On-the-ground atmosphere in northern Iraq

Has Israel gone rogue with the attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field?

The bombing triggered a furious response from Tehran and led to a further escalation in the energy crisis caused by the US and Israeli war with Iran.

President Donald Trump says the US did not know about it but Israeli officials say it was coordinated. The Telegraph’s Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin joins Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant to explain why the attack is consistent with Israel’s war goals and how tactics are potentially being prioritised over strategy.

Henry also discusses his reporting from northern Israel where troops are readying for an expanded ground invasion of Lebanon to root out Hezbollah and why talk of a buffer zone there may not match up with the threat.

Plus, senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan joins to discuss her time on the ground in Iraq and why things there are much worse than being reported. She also shares her thoughts on how Turkey is so far staying out of the conflict and why Iranian Kurds are pushing the US to let them invade.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

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

Sophia Yan, Senior Foreign Correspondent @sophia_yan

Henry Bodkin, Jerusalem Correspondent @HenryBodkin

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump’s three options for reopening the Strait of Hormuz:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/18/trump-three-options-reopening-strait-hormuz/

Missiles and drones chase Americans out of Iraq

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/15/missiles-and-drones-chase-americans-out-of-iraq/?recomm_id=faf315cd-c56c-4a5d-a833-90e89545db06

Tehran won’t fall without a ground offensive, says Kurdish leader

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/18/tehran-iran-war-ground-offensive-kurdish-leader-khabat/?recomm_id=35c185da-6605-4d40-aa0e-d19bf63781b0

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

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