Amanpour

As America and Israel's conflict with Iran spills out into the region and beyond, Christiane gets perspective from around the world with a range of guests. U.S. Democratic Senator, Chris Murphy, who sits on the foreign relations committee is up first with a furious response to the roll out of this war and the lack of clear objectives. Then from inside Iran, Christiane hears from human rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-write the Oscar-nominated drama 'It Was Just an Accident' and was until recently, a political prisoner of the regime. And with the Gulf region under fire, Christiane speaks to Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former director of intelligence. Plus with America's allies increasingly walking a tightrope, Christiane hears from Britain's former spymaster, John Sawers, after President Trump criticised Prime Minister Starmer's initial response. And, with many Americans hearing echoes of Iraq, a lookback at Christiane's reporting from Baghdad just after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Air date: March 7, 2026

 

Guests: 

Senator Chris Murphy

Former Saudi Intelligence Chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal 

Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers

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It is day seven of Israel and America's war on Iran, after the heaviest night of bombardment so far. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his photojournalist and producer, Claudia Otto, are in Tehran - the first US team in the country since the start of the war. They are operating there only with the permission of the Iranian government. While anti-government protesters are off the streets, trying to avoid retribution, the government is allowing us to see crowds of its supporters. 

Also on today's show: Mehdi Mahmoudian, Iranian Human Rights Activist; Dan Shapiro, Former US Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary; David Frum, Staff writer, The Atlantic 

 
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Today's show begins with a special report from CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his team. It's the first time a reporter from a US network has been allowed into the country since the start of the war. 

Also on today's show: Admiral Mike Mullen (Ret.), Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Abbas Milani, Director of Iranian Studies, Stanford University & Scott Anderson, Author, "King of Kings"; Noah Feldman, Professor, Harvard Law School 

 
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Israel is conducting yet another wave of strikes across Iran and Lebanon, while the US says its heaviest attacks are still to come. Five days in, the Trump administration is trying to project a clear and unified message after failing to answer basic questions about its mission. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy is on the Foreign Relations Committee, and he was among a group of senators briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening. He joined Christiane from Capitol Hill just ahead of the Senate vote on whether to authorize this war. 

Also on today's show: Former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al-Faisal; Former MI6 Chief John Sawers 

 
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Israel bombed Iran's Assembly of Experts compound in the holy city of Qom today while its members were voting to elect the country's next supreme leader. In Beirut, the Israeli air force is striking Hezbollah targets as their forces seize ground in Southern Lebanon. And in Saudi Arabia, the US warns there is a threat of imminent attacks, after its embassy was struck by suspected Iranian drones. To discuss all this we turn to former CIA Director David Petraeus. 

Also on today's show: Amos Harel, Defense Analyst, Haaretz; Chrystia Freeland, Economic Advisor to President Zelensky / Former Canadian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister 

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