US launches more strikes against Houthis in Yemen

Iran is “exploiting the Palestinian question,” says Sir John Sawers, the UK’s former permanent ambassador to the United Nations.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sawers says Tehran does not see the issue as being central to its goals, but is using it as a means of “asserting their strength in the region”.

Discussing attacks by Iran-backed militias on US interests in the region, Sawyers says Tehran has set up these forces to “operate at arm’s length” – so may not necessarily entirely control them.

He takes the example of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which receives funding and weapons from Iran. Sawers says Hamas did not feel it needed to get Tehran’s approval for the 7 October attack – which gave Iran the opportunity to deny its involvement.

Despite Iran’s actions in the wider region, Sawers says the leadership is facing difficult challenges at home – including secessionist movements, terrorism, and the all-important question of who will succeed the 84-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.