the Iranist Substack and Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as we look at the human impact of the war on young Iranians and Lebanese.
May 18, 2026•31 min•Ep. 11
Why are there roadblocks in Iran manned by soldiers who don’t speak Persian? How is Lebanon’s Hezbollah planning to return to the 1980s? To find out, check out the latest Iran Briefing podcast. In this edition I’m joined by MBN’s own Rami Al Amine and renowned former BBC journalist Pooneh Ghoddoosi as we look at the latest from Lebanon and at how people in Iran are coping after two months of war and fragile ceasefire.
May 12, 2026•41 min•Ep. 10
Big stakes at next week’s U.S.-China summit. What’s the connection to the Iran war? How are the world’s superpowers gaining — and losing — from the conflict? Min Mitchell (China Editor) Andres Ilves (Iran Editor) Matthew Kaminski (MBN Editorial Chair)
May 04, 2026•30 min•Ep. 9
President Trump extended the ceasefire — without any new deadlines. The sons and daughters of Iran’s ruling elites find their high life in the West imperiled. Iran goes on meme offense, waging the information war in the region and beyond. Andres Ilves (Iran Editor) Roya Hakakian (Senior Correspondent) Matthew Kaminski (MBN Editorial Chair) 3 Men Who Run Iran — MBN Iran Briefing https://alhurra.com/en/18993...
Apr 24, 2026•37 min•Ep. 8
The MBN Iran Podcast reckons with diplomacy—and reality. Starting with Lebanon. For the first time in 30 years, Lebanese and Israeli officials sat in the same room. The meeting in Washington this week was the first step toward what would be a historic breakthrough. But there is a different story on the ground — where, even with the ceasefire in Iran, fighting continues, and people are being displaced. Leila, Matt and Andres explore this gap. The stakes are even higher in the U.S. military and en...
Apr 16, 2026•31 min•Ep. 7
With an internet blackout in Tehran and a "virtual" Supreme Leader, the world is flying blind. Join MBN’s leadership team— Leila Bazzi , Matt Kaminski , and Iran specialist Andres Ilves —as they decode the latest intelligence. They discuss the stark contradictions in the Trump administration's strategy, the rise of the "martyrdom" narrative in Iranian recruitment, and why the current conflict is becoming the first truly global crisis of the century. Plus, Leila Bazzi shares a powerful perspectiv...
Apr 01, 2026•31 min•Ep. 6
Andres Ilves, Leila Bazzi, and Matt Kaminski take up Week 4 of the Iran war. The U.S. and Iran are talking — is this it for the fighting? Who will cave on what? Then they give their latest read on the life expectancy of the Iranian regime, based on what we hear from inside Iran and the state of the war. Plus Lebanon isn’t on the same side of the conflict with Israel the way that the Gulf states are but there’s a break emerging in Beirut with Iran. Articles mentioned in this episode: Scoop: Who R...
Mar 27, 2026•29 min•Ep. 5
Andres Ilves sits down with Michael Pregent — senior fellow at Hudson Institute and former intelligence officer — to break down Iran’s proxy forces and militia networks in Iraq. A must-listen conversation on regional power, security, and what’s really happening on the ground.
Mar 26, 2026•29 min•Ep. 4
The old Middle East is gone. In a new episode of Iran Briefing, Andres Ilves speaks with Amin Tarzi about the region’s structural transformation, Gulf security, Iran’s shifting pressure tactics, and why China may emerge stronger in the post-war balance.
Mar 23, 2026•41 min•Ep. 3
War with Iran. Breaking news every day from the Middle East. What does it all mean? Andres Ilves, Leila Bazzi, and Matt Kaminski figure it all out in a lively and timely discussion in this week’s episode of the #MBNIranBriefing podcast. The decapitation strategy to take out the Islamic Republic’s leadership: is it working? The first-ever strike on Iran’s natural gas infrastructure: where could that lead the next phase of the war? Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran’s other proxies: how far will this wa...
Mar 19, 2026•35 min•Ep. 2
The war around Iran is no longer confined to the battlefield—it is rapidly spilling into global markets, energy supplies, and regional stability. In today’s Iran Briefing podcast , three MBN senior voices unpack the latest developments: Iran’s new leadership doubling down on escalation, attacks spreading across the Gulf, and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. With tanker traffic collapsing and oil prices surging above $100 amid the con...
Mar 12, 2026•39 min•Ep. 1
