Ex-CIA officer Larry Johnson alleges Israeli assets helped assassinate John F Kennedy
"Uh then the assassination of John F. Kennedy by Israeli intelligence assets with the support of the Italian and Jewish mobsters Myer Lansky, Carlos Marcelo and the CIA, James Jesus Angleton all in a collaborative. So that that did change the picture in terms of Israel, US relations with Israel because Kennedy was holding the line."
About this episode
In this short episode, host Mario Nawfal speaks with former CIA officer Larry Johnson about escalation risks involving Iran, Israel and the Strait of Hormuz. Johnson argues Israel expects to be hit in a widening conflict and predicts Iran could target Israel’s major oil refineries in Haifa and Ashdod, claiming that refinery damage would severely constrain Israeli military operations due to fuel shortages.
Nawfal reads what he describes as a recent statement from Donald Trump about using frozen Iranian funds to compensate for damages to shipping. Johnson says such a threat would likely harden, not soften, Iran’s position—predicting Tehran would respond by imposing fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, rather than returning to negotiations.
Asked what the US could do to “gain control” of the Strait, Johnson says there is no realistic option short of nuclear war. When the discussion turns to “decapitation strikes”, Johnson argues the tactic does not produce negotiation leverage.
The conversation veers into highly controversial historical claims: Johnson alleges, without evidence, that Israeli intelligence assets and others were involved in the assassination of President John F Kennedy and suggests Lyndon B Johnson was compromised. The episode closes with a lighter segment in which Johnson warns Nawfal about an alleged Telegram impersonation account using Nawfal’s image and posting religious content.
Key takeaways
- Johnson predicts Iran could target Israel’s Haifa and Ashdod oil refineries, which he says would limit Israel’s access to military fuel.
- Nawfal cites a purported Trump statement about using frozen Iranian funds to pay for shipping damages; Johnson argues it would provoke Iranian countermeasures.
- Johnson says the US cannot realistically control the Strait of Hormuz short of extreme escalation.
- Johnson argues “decapitation” strategies make adversaries less willing to negotiate, based on his interpretation of recent events.
- Johnson makes an unsupported allegation that Israeli intelligence assets and others were involved in JFK’s assassination.
- Johnson tells Nawfal there is an alleged Telegram account impersonating him using his photo.