Iran bombs Oman & why Tehran's impossible demands mean endless war

Iran has bombed Oman’s Didamar Island in a bid to disrupt Gulf oil shipping, as fierce nightly battles rage with the US for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant and Sophia Yan are joined by Professor Ali Ansari, professor of Iranian History at the University of St Andrews, to examine how the US naval blockade is choking Iran's economy and how Tehran is responding.

He discusses each side’s pain thresholds and argues that while Donald Trump may be hurting, Iran has far from won the war. He also explains why Tehran’s refusal to give up on its totemic issue of enriching uranium means a diplomatic deal with America - under Democrats or Republicans - remains out of reach and conflict with Israel is inevitable.

Plus, President Masoud Pezeshkian demands war reparations, a listener shares his first-hand account of fleeing Tehran during the 12-day war, and what the Persian Shahnameh epic poem tells us about Iranian hubris.

Highlights

• Iran bombs Oman as US fights to maintain Strait of Hormuz blockade
• Why Tehran's impossible demands mean endless war

CONTRIBUTORS:

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

Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan

Ali Ansari, professor University of St Andrews @aa51_ansari

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Tom Sharpe: It looks as though the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will become permanent

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/11/12/strait-hormuz-iran-war-trump-us-navy-missiles-strikes/

Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026

Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026

The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Andy Watson

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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