Iran: The Latest

The US Navy is facing increasingly long deployments as depleted interceptor stockpiles as aircraft carriers struggle to cope with Donald Trump’s eight-month Iran war and other commitments. Is America overstretched at sea?

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant is joined by RUSI naval warfare experts Dr. Sidharth Kaushal and Professor Kevin Rowlands to discuss the chronic problems within the US Navy, from an ageing carrier fleet to the lack of regular maintenance. They discuss why the Strait of Hormuz has been so hard to resolve militarily and how much longer Trump can continue to fight Iran.

Plus, in Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthis have fired ballistic missiles at Saudi airports as the Riyadh-backed government forces recapture the key Red Sea port of Mocha as part of a major push. What does this latest news mean for the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint?

Highlights
How the Iran war exposed the US Navy’s chronic problems
Houthis strike Saudi airports as Yemen forces retake Mocha port

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Kevin Rowlands, RUSI journal editor @c21st_sailor
Dr Sidharth Kaushal, RUSI senior research fellow sea power

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Saudi-backed forces run over surrendering Houthis with trucks
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/05/saudi-deploys-100-fighter-jets-to-retake-red-sea/
Iran ‘plotted Spider Web-style drone attack on RAF Fairford’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/05/vance-bombers-fairford-iran-threat/
Tom Sharpe: It’s advantage Trump in the Strait of Hormuz
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/06/strait-hormuz-oil-crude-iran-war-strikes-red-sea-trump/
RUSI: The Overstretch Facing the US Navy
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/overstretch-facing-us-navy

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive 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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Highlights
US bombers quit UK RAF Fairford base over Iran terror plot
Op Dawn of Yemen: Houthis lose Red Sea territory after Saudi oil attack

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Saudi deploys 100 fighter jets to retake Red Sea
https://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-confidence
https://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 plot
https://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 university
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/03/flydubai-hijackers-hateful-rants-while-at-uk-university/
Australia investigates Flydubai hijacker’s radicalisation
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/04/australia-flydubai-co-pilot-radicalised-melbourne/

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive 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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Highlights
Trump uses US border funds for ‘propaganda’ as Republicans turn on Iran war
Pentagon unveils new drone command and personnel cuts

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Connor O'Brien, Politico senior defence correspondent @connorobrienNH
Leo Shane III, Politico defence reporter @LeoShane

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT 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 void
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/23/military-nominees-pentagon-void-01090209
Dems plot to take on Hegseth if they win in November
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/10/dems-plot-target-hegseth-01069194

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive 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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Highlights
US deploys third aircraft carrier to Iran
Why the US withdrawal from Iraq could play into Tehran’s hands

CONTRIBUTORS:
Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan
Renad Mansour, deputy director MENA Programme and director Iraq Initiative Chatham House, @renadmansour

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:
US is running out of weapons, Trump admits
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/10/01/us-running-out-of-weapon-iran-trump-admits/
Iranian arrested over suspected RAF terror plot
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/01/iranian-arrested-over-suspected-raf-terror-plot/
Trump: Co-pilot hijacker is linked to Iran
https://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 vacuum
https://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 itself
https://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 2026
Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive 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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Highlights
How flydubai’s hero pilot and passengers stopped a war
Iranian covert influence network exposed targeting Israeli election debate

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Henry Bodkin, Jerusalem Correspondent @HenryBodkin
Tal Hagin, OSINT specialist and director of intelligence network Otus @talhagin
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iranian negotiators kicked out of US by Rubio
https://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 plot
https://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 apart
https://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 9/11
https://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 Debate
https://goldenowl.ai/resources/research/Iranian-Regime-Linked-Manipulation-of-Israel-2026-Election-Debate#7-operated-from-iran-the-iran-app-ring

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive 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/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.