Iran’s regime is facing an existential crisis prompted by the US-Israeli war.

Despite taking a military battering and the economy being in ruins, Tehran refuses to surrender to Donald Trump. Historian Arash Azizi takes Roland Oliphant and Sophia Yan inside the clash between the regime establishment and the ultra-hardliners who fear their vision of the Islamic Republic will not survive peace.

He explains why the country’s powerful, IRGC-linked chief negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf is increasingly being attacked in Iranian media and the dilemma facing the Islamic Republic as it looks to make a deal without surrendering the anti-American dogmatism that revolutionaries hold so dear.

Plus, senior foreign correspondent Adrian Blomfeld reports from the Strait of Hormuz and Sophia and Roland discuss the significance of the UAE pulling out of OPEC.

Highlights

• Arash Azizi on why Iran’s hardliners are a “bunch of losers with no power”
• How the Iranian regime is facing a choice between reform and destruction

CONTRIBUTORS:

Roland Oliphant, co-host @rolandoliphant

Sophia Yan, senior foreign correspondent @sophiacyan

Arash Azizi, author and historian Yale University @arash_tehran

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Adrian Blomfield: Here in the Strait, Iran’s mosquito fleet renders Trump blockade futile

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/28/strait-of-hormuz-irans-mosquito-fleet-winning-blockade/

Robert White, Iona Cleave: Trump ‘unlikely to accept’ Iran’s Hormuz deal https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/28/iran-war-live-trump-peace-talks-hormuz-strikes-lebanon/

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

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► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

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The US has severely depleted key munitions in the Iran war - and it’s already having global consequences.

From delayed deliveries to allies such as Japan, South Korea and Ukraine, to a knockon impact on any future wars - such as a potential conflict with China over Taiwan - new analysis of America’s strategic stockpiles do not make for comfortable reading. Venetia Rainey talks to Mark Cancian and Chris Park from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) about what’s running low, why and what impact it will have.

Plus, will Donald Trump strike a deal with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz instead of prioritising a nuclear agreement?

That’s what Tehran is reportedly proposing today, but as veteran US diplomat David Satterfield explains, that comes with its own problems. With Iran playing the long-game in an asymmetric war, the former ambassador says Trump does not have many good options available.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

David Satterfield, former US diplomat and director of Baker Institute for Public Policy

Mark Cancian, senior fellow CSIS @MarkCancian

Chris Park, research associate CSIS @chrhspark

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Last Rounds? Status of Key Munitions at the Iran War Ceasefire

https://www.csis.org/analysis/last-rounds-status-key-munitions-iran-war-ceasefire

Producer: Elliot Lampitt

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

► 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

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► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

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The US-Iran ceasefire has limped into its third week, but can stuttering peace talks deliver a deal before war resumes?

Roland Oliphant is joined by Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, to discuss the latest news and updates, including what Mojtaba Khamanei’s reported injuries tell us about the balance of power in Tehran.

She also explains why the normally factional Iranian regime is united in its need to end the war, and how Donald Trump’s attempt to drive a wedge between “moderates” and “hardliners” is likely to fail.

Plus, international economics editor Hans van Leeuwen explains why the world has been watching the wrong oil price - and how the global impact of the war could be worse than we thought.

Highlights

• Why time is not on Trump’s side in the Iran war
• Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries and what they say about the Iranian regime

CONTRIBUTORS:

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

Hans van Leeuwen, International economics editor @hansvan333

Sanam Vakil, MENA programme director Chatham House @SanamVakil

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Hans van Leeuwen: The world is watching the wrong oil price

Producer: Elliot Lampitt

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

► 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/

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What will it take to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iran’s sea mines and fast boats?

With Tehran now charging extortionate tolls, attacking commercial ships who do not get permission to transit and reportedly laying around 20 sea mines, the vital waterway has become a living nightmare. President Donald Trump today told the US Navy to fire on any boats laying mines, but with Pentagon estimates that it will take six months to mine-sweep the Strait, is that enough?

To discuss the problem, Venetia Rainey is joined by Emma Salisbury, an Associate Fellow at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre. Emma explains how American minesweeping capabilities became so heavily degraded, why Iran’s non-conventional navy remains so effective and hard to destroy, and the maritime signs that Trump may be considering a return to all-out war.

Plus, senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan talks through the latest news and updates from the region, including the status of the US-Iran ceasefire, reports that America is running out of munitions, and the Lebanon-Israel peace talks to disarm Hezbollah.

Highlights:

• Why it would take the US six months to minesweep the Strait of Hormuz - in peacetime
• Sophia Yan on how the Iran war became a game of chicken

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Sophia Yan, senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan

Emma Salisbury, associate fellow Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre @salisbot

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The Mine Gap: America Forgot How to Sweep the Sea

Iranian shadow fleet tankers break through US blockade

Trump has eight days to make up his mind on Iran

Last Rounds? Status of Key Munitions at the Iran War Ceasefire

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

► 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/

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Instead of peace talks today, the US-Iran ceasefire is on the brink of collapsing and the Strait of Hormuz is heating up.

Despite the two-week deadline expiring today, JD Vance never boarded a plane to Pakistan for negotiations and neither did anyone from Iran. Instead, Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire indefinitely and the IRGC has today attacked several more international ships.

Is the war about to restart? Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant are joined by chief foreign affairs commentator David Blair and foreign correspondent Akhtar Makoii to discuss the latest news, decode the signals from each side and explain what might happen next.

Plus, Roland chats to Richard Mead, editor-in-chief of the maritime industry bible Lloyd's List, about the wider implications of the Strait of Hormuz being in “utter chaos”, how ships are increasingly going dark to avoid detection, and China’s role in everything.

Highlights

• David Blair and Akhtar Makoii discuss whether the Iran war will restart
• Why the Strait of Hormuz being in “utter chaos” matters for everyone

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

David Blair, chief foreign affairs commentator @davidblairdt

Akhtar Makoii, foreign correspondent @akhtar_makoii

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Connor Stringer: ‘It’s all a giant clusterf---’: Inside Trump’s floundering Iran peace process

Akhtar Makoii: Iran’s real negotiator is staring Trump down from the shadows

David Blair: Trump’s flip-flopping will only embolden Iran to harden its demands

Hormuz chaos shows Iran is too fractured to speak with one voice

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

► 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/

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Can the US and Iran strike a last-minute nuclear deal to end the war?

With the two-week ceasefire deadline expiring on Wednesday, peace talks are tentatively set to go ahead in Pakistan between US Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Ghalibaf. Donald Trump has threatened to resume bombing if negotiations fail, but a major stumbling block remains: Iran’s nuclear programme.

Washington wants Tehran to end all advanced uranium enrichment and give up its 450kg of “nuclear dust” that is currently buried under rubble. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, tells foreign editor Louis Emanuel that without proper verification on the ground, any agreement will be an “illusion”.

Meanwhile, senior foreign correspondent Memphis Barker explains how the "ghost" of the previous Iran nuclear agreement - Barack Obama's 2015 JCPOA - looms large over everything. Can Trump strike a better deal now than the one he tore up in 2018?

Plus, Roland Oliphant runs through the latest updates and news from across the region, including what is going on in the Strait of Hormuz and some clarity on when the ceasefire actually ends.

Highlights:

• Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, on why a nuclear deal with Iran is tricky but doable
• Why the ghost of Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal looms over peace talks

CONTRIBUTORS:

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

Memphis Barker, senior foreign correspondent @memphisbarker

Louis Emanuel, foreign editor @louisjemanuel

Rafael Grossi, director general IAEA @rafaelmgrossi

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Exclusive interview: World faces new nuclear arms race

Why Obama’s Iran nuclear deal looms large over Trump’s negotiations

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

► 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/

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Will the weekend showdown in the Strait of Hormuz collapse the US-Iran ceasefire?

After Iran opened and then closed the Strait, attacked an Indian tanker and turned around ships, Donald Trump ordered the seizure of a sanctioned Iranian vessel that was attempting to pass through the US blockade. What followed was a new first for the war: shots fired at the Iranian container ship’s engine and the whole vessel taken into custody.

Retired Royal Navy commodore Steve Prest looks at how such seizures normally happen, the tricky question of what will happen to the vessel now and the long-term prospects of the Strait of Hormuz being reopened for global trade.

Plus, with the deadline for ceasefire talks in Pakistan fast approaching, Venetia Rainey looks at the signs today that talks may go ahead on Tuesday despite Iranian denials. She also explains the latest updates from Lebanon, where Hezbollah killed two Israeli soldiers over the weekend.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Steve Prest, ex-Royal Navy commodore @fightingsailor

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Akhtar Makoii: Hormuz chaos shows Iran is too fractured to speak with one voice

‘Vacate your engine room’: US Navy warns Iran ship before firing

You’re firing, let me turn back: Panicked sailor pleads with Iranian attackers

Israeli soldier smashes Jesus statue in face with sledgehammer

Times of Israel: 26 years later, IDF restores its south Lebanon security zone — with key changes

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

► 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/

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Is Iran giving up its enriched uranium?

US President Donald Trump says Tehran has agreed to hand over all of its “nuclear dust” - a potentially huge concession in the war. Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant discuss why this would be so significant and what might have been offered to Iran in return. They also discuss what this means for US-Iran peace talks and the latest updates from the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran said it was “completely open”.

Plus, as the separate Israel-Lebanon ceasefire comes into force today, The Telegraph’s Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin and AP’s Beirut correspondent Kareem Chehayeb look at the prospect of it lasting. Kareem explains why disarming Hezbollah is desirable for many Lebanese but difficult, while Henry analyses why Israelis are feeling dejected and pessimistic about all fronts of the war.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

Henry Bodkin, Jerusalem correspondent @HenryBodkin

Kareem Chehayeb, AP Beirut correspondent @chehayebk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Lebanon can’t expel one Iranian. So how will it disarm Hezbollah?

Lebanon peace deal in full – and how it could unravel

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

► 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.