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Republicans are revolting over soaring prices from the Iran war and there is turmoil inside the Pentagon. The polls predict Donald Trump could lose the House and the Senate in the 2026 US midterms - are they right? On today’s bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks with Politico’s senior defence correspondent Connor O'Brien and defence reporter Leo Shane III about why the economic fallout from the war is leading GOP candidates to distance themselves from Trump. The president is responding by taking $20 million in Homeland Security funds for personal ads that Democrats have described as “propaganda”. Plus, what we learned from Pete Hegseth’s ‘State of the Force’ address: the White House consolidates power over the US military, the growing Pentagon void from personnel cuts, and news of an Autonomous Warfare Command. Highlights Trump uses US border funds for ‘propaganda’ as Republicans turn on Iran war Pentagon unveils new drone command and personnel cuts CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Connor O'Brien, Politico senior defence correspondent @connorobrienNH Leo Shane III, Politico defence reporter @LeoShane WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: US midterm elections 2026: How do they work and what could they mean for Trump? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/14/us-midterm-elections-2026/ Pete Hegseth vows to rid US army of ‘fatties, trannies and weirdos’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/01/pete-hegseth-elon-musk-us-military-state-of-address/ Stalled military nominees leave a Pentagon void https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/23/military-nominees-pentagon-void-01090209 Dems plot to take on Hegseth if they win in November https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/10/dems-plot-target-hegseth-01069194 Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US is sending a third aircraft carrier to Iran even as Donald Trump admits to ammunition shortages as a result of the war. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan speaks with Renad Mansour, deputy director of the MENA Programme and director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House, about what this signals about a return to all-out fighting. Renad explains why this is becoming a long-term war of attrition that could last years. Plus, Houthi strikes near Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, Iran linked to both the UK RAF Fairford suspected terror plot and the Flydubai Israel plane hijacking, and why the US withdrawal from Iraq could play into Tehran’s hands. Highlights US deploys third aircraft carrier to IranWhy the US withdrawal from Iraq could play into Tehran’s hands CONTRIBUTORS: Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan Renad Mansour, deputy director MENA Programme and director Iraq Initiative Chatham House, @renadmansour WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: US is running out of weapons, Trump admits https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/01/us-running-out-of-weapon-iran-trump-admits/ Iranian arrested over suspected RAF terror plot https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/01/iranian-arrested-over-suspected-raf-terror-plot/ Trump: Co-pilot hijacker is linked to Iran https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/netanyahu-co-pilot-hijacker-is-radical-islamist/ US closes final base in Iraq as Iran eyes chance to fill vacuum https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/30/us-closes-final-base-iraq-as-iran-eyes-chance-fill-vacuum/ David Blair: Under more pressure than ever, Iran is failing to save itself https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/iran-us-war-donald-trump-diplomacy-strait-of-hormuz/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the UK to Israel, the signs of Iran’s malicious influence across the West are growing. Will the attempted hijack of an Israel-bound flight from Dubai be added to that list? On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks with Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin and Israel-based OSINT specialist Tal Hagin about how the flydubai pilot and passengers fought back to prevent a catastrophic attack that could have sparked a fresh war. As Donald Trump calls the alleged attacker a “terrorist or a whackjob”, they discuss three scenarios for who was behind it, debunked conspiracy theories - and the implications for the Middle East. After OSINT company Golden Owl exposed an Iran-linked influence operation targeting Israeli voters ahead of the election, they break down Plus,, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Tehran was likely behind a plot foiled outside the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase, and the US kicks out Iranian negotiators as peace talks stall. Highlights How flydubai’s hero pilot and passengers stopped a warIranian covert influence network exposed targeting Israeli election debate CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Henry Bodkin, Jerusalem Correspondent @HenryBodkin Tal Hagin, OSINT specialist and director of intelligence network Otus @talhagin WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Iranian negotiators kicked out of US by Rubio https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/iranian-negotiators-kicked-out-of-america-by-rubio/ Burnham: Iran played part in suspected RAF terror plot https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/30/andy-burnham-iran-played-part-in-suspected-raf-terror-plot/ How the hijacking of a flight to Israel could tear the Gulf apart https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/hijack-terror-plot-gulf-israel-tel-aviv-flight-middle-east/ The hero who stopped Israel’s 9/11 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/30/pilot-stabbed-suspected-hijack-israel-bound-plane/ The Other Face of War: Iranian Regime–Linked Manipulation of Israel’s 2026 Election Debate https://goldenowl.ai/resources/research/Iranian-Regime-Linked-Manipulation-of-Israel-2026-Election-Debate#7-operated-from-iran-the-iran-app-ring Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A flight to Israel from the UAE has been diverted and made an emergency landing after the pilot was violently attacked in a suspected hijack attempt. On today’s Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you the latest news from this dramatic story after a suspected knife attack by the co-pilot. They look at why Israeli authorities are treating it as a terror incident, reports that the co-pilot was Omani, and the potential security implications for Israel, Iran, Lebanon and the wider region. Plus, is the US-Iran war on the brink of fully restarting? Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, explains why despite ongoing peace talks, Iran’s regime is betting it can outlast Trump or force the US into a strategic trap ahead of the November midterms. Hamidreza lays out how the mistrust on the Iranian side is “so deep that it has reached the level of paranoia” and that the current situation means the region may end up in an even bigger war. Highlights Israel plane pilot attacked mid-air amid hijack attempt‘Escalation is inevitable’: Why the US-Iran war is about to restart CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst International Crisis Group @HamidRezaAz WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump is digging in on the blockade of Iranian ports, making it clear to negotiators that the US will not budge without major concessions on Iran’s nuclear program. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks to Michael Knights, a military historian and security consultant who has spent time in Yemen and the wider region, about news of talks to end the war and the rationale behind Trump’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz. They also discuss why the Houthis are winning in Yemen - and how to stop them. Michael explains how a heavily funded, Western-trained Saudi military failed to stop the Iran-backed insurgent force, the importance of the UAE’s absence, and why growing ties between the Houthis and Somalia's Al-Shabaab threaten the Red Sea chokepoint. Plus, confusion reigns after the US says a “foreign actor” was involved in the incident at UK airbase RAF Fairford and Trump says the suspects shouldn’t have been released on bail. Highlights Trump digs in on Iran blockade over Strait of HormuzHow the Houthis outmaneuvered Saudi Arabia in Yemen CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Michael Knights, military historian and head of research Horizon Engage @Mikeknightsiraq WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: RAF base terror plot ‘clearly involved’ foreign actor, claims Rubio https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/donald-trump-raf-fairford-terror-suspects-bailed-police/ RAF plot ‘may have been a dry run’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/29/raf-fairford-plot-may-have-been-a-dry-run/ Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba: A new terrorist axis has arisen, covering both sides of the Red Sea https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/29/a-new-terrorist-axis-has-arisen-red-sea/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police in the UK are investigating alleged Iranian links to a suspected bomb plot to attack RAF Fairford, the main base for US bombers during the Iran war. Donald Trump says the suspects intended “big damage”. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey talks to crime correspondent Will Bolton about the latest news of the massive security breach, including how a local farmer foiled the alleged plot last-minute and led to the arrest of five British men, since released on bail. Plus, Trump rejects Iran’s proposal for a ceasefire, Tehran warns it is ready for a “doomsday war” if bombing resumes after the midterms, eight US Marines are revealed to have been injured by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, and global diesel supplies dry up. Highlights Trump says ‘bomb plot’ suspects planned ‘big damage’ to UK base for Iran bombersIran 'ready for doomsday war' after Trump rejects 7-day Strait of Hormuz deal CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Will Bolton, crime correspondent @WillBoltons WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: RAF base terror suspects are British nationals https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/28/raf-terror-suspects-british-nationals/ Iran’s terrifying global campaign of revenge – and how it targets enemies https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/27/irans-terrifying-revenge-countries-that-oppose-it/ Face-to-face with ‘bomb plotters’: Farmer tells of 999 call after stumbling on masked men https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/27/villager-999-call-masked-men-raf-fairford-counter-terror/ Why the world is ‘freaking out’ about diesel https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/09/21/diesel-crisis-world-racing-towards-a-fuel-cliff-edge/ Lloyd’s List: Iran’s ship attacks show strategy of disruption not discrimination https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1158552/The-week-in-charts-Irans-ship-attacks-show-strategy-of-disruption-not-discrimination--Abu-Dhabi-emerges-as-container-shippings-Hormuz-shuttle-operator Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Chinese leader Xi Jinping concludes his three-day state visit to Washington, Beijing’s incremental support of Tehran threatens to undermine Donald Trump’s pressure campaign. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, host Sophia Yan speaks with China military expert Meia Nouwens to break down Beijing’s strategic calculus in the Middle East, how China benefits from the US getting bogged down in a regional war, and preparations for potential future wartime chokepoints in the Strait of Malacca. Plus, Iran-backed Houthi strikes hit Saudi Arabia’s state-owned Aramco facilities, driving up crude oil prices and prompting an emergency meeting amongst Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani military chiefs. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposes a seven-day truce to Washington, demanding a halt to all hostilities, $12 billion in frozen assets to be released and an end to the US naval blockade – pre-conditions to reopen Hormuz. Highlights China expands its military to gain advantage over information and data warfare How war in the Middle East might expose new chokepoints in the Malacca Strait CONTRIBUTORS: Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan Meia Nouwens, senior fellow and China military expert, International Institute for Strategic Studies, @MeiaNouwens WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Miliband warns Iran: Britain will not tolerate intimidation https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/25/ed-miliband-iran-foreign-minister-abbas-araghchi/ Iran’s supreme leader is alive, president insists https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/25/iran-supreme-leader-alive-mojtaba-khamenei-pezeshkian/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Max Bower Video Producer: Peter Shevlin Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to the UN stage in mourning attire to deliver a defiant message to Washington: Tehran will “never bow or bend the knee” to US bullying. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks to US Correspondent Iona Cleave, who is based in New York, reporting on the ongoing UN General Assembly. Iona shares her insight into what the atmosphere is like in the UN headquarters. They unpack Pezeshkian’s high-stakes address, the escalating diplomatic rhetoric, and why hardline factions in Tehran are already moving to impeach Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, for holding talks with the US. Meanwhile, an advisor to Mojtaba Khamenei threatens to expand the conflict into the Indian Ocean as new US secondary sanctions force regional airlines in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Oman to halt flights into Iran. Plus, as Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for a high-stakes summit with Donald Trump, secret customs data reveals China is fuelling Tehran's missile program with illicit dual-use component shipments. Highlights Analysis of Pezeshkian’s speech at the UN General AssemblyChina’s dual-use military shipments to Iran exposed CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Iona Cleave, US correspondent @cleaveiona WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Americans walk out of Iranian president’s UN speech https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/23/americans-storm-out-iranian-president-un-speech-gaza-israel/?recomm_id=106ef4bb-f257-4fa3-89da-68cbbdb00767 Zelensky lashes out at EU https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/23/kremlin-accuses-burnham-of-stoking-anti-russian-sentiment/?recomm_id=106ef4bb-f257-4fa3-89da-68cbbdb00767 Trump rolls out the red carpet for Xi https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/23/trump-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-xi-jinping-in-washinghton-dc/?recomm_id=fd4833ca-a0e2-4b41-b42a-fe28efe2b5cc Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Peter Shevlin Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has told reporters at the UN General Assembly he faces a critical decision: strike a deal with Tehran or "annihilate the Islamic Republic," while Masoud Pezeshkian insists Iran’s nuclear program will proceed. On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest Sophia Yan and Roland Oliphant examine the escalating military picture across the Red Sea and the high-stakes diplomacy in New York. As Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian takes the UN stage, Iranian forces warn they are prepared to deliver "crushing blows" against US threats. Meanwhile, AP reports reveal Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisers are directly guiding Houthi forces on the ground in Yemen. Plus, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to arrive in Washington today for a high-profile state visit, geospatial intelligence analyst Renny Babiarz breaks down a Telegraph investigation into Xi’s secret expansion of seven nuclear weapons sites across China and what Beijing's ‘breathtaking’ nuclear breakout means for global security. Highlights Pezeshkian demands ‘no limitations’ to the expansion of Iran’s nuclear capabilitiesExpert on geospatial intelligence warns of the ‘breathtaking scale’ of China’s secret nuclear expansion CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan Renny Babiarz, geospatial intelligence analyst and vice president at AllSourceAnalysis @RennyBabiarz WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Revealed: Xi's nuclear weapons expansion at seven secret sites https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/china-secret-nuclear-weapon-sites-xi/ Trump is making a fool of himself over Iran https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/22/trump-making-fool-of-himself-over-iran/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Peter Shevlin Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly that he is deciding between a fresh agreement with Iran and driving the regime “into hell”, after Tehran reportedly offered a seven-day deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey looks at apparent growing momentum towards a deal as world leaders from across the Middle East gather in New York. After Trump vowed once again to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons, former nuclear weapons inspector David Albright breaks down how Tehran is using the lull in fighting to rebuild and fortify key capabilities at Parchin and Pickaxe Mountain. Plus, Britain is sending a single RAF Voyager refuelling aircraft to assist Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Houthis after Trump reportedly cancelled planned air strikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed militants at the last minute. Highlights Trump deciding between Iran deal or driving regime ‘into hell’ A nuclear weapons inspector on how Iran is rebuilding its capabilities CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey David Albright, president Institute for Science and International Security @DAVIDHALBRIGHT1 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Burnham sends RAF to help defend Saudi Arabia https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/21/trump-to-challenge-burnham-uk-defence-spending/ David Blair: Burnham is walking into the lion’s den with nothing to offer Trump https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/21/burnham-nothing-to-offer-trump-special-relationship/ Saudi Arabia turns to UK for help as Houthi offensive threatens Suez Canal https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/saudi-arabia-turns-uk-help-houthi-offensive-suez-canal/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Max Bower Video Producer: Peter Shevlin Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Houthi ballistic missile struck an Aramco jet-fuel depot near Riyadh’s international airport, a major escalation in the war between Yemen’s Iran-backed militants and Saudi Arabia.   On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Bahraini analyst Ahmed Khuzaie about Turkey and Pakistan’s vows of military support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Defence Pact after Donald Trump refused to provide US assistance. They also discuss the dilemma for Egypt as the rise of Iranian-backed Islamist factions in Sudan’s civil war threatens to pile additional pressure on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Plus, what Gulf leaders at the UN General Assembly want from Trump as he weighs whether to restart the war, and new satellite images show Iran rapidly rebuilding and fortifying a nuclear-linked facility at Parchin.  Highlights Houthis strike Riyadh jet-fuel depot as Turkey, Pakistan vow Saudi Arabia supportIRGC fortifies and rebuilds key nuclear-linked site CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Ahmed Khuzaie, Bahraini analyst @AhmedAlkhuzaie WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Saudi Arabia confirms Houthi missile attack on capital https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/19/riyadh-sounds-first-air-raid-alerts-since-houthi-escalation/ Pakistan hints at joining war on Houthis https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/18/iran-saudi-arabia-mecca-joint-defence-gulf/ Trump considering ‘blowing up entire nation’ of Iran https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/20/trump-considering-blowing-up-iran/ Satellite images show Iran rapidly rebuilding nuclear facility https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/18/satellite-images-iran-rapidly-rebuilding-nuclear-facility/ ISIS: Iran is Rapidly Reconstructing Taleghan 2 https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/iran-is-rapidly-reconstructing-taleghan-2 Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Max Bower Video Producer: Peter Shevlin  Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson  Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey  ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has once again threatened to "annihilate" the Iranian regime, saying he faces a major decision on how to proceed with the Iran war but will consult with his Gulf allies at the UN General Assembly next week first.  On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks to former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe about whether Trump will execute his strike threat given Washington appears to lack the risk appetite for further military escalation. They unpack how the US and Saudi Arabia are smuggling millions of barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz to keep prices down, and what it says about the crippled Iranian military’s inability to police the narrow waterway.  Plus, satellite imagery reveals China is upgrading its military base in Djibouti near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, Yemen’s Houthis claim their first fatality in this round of strikes on Saudi Arabia, and what a looming US naval drawdown in the Gulf means for Western security. Highlights Trump threatens to ‘annihilate’ Iran as China upgrades Djibouti military baseInside the Strait of Hormuz dark route: ship-to-ship transfers and US escorts CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Tom Sharpe, former Royal Navy commander @TomSharpe134 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Daniel DePetris: Iran is proving it can push America out of the Middle East https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/18/iran-war-proving-push-america-out-middle-east/ Pentagon exposes mass US aircraft losses and base damage from Iran war https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/17/pentagon-exposes-mass-us-aircraft-losses-and-base-damage-fr/ CSIS: China Upgrades Its Military Base in Djibouti https://features.csis.org/hiddenreach/china-djibouti-base-upgrade/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: David Dargahi  Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey  ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A landmark Pentagon report has exposed the devastating cost of the Iran war for the US military: 59 aircraft damaged or destroyed, bases struck across the Middle East, and critical missile stockpiles depleted for up to 5 years. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to former Defense and State Department insider Kori Schake, now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. She unpicks how the report lays bare the underpreparedness of Donald Trump’s administration for Iran’s precision missile attacks on key US assets. They also discuss how the toll of the war has created a critical window of vulnerability that China could exploit in the Pacific if it wanted to seize Taiwan.  Plus, Anthropic’s new threat report reveals how Iran and the Houthis are using Claude AI to finetune weapons and target the US Navy, Trump goes behind Saudi Arabia’s back to make a secret deal with the Yemeni militants over the Red Sea, and will Pete Hegseth be impeached? PIC CREDIT: CBS  Highlights Pentagon exposes mass US aircraft losses and base damage from Iran warTrump makes secret deal with the Houthis over the Red Sea CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Kori Schake, director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute @KoriSchake WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Houthis claim to have shot down Saudi fighter jet https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/16/houthis-claim-downing-of-saudi-fighter-jet/ Akhtar Makoii: Four ways the Houthis became a major military power https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/17/four-ways-houthis-major-military-power-yemen-iran-weapons/ US committed war crimes in Iran school strike, say UN experts https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/17/us-committed-war-crimes-iran-school-strike-experts/ CBS: New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian missile, drone attacks https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-photos-damage-u-s-kuwait-saudi-arabia-iran-drone-missile-attacks/ LEAD INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT ON OPERATION EPIC FURY https://media.defense.gov/2026/Sep/09/2003993626/-1/-1/1/OEF_Q3_JUN2026_FINAL_508%20SECURE.PDF Anthropic: Detecting and countering misuse of AI - September 2026 https://www-cdn.anthropic.com/e50be2e51e7695dc4b1366a37a245a597377d3b5/Anthropic-Detecting-and-countering-091026.pdf Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Peter Shevlin  Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey  ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saudi Arabia claimed that Yemen’s Houthis tried to attack the holy city of Mecca, and the Iran-backed militia claims to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Yemen, as fighting by the Red Sea continues.  On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks with Maziar Bahari, editor of IranWire, to dive into the bleak daily reality inside Iran. They discuss how regime corruption, the mounting costs of war amid a maritime blockade on oil exports, and Donald Trump’s sanctions have plunged Iran into its most severe economic crisis in recent history. Today also marks four years since Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being arrested in Tehran for not wearing her hijab properly. Bahari reveals how the regime is now quietly backing down on core ideological mandates such as the hijab to survive. Plus, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces impeachment articles over unauthorised strikes on Iran, Israel is about to get a $2.8bn arms package, and China calls on the US and Iran to restart peace talks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.  Highlights Why the Iranian regime is relaxing its hijab enforcement laws in order to surviveYemen’s Houthis target Mecca and down Saudi jet CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Maziar Bahari, editor of IranWire @maziarbahari WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Iran is trying to break Trump’s stranglehold by hitting him where it hurts https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/15/iran-is-trying-to-break-trumps-stranglehold/  US mulls diesel export ban as prices skyrocket https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/09/15/us-mulls-diesel-export-ban-as-prices-skyrocket/  Woman, Life, Freedom: How a Protest Movement Changed Iran https://iranwire.com/en/features/133949-woman-life-freedom-how-a-protest-movement-changed-iran/  Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Peter Shevlin  Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey  ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia have exchanged further strikes, amid signs that Tehran is ramping up the war against Riyadh to compensate for a stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz.  On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks with Arabist and Yemen expert Dr. Elisabeth Kendall (mistress of Girton College) to explain why the Houthis and Iraqi militias are part of a new Iranian Axis of Resistance. They also discuss how Saudi leader Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) is facing an existential crisis following devastating pipeline attacks and escalating violence, with missile alerts sounding as far as Jeddah. Following Donald Trump’s refusal to help, Saudi Arabia has called on the UK and Egypt while Iran turns to China. Who will step in? Plus, how Iran helped the Houthis to evolve into a formidable fighting force and the US pushes back against the IRGC’s fake news about sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.  Highlights Iran activates Yemen Houthi ‘ace card’ amid Strait of Hormuz stalemateSaudi Arabia turns to UK for help after ‘shocking’ Trump-Houthi call CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Elisabeth Kendall, mistress of Girton College, University of Cambridge @Dr_E_Kendall WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-september-14-2026/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/09/14/proscribing-houthis-bring-energy-bills-down-burnham/ Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026 Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026 The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026 Audio Producer: Elliot Lampitt  Video Producer: Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh Studio Operator: Andy Watson Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey  ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor ► EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected] ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.