Topic: Ayatollah

20 chapters across the catalog

Rackout
Episode 1854 41:30 - 49:59

1854: Rackout

Spring Break 2026, Cultural Literacy and the Ayatollah

A man-on-the-street segment from Fort Lauderdale features college students during Spring Break 2026 discussing their party habits. The footage reveals a significant lack of geopolitical awareness, as several students from major universities are unfamiliar with the term "Ayatollah" or the current conflict in Iran. Despite the lack of cultural literacy, the observation is made that these students represent a carefree American youth envied by peers globally.

Error Bars
Episode 1850 35:15 - 36:58

1850: Error Bars

Iranian Diaspora in California, Religious Demographics

The hosts discuss the Iranian population in Los Angeles, noting that many are "Persians" who fled the 1979 revolution. They emphasize that this diaspora includes many Jewish and Christian Iranians who were persecuted by the Ayatollah's regime and should not be viewed as a collective security threat.

Hose Water
Episode 1849 1:23:01 - 1:27:14

1849: Hose Water

Iran Leadership Vacuum, Assassinations and Potential Successors

President Trump discusses the military success in Iran but expresses concern over the lack of a viable successor, noting that many potential leaders have been killed. He mentions that the "radical lunatics" currently in power are being eliminated, but he is wary of a "worst-case scenario" where a new leader is equally hostile. The hosts discuss the tactical shift where Iranian leaders avoid technology following the "pager attacks," only to be targeted during in-person meetings.

Off-Ramp
Episode 1847 1:18:45 - 1:22:07

1847: Off-Ramp

Lindsey Graham, The "Mothership of Terrorism" Speech

Senator Lindsey Graham appears on "Meet the Press" to declare that the "mothership of terrorism" is sinking following the death of the Iranian leader. Graham praises the military plan developed by Admiral Cooper and emphasizes that the goal is to eliminate Iran's ability to sponsor global terrorism. The hosts mock Graham's delivery, suggesting he was overly rehearsed or nervous during the interview.

Java Shack
Episode 1777 56:07 - 59:36

1777: Java Shack

Ayatollah Khamenei's Response and War Crime Legal Analysis

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismisses the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the reports exaggerated. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe maintains that key sites were destroyed despite the nuclear program not being fully eliminated. A legal summary provided by a former JAG officer concludes that the strikes did not constitute a war crime under the Geneva Convention.

Boomer Benefits
Episode 1775 45:16 - 47:01

1775: Boomer Benefits

Ayatollah Khamenei, Iranian Regime Theater Theory

A theory is proposed that the recent strikes and assassinations of Iranian officials might be a coordinated effort between the U.S., Israel, and the Ayatollah to purge hardline military elements. This "theater" would serve to rearrange Iranian power structures and remove Chinese influence from the region. The hosts suggest that the Iranian leadership and Western intelligence may be working toward shared goals behind the scenes.

Hunger Stones
Episode 1477 2:23:14 - 2:28:52

1477: Hunger Stones

Geopolitical Motives, Rushdie Fatwa Reinstatement

The hosts speculate that the attack on Salman Rushdie may be leveraged by political factions opposed to the Iran nuclear deal. They note that Iran's current leadership reaffirmed the fatwa as recently as 2019 on social media, suggesting the threat never truly dissipated.

Let Them Speak #1
Episode 993 1:07:06 - 1:09:55

993: Let Them Speak #1

Iranian Hostage Crisis and Regime Change Strategy

Pieczenik discusses the lead-up to the Iranian Revolution, claiming he warned the State Department to evacuate the embassy months before the hostage crisis. He resigned after refusing to join a delegation to see Ayatollah Khomeini. Following his resignation, he worked at the RAND Corporation to develop formal strategies for military, political, and cultural regime change.

Quantum Supremacy
Episode 1357 2:25:49 - 2:31:48

1357: Quantum Supremacy

Iran Presidential Election, Ebrahim Raisi Victory

Ebrahim Raisi has won the Iranian presidential election in a "convincing fashion" after the Guardian Council disqualified his most serious rivals. Raisi, a hardline cleric and judge, is a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the president manages the economy, the Supreme Leader remains the ultimate "CEO" of Iranian policy, particularly regarding the 2015 nuclear deal.

Ear Trumpet
Episode 1265 28:51 - 36:32

1265: Ear Trumpet

Section 230 Reform and Kayleigh McEnany's Press Briefing

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirms the administration is submitting a petition to the FCC to clarify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The move follows a New York Post report by Ebony Bowden regarding Twitter's refusal to remove tweets from Iran's Supreme Leader while simultaneously flagging President Trump's posts. The proposed regulatory changes aim to hold social media companies liable as publishers if they engage in political censorship or editorializing.

Masks are Love
Episode 1247 1:33:32 - 1:38:08

1247: Masks are Love

Twitter Bias, China and the Ayatollah

Kayleigh McEnany highlights Twitter's alleged bias by comparing the platform's rapid fact-checking of President Trump to its reluctance to label misinformation from Chinese officials or the Ayatollah of Iran. The White House argues that Twitter allows foreign adversaries to spread conspiracy theories about the coronavirus while aggressively targeting American conservative speech.

Missile by Nike
Episode 995 16:44 - 21:17

995: Missile by Nike

Iran Protests and Economic Instability Over Food Prices

Spontaneous protests erupted in Tehran and other Iranian cities, initially triggered by a 40% overnight increase in the price of eggs and poultry. While the Iranian government blames foreign interference and social media coordination, the unrest is linked to broader economic desperation and rising inflation. Comparisons are drawn to the bread riots that preceded the Arab Spring.

Dairy Air
Episode 757 1:33:48 - 1:35:36

757: Dairy Air

Ted Cruz on Iran Deal and Republican Infighting

Senator Ted Cruz attacked the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran, claiming it would make the U.S. the "world's leading financier of radical Islamic terrorism." The debate also highlighted juvenile infighting among candidates, with Carly Fiorina reportedly demanding her turn to speak in the background. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary sees Bernie Sanders gaining traction as a self-described socialist, challenging Hillary Clinton's presumed path to the nomination.

A.Q. in the Maghrim
Episode 742 1:38:52 - 1:44:36

742: A.Q. in the Maghrim

John Kerry and the Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiations

Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before the Senate regarding the Iran nuclear deal. He argues that the deal is a global agreement approved by the UN Security Council and that walking away would be a "fantasy." Kerry also warns that a unilateral military strike by Israel would be a "huge mistake" and could lead to an all-out war and the "annihilation" of Iran.

About Face!
Episode 729 1:49:20 - 1:53:33

729: About Face!

Ayatollah Khamenei Speech, U.S. Foreign Policy Criticism

Ayatollah Khamenei delivered a speech claiming that ISIS and Al-Qaeda are supported by the U.S. and Israel to destabilize the region. He compared the brutality of ISIS to that of the U.S. federal police against American citizens. Khamenei's rhetoric aligns with declassified documents suggesting the U.S. previously considered the rise of an "Islamic State" as a strategic tool against the Syrian government.

Axe Man
Episode 723 2:30:43 - 2:34:39

723: Axe Man

Middle East Rebelization and Iran Nuclear Inspections

Ayatollah Khamenei has set a "red line" in nuclear negotiations, refusing to allow international inspectors to interview Iranian scientists or access military sites. Meanwhile, ISIS has seized the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, and Iran has diverted a humanitarian ship to Djibouti to avoid a confrontation with Saudi Arabia near Yemen. The hosts argue these events are part of a "rebelization" strategy to destabilize the region and secure oil interests.

Faschtech
Episode 704 33:04 - 38:33

704: Faschtech

Vice Media Obama Interview and the Cotton Letter

Vice Media is set to release a high-production interview with President Barack Obama, which includes discussions on climate change, marijuana legalization, and the controversial letter sent by 47 Republican senators to Iran. The letter, led by Senator Tom Cotton, warns the Iranian leadership that any nuclear deal could be revoked by a future president. The hosts discuss the breakdown in trust between Obama and House Speaker John Boehner as a backdrop to this legislative interference.

Oatmeal
Episode 701 1:54:43 - 1:57:35

701: Oatmeal

Benjamin Netanyahu, Congress Speech and Tweets

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress, warning of the threat posed by Iran. Netanyahu highlighted the Iranian Supreme Leader's use of Twitter to call for the annihilation of Israel. The hosts mock Netanyahu's focus on "tweets" as a primary security concern and his dramatic rhetorical style.

The Tolerance Podcast
Episode 551 31:48 - 36:02

551: The Tolerance Podcast

CIA Involvement in 1980s Iraq-Iran Chemical Warfare

Newly disclosed CIA files confirm the United States provided satellite imagery to Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War despite knowing he would use nerve gas. An Iranian filmmaker discusses the long-term health effects on victims and the historical ignoring of UN investigations into these attacks. The segment highlights the perceived hypocrisy of current U.S. stances on chemical weapons.