On part two of today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks to Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, to unpack why a return to full-scale regional conflict looks increasingly inevitable. He explains why despite ongoing peace talks, Iran’s regime is betting it can outlast Trump or force the US into a strategic trap ahead of the November midterms.
They also discuss why the US may be tempted to launch a symbolic strike on Fordow and Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facilities and the regime’s increasingly unified hardline front after the assassination of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Hamidreza lays out how the mistrust on the Iranian side is “so deep that it has reached the level of paranoia” and that the current situation means the region may end up in an even bigger war.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst International Crisis Group @HamidRezaAz
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
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