Inside the US-Iran Shadow War for Control of the Middle East

The script begins with the news of the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, suspected by the West and Israel of leading a secret nuclear weapons program. He was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun mounted on a car that later exploded. The video then transitions to a visit to Iran, a country described as enigmatic and on edge due to recent events such as the shooting down of a passenger jet, a severe COVID-19 outbreak, and tightening sanctions. The visit is timed with the new U.S. president's administration, and the Iranian government seems to have a specific message to convey, offering unprecedented access to the foreign crew.

The script moves on to discuss the precarious situation of Iran's nuclear scientists, who have been frequent targets of assassination attempts, often successful. The crew meets Dr. Abbasi, a scientist who survived an assassination attempt, and views the car he was in just before it exploded. The encounter reveals the high stakes and the fear felt by those involved in Iran's nuclear program, as well as the broader implications of such targeted killings.

The narrative continues with the crew's interactions with a movie director known for his patriotic depictions of Iranian militarism and a legendary Iranian general and spymaster, who was assassinated. The video touches on the complexities of the situation, with Iran portraying itself as a force against terrorism while facing accusations of imperialism from the U.S. The crew's visit to a holding cell on the Iranian border and the National Defense Museum further illustrates the ongoing shadow war for control of the Middle East.

The script describes the crew's attempt to meet with an alleged ISIS fighter captured by one of Suleimani's militias, marking the first time an American crew would meet an ISIS fighter captured by Iran. Despite initial setbacks and the tense nature of the situation, the crew eventually interviews an ISIS prisoner, exploring Iran's narrative of combating terrorism and the U.S.'s apparent shift in focus away from ISIS.

The video script delves into the influence of Iranian-backed militias, particularly the Badr Brigade, which has been instrumental in enforcing Iran's interests in Iraq and fighting ISIS. The crew's journey to the Iraqi border and their encounter with the Badr Brigade highlights the extent of Iran's power and its role in regional conflicts, as well as the potential consequences of the U.S.'s disengagement from the Middle East.

The script recounts the crew's challenging border crossing from Iran to Iraq, which was fraught with delays and uncertainty due to political interference. Once in Iraq, the narrative focuses on the legacy of General Qasim Suleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike and is seen as a key figure in expanding Iranian influence in the region. The crew visits the site of Suleimani's assassination and explores the implications of his death.

The video script examines the role of the U.S. and Iran in the fight against ISIS, questioning the U.S.'s rationale for assassinating key Iranian figures and the impact on regional stability. It also explores the growth of Iranian influence in Iraq, particularly through the Hashd al-Shaabi militias, and the potential long-term consequences for the region as the U.S.'s presence diminishes.

The final paragraph discusses the future of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, particularly the Hashd al-Shaabi, which has grown significantly in numbers and influence. The script raises concerns about what will happen to these militias once the fight against ISIS ends and ponders the broader geopolitical implications of Iran's expanding power in the Middle East, especially as the U.S. becomes increasingly disengaged.