I'm John Batchler. It's a pleasure to welcome Jonathan Shanzer, my colleague. He is the executive director

of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. I recommend the FD's website to stay very much up to date

on the changing situation with regard the Islamic Republic of Iran and other conflicts. But right now,

dominating the story is the American War Fleet, now joined by the largest

carrier in the solar system, the Gerald Ford, along with the U.S. Air Force array of warplanes

around Iran and what is to be done.

Jonathan, a very good evening to you.

Thank you.

The puzzle for Europe on the F.T.

And the puzzle for Washington is the fleet's there. The leverage is apparent. And the Mullahs are

choosing not to talk about surrender, but to talk about negotiations over the suspect nuclear

weapons program, not to talk about the arsenal of ballistic missiles, not to talk about negotiations over the suspect nuclear weapons program, not to talk about the

arsenal of ballistic missiles, not to talk about the predation towards its own citizenry.

I've heard the number 40,000 used, not to talk about the embellishment of all statements

that come out of negotiation. That is, you can't trust them apparently.

There's always an if.

This is bizarre.

And not to mention the Hamas, the Hezbollah, and the other bad actors that are enlivened

and paid for by Iran.

None of that is on the table, just the suspect nuclear weapons program.

So what is the leverage, Jonathan? Where is the leverage if the mullas are having it their way?

Good evening to you. Good evening, John. Well, I mean, I think the leverage remains that massive

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