Iran: The Latest

Tehran has unveiled an enormous subterranean missile complex, with the IRGC claiming that it is ready for strikes from the US or Israel and will escalate the war beyond the Middle East if Iran is bombed by Donald Trump.

In today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by Chatham House’s MENA director Sanam Vakil to examine the messaging behind the extraordinary video and what it tells us about the direction of the war and the militarisation of Iran. They discuss the likelihood of strikes versus peace talks and why Gulf states are forming an integrated military command in Kuwait to make themselves less reliant on America.

Plus, an Iranian-Iraqi national is accused of orchestrating the UK RAF Fairford plot from behind bars in New York, US planes are evacuated from a second UK airbase RAF Mildenhall, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth narrowly dodges impeachment over the Iran war - for now.

Highlights
Iran unveils underground ‘Missile City’ with long-range weapons
Gulf states form an integrated military command in Kuwait

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Sanam Vakil, MENA director Chatham House @SanamVakil

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iran unveils new ‘missile city’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/10/iran-unveils-new-missile-city/
RAF Fairford organiser ‘directed terror attacks on FaceTime’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/10/raf-fairford-suspect-directed-terror-attacks-facetime/
Richard Kemp: Britain is overrun with Iranian agents. No wonder America won’t keep its planes here
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/10/raf-mildenhall-base-security-us-air-force-planes-iran-war/
Houthis mobilise forces to take control of Yemen,
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/11/houthis-mobilise-forces-to-take-control-of-yemen/

Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026
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
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.

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.

Highlights
Trump says Iran war is over as US prises open Strait of Hormuz
Why American ‘victory strikes’ may still be on the cards

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Tom Sharpe, former Royal Navy commander @TomSharpe134

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

CONTENT 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 hungry
https://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 impeachment
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/11/10/pete-hegseth-to-fight-congress-impeachment/
The shadow war has a new target: You
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/11/how-the-shadow-war-is-coming-for-you/

Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026
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 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.

Highlights
US blockades Iran’s borders as China and Russia rearm Tehran
Trump bombs Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Jonathan Hackett, ex-US Marine Corps counterintelligence agent @jonathanhackett

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Russia in talks to supply advanced missiles to Iran
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/06/russia-in-talks-to-supply-advanced-missiles-to-iran/

Houthi missile debris smashes into Saudi skyscraper
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/08/houthi-missile-smashes-saudi-skyscraper/

‘We’re not done with Iran’, warns Israel
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/08/nuclear-pickaxe-mountain-qatar-netanyahu-facilities/

Four reasons why ousting Netanyahu could get ugly
https://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 US
https://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 2026
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.

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.

Highlights
Trump threatens to destroy Iran as IRGC rebuilds missile sites
US war cabinet crumbles as Hegseth fights for his job

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Holly Dagres, senior fellow Washington Institute @hdagres

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Defiant Hegseth vows to finish Iran war
https://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 apart
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/11/06/charting-trump-vance-iran/

Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026
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.

‘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.

Highlights
Vance revolts over US-Iran war after midterms defeat. Will Israel go it alone?
Journalist Kim Ghattas on the real origins of the war

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Kim Ghattas, journalist and author The Best Kind of American @KimGhattas
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Vance ready to take Trump’s crown after midterms humbling
https://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 catastrophe
https://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 2026
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.