{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/9475d117-fcd4-4915-a6f3-923941e7aa0d/66fd6592cb6b8e9ccc838ced?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Middle East crisis: how involved is UK military?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61ba05fc1a8cbed4343cf0e6/1727882364501-73777dfb-059e-4aaf-b8eb-be33fe5d4e63.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>As the world awaits Israel’s response to <a href=\"https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/iran-israel-war-missile-attack-middle-east-tehran-b1185359.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">rocket attacks by Iran</a>, what role did British forces play defending the country?</p><p>In this episode of The Standard podcast we’ll also look at the UK government’s handling of the crisis, with Britons told to leave Lebanon as Israel continues to pound Tehran-backed Hezbollah and ground operations begin.</p><p>Around 180 Iranian rockets were fired on Tuesday night as Iran’s response to Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, and follows <a href=\"https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/israeli-device-attacks-pagers-explosion-walkie-talkies-hezbollah-lebanon-b1182931.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">devastating pager-based attacks</a> against the terror group.</p><p>Evening Standard defence editor Robert Fox explains the significance of Iran’s rocket barrage targeting Israel.</p><p>In part two, the average UK <a href=\"https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/households-urged-to-send-in-energy-meter-readings-as-price-hike-takes-effect-b1185141.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">household energy bill</a> has now increased by £149 after Ofgem raised its price cap just as the winter months begin.&nbsp;</p><p>The Standard podcast is joined by Jonathan Marshall​​​, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation think-tank, who discuss context of the latest increase.</p>","author_name":"The Evening Standard"}