The Lawfare Podcast · The Lawfare Institute

Lawfare Live: U.S. and Israel Strike Iran

March 1, 2026·1 hr·5 clips

Ari Tabatabai reveals how Iran's Supreme Leader oversaw massacres and proxy wars that reshaped the Middle East.

Benjamin Wittes hosts a Lawfare Live emergency session on March 1, 2026, following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Ari Tabatabai explains Khamenei ruled Iran since 1989 after founder Ayatollah Khomeini's death, consolidating power through institutions despite being less charismatic and less credentialed as a religious scholar. Khamenei oversaw Iran's nuclear weaponization program that led to international sanctions and the 2015 JCPOA, expanded the proxy network beyond Lebanese Hezbollah, supported Assad's massacre in Syria, and recently authorized killing 7,000-32,000 protesters in Iran. U.S.-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian missile sites, political decision-making facilities in Tehran's densely populated areas causing civilian casualties including reports of dozens of children killed at a school. Troy Edwards describes prosecuting Iranian weapons smuggling cases in Eastern District of Virginia, including a January 2024 interdiction where two Navy SEALs died seizing anti-ship cruise missiles and ballistic missile components destined for Houthis. Current strikes hit Chabahar Bay facilities on Iran's southeast coast used for weapon smuggling operations. Iran has retaliated against multiple Gulf states, Israel, and U.S. bases, with reports of attempting to block the Strait of Hormuz. Experts expect multiple phases of Iranian response including worldwide assassinations of officials and Jewish targets, kidnappings of Americans and Israelis, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, and terrorist operations continuing for years similar to ongoing retaliation for 2020 Qasem Soleimani killing. Iran possesses 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—enough for six to ten nuclear weapons—though intelligence assessments indicated no weaponization decision had been made as of last spring. Analysts emphasize uncertainty about whether operations aim for regime overthrow or leadership change similar to Venezuela model, with administration messaging evolving rapidly. Scott Anderson analyzes legal framework, noting U.S. and Israel invoke self-defense under broad interpretation of imminent threat that most international scholars find questionable. The UK shoots down Iranian missiles but refuses facility use, viewing strikes as international law violations due to domestic requirements. Domestically, OLC recently stated presidents cannot initiate wars by nature, scope, and duration without Congress, but threshold for "war" remains extremely high—higher than all Maduro operation casualties would trigger. The House prepares Tuesday vote on Massey-Khanna resolution opposing action, making this substantial military action without and potentially against congressional support. The conversation is analytical and urgent, with experts acknowledging significant uncertainty about outcomes while providing specific historical and operational context. The discussion suits audiences interested in Middle East policy, international law, military operations, nuclear proliferation, and constitutional war powers during rapidly developing crises.

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