Is a new war between Israel and Iran approaching—and what could trigger it? In this episode of Misgav Mideast Horizons, Asher Fredman speaks with Dr. Yossi Mansharof, one of Israel’s leading experts on Iran and an advisor to senior Israeli decision-makers, about the growing risk of an Iran–Israel war and the possibility of wider regional conflict. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, Dr. Mansharof argues that the key question is no longer if Israel and Iran will clash again—but when. He analyzes Iran’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities, the regime’s deepening internal crises, and whether regime change in Iran is a realistic strategic objective for Israel and the United States. The discussion also explores Iran’s evolving tactics, including cyber operations, recruitment of Israeli citizens, and threats to Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide—along with what Washington and Jerusalem must do now to avoid being strategically surprised. The conversation then turns to Hezbollah and Lebanon: whether the Lebanese state has the will or capacity to disarm Hezbollah, how Iran is working to rebuild its most important terror proxy, and a strategy for weakening Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanese society. A clear-eyed and urgent conversation about Iran, Israel, Hezbollah, and the most dangerous security challenges facing the Middle East today.
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