Iran-linked network targets Israeli election & the hero pilot who stopped a war

From the UK to Israel, the signs of Iran’s malicious influence across the West are growing. Will the attempted hijack of an Israel-bound flight from Dubai be added to that list?

On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks with Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin and Israel-based OSINT specialist Tal Hagin about how the flydubai pilot and passengers fought back to prevent a catastrophic attack that could have sparked a fresh war. As Donald Trump calls the alleged attacker a “terrorist or a whackjob”, they discuss three scenarios for who was behind it, debunked conspiracy theories - and the implications for the Middle East.

After OSINT company Golden Owl exposed an Iran-linked influence operation targeting Israeli voters ahead of the election, they break down

Plus,, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Tehran was likely behind a plot foiled outside the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase, and the US kicks out Iranian negotiators as peace talks stall.

Highlights

• How flydubai’s hero pilot and passengers stopped a war
• Iranian covert influence network exposed targeting Israeli election debate

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Henry Bodkin, Jerusalem Correspondent @HenryBodkin

Tal Hagin, OSINT specialist and director of intelligence network Otus @talhagin

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Iranian negotiators kicked out of US by Rubio

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/iranian-negotiators-kicked-out-of-america-by-rubio/

Burnham: Iran played part in suspected RAF terror plot

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/30/andy-burnham-iran-played-part-in-suspected-raf-terror-plot/

How the hijacking of a flight to Israel could tear the Gulf apart

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/01/hijack-terror-plot-gulf-israel-tel-aviv-flight-middle-east/

The hero who stopped Israel’s 9/11

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/30/pilot-stabbed-suspected-hijack-israel-bound-plane/

The Other Face of War: Iranian Regime–Linked Manipulation of Israel’s 2026 Election Debate

https://goldenowl.ai/resources/research/Iranian-Regime-Linked-Manipulation-of-Israel-2026-Election-Debate#7-operated-from-iran-the-iran-app-ring

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

Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Andy Watson

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey

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