Iran: The Latest

The 2026 US midterms results are in: Donald Trump’s Republican Party has suffered a devastating defeat, losing both the House and the Senate amid voter fury over high fuel prices caused by the Iran war. In today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey and Sophia Yan break down how the elections have changed the Congress map, from Texas’s flip to Abdul el-Sayed’s Michigan win. Along with guest Leo Shane, Politico’s defence correspondent, they ask what the midterm results mean for Trump and his foreign policy. The president has insisted future attacks against Iran remain on the table if they don’t strike a nuclear deal, but Tehran has warned that a return to full combat operations will be met with a “Nightmare” - will he be chastened or unleashed? And what does it mean for other countries in Trump’s sights such as Ukraine, Venezuela and Cuba?Plus, the looming battle over the Pentagon’s budget, will Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth face impeachment and Trump's shock announcement to halt military aid to Israel. HighlightsTrump’s Republicans suffer midterms bloodbath over Iran warTehran threatens ‘nightmare’ if Trump restarts strikesCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineySophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanLeo Shane III, Politico defence reporter @LeoShaneWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Mapped: US midterms results in fullhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/0/us-midterms-2026-results-for-senate-and-house-timings-democrat/Trump crushed in midtermshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/11/04/james-talarico-texas-senate-ken-paxton-midterms/John Bolton: The Democrats will now take revenge on Trump and his ilkhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/04/democrats-will-now-take-revenge-on-trump-and-his-ilk/Trump’s election day gamble over Israel backs Vance into a cornerhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/11/03/trump-election-day-gamble-israel-backs-vance-into-corner/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

Donald Trump has launched secretive strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, as Tehran threatens to tear up its nuclear weapons ban and Gulf allies brace for renewed war.In today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant looks at reports of five explosions in Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, home to an underground Iranian missile site, even as Trump insists the US has already "won" the conflict. Meanwhile, Tehran warns it is ready for battle and may formally abandon its ban on nuclear weapons after the assassination of Ali Khamenei at the beginning of the war. Plus, National Security Editor Rozina Sabur reports from the “gloomy” Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where Gulf states admit their collective security has collapsed in the face of Iranian threats. As Americans head to the polls for today’s midterm elections, Rozina - formerly Washington editor - breaks down what the vote means for Trump’s war effort and whether the US could see a rerun of the January 6 Capitol unrest.HighlightsUS bombs Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of HormuzTehran considering ending its own nuclear weapons banCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantRozina Sabur, national security editor @RozinaSaburWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iran reconsiders its own ban on nuclear weaponshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/02/iran-reconsiders-its-own-ban-on-nuclear-weapons/Pickaxe Mountain nuclear strike and Trump’s other Iran war optionshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/03/pickaxe-mountain-nuclear-strike-trumps-iran-war-options/US strikes Iran on eve of midterm electionshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/11/03/us-strikes-iran-qeshm-island-eve-of-midterm-elections/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made a rare statement, threatening to wage war with “no geographical restrictions” if the US resumes strikes. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum: strike a peace deal including nuclear weapons or he will “hammer” sites including Pickaxe Mountain. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant break down the news that suggests a full restart to the war is increasingly imminent, even as peace talks enter a crucial final crunch period ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections on November 3. Vice President JD Vance has written a letter to the Iranian regime and oil prices are slightly down, but with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu pushing for bombing to restart this week and Iranian officials vowing to target Europe, is there any chance of peace winning over war?HighlightsTrump vows to ‘hammer’ regime and strike Pickaxe MountainIran threatens US and Europe with ‘no limits’ war CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRoland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:From the shadows, Iran’s supreme leader asserts his powerhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/31/from-shadows-iran-supreme-leader-asserts-power-khamenei-war/Nine things that could make or break Trump in the midtermshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/11/02/nine-things-standing-between-trump-and-midterm-victory/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

Centcom’s commander Admiral Brad Cooper has briefed Donald Trump on options to resume major combat operations against Iran, as the war collides with next week’s high-stakes US midterm elections.On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Roland Oliphant is joined by Curt Mills, Executive Director of The American Conservative, to analyse how the Iran war is impacting the polls - and how the election results could affect the conflict in the Middle East. What happens if Trump loses the midterms? With oil prices surging past $115 a barrel, they unpack whether the "America First" movement has lost control of the White House and why Texas has become a political crucible.Plus, two vessels hit by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC claims to have downed two US drones, and Qatari envoys make a desperate return to Tehran to revive a deadlocked peace deal.HighlightsTrump briefed on Iran strike options as he faces midterm disaster amid $115 oilThe IRGC claims to have downed two US dronesCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantCurt Mills, executive director The American Conservative magazine @CurtMillsWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:US midterm elections 2026: How do they work and what could they mean for Trump?https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/26/us-midterm-elections-2026/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Joleen Goffin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

The US and Israel are preparing for an imminent post-midterms strike campaign on Iran as new intelligence reveals Tehran has built a secret network of companies to rearm with the help of Russia and China.On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by intelligence analyst and former US soldier Ryan McBeth to unpack whether another round of strikes can achieve anything more than "turning big rocks into little rocks". They discuss whether JD Vance’s backchannel letter to Iranian hardliners is a serious off-ramp or just more Trump bluster, why critical US precision munitions inventories like Patriot and Tomahawk face dangerous depletion, and what it will mean for a potential future war with China.Plus, Akhtar Makoii’s scoop that Iranian intelligence operations are targeting the US midterm vote, the firing of another top Pentagon general by Pete Hegseth.HighlightsTrump warns Gulf of imminent Iran blitzChina and Russia caught smuggling weapons to Iran CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRyan McBeth, intelligence analyst and former US soldier @RyanMcbethWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iran prepares to disrupt US midterms after meddling in Israel electionhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/29/election-interference-tehran-cyber-baghaei/ Vance makes last-ditch attempt to stop fresh Iran bombinghttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/28/vance-makes-last-ditch-attempt-to-stop-fresh-iran-bombing/Iran’s Hidden Web of Military Agencies Is Slipping Hardware Past the US Blockadehttps://www.reuters.com/world/iran/irans-hidden-web-military-agencies-is-slipping-hardware-past-us-blockade-2026-10-29/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Joleen Goffin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

US President Donald Trump has backed Benjamin Netanyahu after a strong election result for the Israeli leader that is likely to lead to the imminent resumption of war with Iran even as Gulf states push for peace talks. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin and global health security editor Paul Nuki in Tel Aviv about the why Bibi beat back his rival Gadi Eisenkot, how the Arab parties could become kingmakers, and the importance of Trump’s intervention ahead of voting. Amid growing momentum behind a Qatari peace deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, they explain why Israeli military action against remaining IRGC targets is inevitable, whatever Trump does with the war. Plus, what the election result means for the region as Lebanese proxy Hezbollah rearms with the help of Iranian cash, Yemen’s Houthis attack a major oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, and tensions in the West Bank are on a knife edge. HighlightsTrump backs Bibi as Israel readies for new Iran strikesYemen’s Houthis attack a major oil refinery in Saudi ArabiaCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyHenry Bodkin, Jerusalem correspondent @HenryBodkinPaul Nuki, global health security editor @PaulNukiWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Netanyahu’s fate now rests in the hands of his enemieshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/28/israel-election-netanyahu-fate-in-the-hands-of-enemies/Israel’s plan for ‘decisive victory’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/25/israels-plan-for-decisive-victory/ We’re ready to ditch two-state solution, says Arab-Israeli election kingmakerhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/18/were-ready-to-ditch-two-state-solution-says-arab-kingmaker/The CIA, civil war and the total collapse of Israelhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/23/cia-civil-war-total-collapse-israel-haredi-ultra-orthodox/Israel closes West Bank after shoot-out days before electionhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/23/israel-closes-west-bank-after-shootout-before-election/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Joleen Goffin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/FOR YT ONLY >>> Keywords: Iran, Iran war, US Iran war, Iran the latest, The Telegraph, Telegraph podcast, Donald Trump, Trump, Netanyahu, Bibi, Israel Iran, Israel strikes Iran, Middle East war, Ras Tanura, Houthis, Saudi Arabia oil, Strait of Hormuz, military analysis, Iran news today

This Israeli election is the most strategically consequential in the country’s history, with record turnout as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns voters to pick him or die.On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant talks to former Israeli defence intelligence analyst and INSS fellow Danny Citrinowicz about why Netanyahu is reported to have pushed Donald Trump to restart the Iran war early so he could delay the election. When the US said no to avoid pushing up oil prices any further, leaks suggest the Israeli leader tried to find another way to provoke Tehran, only to be stopped by the IDF chief of staff.They discuss the domestic and regional stakes for the country’s first wartime vote since Oct 7, and why the chances of renewed strikes against Iran are highly likely whether Bibi wins or loses.Plus, two British men are charged over a suspected Iranian intelligence plot targeting RAF Fairford, a vessel catches fire off the coast of Iraq, and Iran warns it will target South Korean shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.HighlightsNetanyahu ‘pushed Trump for Iran strikes’ to delay first wartime Israeli election‘Elect me or die’: Netanyahu’s Israel election threat as Iran war looms largeCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantDanny Citrinowicz, senior fellow at Institute for National Security Studies @citrinowiczWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Two men charged over suspected RAF Fairford terror plothttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/27/two-men-charged-over-raf-fairford-terror-plot/Victory or prison: Bibi’s last standhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/27/netanyahu-israeli-election-eisenkot-likud-iran/Netanyahu ‘pushed for strike on Iran before Israeli election’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/27/netanyahu-pushed-for-iran-strike-before-israel-election/ Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Joleen Goffin and Max BowerResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

Donald Trump has threatened to restart the war with Iran with “another little Operation Epic Fury”, even as US intelligence exposes advanced Iranian plots targeting American personnel across the Middle East.On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant look at why the US and Israel are delaying strikes until after the midterm and parliamentary elections. Sascha Bruchmann, Research Fellow at the IISS in Bahrain, breaks down why the region is changing forever and the Gulf’s military posture as leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey visit Iran for an emergency summit.Plus, former President Barack Obama weighs in on the Iran war, the Tehran-backed Houthi forces launch ballistic missiles at Riyadh’s main airport, why war resilience is about more than stockpiling.HighlightsTrump vows a ‘little Operation Epic Fury’ against IranTehran plots to target American personnel across the Middle EastCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRoland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantSascha Bruchmann, IISS Defence and Military Analysis Research FellowWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Obama accuses Trump of ‘chaos, cruelty and corruption’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/25/obama-accuses-trump-chaos-cruelty-corruption/US withdraws diplomats from Saudi Arabiahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/22/us-withdraws-diplomats-from-saudi-arabia/Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Joleen Goffin and Max BowerResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

The US is preparing for a protracted war with Iran as Donald Trump’s UN ambassador, Mike Waltz, warns the US Navy can maintain its maritime blockade on Iranian ports indefinitely. With Iranian seaborne oil exports falling toward zero, Washington is tightening its economic pressure campaign to force concessions on Tehran’s nuclear program.On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, host Roland Oliphant is joined by The Telegraph’s chief foreign affairs commentator David Blair. They unpack the escalation across the Middle East as Saudi air defenses intercept a Houthi ballistic missile over Riyadh, European and Middle Eastern foreign ministers convene in Istanbul, and the environmental cost of the war as UAE temporarily closes a beach due to dangerous contamination by a spill from a tanker.Plus, oil prices surge to a five-month high amid fears of fresh US-Israeli strikes, and Benjamin Netanyahu orders a total lockdown of the West Bank just days before Israel's general election.HighlightsUS Navy prepares for indefinite Iran blockade as oil revenues hit zeroHouthis target a ballistic missile at Riyadh as regional allies convene in IstanbulCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantDavid Blair, chief foreign affairs commentator @davidblairdtWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Israel closes West Bank after shoot-out days before election https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/23/israel-closes-west-bank-after-shootout-before-election/ The testimony of 24 soldiers has put the Gaza toll at the heart of Israel’s election https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/21/naza-film-israel-netanyahu-election/?recomm_id=d05acaf9-6799-4c4c-b651-e0e86e1d4d0b Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Chris JanuaryExecutive 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 battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/