Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made a rare statement, threatening to wage war with “no geographical restrictions” if the US resumes strikes. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum: strike a peace deal including nuclear weapons or he will “hammer” sites including Pickaxe Mountain.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant break down the news that suggests a full restart to the war is increasingly imminent, even as peace talks enter a crucial final crunch period ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections on November 3.

Vice President JD Vance has written a letter to the Iranian regime and oil prices are slightly down, but with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu pushing for bombing to restart this week and Iranian officials vowing to target Europe, is there any chance of peace winning over war?

Highlights

• Trump vows to ‘hammer’ regime and strike Pickaxe Mountain
• Iran threatens US and Europe with ‘no limits’ war

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

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

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

From the shadows, Iran’s supreme leader asserts his power

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/31/from-shadows-iran-supreme-leader-asserts-power-khamenei-war/

Nine things that could make or break Trump in the midterms

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/11/02/nine-things-standing-between-trump-and-midterm-victory/

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

► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor

► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/

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