By: David Hearst Published in: *Middle East Eye* Date: February 7, 2026 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WunWHfuAc0 *Note:* The transcript of the podcast in English is embedded in the source.
"David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, says Donald Trump’s plan to force Iran to surrender its ballistic missiles or face war with the United States could prove to be the 'costliest foreign policy mistake of his presidency.' Hearst argues that Trump is wrong to believe that he can do to Iran what he did to Venezuela. Unlike Venezuela, who 'had no regional cards to play' when the US seized Maduro, 'Iran abound in them', he says, pointing out the capabilities of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, 'a force as large as the US Marine Corps.' Hearst says Iran will not 'fold like a pack of cards' when faced by Trump and argues that the US President's plan to control the country’s oil flow is unrealistic. 'Does he imagine that the IRGC, the owner of an elaborate global infrastructure to circumvent international sanctions, would submit Iran’s annual budget to the US Treasury for approval? If so, he is dreaming .' Hearst finally warns Trump against making what he says could be the 'costliest foreign policy mistake of his presidency', pointing out that Iran has a history of dealing with a 'colonial bully' like Trump."
