Iran & the Logic of Escalation (feat. Keanu Heydari)

On today's episode, Keanu Heydari joins Josiah to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran in historical context.

• Read Keanu’s piece in the New International: https://newintermag.com/iran-israel-the-logic-of-escalation/
• Follow Keanu on Bluesky @keanuheydari.bsky.social
• Find Keanu's work here: https://www.keanuheydari.com/
• Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141
• Check out Fruitless on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZWDsDrQ0XvDQFWzE6s2gg
• Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton
• Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton

References

• Quote from Ursula von der Leyen about energy markets, https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1934821830977835129
• Agence France-Presse. “Guerre au Proche-Orient : « Les habitants de Téhéran paieront le prix » des frappes iraniennes, avertit Israël.” 15 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/160625/guerre-au-proche-orient-les-habitants-de-teheran-paieront-le-prix-des-frappes-iraniennes-avertit-is
• El Azzouzi, Rachida. “À Téhéran, les habitants sont saisis de peur et de panique.” Mediapart, 16 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/160625/teheran-les-habitants-sont-saisis-de-peur-et-de-panique
• Financial Times. “Iran’s regime fights for survival.” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/6103cfdb-0f36-4500-96ef-f3b86a7b29f8
• Financial Times. “Israel-Iran tensions test central banks’ appetite for rate cuts.” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/62b8ccec-4997-49b0-99ee-31876e0e6a15
• Financial Times. “Oil price falls back as flow of crude through Strait of Hormuz unaffected.” 17 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/06ce9c20-f5cb-41bf-862c-27d1c4521d45
• Financial Times. “Was Iran really developing nuclear weapons?” 16 June 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/3a8d78b9-4923-4aef-a303-a0e973ef812d
• Ramdani, Ilyes. “Guerre contre l’Iran : Emmanuel Macron pris au piège israélien.” Mediapart, 16 June 2025. https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/politique/160625/guerre-contre-l-iran-emmanuel-macron-pris-au-piege-israelien

Music & audio credits

• Sunshine (Prod. Riddiman)
• Yesterday – bloom.
• Lofi hiphop 2020 - midsummer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVcH-b6vi8Y

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What is Fruitless?

A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. Aiming for at least two free episodes per month. Artwork by Kipp Paulsen. More content can be found on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141