Latest / badlands podcast by borzou daragahi
Iran Signals It’s Ready To Escalate (S01E63)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Paris
It was no surprise that the US tried to test Iran’s resolve on the Strait of Hormuz just after it announced the launch on Monday of its “Project Freedom,” an attempt to break the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz by offering ships passage.
What was a bit shocking was the Iranian response. It launched a barrage of missiles at the United Arab Emirates, including at least one that allegedly struck at the country’s sole Gulf of Oman oil terminal in the emirate Fujairah, setting it on fire.
The messaging by the Iranians was clear. Tehran is not afraid of…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.