Up next in 10
Vice President JD Vance has touched down in Switzerland to help formally launch negotiations with Iranian leaders over curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. The meeting follows a framework agreed by both the US and Iran last week, providing negotiators with a 60-day window to reach a conclusion on the technical details. Despite this, the first days of the agreement have been littered with the heavy exchange of fire in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Ali Miraj asks callers to reflect on the situation and what future possibilities could be with the all-encapsulating question: 'What was the point of the Iran war?' 00:00 | Ali asks his callers their thoughts on the topic 01:32 | Paul from Bergerac in France: 'America's time has come to an end!' 05:34 | Ali tells Yasmir from Barnet he's been 'sold out' by this war 08:31 | Sarah from Fleet: 'I think US genuinely thought they could change the regime and it's a disaster' 10:17 | Anthony from Mill Hill: 'I'm frightened for the future of the Middle East' 14:08 | Jeppy from Newport in the Isle of Wight: 'They've given lots of power to Hezbollah...' Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp #AliMiraj #Politics #USPolitics #WorldPolitics #USA #Trump #Netanyahu #Iran #IranWar #MiddleEast #Ayatollah #Israel #News #WorldNews #JDVance#LBC LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK. Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
If you're an Israeli or you're an Israeli supporter, you're a supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu
0:03
and you're worried about your security in Israel, are you less concerned or more concerned about
0:09
your security now? Because what you've seen is an Iranian regime that's basically wreaked havoc
0:14
all over the region with drones, which don't really cost that much, still standing, ballistic
0:19
missiles not destroyed in any capacity whatsoever, don't know, still got loads of stockpiles
0:23
nuclear program, don't know what's going to happen, let's see, still up for negotiation
0:27
which was already being negotiated before February the 28th, before this whole thing started, this fiasco
0:33
So how are you feeling if you're an Israeli citizen right now or you're a supporter of Israel and particularly Benjamin Netanyahu
0:42
who basically told you that this was his dream, which you know it was his dream for years
0:48
And how do you feel about voting for Benjamin Netanyahu in October on the back of this complete and utter fiasco
0:54
I mean, come on, let's be honest with you. Let's be honest with each other. it's Israel and the US's Suez, isn't it
1:01
Let's be frank. We can speak openly with each other, surely. And if you're someone in Iran
1:06
who's a member of the Iranian diaspora community, I really want to know if you still think Donald Trump's a hero
1:12
And if you are someone who's not really partial to Reza Pahlavi
1:20
do you think that the Iranian regime has to use Rahm Emanuel's words
1:25
who's basically a major figure in the US the Iranians have utterly schooled the US
1:32
There's a perfect storm of reasons for this war. The first one that springs to mind to me always is
1:41
why hasn't something happened in America about the Jeffrey Epstein victims and who's hiding from this
1:49
I mean this puts up a massive cloud around the world in relation to distracting people's attention
1:57
from what did happen with Jeffrey Epstein. And I think we're also seeing lots of influences
2:05
China emerging, America reacting to China's emergence and being emboldened by the sort of first success
2:14
they had in Venezuela by just going in there and kidnapping the president and doing what they did there
2:20
So, yeah, I think we're sort of seeing a new form of imperialism and panicking by the USA that their days are numbered in relation to their world dominance
2:35
And this is a reaction to that. They wanted to show the world that if they want to flex their muscles and tell people what to do, they can
2:43
and then you get I mean I don't know what the American
2:48
army and military are thinking about this because you've got people surrounding
2:52
Trump who I'm not sure are the usual people and I'm not sure that the people
2:58
who are the usual people in the military and other places are necessarily in agreement with
3:04
what's going on so I think it's all to do with the rise of
3:08
populism and the hard right and what the whole world might have to
3:14
wake up to the reality of in the next sort of 10
3:18
20 years as we see a fight for democracy. And, yeah, you can see China
3:25
is just keeping its powder dry. Maybe it's noticed now that perhaps it won't take on Singapore because
3:31
smaller nations are above their weight. Taiwan? Sorry? You mean Taiwan? Taiwan, yeah. You said Singapore
3:38
Sorry, I was confused. I'm sorry, I meant... No, I get it
3:42
I don't want to start a new concept. Indeed, indeed, we've got enough issues to deal with. Paul, do you think that this was one war too many for the US
3:53
and not only have they humiliated themselves, but we're now witnessing in real time the sad demise of the US as a great nation that it once was
4:01
Yeah, I think that's basically what I've just said. I think that they are reacting against exactly that, that they are in demise, just as the British and French had to suffer that humiliation, if you like, if that's what you want to call it, in the 20th century
4:18
America's time has come to an end. And I mean, I once had heard an interesting question where someone said, which country has been the most powerful on the planet for the longest
4:30
And people sort of say well maybe it would be the Egyptians or the Greeks or the British or the French or blah blah blah But actually it the Chinese and they just reasserting their natural place as the dominant world country
4:48
And their civilization and technology was far in advance of Europe for thousands of years
4:55
Well, they've got their own challenges, China. I mean, it's not universally easy for China either
4:59
They've got their own demographic challenges, they've got their own economic challenges, savings challenges, all sorts of things
5:04
But yes, they certainly are not adventurous in this particular way. And in terms of overseas bases
5:10
they only have one country with an overseas base, whereas the US has got hundreds and hundreds
5:14
of military personnel, thousands, stationed in places all over the world to protect its interests
5:21
It looks like it's not going too well for the US at the moment. Paul, thank you. But bases around the world
5:26
is sort of 19th and 20th century imperial imperialism. And it doesn't wash anymore
5:33
You could argue that. Paul, thank you. Negotiations means nothing to us
5:37
because what we needed was to get rid of the Ali Khamenei
5:41
and many people in IRGC getting killed, and they are gone. And now it's up to us Iranians to take over
5:52
And how are you going to do that? And in six months, a year, you and I will, I'm going to call you
6:01
We will see the change. Okay, so how is the change going to happen
6:06
Are you going to get weapons funneled to your compatriots by the US
6:12
Nobody knows, Ali, nobody knows. It's a million-dollar question, but in the future, I'm going to call you
6:20
and I'm sure we will talk about the regime is gone and we, Iranian, take over
6:27
No, which is absolutely fine. I mean, I do think that it has to come from a domestic issue itself
6:32
It can't come from the outside because it will never last. So if that's what happens, that's fine
6:36
I'm not going to shed any tears for this regime at all. I just find it a bit odd, Yosha
6:40
that I had scores and scores of Iranian diaspora calling me saying that Trump was a hero when I asked that question
6:47
And I just wonder if they think that now, do you think he's a hero? Ali, he's not a hero, but for me, he's someone who's doing the job that we couldn't do for 47 years
6:57
Well, he hasn't done it, has he? He hasn't done it. He's capriculated. He has killed Ali Khamenei, who killed millions of people and thousands of people
7:05
Yashar, do you regard the killing of Ali Khamenei as regime change in Iran, yes or no
7:12
Part of the process, Ali. Part of the process. You still have the IRGC
7:16
you still have the IRGC now probably in a stronger position than they were before, right
7:22
At least for now. In the long term, I don't know because the economic issues in the country are severe
7:26
with inflation at 84% and all the rest of it. So there are lots and lots of issues. I'm not saying this is easy for the government at all
7:32
But right now, I mean, I don't know. I can't say it's regime change
7:37
If you think it's partially on the way to regime change, great, wonderful
7:41
I just think... That's right. However, 2,000 IRDC commanders have been dead
7:51
We couldn't do that. We, Iranian, couldn't do that. Okay, well, maybe it's given you a catalyst or a head start in the thing, and that's fine
8:00
I personally think that you've been sold a pup and you've been sold down the river, but we'll see
8:05
I'll call you in a year. I'll call you. Yeah, but you can call me in a year, and maybe you'll be absolutely right, and that's absolutely fine
8:12
And all I'm saying is that the whole point was you weren't meant to have to wait a year, were you
8:15
Because the Americans and the Israelis are meant to do your dirty work for you and actually displace this regime, which they have not, Yosha
8:22
Even you accept the fact that it's partially, partially on the journey
8:26
but the regime has not been toppled. So I agree with you there. So you've been basically sold out
8:31
Yosha, thank you. I think that this has been a disaster for the Americans
8:35
in terms of I think they really genuinely thought they could change the regime
8:41
that was never going to happen because as you rightly said earlier there are many many people who would like to see regime change
8:48
but equally it appears there are many people who are quite happy with the current status quo
8:53
I think what has come about as a consequence of this is perhaps a bit of a realisation
9:00
in terms of the Trump administration and particularly when I listened to J.D. Vance talking
9:06
over the last few days when he makes comments like Israel security cannot be guaranteed through killing people and there needs to be a change
9:18
I think Lebanon and what has happened in Lebanon has put the Americans in a really difficult position
9:25
And actually, I agree with J.D. Vance because as Brits, we know about the atrocities that happened as a consequence of the IRA, etc
9:35
And actually, the only way that you can resolve these issues is to stop the killing and to sit down and broker some sort of peace
9:43
Well, Sarah, you're right, because ultimately, if you're going to have a lasting peace, you can't just do it with bullets
9:47
And that's what it's proven here. And this is why we are at the point we are at
9:53
I mean, the thing that J.D. Vance is now saying about, you know, the support of Israel and the security of Israel can't be guaranteed by simply bombing
10:01
He's right about that, because you're going to have to have a negotiation at some point. The irony of this whole thing was that there was a negotiation going on beforehand anyway
10:08
when they decided that they were going to launch a bombing campaign right in the middle of it
10:13
But there we are. We shall live to see what happens. Sarah, thank you for your call
10:17
I feel very desolate at the moment. Having been in the situation last week where our community in Edgeware and Mill Hill
10:26
was physically attacked by Palestinian action people and it was a terrible situation
10:36
We were told, Zios, get out of here, we're coming after you, etc
10:41
I think this has just inflamed the whole situation. I don't understand how a memorandum understanding can be brought about
10:49
where the IRGC were literally on their last legs. They were suffering left, right and centre
10:58
probably 50,000, 60,000 maybe Iranians, maybe even more, were killed by this brutal regime
11:07
And I think if things had gone on further, then I think there could have been a regime change
11:14
And then we would have had a much, much better situation. The Abraham Accords then possibly could have then been extended
11:22
But I feel very, very frightened for the future of the Middle East now
11:27
You saw how Iran cared about their Gulf state neighbours who they looked upon as friends, and they bombed them
11:33
I don't think you can trust this regime at all. They've been lying for 40, 50 years
11:39
Can you trust Benjamin Netanyahu? I'm no friend of Benjamin Netanyahu. But can you trust him
11:47
Not necessarily. I can trust Benjamin Netanyahu. and Yahu, I think, you know, there's going to be elections, I hope, in October, and I hope he is
11:57
thrown out, and I hope Smotrich and Ben Gavir and those two vile people are removed forever
12:03
and you might then have a sensible coalition government in Israel. Yeah, Anthony, let me ask you this. Do you think that this has actually helped Israel in any way
12:13
I mean, I understand the attractiveness of the argument of wanting to neutralize the Iranian
12:17
threat because of all its proxies and all the rest of it and creating havoc all across the region
12:21
and particularly to the existential threat that Israel perceives it as, right? I understand that
12:27
However, do you think it's actually enhanced Israel's security in any way? Because one
12:31
now there seems to be a rift between the US and Israel, and we don't know how deep that is
12:36
but certainly support for Israel is going down in the US. Also, they're going to have to live
12:42
with a regime now that's potentially in a stronger position than it was before. Well, that's exactly the point. I mean, Iran has been rewarded for their intransigence, their belligerence, their lies, and that's what I can't understand
12:56
I mean, the reality is Trump is only going to be there for maximum two years
13:01
I think the Israel name has been dragged through hell in many ways, and I think Israel is an honourable country, and always has been
13:13
but I find it very, very difficult as a proud Jewish person
13:19
to accept the lies and infamy that are thrown at Israel and none of the marches, let's say the Palestinian action marches
13:31
none of those people have ever complained about the number of Iranians who've been killed
13:36
Yeah, which I find very odd and I've actually had conversations, as you know, Anthony, on this programme
13:42
You have indeed. Yeah talking about why people are not marching for the innocent Iranians being killed by the regime I got no truck with the Iranian regime and how they treat their people But all that I find slightly objectionable is when people are gullible
13:55
and believe that the US has got their best interests at heart
13:59
in terms of saving the people and all the rest of it. I mean, I think to myself, reach for the bucket, will you
14:03
I mean, we've seen this movie play out before in Afghanistan. I mean, how many more indications
14:07
do you want, right? I think the sure answer is there was no reason for the Iran war
14:12
it had no reason. And what's happening here now is people are trying to find
14:18
some kind of method in the madness led by Donald Trump. But, Jeppy, there was a reason
14:25
It was to destroy the nuclear capability of Iran, to destroy their ballistic missile capability
14:30
and to save the poor people of Iran through regime change. No
14:36
Yes, it was. That was what we were told. That's what we were told
14:39
We were told that Iraq was for work of reference to mass destruction as well, but that was a little baloney
14:45
But let's be honest, you have a man in the White House
14:50
arguably the most important role in the free world, who cannot control himself
14:58
And you can imagine the conversation. Netanyahu has reasons. He feels an existential threat from Iran and their proxies
15:08
and so on and so forth. So he calls up Donald Trump. But he also feels an existential threat to his own ability to stay in power
15:16
Of course. He has to be a hard man. Yeah, which he failed on October 7th
15:20
which is very embarrassing for him because he was caught napping, right
15:24
So he doesn't look very good. Carry on. No, he did. And he's trying to get some form of, you know, recovery from that
15:33
Yeah, I think so. I understand. But he definitely tried to appeal to Trump's megalomania
15:38
and his narcissism. And he said, well, we'll just pop in a couple of weeks
15:45
We'll do over the Iranians. You'll probably get to get the old peace prize
15:50
because you'll solve it all in one failed swoop like a superhero and Bob's your uncle
15:56
But now what's happened is that Netanyahu, and I'd love to hear from Israelis or supporters of Israel
16:02
I'm a supporter of Israel myself, who basically, how they feel about this particular situation
16:09
because I think it's actually harmed Israel very badly. I think it's harmed Israel in the US
16:13
where an increasing number of people are asking what on earth is going on? Why are we getting involved in a war in the Middle East
16:18
that's got nothing to do with us? I think it's absolutely damaged that relationship
16:23
And I'd love to hear from people in terms of their view on whether it has. But I mean, if you're an ordinary Israeli
16:27
you're thinking to yourself, you know, it was bad enough before. It's a lot worse now, potentially
16:32
Well, what's going to happen now, of course, is that you've given a lot of power to Hezbollah and you've given a lot of power to Iran
16:41
Hezbollah can just start chucking katushas across the border again and basically end peace
16:49
And not end peace, but also destroy the relationship that Israel depends upon
16:54
Let's not forget that Israel is very beholden to the United States
16:57
Netanyahu might want to say that he's the one pulling the strings
17:02
but at the end of the day, that money spigot gets turned off, those weapons get turned off
17:07
and Israel's in the far worse position than it's ever been since 1948. Well, you know, let's see what people in Israel think about it
17:15
or people who support Israel think about it, because I don't think it's turned out particularly well
17:19
and what that means in terms of Israeli security going forward, which was the whole entire point of this exercise
17:23
from Netanyahu's point of view, and Israel's not even mentioned once in the MOU
17:27
I mean, that's really damning, actually, from a point of view that you've gone into this war and it's leaving you arguably more vulnerable than when you started
17:36
Because now you're going to have a situation where these guys are going to have sanctions relief. They're going to have 300 billion of investment in the thing, in reconstruction
17:43
And they're also going to be able to potentially charge tolls on a toll booth in the Strait of Hormuz that wasn't even the case before
17:51
So there we are. If you were writing this down and you asked yourself, what's the worst possible situation
17:56
that could happen to Israel. First of all, don't depend upon Trump
18:02
The first time he gets any inkling that things are going wrong, he's going to kick you to the curb
18:07
He doesn't care necessarily about Israel. Trump cares only about Trump. Of course, and we'll see now how this peace agreement
18:17
or MOU actually gets implemented because at the moment it's on a thread
18:21
because if skirmishes continue between Hezbollah and Israel, all bets could be off
#news