How seriously should Trump's latest threat to Iran be taken?

April 7, 2026·2 hr 28 min·10 clips

Trump threatens to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age, raising fears of a nuclear strike tonight.

This episode of Iain Dale's LBC show analyzes Donald Trump's imminent deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and his escalating threats. Host Iain Dale is joined by former Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan and American policy analyst Dr. Rebecca Lubow to assess the crisis. The discussion centers on interpreting Trump's social media post threatening that "a whole civilization will die tonight" and evaluating potential U.S. military action. Dale outlines two scenarios: Trump could claim victory and de-escalate, or he could follow through on his threat to "bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages." Sir Alan Duncan argues Trump's "apocalyptic language" violates international law and warns any major attack would provoke Iranian retaliation against Gulf states, disrupting global fuel and fertilizer supplies. Duncan suggests Israel may have misled the Trump administration into expecting rapid regime change in Iran. Dr. Rebecca Lubow details the procedural chain for launching a nuclear weapon, referencing past concerns from military leaders about Trump's sole authority. A surprising insight is Duncan's claim that Gulf states are hesitant to join the coalition because their populations oppose aligning with Israel. Lubow explains the 25th Amendment's limitations, noting removal requires the vice president and cabinet, who owe their power to Trump. Callers express fear, with one comparing the tension to the Cuban Missile Crisis, while another suggests Trump is "the boy who cried wolf." Dale reveals he initially hoped the conflict would topple Iran's regime but never advocated for British offensive military involvement. The tone is urgent and analytical, blending expert interview segments with listener calls to gauge public anxiety. Dale maintains a conversational but concerned style, describing the situation as "bloody scary." This episode will deeply engage listeners obsessed with U.S. foreign policy and the mechanics of presidential power during a crisis. Those seeking entertainment or avoiding stressful geopolitical analysis might skip it.

As heard by us

A live, skeptical look at Trump's Strait of Hormuz pressure, with callers and guests testing what comes next.

The episode centers on Donald Trump's deadline to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, with Ian Dale treating it as a test of whether the threats amount to leverage or something more dangerous.

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You want a straight read on Trump's Iran deadline and what happens if he claims victory tonight.

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