Plot Summary

FRONTLINE traces Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long campaign to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities and counter its proxy forces, the conflict with the Palestinians, and the role of the U.S. through decades of difficulty in the region. Drawing on new, insider interviews, this two-hour special examines how long-running and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into all-out war in June 2025. The film also explores how multiple U.S. presidents have tried to manage the volatile issues at play. “Remaking the Middle East: Israel vs. Iran” is a FRONTLINE production with Left/Right Docs. The correspondent is James Jacoby. The producers and writers are Anya Bourg and James Jacoby. The co-producer is Christina Avalos. The director is James Jacoby. The editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE is Raney Aronson-Rath.