Iran has attacked another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, just a day after Donald Trump threatened to bomb US ally Oman if it “gets in the way” of comatose US negotiations with Tehran.
On today’s episode of Iran: The Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by chief Washington correspondent Connor Stringer to discuss Trump’s escalating frustration over the lack of a Strait of Hormuz deal and why he is hoping Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent might have a solution to the war as oil prices start to rise again.
Plus, a secret backchannel between Washington and the IRGC via Iraqi Kurdistan, why Trump hasn’t endorsed Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli election, and Yemen’s government fights back against Iranian proxy group the Houthis.
Highlights
- One casualty after Iran strikes ship in Strait of Hormuz
- Trump threatens to bomb Oman for ‘misbehaving’
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Iran strikes ship in Strait of Hormuz
01:58 - Trump threatens to bomb US ally Oman
04:35 - Oil spikes to $90 as US treasury yield surges
06:05 - Secret US backchannel to IRGC exposed
09:55 - US launches economic siege as Iran strategy shifts
11:50 - Iran vows Strait of Hormuz stays blocked
15:15 - Yemen army launches 130+ strikes on Houthis
16:45 - Trump sends Kushner and Blair to disarm Hamas
23:20 - UN Security Council declared "not fit for purpose"
25:20 - Trump's bid to replace UN chief with FIFA boss
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Connor Stringer, chief Washington correspondent @connorstringer
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Trump threatens to bomb Oman over Iran deal
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/trump-threatens-to-bomb-oman-over-iran-deal/
Trump orders Bessent to cripple Iran’s economy
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/08/12/trump-scott-bessent-end-iran-war/
Ukraine: the Latest: https://linktr.ee/UkraineTheLatest
Axios: Inside Trump's secret backchannel to Iran's Revolutionary Guard
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/16/iran-backchannel-trump-gabbard-barzani-war
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: Joleen Goffin
Video Producer: Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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