Iran - Israel Conflict Flares
As two superpowers trade blows, what's next for the Middle East?
A conflict fought for so long in the shadows is now out in the open and could spiral out of control.
Meanwhile, the world’s most powerful leaders huddled together in the Canadian Rockies tasked with finding peace in an uncertain time, with an unpredictable president at the front of it all - before, that is, his abrupt departure.
But is the ballistic duel between Tehran and Tel Aviv a distraction from Gaza, where daily horrors continue unabated - and could, taken together, these conflicts explode into World War III?
Israel - Iran conflict
After Israel struck Iran and its top military leaders - on Friday the 13th appropriately enough - it already seems like there’s no end in sight.
Hundreds are dead in Iran, and while the death toll is much lower in Israel thanks to its missile defence system, the damage is still the most extensive caused by Iran in recent memory.
We are on the ground in Israel to see first hand what the impact is, and hearing from Iranians who tell us they are preparing to flee.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
US ‘may’ or ‘may not’ join in on strikes
And then of course, in the midst of it all, is Donald Trump.
The US president is doing what he does best, remaining vague about where his true intentions may lie.
At the G7 Summit, talk of the conflicts in Iran and Gaza were top of mind, then Trump abruptly left amid rumours he was working on a ceasefire deal.
From demanding ‘unconditional surrender’ to reportedly vetoing a plan to kill Ayatollah Khamenei to calling for the people of Tehran to ‘evacuate’, Trump is now mulling if the US should jump into a war he has long accused his political opponents of desiring.
How did we get here?
The disputes between Iran and Israel date back long before Trump, Netanyahu and Khamenei.
The threat of war between Israel and Iran has hung over the Middle East for more than forty years.
We take a closer look at the history between the two countries and some of the key events and alliances that help explain why Israel and Iran are at war, and why the outcome of the conflict ultimately comes down to Donald Trump and the USA.
War in Gaza
Not to be forgotten amid the crisis in Iran is Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza.
People are being attacked as they search for humanitarian aid, as witnesses say Israel opened fire with tanks and quadcopters, as well as airstrikes and troops firing on crowds.
Is the war in Gaza a blueprint for what Israel wants to do in Iran? We pose that question to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Have you seen this on Channel 4 News?
Jacinda Ardern is arguably the most globally famous and lauded New Zealand prime minister of modern times.
Her book, A Different Kind of Power, is perhaps the most sensitive and candid account of a leader you could ask for, framed around her desire to be remembered for her kindness.
In amongst the intensity of domestic politics, motherhood and governing during the Covid pandemic, Ardern has a unique perspective on Donald Trump and describes his politics as reflective of a movement that ‘weaponises fear’.
‘It wasn’t me’ … or was it?
Can you believe it’s been 30 years since Mr Boombastic himself burst onto the music scene?
And at long last, Shaggy finally reveals to Channel 4 News the real meaning behind his hit tune ‘It Wasn’t Me’.