WMAL GUEST: BEHNAM BEN TALEBLU (Senior Director, FDD's Iran Program) on the strategic impact of the U.S. bombing raid on Kharg Island and the emerging "Hormuz Coalition" to reopen the Strait.
SOCIAL MEDIA: FDD on X: Behnam Ben Taleblu on Iran Strategy
TOPIC: Analyzing the total destruction of military targets in Iran's "crown jewel" and the potential for U.S. boots on the ground at oil depots.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Monday, March 16, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

WMAL GUEST: BEHNAM BEN TALEBLU (Senior Director, FDD's Iran Program) on the strategic impact of the U.S. bombing raid on Kharg Island and the emerging "Hormuz Coalition" to reopen the Strait.
<ul>
<li>SOCIAL MEDIA: <a href="https://x.com/FDD/status/2032111894404751479">FDD on X: Behnam Ben Taleblu on Iran Strategy</a></li>
<li>TOPIC: Analyzing the total destruction of military targets in Iran's "crown jewel" and the potential for U.S. boots on the ground at oil depots.</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a>, and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, <a href="https://x.com/PatricePinkfile">@PatricePinkfile</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Monday, March 16, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

Enjoy O'Connor & Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

Enjoy O'Connor &amp; Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O'Connor & Company

"O'Connor & Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at WMAL.com, on the WMAL App or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC

Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany

"O'Connor &amp; Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at <a href="http://www.wmal.com">WMAL.com</a>, on the <a href="https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/">WMAL App</a> or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC<a href="https://www.cornerstonefirst.com/"></a>
Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: <a href="http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany">http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany</a>

Behnam Ben Taleblu on the Kharg Island Strike and the Strait of Hormuz

In the 6 AM hour, Larry O’Connor discussed:
IRAN UPDATE: President Trump pausing “Project Freedom” while maintaining the blockade, citing significant progress toward a final agreement.
EPIC RUBIO: Highlights from Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s forceful briefing, where he described stranded sailors as “starving” and “sitting ducks” due to the Iranian blockade.
GUEST INTERVIEW: CAL THOMAS: Expert analysis of the Rubio briefing as a "master class" in geopolitical communication.
PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS: President Trump restoring the Presidential Fitness Test Award for public schoolchildren, reviving a tradition aimed at making America healthy again.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 6 AM Hour

In the 6 AM hour, Larry O&rsquo;Connor discussed:
<ul>
<li>IRAN UPDATE: President Trump pausing &ldquo;Project Freedom&rdquo; while maintaining the blockade, citing significant progress toward a final agreement.</li>
<li>EPIC RUBIO: Highlights from Secretary of State Marco Rubio&rsquo;s forceful briefing, where he described stranded sailors as &ldquo;starving&rdquo; and &ldquo;sitting ducks&rdquo; due to the Iranian blockade.</li>
<li>GUEST INTERVIEW: CAL THOMAS: Expert analysis of the Rubio briefing as a "master class" in geopolitical communication.</li>
<li>PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS: President Trump restoring the Presidential Fitness Test Award for public schoolchildren, reviving a tradition aimed at making America healthy again.</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a>, and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 6 AM Hour

6 AM: Rubio’s 'Epic' Presser, the Rebirth of the Fitness Test, and the Iran Pause

In the 7 AM hour, Larry O’Connor discussed:
GUEST INTERVIEW: STEPHANIE LUNDQUIST-ARORA: Exposing Fairfax County Public Schools for funding administrator PhDs while increasing class sizes.
DC POLICE SCANDAL: Thirteen DC police officials facing termination for allegedly manipulating crime statistics to minimize their seriousness.
GUEST INTERVIEW: CHRIS SUNUNU: Warning about state policies that could rob Americans of their credit card rewards points.
NICE REBRAND: President Trump’s viral Cinco de Mayo post featuring “NICE” (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) branding and his endorsement of the idea.
DC CURFEWS: The DC Council approving long-term youth curfew measures following recent “teen takeovers.”

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 7 AM Hour

In the 7 AM hour, Larry O&rsquo;Connor discussed:
<ul>
<li>GUEST INTERVIEW: STEPHANIE LUNDQUIST-ARORA: Exposing Fairfax County Public Schools for funding administrator PhDs while increasing class sizes.</li>
<li>DC POLICE SCANDAL: Thirteen DC police officials facing termination for allegedly manipulating crime statistics to minimize their seriousness.</li>
<li>GUEST INTERVIEW: CHRIS SUNUNU: Warning about state policies that could rob Americans of their credit card rewards points.</li>
<li>NICE REBRAND: President Trump&rsquo;s viral Cinco de Mayo post featuring &ldquo;NICE&rdquo; (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) branding and his endorsement of the idea.</li>
<li>DC CURFEWS: The DC Council approving long-term youth curfew measures following recent &ldquo;teen takeovers.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a>, and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 7 AM Hour

7 AM: Fairfax School Waste, DC Police Firings, and the 'NICE' Rebrand

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor discussed:
GUEST INTERVIEW: REAGAN REESE: Breaking down the latest reporting on the Iran ceasefire and Secretary Rubio’s performance.
OBAMA DRAMA: Barack Obama confessing in a New Yorker interview that President Trump’s return to power has caused “genuine tension” in his marriage.
THE DEATH STAR: Criticism of the $850 million Obama Presidential Center’s design and its “ugly” merchandise, such as $30 lapel pins made of paper clay.
GUEST INTERVIEW: REP. JIM JORDAN: An update on the House Judiciary Committee’s probe into sanctuary city policies in Arlington and Philadelphia.
KAMIKAZE DOLPHINS: Mocking reports of Iranian “mine-carrying dolphins” as Gen. Dan Caine likens the concept to “sharks with laser beams.”

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O&rsquo;Connor discussed:
<ul>
<li>GUEST INTERVIEW: REAGAN REESE: Breaking down the latest reporting on the Iran ceasefire and Secretary Rubio&rsquo;s performance.</li>
<li>OBAMA DRAMA: Barack Obama confessing in a New Yorker interview that President Trump&rsquo;s return to power has caused &ldquo;genuine tension&rdquo; in his marriage.</li>
<li>THE DEATH STAR: Criticism of the $850 million Obama Presidential Center&rsquo;s design and its &ldquo;ugly&rdquo; merchandise, such as $30 lapel pins made of paper clay.</li>
<li>GUEST INTERVIEW: REP. JIM JORDAN: An update on the House Judiciary Committee&rsquo;s probe into sanctuary city policies in Arlington and Philadelphia.</li>
<li>KAMIKAZE DOLPHINS: Mocking reports of Iranian &ldquo;mine-carrying dolphins&rdquo; as Gen. Dan Caine likens the concept to &ldquo;sharks with laser beams.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a>, and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

Behnam Ben Taleblu on the Kharg Island Strike and the Strait of Hormuz

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