In this short interview, retired US Army colonel Douglas Macgregor discusses escalation risks in the US–Iran conflict and argues that Israel and the United States are “joined at the hip” militarily through resupply and munitions support. Macgregor speculates that if conventional attacks fail to produce the desired outcome, Israeli decision-makers could be tempted to use a low-yield nuclear weapon, and he warns that doing so would open “Pandora's box” and draw reactions from major powers. He suggests any Israeli attempt to claim the action was taken without US involvement would lack credibility internationally.
The host cites a threat attributed to President Donald Trump to strike Iranian infrastructure in response to maritime attacks, and a response attributed to an Iranian official warning that regional oil and infrastructure could be targeted if Iran’s security is not assured. Macgregor predicts Trump is unlikely to end the war voluntarily, arguing he would continue until domestic political or economic conditions force a halt. He draws a historical analogy to Vietnam-era debates over whether withdrawal signals weakness.
Macgregor also repeats rumours that Iran could seek a nuclear warhead or external assistance and considers — without endorsing — the possibility of a demonstrative detonation on Iranian soil; he urges against it, warning it could trigger immediate Israeli retaliation. He closes by arguing that ammunition depletion and financial strain may become the decisive incentives to stop the war.
Douglas Macgregor alleges President Donald Trump is reluctant to break off a war with Iran because he believes influential pro-Israel donors could protect him politically, including from impeachment. He characterises these actors as a global network seeking to “destroy Iran” and gain control over regional oil resources, framing it as a driver of US policy decisions.
Read this moment →Retired US Army colonel Douglas Macgregor argues that, if Israel believes it cannot achieve its aims in Iran through conventional means, it may be tempted to use a low-yield nuclear weapon against what he describes as a “specific target”. He adds that he does not know what target would be chosen and suggests cities could be at risk as military targeting “fails or doesn't turn out” to produce the desired result.
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