DefenseAerospace

Gulf Gets Laser-Guided Missiles to Fight Drones & Iran Executions Soar

The Telegraph
The Telegraph•May 18, 2026

Why It Matters

The new low-cost precision rockets change the cost calculus of defending against mass drone threats and boost Gulf states’ defensive capability, while the UK’s expanded maritime posture raises the stakes for regional escalation and shapes future defense procurement priorities. Continued diplomatic deadlock keeps the risk of wider conflict and disruption to oil shipping elevated.

Summary

Tensions between the US and Iran remain unresolved as Washington presses Tehran with new conditions and Iran submits a 14-point counterproposal via Pakistan, while President Trump warns a deal must come quickly or military action could resume. The UK has rapidly developed and deployed laser-guided 70mm Hydra rockets for Typhoon jets—an inexpensive, precision option tested against drones and already operating in the Gulf—to counter Iranian Shahed-style drones and drone boats. London also detailed a Strait of Hormuz freedom-of-navigation operation including autonomous mine-hunters and drone systems, signaling a larger British operational role if peace holds. The situation remains in limbo with diplomatic talks continuing and the prospect of renewed conflict looming.

Original Description

Executions have soared inside Iran, with new Amnesty data today showing more than 2,000 people were given the death penalty in 2025.
Roland Oliphant speaks to Iranian journalist in exile Maryam Mazrooei about the “bloodthirsty” regime’s latest tactic to scare citizens into silence amid the war with the US and Israel. She also explains why the mood inside the country is increasingly dark amid a growing economic disaster, with mass layoffs and no internet.
Plus, the UK has fitted new laser-guided missiles to its Typhoon jets on patrol in the Gulf. Venetia Rainey talks to acting defence editor Tom Cotterill about how they have been designed to talk on Iranian Shahed drones and why they were developed so fast.
Tom also talks about his recent trip to the Falklands, where locals dismissed rumours that the US may drop its backing for British sovereignty over the Islands as punishment for not joining Donald Trump’s war against Iran.
Highlights
Gulf gets new laser-guided missiles to help smash Iranian drones
‘Bloodthirsty’ Iran regime executions hit all-time high as economy freefalls
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Tom Cotterill, acting defence editor @TomCotterillX
Maryam Mazrooie, journalist @MaryammazrooeiS
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Trump: There won’t be anything left of Iran if it refuses peace deal
Typhoon jets equipped with cheaper missiles to fend off Iranian attacks
Tom Cotterill: Trump is using us as a pawn, says Falklands chief
David Blair: Iran’s regime is confident of victory. It may be overplaying its hand
Amnesty: Executions surge to highest recorded figure in 44 years
Producer: Peter Shevlin
Executive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells
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#Iran #IranExecutions #DeathPenalty #AmnestyInternational #MiddleEast #IranNews #IsraelIran #USIran #RolandOliphant #MaryamMazrooei #HumanRights #IranProtests #ShahedDrones #UKDefence #TyphoonJets #LaserGuidedMissiles #Falklands #DonaldTrump #Geopolitics #WorldNews #DefenceNews #BBCPodcast #CurrentAffairs #MilitaryNews #Podcast

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