21: War With Iran: How Far Could It Go?

from Baker Briefing · host Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy

War between Iran, the United States, and Israel is entering a volatile new phase — raising urgent questions about escalation, leadership in Tehran, and the future stability of the Middle East. Ambassador David M. Satterfield and Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar discuss how Iran’s leadership is interpreting the conflict and the domestic and regional pressures shaping its response. They explore the sustainability of Iran’s military strategy, the implications of potential leadership change in Tehran, and what the widening confrontation could mean for the region—and the world. This conversation was recorded on Mar. 5, 2026. Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.