Particle Data Platform

Is Donald Trump close to finishing his war with Iran?

5/6/202627 min

What is really going on beyond the rhetoric? We unpick the mixed messages from the Trump administration with the war on Iran. It started with the president unveiling “Project Freedom”, a US operation to help vessels trapped in the Gulf to safely escape through the Strait of Hormuz. But less than 48 hours later, that plan was put on hold, with President Trump threatening “higher intensity” bombing if Tehran doesn’t comply with his demands for a deal.

Anthony and Sarah discuss what it will take for the US to extricate itself from the war, and look at the political cost at home as the price of gas breaks new records. Can Trump still convince Americans that what he’s calling a “mini war” is worth the escalating price of food and gas? And can he do it before the midterms in November?

HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Alix Pickles and Purvee Pattni. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.

You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers.

US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds
  1. Speaker 00:00

    This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  2. Katy Milkman0:03

    [instrumental music] Ever wonder why we make the choices we do and how to make smarter ones? Introducing Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab. Join Wharton professor Katy Milkman, an award-winning behavioral scientist and author of the best-selling book How to Change, as she shares true stories from Nobel laureates, authors, athletes, and everyday people about why we do the things we do and how to make better choices to help avoid costly mistakes. Each episode covers the latest research in behavioral science and dives into themes like the power of self-control, shaping your mindset for success, navigating new beginnings, and why starting over can feel so hard. Listen to Choiceology at schwab.com/podcast or wherever you listen.

  3. Speaker 20:56

    [upbeat music] At BritBox, character is everything. Stream the iconic characters defining British TV on BritBox, including Ludwig- I think I might just have solved a murder ... Vera- Now we're getting somewhere ... Agatha Christie's Poirot- Bonjour ... and more beloved favorites.

  4. Speaker 6· Soundbite1:14

    I'm a policeman.

  5. Sarah Smith· Host1:15

    I'm a professional. I'm a Time Lord.

  6. Speaker 01:16

    I'm the Duchess of York.

  7. Speaker 21:17

    Once you know them, you never quite forget them.

  8. Speaker 8· Soundbite1:20

    I, being Rain, I just am special.

  9. Speaker 21:22

    Stream the best of British TV on BritBox. Watch with a free trial today at britbox.com.

  10. Unknown speaker1:28

    [instrumental music]

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click "Accept All" to consent, or "Decline non-essential" to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.