Iran does not pose a threat to the United States, according to retired US Colonel Douglas Macgregor in a recent interview with Judge and podcast host Andrew Napolitano
Macgregor, who fought in the Gulf War and now works as a political analyst, is one of many military personnel, intellectuals, and former US officials who are critical of President Donald Trump’s current foreign policy.
He argues that narratives portraying Iran as an imminent threat are exaggerated and promoted by political and media interests in Washington, particularly those seeking to justify military interventions in the Middle East.
According to him, Iran is more focused on its regional security and countering adversaries like Israel and Saudi Arabia, rather than projecting power against the US globally.
Macgregor points out that, although Iran has significant military capabilities, such as ballistic missiles and a disciplined military, these are designed for regional defense and deterrence, not for transcontinental offensive operations against the US. He compares Iran’s military power with that of the US, highlighting that the latter is overwhelmingly superior, eliminating any credible threat.
He asserts that Iran primarily seeks internal stability and protecting its interests in the region, such as its influence in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon through allies like Hezbollah. Macgregor argues that Iran’s actions are rational responses to US and Israeli pressure, such as economic sanctions and covert operations, rather than aggressive initiatives.
Macgregor believes that the perception of Iran as a threat is a construct of certain neoconservative and pro-Israeli sectors in the US, seeking to maintain a bellicose stance in the region. According to him, this narrative ignores the fact that Iran has not initiated direct conflicts with the US and has shown restraint even in the face of provocations.