Pepe Escobar: War With lran is Decided - and America Gets the Worst of It

Regional Crisis and U.S. Policy

Pepe Escobar argues that the regional crisis is worsening and that U.S. policy is increasingly improvised. Host Nema raises developments involving Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia and Israel

Escobar claims Israel is pressing Saudi Arabia to accept an Israeli coordinating role alongside U.S. Central Command. He says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could not openly endorse such an arrangement without provoking severe opposition across the Arab and Muslim worlds. Escobar also suggests that internal instability in Saudi Arabia may concern the crown prince more than attacks from Yemen’s Ansar Allah.

Turkey and Pakistan

The possibility of Turkey joining a response against Yemen remains uncertain. Escobar says Turkish public opinion opposes involvement and that a defense agreement is awaiting parliamentary scrutiny. He expects Turkey not to provide S-400 systems to Saudi Arabia.

Escobar also says Pakistan is likely to avoid offensive commitments. Such involvement would be politically uncomfortable, he argues, given Pakistan’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel.

Russia, Iran, and Diesel

Escobar describes a reported arrangement in which Russian refineries process Iranian oil into diesel that could then be sold to the United States or Europe. He portrays the deal as a striking contradiction of U.S. sanctions policy and, in his view, evidence of a lack of strategic planning by the Trump administration.

Ukraine and Russia

Escobar calls reported Ukrainian attacks on Yandex data centers in Russia a serious escalation, saying disruptions to services could affect everyday economic activity.

He rejects the idea that a ceasefire announced by Trump is established or acceptable to Russia. He argues that Moscow sees a pause as an opportunity for Ukraine to rearm. Escobar says Russia may seek to cripple Ukraine’s economy and bring its leadership before a war-crimes tribunal, rather than simply kill President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Wider Regional Conflict

The speakers say U.S. weapons have been moved into West Asia and discuss possible targets, including Iran, Yemen, and groups aligned with the “Axis of Resistance.” Escobar says Iran is prepared for a conflict, including one that could begin imminently, and cautions that the situation is bleak.

Presenters and Contributors

• Nema — Host
• Pepe Escobar