Iran: The Latest

Donald Trump has declared the war with Iran “effectively over,” claiming Middle East allies are protected and the Strait of Hormuz is effectively open. Tehran says talk of a deal is all “fake news”. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant is joined by former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe to analyse the gulf between White House claims and the reality on the water. Tom unpacks why the arrival of a third aircraft carrier could signal a wave of post-midterm "victory strikes," and explains how dangerous tanker shuttle runs and autonomous escorts are really keeping oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. It comes as Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth vows he would do the Iran war all over again if he had to despite facing impeachment. Plus, the US military scrambles aircraft away from another UK base - RAF Mildenhall - amid Iranian threats, the Houthis step up their offensive to capture the Yemeni city of Taiz, and France blames Iran’s elite cyber unit for hacking supermarket fridges. HighlightsTrump says Iran war is over as US prises open Strait of Hormuz Why American ‘victory strikes’ may still be on the cardsCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantTom Sharpe, former Royal Navy commander @TomSharpe134WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:US pulls aircraft from British base ‘after Iran threat’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/10/us-evacuated-aircraft-uk-raf-mildenhall-iran-threat/Iran’s elite hacking cell that left France hungryhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/10/elite-iranian-hacking-cell-that-left-france-hungry/‘I’d do it all again tomorrow’: Defiant Hegseth to fight impeachmenthttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/11/10/pete-hegseth-to-fight-congress-impeachment/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/

The US military has bombed Qeshm Island again and launched Operation Iron Gate - an ambitious land blockade designed to sever Iran’s resupply corridors with Russia and China. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by Jonathan Hackett, retired US Marine Corps counterintelligence agent and author of 'Iran’s Shadow Weapons', to analyse whether Centcom’s latest moves are enough to isolate the IRGC. They delve into how exactly Beijing and Moscow are propping up Tehran, from targeting assistance to potential S-400 air defence batteries to missiles parts for the Houthis in Yemen. Donald Trump insists renewed strikes are "highly unlikely" but has assembled three aircraft carriers in the Middle East. Jonathan outlines three things to watch in the coming weeks to assess whether strikes are about to restart. Plus, will Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu lash out as he faces the prospect of losing power to rival Gadi Eisenkot? Jonathan explains why despite being cornered, Bibi cannot go it alone due to a lack of air defences. HighlightsUS blockades Iran’s borders as China and Russia rearm TehranTrump bombs Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyJonathan Hackett, ex-US Marine Corps counterintelligence agent @jonathanhackettWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Russia in talks to supply advanced missiles to Iranhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/06/russia-in-talks-to-supply-advanced-missiles-to-iran/Houthi missile debris smashes into Saudi skyscraperhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/08/houthi-missile-smashes-saudi-skyscraper/‘We’re not done with Iran’, warns Israelhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/08/nuclear-pickaxe-mountain-qatar-netanyahu-facilities/Four reasons why ousting Netanyahu could get uglyhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/08/four-reasons-why-ousting-netanyahu-could-get-ugly/China is helping the Houthis in order to spite the UShttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/17/china-helping-houthis-in-order-to-spite-the-us/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 is rebuilding its bombed-out missile sites at the same time as dangling a nuclear offer in front of Donald Trump, as the US president weighs whether to restart strikes alongside Israel.On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Iranian-American analyst Holly Dagres from the Washington Institute about the moods in Washington and Tehran in the wake of the Republican’s crushing midterms defeat and how it could lead to miscalculation on both sides. The IRGC vows it will target Europe if the war restarts - but Holly argues that Tehran’s maximalist peace demands and Trump’s lack of patience means the war is likely to restart. Plus, talk of Pete Hegseth or Marco Rubio being sacked over the war’s failures, documents reveal Russia agreed to give Tehran 90 advanced guided missile launchers, and why anti-regime protests in Iran remain unlikely despite historic hyperinflation and mass executions.HighlightsTrump threatens to destroy Iran as IRGC rebuilds missile sitesUS war cabinet crumbles as Hegseth fights for his jobCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyHolly Dagres, senior fellow Washington Institute @hdagresWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Defiant Hegseth vows to finish Iran warhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/06/pete-hegseth-vows-finish-iran-war-defence-secretary-trump/Charting how Iran drove Trump and Vance aparthttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/06/charting-trump-vance-iran/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/

‘This is where the US-Israel-Iran war really began’On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to veteran Middle East journalist Kim Ghattas about Donald Trump’s stunning US midterm election losses, JD Vance demanding an end to the Iran war, and what it all means for the likelihood of American and Israeli strikes in the coming weeks.Kim talks about how her new book, The Best Kind of American, looks at the origins of the US-Israel-Iran relationship, born in the crucible of 1980s war-torn Beirut. She explains why even as the IRGC openly celebrates the Republicans losing the Senate and House of Representatives, Iran’s economy remains weak and the regime does not want to return to all-out war.Plus, why Israel’s future relationship with the US is more secure than it seems, how Iran uses the Houthis to target Saudi Arabia, and why hostage taking and kidnapping could soon be on the rise.HighlightsVance revolts over US-Iran war after midterms defeat. Will Israel go it alone?Journalist Kim Ghattas on the real origins of the warCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyKim Ghattas, journalist and author The Best Kind of American @KimGhattasWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Vance ready to take Trump’s crown after midterms humblinghttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/11/05/vance-ready-to-take-trumps-crown-after-midterms-humbling/Vance breaks ranks with Trump over election catastrophehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/11/04/vance-clashes-trump-midterms-election-catastrophe-iran-war/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 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 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/