Podcasts · Iran: The Latest

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign Nato-style pact as Iran isolated

· 43 min

Episode Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign Nato-style pact as Iran isolated

0:00 42:59

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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