Could the UK get dragged into war with Iran?

Could the UK get dragged into war with Iran?

Author: The Times March 4, 2026 Duration: 32:24

Last month, Sir Keir Starmer made it clear that the US would not be permitted to use UK bases to launch strikes against Iran. On Sunday, that position shifted. Not only has the UK now allowed the use of joint bases, it is also intercepting Iranian drones, and sources have told The Times that a British warship may be deployed to Cyprus. As tensions in the Middle East escalate, is Britain being drawn ever deeper into the conflict? And how might this end?


Our listener survey is live - find it here.


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guests: 

  • Michael Evans, defence contributor, The Times
  • General Sir Patrick Sanders, former Chief of the General Staff and co-host of The General & the Journalist, one of our sister podcasts 


Host: Rosie Wright

Producers: Sophie McNulty & Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com


Read more: Special relationship ‘not what it once was’, as Trump rebukes PM on Iran

Further listening: Iran after the Ayatollah

Clips: The Times, AP, BBC, CNN, The White House, Sky News. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Story
Podcast Episodes
How the Iran war could help China take Taiwan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Behind the scenes of Iran’s war, China’s been forging alliances, stockpiling oil and building resilience in the form of renewable energy. So how could all of this help it attack Taiwan? When might it happen? And can anyo…
The Pope v Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted an image of himself as a Jesus Christ like figure, which was subsequently deleted. It came after the President and the Pope exchanged a war of words over the conflict in Iran. What’s…
Did Trump lose Viktor Orban his election? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:48
Viktor Orban, the far-right prime minister of Hungary who led the country for 16 years, was ousted in a landslide electoral defeat on Sunday. He lost to his former ally turned critic, Péter Magyar, despite a strong show…
London Falling Part 2: The Truth - The Sunday Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:26
In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe.On a cold November night in 2019, 19 year old…
London Falling Part 1:  The Fall - The Saturday Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:56
In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe.On a cold November night in 2019, 19 year old…
INVESTIGATION: Is your sofa toxic? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
For decades UK sofas have contained chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and infertility because of uniquely strict fire rules. Up to a fifth of their foam consists of a chemical not used in any other country’s sofa…
Trump's ceasefire with Iran - what’s in it and what next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
After mounting hostilities and Trump’s threats that ‘a whole civilization will die’ unless Iran backs down, Tehran and Washington have agreed to a two week ceasefire. Now, they’re discussing a ten-point plan to permanent…
The West Bank land grab no one’s watching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
With the world’s attention fixed on the war in Iran, Israeli settler gangs are rapidly and violently expanding outposts in the West Bank – seemingly with impunity. So, what’s it like on the ground? Is the Israeli governm…
INVESTIGATION: Inside Britain’s biggest Ponzi scheme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:04
Thousands of pensioners invested their life savings into London Capital and Finance before it was revealed to be the UK’s biggest ever Ponzi scheme. Now, new Times reporting shows how the millions in investments were lav…