Amanpour

The US-Israel war on Iran is expanding, and regional leaders and aid agencies are warning that a humanitarian disaster is looming. In Lebanon, Israel is pounding southern Beirut, going after what it is describing as Hezbollah targets. It's a resounding message from Iran that, in this asymmetrical war, attacks will not go unanswered. Adel Nassar is Lebanon's justice minister and he joins the show from Beirut. 

Also on today's show: Mostafa Daneshgar, Iranian political analyst & Maryam Alemzadeh, associate professor in history & politics of Iran university of Oxford; Vivian Salama, staff writer, the Atlantic 

 
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It is day 11 of the US-Israeli war with Iran and there is still no clear off-ramp. President Trump claims it will be over "very soon," but he continues to make contradictory statements. In contrast, Iran is clear on its goals and says it is prepared for a long war. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen has seen first hand the human impact of this war and reports from Tehran amid ongoing strikes. 

Also on today’s show: General Joseph Votel, Forner CENTCOM Commander; Lilian Tintori, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist; US Democratic Senator Andy Kim 

 
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Top Iranian clerics have picked Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's next Supreme Leader. He is the son of slain leader Ayotallah Ali Khameni and is known for sharing his father's hardline stance. It is a choice that both the US and Israel have said they won't accept. Gideon Sa'ar is Israel's Foreign Minister and he joined the show to react. 

Also on today's show: CNN's Fred Pleitgen interviews former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi; Jason Furman, Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers; Debbie Wei Mullin, Founder, Copper Cow Coffee & Sarah LaFleur, Founder and CEO, M.M. LaFleur 
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As America and Israel's conflict with Iran spills out into the region and beyond, Christiane gets perspective from around the world with a range of guests. U.S. Democratic Senator, Chris Murphy, who sits on the foreign relations committee is up first with a furious response to the roll out of this war and the lack of clear objectives. Then from inside Iran, Christiane hears from human rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-write the Oscar-nominated drama 'It Was Just an Accident' and was until recently, a political prisoner of the regime. And with the Gulf region under fire, Christiane speaks to Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former director of intelligence. Plus with America's allies increasingly walking a tightrope, Christiane hears from Britain's former spymaster, John Sawers, after President Trump criticised Prime Minister Starmer's initial response. And, with many Americans hearing echoes of Iraq, a lookback at Christiane's reporting from Baghdad just after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Air date: March 7, 2026

 

Guests: 

Senator Chris Murphy

Former Saudi Intelligence Chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal 

Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers

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It is day seven of Israel and America's war on Iran, after the heaviest night of bombardment so far. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his photojournalist and producer, Claudia Otto, are in Tehran - the first US team in the country since the start of the war. They are operating there only with the permission of the Iranian government. While anti-government protesters are off the streets, trying to avoid retribution, the government is allowing us to see crowds of its supporters. 

Also on today's show: Mehdi Mahmoudian, Iranian Human Rights Activist; Dan Shapiro, Former US Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary; David Frum, Staff writer, The Atlantic 

 
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