TelegraphDonald Trump is holding off on any further military action against Iran in the hope of striking a diplomatic breakthrough to end the war – but is he wasting his time? For this bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Iranian-American entrepreneur and former refugee Payam Zamani. He argues that the Iranian regime cannot be trusted and that the West repeatedly misunderstands the Islamic Republic, which is built on martyrdom, brutality and religious fanaticism. Payam knows this from experience. Born into a Baha’i family in 1970s Tehran, he was repeatedly persecuted and eventually fled Iran on foot after being chased out of school by a violent mob. He offers a rare insider look at how the Islamic Republic operates by looking at how it crushes minorities and any dissent. Highlights Why Trump can’t trust Iran: the fatal flaw in any peace deal IRGC brutality, being a Baha’i and escaping Iran with Payam Zamani
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Payam Zamani, CEO/founder One Planet Group @PayamZamani
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
