Iran: The Latest

Iran’s proxy group the Houthis have launched fresh missile attacks on Yemeni ports in the Red Sea as their conflict with Saudi Arabia heats up. A new war in the Arabian Peninsula is now inevitable, according to former Yemeni diplomat Mahmoud Shehrah.On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Roland Oliphant talks to Chatham House’s Shehrah to unpack the Houthis' intentions and to what extent they are acting on Tehran’s orders. Could they close the Bab al-Mendab strait and what can the West do about it?Plus, news of an Iranian assassination plot against Donald Trump that forced him to hide in an airplane catering trolley, and why the US president is now demanding war reparations from Iran to resolve their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz. HighlightsIran’s proxy group the Houthis restarting the Yemen warIran's Trump assassination plot exposedCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantMahmoud Shehrah, former Yemeni diplomat and associate fellow Chatham House @shehrah_mahmoud WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Trump demands ‘reparations’ from Iranhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/10/trump-demands-reparations-iran/Trump sneaked out of Turkey in catering cart over Iranian plot fearshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/08/11/trump-secret-flight-turkey-iran-plot-air-force-one/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher 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 has issued a series of demands to the US in return for reopening the Strait of Hormuz - everything from war reparations to withdrawing regional military assets. Many of them echo the previous peace deal, so will Donald Trump accept?On today's episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Sophia Yan look at who is in a stronger position. Trump’s naval blockade has forced Tehran’s primary oil terminal on Kharg Island to grind to a halt and is pushing food inflation above 200 per cent in some cases. But Iran has just appointed a hardline new security council leader who has vowed to retain full control of Hormuz. Plus, why Tehran has released an old video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Houthi attacks on a Saudi oil refinery puts the new Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca defence pact to an early test, and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly rejects Donald Trump’s 15-point Gaza peace deal.HighlightsUS blockade squeezes Iran as main oil terminal goes darkTehran names price to reopen the Strait of HormuzCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineySophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iran names price to reopen Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/iran-names-price-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz/ As one oil chokepoint calms, Houthis threaten anotherhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/war-yemen-threatens-drag-middle-east-deeper-crisis/Israel rejects Trump’s Gaza planhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-donald-trump-gaza-plan-hamas/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher 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 is holding off on any further military action against Iran in the hope of striking a diplomatic breakthrough to end the war - but is he wasting his time?For this bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Iranian-American entrepreneur and former refugee Payam Zamani. He argues that the Iranian regime cannot be trusted and that the West repeatedly misunderstands the Islamic Republic, which is built on martyrdom, brutality and religious fanaticism. Payam knows this from experience. Born into a Baha’i family in 1970s Tehran, he was repeatedly persecuted and eventually fled Iran on foot after being chased out of school by a violent mob. He offers a rare insider look at how the Islamic Republic operates by looking at how it crushes minorities and any dissent. HighlightsWhy Trump can’t trust Iran: the fatal flaw in any peace dealIRGC brutality, being a Baha'i and escaping Iran with Payam Zamani CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyPayam Zamani, CEO/founder One Planet Group @PayamZamaniWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkWinner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Peter ShevlinVideo Producer: 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/

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a historic trilateral defence agreement containing a Nato-style mutual assistance clause. As the Iranian threat - including from its proxies in Yemen and Iraq - grows, is this the future of security in the Middle East?On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan is joined by Miad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Pentagon lead sanctions architect. They discuss how much control Tehran still has over its proxies, growing internal dissent in Iran over the Strait of Hormuz deal, and whether Tehran is stringing out the war to avoid further protests. Plus, how China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctions. HighlightsSaudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign Nato-style pact against IranHow China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctionsCONTRIBUTORS:Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanMiad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies @miadmalekiWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iran considers banning US and Israeli ships from Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/07/iran-considers-banning-us-israeli-ships-strait-of-hormuz/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter Shevlin 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 and Oman are reported to be on the verge of signing a historic deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz that would put Tehran in control of all inbound traffic. Will Donald Trump approve the deal - and with the US apparently cut out of negotiations, does he have any choice?On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to chief Washington correspondent Connor Stringer about how the deal would work, the tolls - or fees - it could involve for transiting ships, and why no deal can permanently solve the waterway’s instability in the long-run. Plus, fresh violence in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an “argument” between Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over missile stockpiles, and why Tucker Carlson is heading up a splinter MAGA group that is furious about the US-Iran war. Could Tucker run for president in 2028?HighlightsIran-Oman Strait of Hormuz deal cuts out Trump Plus: could Tucker Carlson run for president in 2028 off the back of Iran war anger?CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyConnor Stringer, chief Washington correspondent @connorstringerWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Roland Oliphant: This is proof Iran won the warhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/06/this-is-proof-iran-won-the-war/Iran says it has agreed Strait of Hormuz shipping route with Omanhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/iran-threatens-attack-gulf-energy-facilities-new-us-strikes/Trump ‘clashes with Hegseth’ over missile shortageshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/trump-clashes-hegseth-missile-shortages/Europe to foot bill under new proposal to reopen Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/04/europe-could-foot-bill-in-new-plan-to-reopen-hormuz/Iran’s plot to split Jordan from the Westhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/irans-plot-to-split-jordan-from-the-west/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Peter ShevlinVideo Producer: 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 military have ‘burnt through’ their critical missile interceptors since the start of the Iran war. Senior commanders warn that stockpiles for THAAD and Patriot systems are "dangerously low." Elsewhere, the conflict in the Red Sea has escalated as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have escalated their maritime blockade, striking a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea with ballistic missiles. On today’s episode Roland Oliphant speaks to Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin about the geopolitical implications of depleted US missile inventories, the crumbling reality behind the Gaza decommissioning deal, and growing political rifts inside Israel over war aims.Plus, Roland and Henry analyse the Israeli perspective to the news cycle, differing cultures of leaking information between the US and Israel, and alarming UN reports detailing a surge in state executions across Iran.HighlightsUS Thaad and Patriot missile stockpiles burn dry as Iran conflict escalatesIranian-backed Houthi rebels hit a Saudi oil tanker with ballistic missilesCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantHenry Bodkin, Jerusalem correspondent, @HenryBodkin  WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkWinner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher 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 a "decapitation" strike to restart the war if negotiations with Iran fail. Iran denies talks are underway, but Tehran is certainly talking with one country: Oman. It is closing in on a Strait of Hormuz deal that would grant Iranian control over inbound shipping, potentially allowing it to charge fees on everything from oil to fertiliser. Amid fresh missile strikes on commercial vessels near Oman, how will the US respond?On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks with Danny Citrinowicz, Senior Fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), about whether Iran is strategically dragging out the conflict. They analyse how the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars are “very close” to merging into a single global front, why US military posture is buckling in the Gulf, and how collapsing ceasefire deals in Lebanon and Gaza expose the limits of Trump’s Middle East strategy. HighlightsTrump threatens ‘decapitation’ strike if Iran negotiations failWhy the Iran and Ukraine wars are ‘very close’ to merging CONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantDanny Citrinowicz, senior fellow at Institute for National Security Studies @citrinowicz  WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Trump cut out of new deal to reopen Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/iran-and-oman-near-deal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz/Trump’s Hamas disarmament plan unravelshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/03/donald-trump-hamas-disarmament-deal-unravelling/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher 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 U-turned on a 14-day campaign of military strikes on Iran, which he claimed would have been the biggest attack since World War II in favor of restarting peace talks. Tehran insists no negotiations with the US are taking place.Meanwhile, an intelligence breach reveals Centcom is actively seeking "unconventional" ways to pressure Iran, while fresh missile attacks and radio threats near Oman continue to disrupt critical shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.On today's episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant discuss the news, the rinse-and-repeat cyclical nature of the war and why Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly vocal and involved. Plus, new polling showing American public support for the war dropping to record lows, the Shia festival of Arbaeen in Iraq and how climate change is affecting the region.HighlightsTrump cancels ‘biggest strike since WW2’ on Iran, but Tehran denies peace talks Leaked Centcom emails expose US military running out of ways to punish TehranCONTRIBUTORS: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:Pentagon asks soldiers for ‘creative’ ideas to punish Iranhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/03/pentagon-asks-soldiers-for-creative-ideas-to-punish-iran/Oil plummets as Trump calls off Iran strikeshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/03/oil-plummets-as-trump-calls-off-iran-strikes/Tiny militias threaten to draw Middle East into forever warhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/03/iraqi-militias-threaten-draw-middle-east-into-forever-war/New Hormuz plan leaves Iran in controlhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/01/israel-poised-return-iran-war-heaviest-us-strikes/US lacks weapons to defend Israel against Iran, leaked memo warnshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/02/us-lacks-weapons-to-defend-israel-leaked-memo-warns/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher 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/