This Israeli election is the most strategically consequential in the country’s history, with record turnout as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns voters to pick him or die.

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Roland Oliphant talks to former Israeli defence intelligence analyst and INSS fellow Danny Citrinowicz about why Netanyahu is reported to have pushed Donald Trump to restart the Iran war early so he could delay the election. When the US said no to avoid pushing up oil prices any further, leaks suggest the Israeli leader tried to find another way to provoke Tehran, only to be stopped by the IDF chief of staff.

They discuss the domestic and regional stakes for the country’s first wartime vote since Oct 7, and why the chances of renewed strikes against Iran are highly likely whether Bibi wins or loses.

Plus, two British men are charged over a suspected Iranian intelligence plot targeting RAF Fairford, a vessel catches fire off the coast of Iraq, and Iran warns it will target South Korean shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Highlights

• Netanyahu ‘pushed Trump for Iran strikes’ to delay first wartime Israeli election
• ‘Elect me or die’: Netanyahu’s Israel election threat as Iran war looms large

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Danny Citrinowicz, senior fellow at Institute for National Security Studies @citrinowicz

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Two men charged over suspected RAF Fairford terror plot

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/27/two-men-charged-over-raf-fairford-terror-plot/

Victory or prison: Bibi’s last stand

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/27/netanyahu-israeli-election-eisenkot-likud-iran/

Netanyahu ‘pushed for strike on Iran before Israeli election’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/27/netanyahu-pushed-for-iran-strike-before-israel-election/

Winner Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026

Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026

Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026

The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Andy Watson

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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