Global News Podcast – March 12, 2026

Episode Title: UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks
Host: Celia Hatton
Produced by: BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode covers the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for Iran to stop its attacks in the Gulf—without mentioning US-Israeli strikes against Iran that started the current conflict. The podcast also touches on repercussions within the US, Iran's uncertain participation in the upcoming World Cup, Chile’s swing to the far right, mounting drought across East Africa, scientific discoveries about bumblebees, and Oscar picks among BBC correspondents.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. UN Security Council Resolution on Iran-Gulf Conflict

• Timestamps: [00:42] – [05:27]
• The UN Security Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Gulf states and Jordan, demanding Iran stop attacks on regional targets and condemning the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
  • “For the last 12 days, Iranian drones and missiles have been striking innocent civilians and civilian target in GCC countries and Jordan and elsewhere. This unprovoked aggression is a heinous crime.”
    — Jamal Falres Al Ruwaya, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the UN [02:55]
• Russia and China abstained, arguing the text failed to mention the US and Israeli strikes that precipitated the war and didn’t address the conflict’s root causes.
  • “This resolution is a manifest injustice against my country, the main victim of a clear act of aggression. It distorts the realities on the ground and deliberately ignores the root causes of the current crisis.”
    — Amir Syed Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN [03:29]
• Russia attempted a rival resolution calling for all parties to halt fighting and return to negotiations, which failed due to lack of votes.

Analysis:

• UN correspondent Neda Tofik remarks that despite widespread diplomatic support—135 countries co-sponsored—the resolution’s real-world impact on the ground is likely minimal.
  • “Passing a Security Council resolution and enforcing it are two very different things.” [04:27]
• The episode highlights the Security Council’s limitations in today’s geopolitical climate and the bypassing of multilateral diplomacy by major actors, such as the US.
  • “We are seeing a weakening of the kind of international system. But people here, especially UN Officials, argue it still has value.” — Neda Tofik [05:27]

2. US Strikes in Iran and the Attack on Minap School

• Timestamps: [05:45] – [12:26]
• US Democrats are urging for public hearings on American military action in Iran, particularly after an attack on a girls’ school in Minap killed 168, mostly young girls, at the war's onset.
• President Trump attributed the strike to Iran, but provided no evidence. Former CIA director Gen. David Petraeus suggests US responsibility is likely.
  • “I do think, sadly, tragically, that we probably were the ones. We were the only ones that have Tomahawk missiles in this particular war…”
    — Gen. David Petraeus [08:11]
• Ongoing Pentagon investigation; officials are not providing details.
  • “Every time US Officials have been pressed on this, they are saying nothing officially about it other than it is being investigated.” — Tom Bateman [08:55]
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s dismissiveness towards “stupid rules of engagement” and emphasis on lethality has become a Democratic focus, raising questions on adherence to the rules of war.
  • “He has appeared to sound quite disparaging about the idea of legality. He’s talked in the past about kind of woke policies in the Pentagon that constrain war fighters… there wouldn’t be stupid rules of engagement.” — Tom Bateman [10:08]
• The main US domestic concern appears to be economic, namely rising gas prices.
  • “When it becomes an economic issue, then Americans feel it. The rise in gas prices… is something I think the administration is desperately trying to mitigate.” — Tom Bateman [11:06]

3. US Strategic Miscalculations and Iranian Response

• Timestamps: [12:26] – [14:32]
• Reporting by Mark Mazzetti (NYT): The US underestimated the existential threat Iran perceived from joint US-Israeli attacks, expecting a swift operation similar to Venezuela or previous smaller strikes.
  • “One of the significant [miscalculations] was assessing what Iran’s response… would be and underappreciating how much Iran saw this attack as potentially an existential threat.” — Mark Mazzetti [12:26]
  • “This is a miscalculation by those who thought Iran might just try to end the war and de-escalate like they did the last time.” [13:54]
• Comparisons were made to the US experience in Venezuela, where regime change was quick and relatively simple from the US perspective.

4. Iran’s World Cup Participation in Jeopardy

• Timestamps: [14:32] – [18:24]
• Iran’s men’s football team may not participate in the 2026 World Cup due to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
  • “For 90 plus million Iranians, football is probably as close to religion as it can get. …And having the World Cup come to United States and Mexico and Canada … would have been a great opportunity… for the Iranian players and Iran as a country.” — Afshin Ghotbi, former coach [15:12]
• Ghotbi proposes FIFA should find a neutral way to let Iranian players participate as a statement that “sports are always above politics.”
• He also reflects on enduring prejudice faced by Iranians in global sport.
  • “You try to use your position with love and with understanding and patience to teach people that we’re all the same and it doesn’t matter where we come from, we deserve respect and dignity and we should be allowed to have hope and purpose in our lives.” — Afshin Ghotbi [16:23]

5. Drought Crisis in East Africa

• Timestamps: [21:03] – [25:13]
• Severe drought persists across Somalia, Ethiopia, northern Tanzania, and Kenya, with over 3 million Kenyans facing acute hunger.
  • “We eat these fruits because of hunger… There is no food from either the county government or aid organizations. That’s why we have decided to just eat these fruits.” — Regina Ewutolokopu, Kenyan villager [22:17]
• Livestock deaths mounting; many men have left homes searching for grazing elsewhere.
• Aid agencies (Kenya Red Cross, World Vision, WFP) struggle to meet rising needs; migration and food shortages continue even as rains start to return.
  • “We have small [food supplies] which cannot reach the whole population… We are saying if we can get more partners, more fundraising well wishers to come and support.” — Rukia Abubakari, Turkana county Red Cross [24:05]
• Authorities warn recovery will be slow; resilience and desperation coexist as communities depend on wild fruits for sustenance.

6. Chile’s Political Shift to the Far Right

• Timestamps: [25:13] – [27:09]
• Jose Antonio Kast sworn in as Chile’s president, marking the nation’s sharpest move right since the 1990s.
  • “Chile needs an emergency government. It’s not a slogan.” — President Jose Antonio Kast [25:38]
• He campaigned on security, tough anti-immigration measures, and promises to criminalize illegal entry, drawing inspiration from El Salvador and Trump-era US policies.
• Social conservatism and ambiguous attitudes towards past dictatorship noted.
  • “Among his promises: he has vowed to criminalize illegal immigration, intensify mass deportations and install fences or walls along Chile’s border.” — Nayara Basht, AP Chile correspondent [26:23]
• Public concern focused more on crime and security than on social agendas or history.

7. Scientific Discovery: Bumblebees Can Breathe Underwater

• Timestamps: [28:18] – [29:52]
• Research in Canada reveals queen bumblebees’ ability to survive underwater for up to a week during hibernation (diapause), even after apparent submersion.
  • “They look very dead when we removed them from the water, but then it took a few days for them to fully recover and regain activity.” — Dr. Sabrina Rondeau [29:04]
• The finding may help explain how bees survive harsh, wet winters.

8. Oscars Preview and Personal Picks

• Timestamps: [30:21] – [34:01]
• Correspondents discuss their Oscar favorite films, showing personal tastes and cultural trends:
  • Nomia Iqbal loves “Sinners,” a horror-historical hybrid:
    • “I love the way that horror is being used to talk almost about social issues… I've seen it more than once.” — Nomia Iqbal [31:10]
  • Peter Bowes, unnerved by horror, prefers “Marty Supreme,” a sports drama about table tennis:
    • “It is pure escapism. It took me into a world – championship table tennis – that I knew very little about.” — Peter Bowes [32:00]
  • Lis Doucet admires “It Was Just an Accident” by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahy:
    • “I've come to believe that good things can come out of bad. And Iranian cinema is a testament to that ... an extraordinarily distinctive and achingly beautiful tradition of cinema.” — Lis Doucet [32:39]
  • Neda Torfik connects with “One Battle After Another,” an action satire on American social divisions:
    • “It just touched on so many flashpoints.” — Neda Torfik [33:23]
• “One Battle After Another” tipped for major Academy Awards.

Notable Quotes

• “The main victim of a clear act of aggression. It distorts the realities on the ground and deliberately ignores the root causes of the current crisis.” — Amir Syed Iravani, Iran’s UN Ambassador [03:29]
• “We probably were the ones… We were the only ones that have Tomahawk missiles in this particular war.” — Gen. David Petraeus [08:11]
• “Football is probably as close to religion as it can get [for Iranians]… It’s their passion that they are born with, they live with.” — Afshin Ghotbi [15:12]
• “We have small [food supplies], which cannot reach the whole population… That’s why we are saying if we can get more partners, more fundraising well wishers to come and support.” — Rukia Abubakari [24:05]
• “I love the way that horror is being used to talk almost about social issues and I just loved it. I’ve seen it more than once.” — Nomia Iqbal, on “Sinners” [31:10]
• “I've come to believe that good things can come out of bad. And Iranian cinema is a testament to that.” — Lis Doucet [32:39]

Segment Timestamps (For Quick Reference)

• [00:42] – UN Security Council on Iran
• [05:45] – US military actions & school strike in Minap
• [12:26] – US miscalculation of Iranian response
• [14:32] – Iran’s World Cup and football culture
• [21:03] – Drought in East Africa
• [25:13] – Chile’s political shift
• [28:18] – Bumblebee underwater survival
• [30:21] – Oscars discussion and BBC correspondent favorites

Conclusion

This episode, delivered with the BBC’s characteristic balance and clarity, provides a sweeping update on global crises—from the escalating Middle East conflict and its international ramifications, through local hardships caused by drought in Africa, to lighter yet culturally resonant stories like the Oscars and scientific discoveries. It features candid expert analysis, moving eyewitness testimony, and memorable insights into both world affairs and daily life.

Contact:
globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Follow: @BBCWorldService #GlobalNewsPod