Remaking the Middle East: The U.S., Israel & Iran (updated documentary) | FRONTLINE (PBS)
The documentary argues that the U.S. and Israel's escalating conflict with Iran, marked by military strikes and covert operations, stems from decades of ideological hostility, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and its proxy warfare strategy. It concludes that the 2015 nuclear deal failed to curb Iran's regional influence, leading to a renewed cycle of violence and a reshaping of the Middle East.
The documentary begins with a dramatic account of a U.S.-Israel joint military operation against Iran, involving over 400 fighter jets and two aircraft carriers, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles and the death of Iran's supreme leader. This sets the stage for a deep dive into the historical roots of the conflict, tracing back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the rise of anti-Israel and anti-U.S. sentiment under Ayatollah Khomeini. Iran's support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas is highlighted as a key strategy to extend its influence, with examples such as the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing attributed to Hezbollah. The film details Israel's concerns over Iran's nuclear program, citing the discovery of an underground enrichment facility at Fordow in 2009, and the subsequent U.S.-led sanctions and cyber operations to delay Iran's nuclear progress. The 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal is presented as a contentious solution, with Israel opposing it due to fears of emboldening Iran's proxies. The documentary concludes with the aftermath of the deal, showing how Iran's axis of resistance, led by General Qassem Soleimani, expanded, and how the 2023 conflict reignited with Israel's strikes on Iranian missile bases and the resulting regional instability.
- 01The U.S. and Israel conducted a massive joint military operation against Iran, involving over 400 fighter jets and two aircraft carriers, destroying hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles and killing top Iranian officials.
- 02Iran's 1979 Revolution under Ayatollah Khomeini established an ideological hostility toward Israel and the U.S., with Iran supporting proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas to extend its influence.
- 03The 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing, attributed to Hezbollah acting as an Iranian proxy, killed 120 Americans and hardened U.S. views on Iran.
- 04Israel's discovery of Iran's underground nuclear facility at Fordow in 2009 revealed a dangerous phase in Iran's nuclear ambitions, leading to U.S. sanctions and covert cyber operations.
- 05The 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program, was opposed by Israel, which feared it would embolden Iran's proxy networks.
- 06General Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top military strategist, built a multinational army of tens of thousands, including Hezbollah and other proxy groups, to fight under Iran's command.
- 07The 2023 conflict saw Israel striking Iranian missile bases, leading to a wave of Iranian retaliation and regional instability, marking a new phase in the U.S.-Israel-Iran confrontation.
Who's it forIndividuals seeking a comprehensive understanding of the historical and current dynamics between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, including the role of proxy warfare and nuclear diplomacy in reshaping the Middle East.
Only claims we could verify and cite are shown.
As of March 2026, the United States and Israel were engaged in a large-scale military conflict with Iran, characterized by joint airstrikes aimed at regime change and restructuring the regional power balance.
The United States military began major combat operations against Iran on February 28, 2026, not July 6, 2026.
There has been no reported attack by Israel and the US on Iran on July 6, 2026; the conflict between these nations began on February 28, 2026, and has been subject to a ceasefire since April 2026.
There was no such attack on Iran on July 6, 2026; rather, the date marked the ongoing funeral proceedings for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February 2026.
The United States military began major combat operations in Iran on February 28, 2026, not July 6, 2026.
While the United States and Iran have been in an ongoing conflict since February 2026, there is no credible evidence of a massive, specific attack in July 2026 involving a "combined force of more than 400 fighter jets" and "two aircraft carriers."
There is no evidence that US air strikes destroyed hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones within 24 hours on July 6, 2026.
There was no attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on July 6, 2026; rather, the date marked the funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a strike on February 28, 2026.
While a major conflict involving U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran has been ongoing since February 2026, there was no report of a specific, coordinated attack on July 6, 2026, involving a force of 400 fighter jets; the figure appears to be a mischaracterization or conflation of statistics fro