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Iran Nuclear Program “It’s a Set Back, It’s not Destroyed” | ILTV

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Iran Nuclear Program “It’s a Set Back, It’s not Destroyed” | Avi Melamed’s interview by Maayan Hoffman, executive editor of ILTV News.


Here’s a summary of the ILTV News podcast interview with Avi Malamid (timestamps included):

  • 00:00–00:39 – Avi Malamid is introduced as a Middle East geopolitical expert, highlighting his analysis that recent Israeli strikes have significantly set back—but not destroyed—Iran’s nuclear program—impacting both infrastructure and key scientific personnel.
  • 00:39–01:16 – The damage is considered strategic: while Iran’s nuclear capacity remains, the physical infrastructure was hit and several core scientists were reportedly eliminated.
  • 01:16–02:26 – Despite a potential ceasefire, Malamid believes Iran continues seeking nuclear advancement and strengthening militias. He warns against assuming long-term de-escalation under the current regime.
  • 02:26–03:36 – Even if Iran returns to negotiations (e.g. with the U.S. under Trump-era demands), Malamid warns Iran has repeatedly reneged on agreements. He asserts that robust enforcement mechanisms will be essential to prevent future violations.
  • 03:36–06:37 – Internal instability risks for Iran include power struggles post-Khamenei, worsening economic and social challenges, rising public discontent, and renewed regional unrest (in Balochistan, Khuzestan, Kurdistan)—all potentially triggering major “aftershock” pressures on the regime.
  • 07:18–09:55 – China and Russia’s roles are characterized as pragmatic “marriages of convenience”—supporting Iran when beneficial but unlikely to fully defend Tehran if doing so jeopardizes their interests.
  • 10:33–13:50 – October 7 and subsequent Israeli actions have undermined Iran’s proxy-based regional strategy (“triangle” of proxies, nuclear, missile/drone programs), signaling the end of a multi-decade expansionist chapter.
  • 14:59–17:26 – Looking beyond the horizon, Malamid anticipates a new regional phase, anchored by Israel emerging as a regional superpower and possible normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, and deeper Arab engagement in Palestinian affairs.
  • 19:10–23:24 – Israel’s successful strikes have shifted regional perceptions—raising its strategic value to Arab states and potentially hastening normalization agreements. The weakening of semi-state entities like Hezbollah and Hamas may enable state sovereignty in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria.
  • 24:29–26:24 – With Iran and its proxies weakened, Palestinian politics may shift: new leadership could emerge more aligned with broader Arab normalization efforts, though “resistance” sentiment will remain a contested internal theme.
  • 27:02–29:37 – In Israel, current ultranationalist and polarized government dominance may decline in future elections, potentially paving the way for a more centrist administration—creating better conditions for incremental Israeli–Palestinian arrangements within a supportive regional framework.


Iran Nuclear Program “It’s a Set Back, It’s not Destroyed” | Avi Melamed’s interview by Maayan Hoffman, executive editor of ILTV News.

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Avi Melamed
Avi Melamedhttps://insidethemiddle-east.com
Avi Melamed is an expert on current affairs in the Arab & Muslim World and their impact on Israel & the Middle East. A former Israeli Intelligence Official & Senior Official on Arab Affairs, Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, he has held high-risk Government, Senior Advisory, Intelligence & Counter-Terrorist intelligence positions in Arab cities & communities - often in very sensitive times - on behalf of Israeli Government agencies. He is the Founder & CEO of Inside the Middle East | Intelligence Perspectives - an apolitical non-partisan curriculum using intelligence methodology to examine the Middle East. As an Author, Educator, Expert, and Strategic Intelligence Analyst, Avi provides Intelligence Analysis, Briefings, and Geopolitical Tours to diplomats, Israeli and foreign policymakers, global media outlets, and a wide variety of international businesses, organizations, and private clients on a range of Israel and Middle East Affairs.

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