Nine To Noon BBC correspondent James Waterhouse on the Iran conflict
Mar 22, 2026
James Waterhouse, BBC correspondent reporting from Jerusalem and the Turkey–Iran border. He describes Iran’s threats to Gulf infrastructure and the 48-hour ultimatum. Air-raid sirens and civilians fleeing toward Turkey are discussed. He explains divergent US and Israeli aims, risks of escalation and possible ground operations, plus flows across the border and rising violence in the West Bank.
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US Getting Bogged Down Over Strait Of Hormuz
- US ultimatums over the Strait of Hormuz reveal a strategic mismatch between goals and capability.
- James Waterhouse says America is getting bogged down trying to force Iran to reopen a major oil shipping lane, straining resources and policy aims.
Iran's Selective Passage And Retaliation Threat
- Iran leverages selective passage and retaliation threats to complicate Western responses.
- Waterhouse reports Iran will allow some countries through but warns it would hit Gulf neighbours' energy and water systems if its power plants are attacked.
Air Defences Working Amid Frequent Sirens
- Air defences are mitigating many missile threats but sirens and strikes continue to raise instability.
- Waterhouse notes frequent air-raid sirens in Israel and says defences seem to be doing their job amid ongoing missile and drone exchanges.