Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
The latest from Iran and the Middle East, and the rest of the world’s news, from the BBC World Service. As the US-Israel war with Iran continues, The Global News Podcast brings you the news from across the region – including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. We also continue to bring you stories from around the globe, including expert analysis and insight.Episodes are published twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories.Follow or subscribe now and never miss an episode. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Episodes
Mentioned books
33 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 29min
Iranian residents tell BBC about US and Israeli bombardment
Anna Foster, presenter who interviews authors; Vincent Clercq, Maersk CEO on shipping risks; David Willis, North America correspondent on military claims; Patti Maguire, reporter sharing on-the-ground accounts from Iran. They discuss life under bombardment and communication blackouts. They examine US military timelines and claimed strikes. They explain shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and crew safety concerns.
41 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 30min
Hegseth: Today ‘most intense’ day of US strikes on Iran
Vicky Ward, investigative journalist focused on the Jeffrey Epstein Zorro ranch search. Emily Wither and Azadeh Mashiri, field reporters covering border crossings and Nepal’s election. Pentagon/North America coverage with Helena Humphrey and quoted officials on US strikes. They discuss intense US strikes on Iran, refugee crossings into Turkey, the Zorro ranch search, oil and Strait of Hormuz risks, and Nepal’s surprising election outcome.
42 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 26min
Oil price drops after Trump hints at short Iran war
Sardar Pache, former Iranian youth wrestling champion turned human rights advocate, speaks on pressures facing Iranian athletes. Katie Watson, BBC reporter, covers the Iranian women's football team, humanitarian visas and dealings with Australian authorities. Nick Marsh, BBC business correspondent in Singapore, explains market moves, oil price reactions and economic fallout from the Middle East conflict.
64 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 30min
Iran war: Oil prices soar
Katie Watson reports on safety fears for Iran’s women’s football team in Australia. James Landale explains Ukraine’s anti‑drone tech and plans to send experts to the Gulf. Kalkadan Yebatal describes mass displacement and worsening humanitarian needs in South Sudan. Merlin Thomas analyses video and satellite evidence of a missile strike on a school.
44 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 31min
Mojtaba Khamenei named as Iran's new supreme leader
James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent in Ukraine; Lise Doucette, BBC chief international correspondent in Tehran; Nick Marsh, BBC business correspondent in Singapore; Jeremy Bowen, BBC international editor. They discuss Iran's new leader and regional reactions. They report on strikes hitting Iranian oil facilities and the human toll. They cover soaring oil prices and market fallout. They explore Ukraine's anti-drone tech being offered to Gulf states.
24 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 24min
Bonus: War and climate
Professor Nita Crawford, an international relations expert on military emissions, and Dr. Benjamin Nymark, a researcher on warfare’s environmental impacts, discuss war’s carbon toll. They cover estimating conflict footprints like Gaza and Ukraine. They explain the biggest emission sources: jets, munitions, supply lines, bases and reconstruction. They explore military fuel use worldwide and the potential for electrification and operational changes.
76 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 19min
Iranian clerics reach consensus on new supreme leader
Lise Doucette, BBC chief international correspondent, briefly explains Iran's clerical body's reported choice for a new supreme leader. Samir Hashmi, reporting from Riyadh, covers attacks across the Gulf and regional reactions. Lina Sinjab, based in Lebanon, describes a strike on Beirut and its civilian impact. They discuss strikes on oil sites, cross-border attacks, regional tensions and global diplomatic responses.
69 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 27min
US and Israel hit Iranian oil depot
Wirra Davis, Fanindra Dahal and Ben Wyatt report from Lebanon, Nepal and the US east coast with eyewitness accounts and local interviews. Bernd de Boosman, Washington correspondent, explains US reactions and political context. They cover strikes on Iranian oil facilities, Iran’s retaliatory attacks, Lebanon’s civilian toll, a former rapper rising in Nepali politics, and NASA’s successful asteroid deflection.
31 snips
Mar 7, 2026 • 27min
The Happy Pod: My friends made me a new hand
Lloyd Godson, a technology teacher who led students in 3D-printing a prosthetic hand for a pupil. They discuss the classroom project that built Lois a new hand and plans to scale the method to help others. Short, inventive stories about student motivation, community impact and ongoing design efforts are highlighted.
9 snips
Mar 7, 2026 • 21min
Iran president apologises for striking neighbours
Lina Sinjab, Beirut correspondent on Lebanon’s humanitarian toll. Catalina Gomez, Tehran-based reporter on strikes and civilian fear. Lise Doucette, BBC international analyst on Iran’s leadership and regional fallout. They discuss Iran’s presidential apology and pledge to stop strikes, chaotic command claims, US reactions and wider regional humanitarian and security consequences.
