Iran: The Latest

A new report exposes how pinpoint strikes by Iran and its proxies hit at least 84 Gulf infrastructure targets a total of 135 times, systematically disabling key infrastructure throughout the war.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan speaks to national security editor Rozina Sabur and Iranian terrorism specialist Roger Macmillan about the widening scope of Tehran's hybrid warfare, from the Middle East to Europe.

They unpack how the IRGC is weaponising criminal networks to orchestrate hit squads and sabotage operations on Western soil - including a growing number of foiled terror plots targeting military and Jewish sites in the UK. MI5’s boss this week issued a rare warning - but is anyone paying attention?

Plus, Houthi ballistic missiles kill five at the presidential palace in the port city of Aden, and how US President Donald Trump is balancing escalating nuclear strike options ahead of the US midterm elections - and why it could make Iran more dangerous.

Highlights
How pinpoint Iranian strikes smashed up the Gulf’s key sites
IRGC’s terror network across Europe exposed

CONTRIBUTORS:
Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan
Rozina Sabur, national security editor @RozinaSabur
Roger Macmillan, former Director of Security at Iran International TV @Rogermacmillan

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iran-backed Houthis on brink of taking Taiz in massive blow to Saudi Arabia
https://youtu.be/cSyCHTlh9Vo?si=nWqBqSjpqgOa2Ixp
Iran’s precision strikes picked apart Gulf infrastructure, blunting US war plans
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/iran-crisis-infrastructure-attacks/
Iran’s terrifying global campaign of revenge – and how it targets enemies
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/27/irans-terrifying-revenge-countries-that-oppose-it/
Teenage assassin sent to Britain by Iranian proxy jailed for 20 years
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/16/teenage-assassin-sent-to-britain-by-iranian-proxy-jailed/
Migrant who ‘planned UK terror attack’ claimed asylum in Germany
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/03/israel-anti-semitism-iran-ahmadyan-salehi/

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
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club 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.

Iran has sunk two cargo vessels in under 24 hours in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began in March.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to chief foreign affairs commentator David Blair about why Tehran is expanding its pace of attacks. So far the US has avoided a military response but how long can that last? Meanwhile, news that US President Donald Trump is considering using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb - aka the “mother of all bombs”.

Plus, the Iran-backed Houthis have encircled Yemen’s Taiz and are on the cusp of taking the strategic city for the first time in the war in what would be a major blow to Saudi Arabia.

Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen, a Yemeni senior researcher from the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, explains why the Houthis are so desperate to capture Taiz as a stepping-stone to oil-rich Marib and port city Aden and how it could take just “days” to fall. With around a million people trapped inside and news of food and medicine shortages, a humanitarian disaster is looming and Iran’s proxy group is on the brink of a major victory.

Highlights
Iran sinks two ships in Strait of Hormuz as attacks escalate
Houthis ‘days’ from taking Yemen’s key city of Taiz

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
David Blair, chief foreign affairs commentator @davidblairdt
Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen from the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies @maysaashujaa

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iran hits six oil tankers in single day
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/13/iran-hits-six-oil-tankers-day-hormuz-war-america-trump/
Trump lines up ‘mother of all bombs’ to strike Iran
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/15/trump-mother-of-all-bombs-strike-iran-moab/
Houthis on brink of taking their biggest scalp
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/13/houthis-on-brink-of-seizing-their-biggest-scalp/
Con Coughlin: The Houthis are Europe’s problem
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/15/houthis-are-europe-problem/

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
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club 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 Houthi offensive in Yemen is reaching a critical tipping point as the Iran-backed militants encircle the strategic city of Taiz, threatening to tip the war in their favour.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks with Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb, former director of UK Special Forces and commander of the British Field Army, about the battle for Taiz and whether the West is underestimating Saudi Arabia’s capability to push them back. As US President Donald Trump scolds the “nasty” Houthis for “bad behaviour”, Lt Gen Lamb unpacks the ways in which the Yemen war folds into Iran’s strategy of global economic warfare and how Russia is helping Tehran keep going.

Plus, the importance of civil society resilience in a time of war, why aid cuts don’t make us safer, and how special forces soldiers navigate international humanitarian law in tricky war zones.

Highlights
Trump scolds ‘nasty’ Houthis for ‘bad behaviour’ by attacking Saudi Arabia
Lt Gen Graeme Lamb on the IRGC, Yemen’s Houthis and the special forces

Highlights
Trump scolds ‘nasty’ Houthis for ‘bad behaviour’ by attacking Saudi Arabia
Lt Gen Graeme Lamb on the IRGC, Yemen’s Houthis and the special forces

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Lt Gen Graeme Lamb, former director of UK Special Forces and commander of the British Field Army
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Houthis on brink of taking their biggest scalp https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/13/houthis-on-brink-of-seizing-their-biggest-scalp/
Sal Mercogliano: The ayatollahs have been humbled by the power of capitalism
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/14/strait-of-hormuz-iran-war-shipping-oil-gas-diesel-drones/
Iran hits six oil tankers in single day
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/13/iran-hits-six-oil-tankers-day-hormuz-war-america-trump/
Diesel crisis to drag on for months, warns IEA
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/10/14/diesel-crisis-to-drag-on-for-months-warns-iea/

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
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club 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 closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war is throttling global fertiliser supply chains, driving up transport costs, and sparking a looming food price crisis.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant talks to Joseph Glauber from the International Food Policy Research Institute about the nuts and bolts of how the Iran war is impacting food security - and why the worst is yet to come. They discuss how farmers and markets have adapted to the drop off in exports, and why Russian attacks on Black Sea ships and the strengthening ‘super’ El Niño are creating a food time bomb for 2027.

Plus, Yemen warns of a “catastrophe” in Taiz amid the Houthi siege, MI5 says Iran is now targeting British military sites showing a “major shift” in its ambitions, and why Donald Trump is wrong to insist that China and Russia aren’t helping Tehran.

Highlights
The Iran war’s looming food price crisis, from fertiliser to gas
MI5 warns IRGC targeting UK military sites

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow International Food Policy Research Institute @JoeGlauber1

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
MI5 chief: Terrorists plotting AI drone attacks on Britain
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/13/mi5-chief-terrorists-plotting-ai-drone-attacks-on-britain/
RAF terror plot ‘highly likely’ to be work of IRGC, Burnham says
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/10/12/burnham-highly-likely-irgc-behind-raf-terror-plot/
Cowering MBS faces biggest challenge to Saudi ambitions
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/12/cowering-mbs-challenge-to-saudi-ambitions/
The hunger crisis experts warned of is here – and it’s likely to get worse
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/the-food-crisis-experts-have-been-warning-about-is-here/

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
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club 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.

A brutal wave of Houthi missiles have struck Saudi Arabia’s main Riyadh airport, killing at least 14 in the deadliest attack on a Gulf nation since the US-Iran war began.

On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by Riyadh-based Saudi analyst Salman Al-Ansari to examine the catastrophic attacks on King Khalid International Airport and why Iran’s Houthis are able to cause so much damage.

They also discuss what might happen next: will Donald Trump launch US strikes in Yemen? Will a new Arab-led coalition emerge? And why does Saudi Arabia think it has a better chance of defeating the Iranian proxy group now than before?

Plus, as Iranian officials threaten to destroy US data centres and other infrastructure in the Gulf if the conflict restarts, Aramco’s CEO warns of severe global crude oil shortages while the Strait of Hormuz remains under attack.

Highlights
Trump weighs US strikes after Houthi missiles shut Riyadh airport
Saudi Arabia vows ‘serious response’

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Salman al-Ansari, Saudi analyst @alansari

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
The Houthi missiles that will make Trump think twice
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/12/houthi-missiles-trump-think-twice/
The UAE-backed ‘Giants Brigade’ changing the Saudi-Houthi war
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/09/giants-brigade-militia-changing-saudi-houthi-war/
Trump may join Saudi war after Houthi strike on airport kills 12
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/10/saudi-yemen-king-khalid-iran-gulf-war/

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
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club 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.