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Episode Description
A Houthi ballistic missile struck an Aramco jet-fuel depot near Riyadh’s international airport, a major escalation in the war between Yemen’s Iran-backed militants and Saudi Arabia.
On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Bahraini analyst Ahmed Khuzaie about Turkey and Pakistan’s vows of military support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Defence Pact after Donald Trump refused to provide US assistance. They also discuss the dilemma for Egypt as the rise of Iranian-backed Islamist factions in Sudan’s civil war threatens to pile additional pressure on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Plus, what Gulf leaders at the UN General Assembly want from Trump as he weighs whether to restart the war, and new satellite images show Iran rapidly rebuilding and fortifying a nuclear-linked facility at Parchin.
Highlights
- Houthis strike Riyadh jet-fuel depot as Turkey, Pakistan vow Saudi Arabia support
- IRGC fortifies and rebuilds key nuclear-linked site
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Ahmed Khuzaie, Bahraini analyst @AhmedAlkhuzaie
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Saudi Arabia confirms Houthi missile attack on capital
Pakistan hints at joining war on Houthis
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/18/iran-saudi-arabia-mecca-joint-defence-gulf/
Trump considering ‘blowing up entire nation’ of Iran
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/20/trump-considering-blowing-up-iran/
Satellite images show Iran rapidly rebuilding nuclear facility
ISIS: Iran is Rapidly Reconstructing Taleghan 2
https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/iran-is-rapidly-reconstructing-taleghan-2
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
Audio Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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