Amanpour

In a statement attributed to him and read by Iranian state TV, Iran's new supreme leader vows revenge, and pledges retribution for the death of his family. He also said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, and called for US bases in the Middle East to be shuttered. Iran is escalating its attacks on global energy supplies and its Gulf neighbors, while President Trump is insisting the US has already won the war. New York Times Magazine staff writer Ronen Bergman joins the show to try and make sense of all this.  Also on today's show: Jeffrey DeLaurentis, former acting US ambassador to Cuba; former Golman Sachs Chairman/CEO Lloyd Blankfein    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US-Israel war on Iran is expanding, and regional leaders and aid agencies are warning that a humanitarian disaster is looming. In Lebanon, Israel is pounding southern Beirut, going after what it is describing as Hezbollah targets. It's a resounding message from Iran that, in this asymmetrical war, attacks will not go unanswered. Adel Nassar is Lebanon's justice minister and he joins the show from Beirut.  Also on today's show: Mostafa Daneshgar, Iranian political analyst & Maryam Alemzadeh, associate professor in history & politics of Iran university of Oxford; Vivian Salama, staff writer, the Atlantic    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is day 11 of the US-Israeli war with Iran and there is still no clear off-ramp. President Trump claims it will be over "very soon," but he continues to make contradictory statements. In contrast, Iran is clear on its goals and says it is prepared for a long war. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen has seen first hand the human impact of this war and reports from Tehran amid ongoing strikes.  Also on today’s show: General Joseph Votel, Forner CENTCOM Commander; Lilian Tintori, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist; US Democratic Senator Andy Kim    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top Iranian clerics have picked Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's next Supreme Leader. He is the son of slain leader Ayotallah Ali Khameni and is known for sharing his father's hardline stance. It is a choice that both the US and Israel have said they won't accept. Gideon Sa'ar is Israel's Foreign Minister and he joined the show to react.  Also on today's show: CNN's Fred Pleitgen interviews former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi; Jason Furman, Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers; Debbie Wei Mullin, Founder, Copper Cow Coffee & Sarah LaFleur, Founder and CEO, M.M. LaFleur  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As America and Israel's conflict with Iran spills out into the region and beyond, Christiane gets perspective from around the world with a range of guests. U.S. Democratic Senator, Chris Murphy, who sits on the foreign relations committee is up first with a furious response to the roll out of this war and the lack of clear objectives. Then from inside Iran, Christiane hears from human rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-write the Oscar-nominated drama 'It Was Just an Accident' and was until recently, a political prisoner of the regime. And with the Gulf region under fire, Christiane speaks to Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former director of intelligence. Plus with America's allies increasingly walking a tightrope, Christiane hears from Britain's former spymaster, John Sawers, after President Trump criticised Prime Minister Starmer's initial response. And, with many Americans hearing echoes of Iraq, a lookback at Christiane's reporting from Baghdad just after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Air date: March 7, 2026   Guests:  Senator Chris Murphy Former Saudi Intelligence Chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal  Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is day seven of Israel and America's war on Iran, after the heaviest night of bombardment so far. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his photojournalist and producer, Claudia Otto, are in Tehran - the first US team in the country since the start of the war. They are operating there only with the permission of the Iranian government. While anti-government protesters are off the streets, trying to avoid retribution, the government is allowing us to see crowds of its supporters.  Also on today's show: Mehdi Mahmoudian, Iranian Human Rights Activist; Dan Shapiro, Former US Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary; David Frum, Staff writer, The Atlantic    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins with a special report from CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his team. It's the first time a reporter from a US network has been allowed into the country since the start of the war.  Also on today's show: Admiral Mike Mullen (Ret.), Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Abbas Milani, Director of Iranian Studies, Stanford University & Scott Anderson, Author, "King of Kings"; Noah Feldman, Professor, Harvard Law School    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel is conducting yet another wave of strikes across Iran and Lebanon, while the US says its heaviest attacks are still to come. Five days in, the Trump administration is trying to project a clear and unified message after failing to answer basic questions about its mission. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy is on the Foreign Relations Committee, and he was among a group of senators briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening. He joined Christiane from Capitol Hill just ahead of the Senate vote on whether to authorize this war.  Also on today's show: Former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al-Faisal; Former MI6 Chief John Sawers    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Petraeus, former U.S. Army general and CIA director, offers military and intelligence perspective. Amos Harel, Israeli defense analyst, breaks down Israel, Hezbollah and northern front dynamics. Chrystia Freeland, former Canadian deputy prime minister and Zelensky adviser, reflects on global order and proliferation risks. They discuss strikes in Iran, regional escalation, succession in Tehran and implications for allies and stability.

War is spreading across the Middle East, as more countries are feeling the impact of the conflict launched by the US and Israel against Iran. Jon Finer was Deputy National Security Advisor under President Biden and he joins the show to discuss whether there is a path to de-escalation.  Also on today's show: Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director, MENA Program, European Council on Foreign Relations; Col. Cedric Leighton, US Air Force (Retired); NPR political reporter Stephen Fowler    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices