Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a historic trilateral defence agreement containing a Nato-style mutual assistance clause. As the Iranian threat - including from its proxies in Yemen and Iraq - grows, is this the future of security in the Middle East?
On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan is joined by Miad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Pentagon lead sanctions architect. They discuss how much control Tehran still has over its proxies, growing internal dissent in Iran over the Strait of Hormuz deal, and whether Tehran is stringing out the war to avoid further protests.
Plus, how China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctions.
Highlights
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign Nato-style pact against Iran
- How China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctions
CONTRIBUTORS:
Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan
Miad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies @miadmaleki
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iran considers banning US and Israeli ships from Strait of Hormuz
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/07/iran-considers-banning-us-israeli-ships-strait-of-hormuz/
Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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