Donald Trump faces a critical decision as the Iran war drifts into a stalemate: double down on military force or hope the US blockade will break the deadlock.  

Amid a deadline today for Trump to get Congress’ approval for further military operations under the War Powers Act, new reports suggest the Pentagon has requested the deployment of America’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles to the Middle East. Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant discuss the latest updates from the region. 

Plus, what is Russia’s role in the Iran war? Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’s Iran program, explains how Moscow has supported Tehran and is using it as a “pawn” in the broader fight against the West. He also analyses the significance of the viral Iranian Lego propaganda videos and Mojtaba Khamanei’s latest statement. 

Highlights 

• US 'could deploy hypersonic missiles' to Middle East
• How Russia is supporting Iran to fight the West

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host @venetiarainey

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

Behnam Ben Taleblu, Foundation for Defense of Democracies @therealBehnamBT

CONTENT REFERENCED:

US asks to move Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles towards Iran

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/30/us-asks-to-move-dark-eagle-hypersonic-missiles-towards-iran/

1,000 targets a day in Iran: How AI is accelerating war

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/01/1000-targets-day-how-ai-accelerating-america-iran-war/

Maven: the AI system helping the US bomb Iran

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdHYDGHN5rQ

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

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