The end of Operation Epic Fury & why Trump is pulling troops from Germany

The end of Operation Epic Fury & why Trump is pulling troops from Germany

Author: The Telegraph May 6, 2026 Duration: 21:33

Is America’s Operation Epic Fury really over?


Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US’s military campaign against the Iranian regime has finished, and there are growing reports of a US-Iran peace deal in the offing. Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant break down the top three news stories you need to know today, from why Donald Trump has ended Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz to the importance of talks between Iran and China. 


Plus, did a spat over the Iran war prompt Trump to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany last week? Berlin correspondent James Rothwell explains the significance of America’s significant troop presence in the country and why America’s pull-out is fuelling speculation that Nato is well and truly over. 


Highlights 

  • The end of Operation Epic Fury amid growing talks of a peace deal
  • Why Trump has pulled troops from Germany following Iran war spat


CONTRIBUTORS:


Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

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

James Rothwell, Berlin correspondent @JamesERothwell


CONTENT REFERENCED:


David Blair: Trump now has three options. They are all bad


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/06/trump-three-options-all-bad/


Akhtar Makoii: Trump and Mojtaba Khamenei have more in common than they realise

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/06/trump-and-mojtaba-khamenei-have-more-in-common-they-realise/


Donald Tusk: Nato is disintegrating

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/02/donald-tusk-nato-is-disintegrating/


Why the US cannot fight another war after Iran without China’s help

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/30/us-cannot-fight-another-war-after-iran-without-china-help/


Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells


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For those trying to understand the complex and rapidly shifting landscape of the Middle East, Iran: The Latest offers essential context. This Telegraph podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine the military, diplomatic, and strategic forces shaping the ongoing tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Hosted by veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey, each episode synthesizes frontline reporting from the paper's award-winning journalists with insightful conversations. You'll hear from specialists in areas like regional security architecture, covert operations, and geopolitical theory, providing a clearer picture of the stakes involved. The analysis considers historical grievances, economic pressures, and potential flashpoints, from proxy conflicts to direct confrontations. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to grasp not just what is happening, but why it matters and what might come next. By drawing on deep sourcing and expert commentary, this podcast delivers a nuanced perspective that is both timely and thoroughly researched, making sense of a critical and often misunderstood arena of global affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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