Trump vows to target Pickaxe Mountain & infiltration, executions and fear inside Iran

As the latest round of the war enters its 11th day, US President Donald Trump has signalled the US could strike Iran's hardened Pickaxe Mountain underground nuclear facility where Israel claims centrifuges are being hidden.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Telegraph journalist Sophie O’Sullivan look at the news that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has admitted US war costs have reached $37bn, a landmark US nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis’ blockade on Saudi Arabia claiming its first victims. Is this the new Strait of Hormuz?

Plus, Iranian journalist Tara Kangarlou on an explosive interview by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that revealed critical internal security breaches and deep US and Israeli intelligence infiltration inside the regime. They discuss how Trump’s strikes are smashing critical civilian infrastructure, why a brutal wave of political executions could accelerate, and how the economy is in meltdown.

Highlights

• Trump vows to target Pickaxe Mountain nuclear underground fort
• Inside Iran: regime infiltration, executions and fear

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Sophie O’Sullivan, journalist and Ukraine: the Latest producer

Tara Kangarlou, journalist and author @tarakangarlou

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump’s nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia will only embolden Iran

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/22/trump-saudi-arabia-nuclear-deal-will-only-embolden-iran/

Pentagon is running out of money in Iran war, Hegseth admits

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/22/pentagon-running-out-of-money-iran-war-hegseth-admits/

Iran: the Latest’s episode on the Minab school attack

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/18/iran-the-latest-trump-biggest-mistake-iran-war-so-far/

Sky News documentary on the Minab school attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siRuobaj7IE

For more on Ukraine news, listen to/watch Ukraine: the Latest

https://linktr.ee/UkraineTheLatest

ITL Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Video Producer: Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Chris January

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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