The Iran War Clock + Lasers That Grounded El Paso | The Long Game

Iran at a breaking point, renewed U.S.–Iran diplomacy, and a strange airspace shutdown in Texas. In this episode, Jake and Jon are joined by journalist Yeganeh Torbati for a ground-level look at unrest inside Iran, the regime’s staying power, and whether Tehran is seeking a deal—or buying time—as military options loom. They also examine how a younger, more hardline generation inside the Revolutionary Guard could shape the path ahead. Then, they unpack the FAA’s brief closure of airspace over El Paso, tracing it to a Pentagon laser test, a suspected cartel drone, and what the incident reveals about emerging drone threats and government coordination at home. Follow The Long Game on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro & What’s at Stake in Iran 1:04 – Yeganeh Torbati Joins | Episode Agenda 2:23 – Torbati’s Reporting, Layoffs, and Covering Iran Up Close 9:50 – Iran’s Crackdown: Public Rage, Regime Stability, and Protest Limits 16:15 – Diplomacy vs. Strikes: What Each Side Wants (and Won’t Give) 28:31 – Regional Players: Qatar, Turkey, Netanyahu, and the Pressure Campaign 33:10 – What Iranians Want: Hope, Betrayal, and the “Wait for Strikes” Mood 40:19 – If Khamenei Falls: Succession Scenarios and “Day After” Governance 47:09 – El Paso Airspace Shutdown & the Pentagon Laser Test 58:32 – Olympics Sidebar & Wrap-Up