Americanswers! Why does Trump want to take Iran’s Kharg Island?

Americanswers! Why does Trump want to take Iran’s Kharg Island?

Author: BBC News March 30, 2026 Duration: 31:44

Donald Trump has said the US will “conclude” its war in Iran by “blowing up and completely obliterating” key assets in the country, including Kharg Island - Iran’s key oil export terminal - if a deal is not reached. He also suggested in a social media post that “great progress” had been made with Iran’s “new” regime. The president’s rhetoric has raised fears that the war could still escalate and the U.S might actually be prepared to seize Iranian territory.

Justin and Sumi join up for this week’s Americanswers to answer your questions on the war in Iran. They discuss the domestic response to possible U.S involvement in a deadly strike on an Iranian primary school, and accusations that some traders are illegally profiteering from volatility in oil prices.

And, as Donald Trump publicly talks up the role of Pete Hegseth in initiating the war in Iran, is the president looking to shift responsibility for the war onto his defence secretary?

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sumi Somaskanda, BBC chief presenter

GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The senior producer is George Dabby, and the technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Top Comment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mssm


Trying to make sense of American politics can feel like navigating a maze. Americast, from BBC News, cuts through the noise with a perspective that’s both grounded and far-reaching. You’ll hear from seasoned correspondents like the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, and presenter Justin Webb, who bring decades of experience to the conversation. This isn’t just a recap of headlines; it’s about understanding the forces shaping the United States, from the granular details observed on the ground to the wider historical and social currents at play. The team delves into everything from election campaigns and policy debates to the complex role of disinformation and social media, offering clarity on the stories that define the nation week to week. Relying on the BBC’s global network of journalists, this podcast provides analysis that connects local events to their international significance. For anyone looking to move beyond the soundbites and gain a more nuanced view of American government and society, tuning into this weekly discussion offers a valuable and authoritative resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Americast
Podcast Episodes
Trump v Supreme Court: The battle over birthright citizenship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:28
It was an historic day in the Supreme Court on Wednesday as it began hearing arguments on Donald Trump’s effort to ban birthright citizenship. The president began his second term in office by signing an executive order t…
What is RFK doing to vaccines for children in America? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from making big changes to vaccines for children in the United States. It is a blow to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy - RFK Jr - a longtime vaccine scep…
Will Trump succeed in changing the US voting system? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
Should voters be required to prove they are US citizens and show photo ID before being allowed to cast their ballots?Donald Trump is pushing for these changes and more in the SAVE (Save America Act) telling Republican la…
Trump v Anthropic: The battle over who controls AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
Away from the war in Iran, the Pentagon is engaged in another battle, with Anthropic and its AI chatbot Claude. After awarding the company a contract potentially worth $200 million last year to integrate their artificial…
Trump threatens TV networks over unpatriotic Iran coverage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
Donald Trump’s fight with US media has entered a new chapter since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. The president has taken issue with Wall Street Journal reporting on an Iranian attack against US tankers in Sau…
Americanswers… on 5Live! Will Trump lose his MAGA base over Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:54
How serious is the growing split within Trump’s MAGA base, as prominent Republican commentators and influencers criticise why the US started a war with Iran, and how long it might go on for. Also, might Trump voters turn…
Is Cuba Trump’s next target after Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:07
President Trump has renewed his threat of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, saying the island is in deep trouble and that the Cuban government is desperate to make a deal. In this episode, Justin and Anthony look at how ser…