US strikes Iran twice in 24 hours after Shahed attacks hit Gulf states

The military stand-off between the US and Iran has escalated again after Donald Trump ordered a seven-hour bombing campaign targeting Iranian missile barracks, coastal radar sites, and naval bases. The inevitable Iranian response targeting its Gulf neighbours was met with rare daytime strikes by American forces.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant sits down with Tim Mak and Jacqueline Cole from the Iran War Dispatches Substack to discuss the significance of what each side is hitting and how the Pentagon is adapting its tactics against asymmetric Iranian warfare. They also discuss whether Trump’s brutal threat to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges will bring Tehran to the negotiating table.

Plus, worrying signs that Iran is becoming more militarised and why Jackie and Tim went to Armenia to find out what ordinary Iranians think of the war.

Highlights

• US strikes Iran twice in 24 hours after Shahed attacks hit Gulf states
• Trump’s ultimatum to Iran: ‘Negotiate or we destroy your infrastructure’

CONTRIBUTORS:

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

Tim Mak, founder Iran War Dispatches @timkmak

Jacqueline Cole, journalist Iran War Dispatches @jacmcole

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump’s three options to solve his Iran problem

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/09/trump-three-options-return-war

Trump U-turns on Hormuz toll after one day

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/14/trump-hormuz-toll-uturn-one-day/

Even Iran’s children’s authors are losing hope

https://www.iranwar.news/p/even-irans-childrens-authors-are

Iran War Dispatches: https://www.iranwar.news/

The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Video Producer: Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Andy Watson

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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