EP 187: Iran: What Comes Next? A Conversation With Jason Rezaian

A shaky ceasefire, soaring gas prices, global shipping threats, and fears about the broader world economy — the Iran conflict has entered a volatile new phase with enormous stakes for the people of Iran, the Middle East, the U.S., and markets around the world. To make sense of this moment, Mosheh speaks again with Jason Rezaian — who spent 544 days imprisoned by the Iranian regime and has deep knowledge of the country and the regime. Recorded at the McCain Institute Sedona Forum in Arizona, the conversation explores whether the war has actually weakened the regime, why Rezaian believes Iranian freedom fighters may now be in a worse position, and how Tehran is adapting through propaganda, repression, and survival tactics. They also discuss the Strait of Hormuz standoff, the threat to the global economy, rising gas prices, hostage diplomacy, internet blackouts inside Iran, the fractured Gulf alliance, and what the Trump administration still may not fully understand about the Iranian leadership. Plus: Rezaian discusses his new work at The Washington Post helping exiled journalists from countries like Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, and Sudan continue reporting from abroad. Mosheh Oinounou (⁠⁠⁠⁠@mosheh⁠⁠⁠⁠) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022.