Akhtar Makoii

Jonathan Hackett, former US Marine special-ops intelligence officer, offers tactical military perspective. Akhtar Makoii, Telegraph correspondent in Tehran, shares on-the-ground reporting. David Blair, chief foreign affairs commentator, analyzes regional strategy. They discuss Iran’s missile campaign, Strait of Hormuz disruption, covert Israeli operations, regime survival strategies, and how protests and regional actors shape the conflict.

Connor Stringer, The Telegraph’s US correspondent who secured an exclusive call with Donald Trump. Maya Gebeily, Reuters bureau chief covering Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Akhtar Makoii, The Telegraph foreign reporter filing from Tehran. They discuss US strikes on Iran’s navy and maritime tactics. They cover civilian life under bombardment in Tehran. They examine Hezbollah, Lebanese displacement and regional spillover.

Akhtar Makoii, a foreign correspondent reporting from Iran, shares gripping first-hand accounts from the protests that have ignited across the country. David Blair, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at The Telegraph, provides geopolitical insights on the implications of US policy. They discuss the historic role of the Grand Bazaar, the unprecedented rural participation in protests, and the regime’s determination to maintain power amid increasing violence. The conversation highlights the complexities of potential foreign intervention and the fragmented opposition within Iran.

Akhtar Makoii, The Telegraph foreign correspondent who obtained leaked IRGC audio, reveals how Mojtaba Khamenei narrowly survived the strikes and why he rose to power. Jack Watling, RUSI land warfare expert and author, outlines military options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limits of force. They also discuss allied roles, mine-countermeasures, and wider regional risks including China’s maritime moves.

In this insightful discussion, Akhtar Makoii, an Iran correspondent for The Telegraph, and Kaveh Madani, an environmental scientist and former Iranian deputy, delve into Iran's escalating water crisis. They explore the dire implications of ongoing drought affecting major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, and how it could trigger political unrest. Kaveh breaks down the mismanagement in water policies, while Akhtar warns of potential evacuations. Together, they highlight the twin factors of climate change and policy failures driving Iran to a tipping point.