Iran: Why now? What Next? A Diplomat's Long View

About this episode

Rob Macaire discusses the implications of Trump's actions in Iran and the potential for diplomatic solutions.

As Trump's war on Iran enters its third week with the Strait of Hormuz blocked and the world economy facing a shock, Rob Macaire, British Ambassador to Iran 2018-2021 offers a diplomat's view of the how, why and what next to get out of the mess the President has created. In this wide ranging conversation, FRDH host Michael Goldfarb and Macaire look at the problems the US faces in achieving any of its ever-changing war aims and how diplomacy might rescue the situation -- but without Trump. Give us 46:22 to help you understand

People in this episode

Host: Michael Goldfarb

Guest: Rob Macaire

Topics covered

• Iran
• diplomacy
• US foreign policy
• Trump administration

Keywords

• Strait of Hormuz
• war aims
• world economy
• diplomat's view

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, US

More episodes of FRDH Podcast with Michael Goldfarb

• A Morbid Symptom of Our Time: Anti-Vax · May 31, 2026 · 54 min
• Howard Jacobson: Shattered Illusions and Anti-Semitism post-October 7th · May 15, 2026 · 58 min
• How America Looks From the Other Side of the World: with Nick Bryant · May 4, 2026 · 46 min
• Jan Morris, Traveler, Author, Enigma: A Conversation With Biographer Sara Wheeler · April 5, 2026 · 54 min
• Iran, US, Israel & Lebanon: a Conversation with Kim Ghattas · March 4, 2026 · 29 min
• FRDH on the BBC: Taxi Driver at 50, New York Then and Now · February 1, 2026 · 58 min