Iran: The Latest

Hijack attack on Israel plane & why the US-Iran war is about to restart

Iran: The Latest

Show Notes

A flight to Israel from the UAE has been diverted and made an emergency landing after the pilot was violently attacked in a suspected hijack attempt. On today’s Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you the latest news from this dramatic story after a suspected knife attack by the co-pilot. They look at why Israeli authorities are treating it as a terror incident, reports that the co-pilot was Omani, and the potential security implications for Israel, Iran, Lebanon and the wider region.

Plus, is the US-Iran war on the brink of fully restarting? Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, 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. 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.

Highlights Israel plane pilot attacked mid-air amid hijack attempt ‘Escalation is inevitable’: Why the US-Iran war is about to restart

CONTRIBUTORS: Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Hamidreza Azizi, senior Iran analyst International Crisis Group @HamidRezaAz WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk 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

► 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 [email protected] ► 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.

More from Iran: The Latest

Oct 23, 2026

The US is preparing for a protracted war with Iran as Donald Trump’s UN ambassador, Mike Waltz, warns the US Navy can maintain its maritime blockade on Iranian ports indefinitely.

Oct 22, 2026

Further details have emerged regarding US-Israeli plans for a joint military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections. Following sightings of Israeli Air Force jets flying up to the Iranian border on Monday, plans for a three-day military blitz on Iran’s nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure were revealed to the New York Times.

Oct 21, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his military to plan a multi-day bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and power grids, as talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signal preparation for joint military action against Iran.

Oct 20, 2026

British RAF Typhoon fighter jets will be deployed to defend cities and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, following the Yemen-based militant group’s deadliest attack yet, a devastating assault that killed at least 70 people, all new recruits aged 18 to 20, at a training camp.

Oct 19, 2026

Houthi ballistic missile strikes kill 20 people in Yemen as Egypt considers sending military support to help Saudi Arabia counter Iranian threats in the Red Sea.

See all episodes →