The UK just proved it hasn’t learned Iran and Ukraine war lessons

As the US and Iran meet in Qatar, the UK has unveiled £15 billion in defence spending - but is it all a giant “fudge” to avoid humiliation by Donald Trump at next week’s Nato summit? 

Announcing the Defence Investment Plan, Prime Minister Keir Starmer boasted it meant the UK is spending 4.2% of GDP on wider security. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey talks to Ukraine: the Latest host and defence associate editor Dom Nicholls about why the numbers don’t add up. 

Plus, they unpack the UK’s high-stakes gamble on exquisite uncrewed autonomous aircraft and vessels and why the UK is ignoring the vital lesson from wars in Ukraine and Iran: expensive tech cannot replace raw mass.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Dom Nicholls, Ukraine: the Latest host and defence associate editor @DomNicholls 

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Gulf plans to cut the US out of Iran deal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/30/gulf-states-plan-to-cut-the-us-out-of-iran-deal/

Iran says frozen $6bn will soon be returned as part of peace deal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/29/iran-frozen-assets-us-sanctions-peace-deal/

Producer: Max Bower and Rachel Porter

Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells

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Highlights

• Starmer ‘fudges’ defence spending to avoid Trump clash at Nato. Will it work?
• The plan that proves the UK hasn’t learned the mass drone lesson from Iran and Ukraine

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