Is the United States confronting a long-running conflict that began decades ago with the rise of the Islamic Republic in Iran—or embarking on another dangerous and unpredictable war in the Middle East?

To help make sense of that question, we turn to one of the nation’s most influential and provocative commentators on foreign policy. Bret Stephens first gained national prominence as a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, where his writing on international affairs earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. He now writes for The New York Times, where his columns frequently challenge conventional wisdom on America’s role in the world.

In a recent column titled “The Case for Striking Iran,” Stephens argues that the United States has compelling strategic reasons to support military action against the Iranian regime, focusing on its nuclear ambitions, regional threats, and geopolitical partnerships that challenge U.S. interests. In this conversation, he explains why he believes the stakes are both strategic and moral—and outlines possible outcomes as events continue to unfold.