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Iran: The Latest

Who would win a war in space?

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For the past century, war has been fought in three domains: land, sea, and air. But now, there is a fourth.

As America and China rush to establish bases on the Moon and Mars, Ukraine and Russia try to jam one another's satellite signals, and middle sized powers are learning how to protect themselves from enemy space weapons. Many countries now field Space Forces alongside armies, navies and airforces. How close are we to the first space war? And what will it look like? And who would win?


Roland Oliphant speaks to Juliana Suess, a space specialist at Germany's Institute for International and Security Affairs and Namrata Goswami, an author, professor and consultant specializing in space policy, about the era of war in the heavens.


Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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  • Trump readies new Iran strikes as Strait of Hormuz attacks ramp up

    31:59|
    Donald Trump is reportedly readying to restart major combat operations against Iran and alongside former war-partner Israel - before the US midterm elections. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List, about how such an escalation would impact the dangerous and costly shuttle service that has emerged in the Strait of Hormuz to stabilise oil prices. They discuss how growing Iranian attacks on tankers in the key waterway has led to a “violent equilibrium” that is having a global knock-on impact. Is it sustainable? Plus, new figures show more US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began than previously reported, Yemen’s Houthis down a drone from Saudi Arabia, and UK-Israel crisis talks save Britain's diplomatic presence in Jerusalem. HighlightsTrump readies new Iran strikes as Strait of Hormuz attacks ramp upHow the US’s deadly oil shuttle defies Iranian strikesCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRichard Meade, editor-in-chief Lloyd’s List @LloydslistedWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Trump ‘preparing for Iran strikes before midterms’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/07/trump-preparing-for-iran-strikes-before-midterms/ Tom Sharpe: It’s advantage Trump in the Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/06/strait-hormuz-oil-crude-iran-war-strikes-red-sea-trump/Britain and Israel back down over Jerusalem consulate closurehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/08/israel-british-consulate-jerusalem-miliband-sanctions/Richard Meade: Markets adapt, but disruption still payshttps://www.lloydslist.com/LL1158639/The-Daily-View-Markets-adapt-but-disruption-still-paysShips’ captains paid $100,000 a month to transit Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.ft.com/content/0d665e5b-d8c8-4f1e-acf5-bba7193b4e6eU.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congresshttps://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12692Winner 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 2026Nominated 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: 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/
  • Houthi strikes shut Yemen airport & how October 7 has changed Israel

    47:59|
    Three years on from the October 7 attacks by Hamas, how has Israel been changed by the massacre and ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and beyond?On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan catches up once again with Israeli best friends Adam Ben-Shabbat and Nadim Tali from the Oasis of Peace, a Jewish and Palestinian Israeli village. They discuss the impact of the Iran war, rising racism and anti-Semitism, and the prospects for a two-state solution. Plus, did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu know October 7 might happen? Venetia Rainey looks at the lack of accountability amid news that the UAE warned Israel, and the growing toll on Palestinians in Gaza.Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have fired ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi capital Riyadh and Aden’s international airport, even as they face growing military pressure around the Red Sea. HighlightsHouthi strikes shut down Yemen airport and target RiyadhTwo best friends on how Oct 7 and the Iran war has changed IsraelCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRoland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantSophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iranians ‘used ChatGPT while spying on journalists’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/06/iranians-used-chatgpt-while-spying-on-journalists/This is the story of death and survival in Oct 7’s yellow dumpsterhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/07/oct7-israel-yellow-dumpster/Listen to Sophia’s previous conversations with Adam and Nadim >> October 2025: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/06/inside-gaza-city-how-hamas-survived-and-what-next/October 2024: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/09/israels-oasis-of-peace-one-year-later/January 2024: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/14/battle-lines-israel-oasis-of-peace-palestine/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Bronze winner, 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: Meghan SearleExecutive 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/
  • How the Iran war exposed the US Navy’s chronic problems

    36:48|
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  • US bombers quit UK base over Iran terror plot & Houthis attack Saudi oil

    32:22|
    US heavy bombers have quit the RAF Fairford base amid new details about a suspected Iran terror plot. Is the UK still safe for US assets? On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest news live, Sophia Yan, Roland Oliphant, and Venetia Rainey discuss the hurried withdrawal of American B1, B2s and B52s and why it doesn’t mean a return to all-out war is off the cards for Donald Trump.Meanwhile in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has deployed 100 fighter jets and government forces appear to have retaken control of the Red Sea chokepoint of Bab al-Mandeb. They discuss Operation Dawn of Yemen, a major push to retake territory from the Houthis following their ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Aramco oil facilities. Will Pakistan and Turkey come to Riyadh’s rescue?Plus, why Middle East oil exports are up despite multiple tanker strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, and how the Omani co-pilot who tried to crash a flydubai plane was radicalised.HighlightsUS bombers quit UK RAF Fairford base over Iran terror plotOp Dawn of Yemen: Houthis lose Red Sea territory after Saudi oil attackCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRoland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantSophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Saudi deploys 100 fighter jets to retake Red Seahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/05/saudi-deploys-100-fighter-jets-to-retake-red-sea/David Blair: America has just handed Britain a humiliating vote of no-confidencehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/05/america-withdrawal-b1-bombers-vote-no-confidence-britain/US pulls bombers out of RAF Fairford after reports of fresh terror plothttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/04/us-pulls-bomber-jets-from-raf-fairford-after-terror-plot/Flydubai hijacker’s hateful rants while studying at British universityhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/03/flydubai-hijackers-hateful-rants-while-at-uk-university/Australia investigates Flydubai hijacker’s radicalisationhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/04/australia-flydubai-co-pilot-radicalised-melbourne/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 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/
  • Trump uses US border funds for ‘propaganda’ as Republicans turn on Iran war

    32:24|
    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.HighlightsTrump uses US border funds for ‘propaganda’ as Republicans turn on Iran war Pentagon unveils new drone command and personnel cutsCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyConnor O'Brien, Politico senior defence correspondent @connorobrienNHLeo Shane III, Politico defence reporter @LeoShaneWATCH 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/2026/09/14/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 voidhttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/23/military-nominees-pentagon-void-01090209Dems plot to take on Hegseth if they win in Novemberhttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/10/dems-plot-target-hegseth-01069194Winner 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/
  • US deploys third carrier to Iran as Trump admits munitions shortage

    38:33|
    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.HighlightsUS deploys third aircraft carrier to IranWhy the US withdrawal from Iraq could play into Tehran’s handsCONTRIBUTORS:Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanRenad Mansour, deputy director MENA Programme and director Iraq Initiative Chatham House, @renadmansourWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:US is running out of weapons, Trump admitshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/01/us-running-out-of-weapon-iran-trump-admits/Iranian arrested over suspected RAF terror plothttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/01/iranian-arrested-over-suspected-raf-terror-plot/Trump: Co-pilot hijacker is linked to Iranhttps://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 vacuumhttps://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 itselfhttps://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 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-linked network targets Israeli election & the hero pilot who stopped a war

    36:56|
    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. HighlightsHow flydubai’s hero pilot and passengers stopped a warIranian covert influence network exposed targeting Israeli election debateCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyHenry Bodkin, Jerusalem Correspondent @HenryBodkinTal Hagin, OSINT specialist and director of intelligence network Otus @talhaginWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iranian negotiators kicked out of US by Rubiohttps://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 plothttps://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 aparthttps://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 9/11https://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 Debatehttps://goldenowl.ai/resources/research/Iranian-Regime-Linked-Manipulation-of-Israel-2026-Election-Debate#7-operated-from-iran-the-iran-app-ringWinner 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 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/
  • Hijack attack on Israel plane & why the US-Iran war is about to restart

    38:16|
    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.HighlightsIsrael 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 @RolandOliphantVenetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyHamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst International Crisis Group @HamidRezaAzWATCH 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 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/
  • Trump digs in on Iran blockade & how to defeat Yemen’s ‘evil’ Houthis

    43:14|
    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. HighlightsTrump digs in on Iran blockade over Strait of HormuzHow the Houthis outmaneuvered Saudi Arabia in YemenCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantMichael Knights, military historian and head of research Horizon Engage @MikeknightsiraqWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:RAF base terror plot ‘clearly involved’ foreign actor, claims Rubiohttps://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 Seahttps://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 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 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/