Global News Podcast Iran widens retaliatory attacks in Gulf countries
42 snips
Mar 3, 2026 
Nick Marsh, BBC business correspondent, outlines the oil market shock and soaring tanker costs. Anthony Zerker, BBC North America correspondent, brings vox-pop reactions from Texas voters to US strikes on Iran. David Willis, BBC North America correspondent, reports on widening Gulf attacks and regional US developments. They discuss threats to the Strait of Hormuz, embassy drone strikes, and economic fallout.
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Iran Expands Retaliation Across Gulf
- Iran broadened strikes across the Gulf, including two drones hitting the US embassy in Riyadh and attacks on oil, gas, cities and airports.
- David Willis reported Saudi intercepts, small fire at the embassy, Prince Sultan base targeted and US urging citizens to leave over spreading danger.
US Frames Strikes As Preemptive To Limit Casualties
- US officials offered differing public rationales: Marco Rubio said strikes were pre-emptive because Israel planned its own attack; Rubio warned harder hits were still to come.
- Officials framed action as limiting US casualties from an Iranian response to an anticipated Israeli operation.
Mixed Messages On War Duration And Risk
- Trump administration messages conflicted on duration: J.D. Vance insisted it won't be a multi-year war while President Trump suggested operations could last weeks and refused to rule out ground troops.
- David Willis noted this inconsistency raises risks, especially with potential ground deployment.