Iran: The Latest
Iran quits US talks, vows escalation after Israel orders Beirut strikes
Episode notes
Iran has pulled out of peace talks to end the war with the US, accusing Israel of breaking the ceasefire by ordering strikes on Beirut.
Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey discuss the latest news, which comes after a series of military escalations over the weekend, including more tit-for-tat bombing between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile in Lebanon, the Israeli army scored a symbolic and strategic victory by capturing Beaufort Castle as part of its expanding offensive in the country’s south, amid fierce fighting with Hezbollah.
Plus, how did Iran become a corrupt mafia state? Iranian journalists Yeganeh Torbati (New York Times) and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin (Iran International) have written a new book on the subject, Stolen Revolution, and join the show to explain why the war is likely to make things even worse.
Highlights
- Iran quits US talks after Israel orders Beirut strikes
- Plus: how Iran became a corrupt mafia state
CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Yeganeh Torbati, journalist and author of Stolen Revolution @yjtorbati
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, journalist and author of Stolen Revolution @bozorgmehr
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Kasra Aarabi and Saeid Golkar: The West is ignoring the dangerous new partnership reshaping Iran from within
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/29/shadowy-new-hardline-alliance-reshaping-irans-regime/
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