Trump weighs major escalation as Iran hammers Kuwait’s power and water

Donald Trump is weighing up a massive expansion of the war with Iran after Tehran launched fresh strikes against US military sites across the Gulf, including Amazon services in Bahrain and vital power and water infrastructure in Kuwait.

Nearly 100 US service members have been injured in recent weeks, according to the Pentagon, as the latest round of fighting enters its tenth day. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Arthur Scott-Geddes look at the news that Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt are trying to broker a mini 10-day ceasefire even as Iran has hit two more tankers in Strait of Hormuz. Will anyone come to the negotiating table?

Plus, the Houthis have declared a Red Sea maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, Iran admits its ailing economy is now the “main battlefield”, and Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Cabinet face an early diplomatic test over the Iran war.

Highlights
• Trump weighs escalation as Iran injures hundreds of US troops
• Iran hammers Kuwait’s power and water infrastructure

CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Arthur Scott-Geddes, deputy editor Global Health Security @ascottgeddes

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC…

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Trump expects Burnham to let US strike Iran from British bases
telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/07/21/trump-e…

White House ‘deeply concerned’ over Miliband as Foreign Secretary
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/21/white-hous…

Foreign brief for Miliband risks Trump’s wrath
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/20/burnham-ri…

Pentagon hiding missile shortage from White House, insiders fear
telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/21/pentagon-hi…

Lebanon’s leader seeks Trump’s help to end occupation and insurrection
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/lebanons…

ITL Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026

Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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