Iran threatens to cut undersea cables as US and Israel plan new strikes

Further details have emerged regarding US-Israeli plans for a joint military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections. Following sightings of Israeli Air Force jets flying up to the Iranian border on Monday, plans for a three-day military blitz on Iran’s nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure were revealed to the New York Times.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant speaks to Reuters global defence commentator Peter Apps about whether a renewed campaign can force Tehran’s hand or if it will trigger a devastating cycle of retaliation across Gulf energy fields. They examine the collapse of Iran’s shadow tanker fleet, escalating Houthi strikes in Saudi Arabia, and whether expanding cyber warfare and drone technology mean the West is already entangled in a broader global conflict.

Plus, what would be the global impact of Iranian attacks on undersea cables in the Persian Gulf, and why Russian trawlers are spying on critical British subsea infrastructure.

Highlights
• Iran’s ‘shadow fleet’ has run out of oil after a monthslong US blockade.
• How conflicts around the world are inextricably linked and are AI cyber attacks dragging the West into global war?

CONTRIBUTORS:
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Peter Apps, global defence commentator for Reuters @pete_apps
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC…

CONTENT REFERENCED:
US and Israel practise fresh strikes on Iran’s border telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/22/us-and-i…
US withdraws diplomats from Saudi Arabia telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/22/us-withd…
Netanyahu pushes for new strikes against Iran before Israeli election telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/21/netanyah…
Iran threatens to cut Hormuz internet cables telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/20/iran-thr…
Exclusive: Putin sends fishing trawlers to spy on Britain telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/21/exclusive-puti…

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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