Gregg Carlstrom: Middle East Correspondent on the conflict between Israel and Iran

It's thought that as long as the United States doesn't get involved, the Iran and Israel conflict should stay contained. 

Tension continues to escalate between the two countries as air strikes continue to fire. 

Speculation around a ceasefire is being discussed with US President Donald Trump encouraging the nations to talk before it’s too late. 

Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom told Ryan Bridge Israel has been planning this war for years, and isn't willing to stop after a few days.   

He says the Iranians are willing to talk about a mutual ceasefire but doesn't think Israel or the United States are at a point where they would push for that.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the sound of an Iranian state TV broadcaster
being interrupted by an Israeli missile live on air. Oh y,
you could see the debris falling and the screens crashing
behind he The bombardment both sides continuing overnight. Greg Calstrom

(00:20):
is Middle East correspondent with US This morning, Greg, Good morning.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hi, Good morning to you.

Speaker 1 (00:26):
We're hearing we might be close to some sort of talks.
The Iranians apparently waving a bit of a white flag
through some Arab allies. What are you hearing, Well.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
I'm not sure I would read it quite as a
white flag. The Iranians are willing to talk about a
mutual ceasefire where both sides would stop shooting, but I
don't think either Israel or the United States are at
a point where they're going to push for that. The
Israelis have been planning this war for years. Obviously, they're
not willing to stop after just a few days. With

(00:59):
money of their military goals on met, so they will
want to press ahead. And the Americans are insisting that
they're going to talk to the Iranians. They want to
talk about a nuclear deal, something that will impose restrictions
on Iran's nuclear program. As far as I can tell,
Iran is not willing to make any concessions yet around
its nuclear program, So I think we're actually still some

(01:20):
ways away from any kind of serious negotiations starting.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
Are we any closer to this expanding into a more
regional war or for bigger pliers, Are the pliers getting
involved or do you think this will stay contained?

Speaker 2 (01:35):
I think so long as the United States does not
get involved, it will stay contained. I don't think Iran
is going to, for example, strike at Arab states in
the Gulf or strike at American bases in the region
right now, because it doesn't want to draw America into
the war. But Israel has asked the US to join
the fighting to help carry out airstrikes on four DO,

(01:58):
which is this enrichment facilit in Iran dug into the
side of a mountain. It's very far underground. It's hard
for Israeli planes to reach it with their bombs. You
need American bombers that can deliver much heavier bombs. So
Israel has asked the United States to help with those strikes.
I think if Donald Trump goes along with that, if
there is an offensive American role in this war. At

(02:20):
that point, you could see Iran try to widen the war,
strike at regional targets, and hope that countries in the
region will put pressure on America and Israel to stop.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Interesting analysis. Really appreciate your time, Greg, Greg Calstrom and
Middle East Correspondent.

Speaker 2 (02:36):
For more familiar edition with Ryan Bridge, listen live to
News Talks it be from five am weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.