US and Iran exchange strikes straining fragile ceasefire

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. The United States is about to mark its 250th anniversary. And so on the Global Story podcast from the BBC, we're telling surprising tales of American influence on the world stage and in ordinary people's lives all across the globe. We have this ability to export our story and a lot of people have bought it. I feel like the American dream is alive but not well. From the BBC, it's the United States at 2.50. Listen on bbc.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

0:42Hello and welcome to NewsHour from the BBC World Service. We're coming to you live from London. I'm James Menendez. And we're going to begin with what looks like an increasingly shaky ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with both countries attacking each other's infrastructure in the Gulf region and President Trump warning on social media that a return to all-out war is still possible. The dispute seems to centre on control of the Strait of Hormuz, that crucial artery for exports of oil and gas and other essentials. The Iranian government said today that responsibility for restoring the flow of tankers through the narrow waterway rests solely with it.

1:21Here is Foreign Minister Abbas Arachid speaking on a visit to Iraq.

1:28Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-war capacity within 30 days under the management that Iran will put in place. Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements from those currently being implemented by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only complicate the situation, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and raise the level of tension, as we witnessed over the past two nights with incidents in the straits that led to increased tensions and clashes. Well, following developments for us is our correspondent John Donison, who joins us from Jerusalem.

2:03John, good to talk to you. We've been here before with breaches of this and previous ceasefires. How serious is this situation, do you think? Well, I think less than two weeks after the deal was announced, it shows what a fragile deal it is and how precarious the situation is. So Iran basically saying that it wants to remain in full control of the Strait of Hormuz and it does not like, as it sees it, the U.S. trying to have sort of alternative routes through the strait to get shipping moving. And I think that is why Iran is saying it appears to have carried out drone attacks on a number of tankers and cargo ships over the last few days.

2:50and in all honesty although the pledge was to get the strait open back to its pre-war capacity within 30 days I mean there is no sign that that is happening in any significant way. And those drone attacks on ships trying to pass through the strait I mean what is Iran saying that those ships are in the wrong place using the wrong route is that it? yeah that's right they said uh i mean one of the ships that was attacked was an attempt to evacuate sailors who'd been stuck in the strait for a considerable time that operation then had to be called off and that's what iran is saying it's saying that it wants to be the one who that decides uh how and when ships pass through the strait and it doesn't like that ships seem to be trying to bypass that with America's backing.

3:45Of course, that has led to a considerable escalation. We've had two nights running now. Iran, the United States has bombed Iran, hitting 10 targets last night in and around the Strait of Hormuz, taking out radar control centers and drone launching sites. And that, in turn, led to the Iranians firing ballistic missiles towards U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. So, you know, there is a real risk that this could escalate and bring the whole deal crashing down. You're in Israel, of course. Israel's operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's actions, are they still a potential flashpoint for a breach of the ceasefire too?

4:30Absolutely, yes, because as you know, Iran has insisted that Lebanon must be part of this ceasefire deal. And on Friday night, we had, you know, a agreement signed in Washington between Lebanon and Israel to commit to living peacefully side by side, a pledge by the Lebanese government to try and disarm Hezbollah in the south and the Israelis offering a very limited withdrawal of their forces from southern Lebanon. But the clashes continue. Overnight, Israel's military said it carried out strikes against Hezbollah targets in the south. And again, while the fighting continues and while Israeli forces continue to occupy a large chunk of southern Lebanon, about 5 % of the country, it's difficult to see that situation remaining peaceful.

5:26And of course, Hezbollah have not signed up to any sort of ceasefire. John, thank you very much indeed. The BBC's John Donison joining us live from Jerusalem. Well, let's also talk to Dr Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the Think Tank. Chatham Howe, Sanam, good to talk to you. What do you think is going on here? Good afternoon. Well, I think Iran is trying to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, as well as maintain leverage in the context of the Hezbollah, Israel's ceasefire. And the U.S. administration is trying to separate all of these different files.

6:11And so we are bound to see a lot of bumps in this process. There have been technical meetings that have taken place after the high level meeting in Switzerland between Vice President Vance and Iran Speaker of the Parliament. but none of these issues really have been ironed out effectively and so there's going to be a lot of back and forth tit for tat until you know they sit down properly at the negotiating table and hammer out a lot of these hard issues. So you just see these as bumps in the road rather than the the road running out? Yeah I think it's the road is not running out really because both sides have message that they're not interested in going back to war, but continue to signal that if need be, they will.

7:07President Trump seems to be trying to be selling this ceasefire as a step in the right direction with Iran. He has other domestic issues he's trying to focus on. The economic impact of this war, of course, has been painful. And he wants to focus on the U.S. midterm elections. It doesn't mean that we might not get dragged into another broader regional conflagration slowly and over time. But I think that we should just expect a lot of bumps in the road going forward, as we've seen over the past few weeks, and also on the Lebanese-Israeli border. If Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, as a negotiating tactic, I mean, And it doesn't, as many warned, I guess, you know, weeks ago, it doesn't bode particularly well for the future, does it?

8:00Because, you know, again, Iran could could use the closure, the potential closure of the strait at any point in the in the coming months or years. Absolutely. And, you know, Iran, certainly in my mind, could be overplaying its hand. But the problem is that there may be four baskets. There's the Strait of Hormuz, there's the nuclear program, there's Iran's need for sanctions relief, and then a sort of framework that needs to guarantee all of these various baskets and negotiations. Both sides are trying to separate them and come to an agreement in each basket. But at the same time, all of the issues are interconnected.

8:42protected. Iran is maybe only going to relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz when it gets sanctions relief. And so it's holding the Strait hostage as its primary source of leverage. But this is, of course, going to incite further response from the United States. It's going to weaken the negotiation process. And again, we're going to be in for, I think, a lot of volatility over the weeks, if not months ahead. Yes. And briefly, as many have said before, some of those issues like the nuclear issue and sanctions, I mean, these are things that could drag on for a long time. Absolutely. Without a sustained process where teams from Tehran and teams from the United States are basically sitting in Switzerland, hammering out and connecting the issues together and building trust and confidence.

9:37I expect this is going to become the new normal. It's not okay that this is the new normal. But this is sort of where we are. There's too much transactionalism and there's not been really any investment in what a broader process is going to look like and what it's going to achieve. Sanam, thank you very much indeed. Dr. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East Program at Chatham House. We're going to turn to what's happening in Uganda now because soldiers have taken up positions outside the offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper, part of the country's leading independent media group. It follows an order from the army chief, General Mahouzi Kainaragaba, who also happens to be the son of President Museveni, to shut down the group's operations.

10:21Overnight, two of its TV stations were taken off the air. Let's speak to the BBC's Richard Kagoe, who joins us from Nairobi. And Richard, why is the government doing this? It's not very clear. There's not been reason given for the crackdown we've not had from, you know, say, the Ugandan police force, the Ugandan communications regulator, or even from the Ministry of Information. What we had is a series of posts that sort of like were building up to the culmination of the shutting down of these media outlets by the Army Chief Kainerogaba overnight. and what he was doing is basically making threats that actually he's going to shut down or order the shutdown of this premises.

11:08So we're still waiting to see and even maybe to hear what would be the particular reason if maybe there's a legal basis for that. We've been struggling to get hold of anyone at the Daily Monitor or indeed the TV stations. I mean, what are you hearing? Has there been any attempt by the soldiers to move in the building? Well, what happened is that overnight we heard that the security forces did move to the premises of the NTV and Spark TV overnight, where they did conduct a security operation. So the details in terms of the operations are not clear. So we don't know specifically exactly what was happening, what they were looking for.

11:48But what we're hearing from journalists with those media organizations, they're saying is that when they got there overnight, shortly after midnight, they started, you know, stopping staff from entering or from leaving the compound. Early this morning, there have been pictures that have been circulated online by the Daily Monitor at its headquarters, also in the capital Kampala, you know, showing armed officers outside the premises. So that's basically what's been happening so far. General Konorogaba, I think he wrote today, I do not believe in a free press. Does he represent the government? You know, the fact that actually he's the head of the military, you would assume that perhaps he's taken the position of the government in that sense.

12:34He's a very influential figure. I mean, he's the son of President Yoweri Museveni. He posts very provocative and controversial messages online. He's influenced people's appointments to government He has made certain pronouncements that have really almost nearly caused a risk of a diplomatic fallout So he's been outspoken and a lot of people now take him seriously Especially for this fact that he did make this threat And you can see that eventually these media houses are being shut down And this is actually very influential media organizations, part of the Nation Media Group a very influential media conglomerate that operates within East Africa.

13:16Richard, thank you very much indeed for that update. That was the BBC's Richard Kagoe joining us live on the line from Nairobi about that situation ongoing in Uganda. You're listening to NewsHour from the BBC World Service.

13:38still to come on the program the icelandic pop stars bringing an immersive listening experience in complete darkness your visual sense sort of takes over every time if you open your eyes that is your dominant sense it will always take over everything so so when you close your eyes or or you bring someone into darkness, you are forced to sort of put everything into all of your other senses. More from Sigur Rós coming up in half an hour. Let's just recap our main headlines at the moment. With its ceasefire with the US under strain, Iran has warned that any challenge to its control of the Strait of Hormuz will only further increase tensions.

14:18And more than three days after twin quakes hit Venezuela, rescue workers are still searching for tens of thousands of people that are missing. We'll be hearing from Venezuela in 15 minutes.

14:38This is James Menendez with NewsHour live from the BBC. Well, let's talk about the World Cup now because the group phase is now over after an unprecedented 72 matches played across the US, Mexico and Canada. And so the 48 teams that started have been whittled down to 32. And among those are a record-breaking nine teams from Africa out of the 10 that qualified for the tournament, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They're through after beating Uzbekistan last night. It is their first appearance at a World Cup in 52 years. And of course, Cape Verde, whose remarkable and joyful performances have been getting so much attention around the world.

15:19So what is going so right for African football this time around? Let's talk to Mo Ali, freelance sports reporter based in Cape Town. He's covered a lot of World Cups. Joins us now. Mo, good to talk to you. Why are African teams doing so well? Good afternoon to you, James. I think, first of all, we've got to emphasise that, you know, the World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams from the previous 32. Africa only had five teams previously. and now there were supposed to be nine and then DRC qualified by the Intercontinental Playoffs so gave Africa a full complement of 10 teams and it's a combination of that and as well as stability in the coaching setup I think if you look at most of the coaches they've been around for at least two years or more whereas in the past African countries used to chop and change their coaches even just before the tournament and we saw that with Tunisia during the tournament after their first game they lost.

16:16And Sabri Lamouchi was fired and Herb Renard was brought in. But in most cases, we've had stability in the coaching setups as well as the expanded number of African teams. In fact, Africa have got a 90 % record now of qualifying compared to the other confederations. Second is the KonMibol, which is the central and northern American teams and Europe has 81%. So Africa top of the class there as well. Yeah, and it sounds good when you put it in percentages, doesn't it? Nine teams out of 10, 90%. It sounds like an almost immaculate record. What about less of a reliance on European managers? Has that been happening too?

16:58It has. And that is mainly due to former players now transitioning into coaches. For example, you've got Pap Thiau, the coach of Senegal, who played at the 2002 World Cup for Senegal. He's now the coach of the Senegalese national team. and before that it was Ali Yussi, so also a member of the 2002 World Cup. Hossam Hassan, the Egyptian coach, for example, record goal scorer for Egypt. He's been in the coaching seat there for about two years. Immersify the Ivorian coach as well, former Ivorian international. So we're seeing a group of coaches coming through now that were former players and probably know their players and know the structures and their setup in the country.

17:38So I think that's helping a great deal as well. Is it also about the wider structure within national football associations, things being better run, better organised. Is that also helping to push through to the national teams? Yes and no. You know, worst case scenario is Nigeria. By far, I think, in my opinion, one of the most talented countries as far as producing footballers is concerned. But they're not at the World Cup and they're seriously underperforming simply because the administration is not up to the quality of the players that they have. and it's really a tragedy for African football.

18:14But having said that, you look at, for example, Cape Verde, who's been enthralling everybody at this World Cup, 525 ,000 population. And, you know, they've just won the hearts of everybody. And they've had their coach, Bubista, in place since the year 2020. And they've done things very well, as is the Moroccans as well. They've got a very good developmental structure going there. You know, the Egyptians have got a solid structure as well, as have the Iborians. So it's a combination of, you know, on the one side, solid administration, more money coming into the game in African football. The prize money, for example, for the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations has nearly doubled over the past few years.

18:51Club money, prize money for the intercontinental club competitions has nearly doubled as well. So, you know, there certainly has been an improvement in administration in African football as well. Mo, thank you very much indeed. Mo Ali joining us live there from South Africa. Well, one of the North African teams celebrating getting through to the knockout stage of the tournament is Algeria, who drew with Austria 3-all after a night of high drama in Kansas City. Algeria go through as one of the best third-place teams to the obvious delight of their fans.

19:29And this is what some of them had to say about the game, which essentially went off the rails in stoppage time with two goals in the dying minutes of the match. The game was awesome. We loved it. It was a lot of fun, a lot of goals. I think people came to see goals. Both teams qualified. We're happy. They might have the next game. It might be a little complicated for them, but for us, we might get a little easier one, but we're happy. Great game. Oh, it was excellent. This is my favorite game that I ever watched. and oh my god I'm just so happy like we scored 3-3 like 1-2-3 we've got lingerie oh thank you Paul Scharnes a former Austrian international who's played in both Germany's Bundesliga and the English Premier League Austria now go through I asked him for his assessment of last night's game yeah it was a very unusual time to watch to be honest first of all but the game was very unusual to be honest because if you have seen the scores actually the scoreboard yeah at the end it was yeah it was a nerve game actually yeah very nerve-wracking and I mean it all really changed in the last few minutes didn't it yes I was watching the game with my little son you know and after Algeria scored the 3-2 we looked each other and said we are out now oh my god Austria is out now.

20:59And a couple of minutes later, yes, we are in again. We are in again. Yeah. However, the fact that it was a draw means, and correct me if I've got this wrong, that Austria now have to play Spain. And that's quite a difficult prospect, isn't it? Yes. Before the game, actually, in Austria, we speculated that we should lose, actually, because then we don't get Spain, actually. But now, next round, you know, next stage, It's a very difficult one. Spain, but you never know if you had a look on the game so far. There are a few surprise results. Yeah, and what do you make of that? I mean, do you think it has been...

21:38I mean, the World Cup can be unpredictable always. Does this feel like a particularly unpredictable World Cup to you? It is, to be honest. Especially, let's say, in the middle level. Let's say the smaller countries are more up to it because they are very organized in the defense, you know, and if you have no, let's say, enough creativity in the game, then it's very difficult to score. But on the other hand, if you look on France, let's say, they are up to it at the moment, but you never know because you need to play so many games in so short time, actually. So it's very unpredictable. so maybe Austria the giant killers of the next round do you think what's your prediction for the scoreline many Austrians expecting it to be honest because we say we have the golden generation what we have at the tournament because our last qualification was 1998 and the last time we went into the knockout stages was 1982 so we have not a big history at World Cups, to be honest.

22:51But now we have a good squad. We have many players playing abroad in Germany, in England, in Spain. So it helps a lot to increase the quality of the squad, of course. But on the other hand, you know, Spain, actually, they are the European champions. And so it's difficult, of course, but we can maybe surprise. So really your best chance in what, nearly 50 years? I mean, that's amazing. Yes, yes, absolutely true. And you never know what you have seen so far at the tournament. And if we can find the right focus or actually the right setup, of course, as well, then everything is possible. Everything is possible.

23:32Paul Scharner, former Austrian international there. You're listening to NewsHour. Do stay with us. Much more to come. When you hear the phrase made in China, what do you think? I'm Tristan Redman. And I'm Asma Khalid, and together we host the Global Story podcast from the BBC. And today on our show, we look at the origins and evolution of made in China, because it actually wasn't inevitable. What we're talking about is the world's largest communist nation is at the beating heart of the capitalist system. For more, listen to The Global Story on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

24:13Welcome back to News Hour with its distinctive engine sound, links to youth culture and La Dolce Vita, the world's most famous scooter, the Vespa, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this weekend in Italy. Hey! Excuse me! Oh, stop! Come back, you'll be thinking of me!

24:36A scene from the iconic 1953 Hollywood film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck as they scooted their way through the Eternal City. Vespa means wasp in Italian and is a reference to both its shape and the distinctive sound of its two-stroke engine. Well, this weekend, thousands of Vespers have been parading through the streets of Rome marking that 80th anniversary. David Morelli is a Vespa expert who's also been collecting them over the years. He's been telling the BBC about their history. Vespa was born in 1946 in Italy by the company Piaggio. And 1946 was the year after the end of Second World War.

25:18The project is mainly by two persons. One is Enrico Piaggio. So it was the owner of Piaggio that was at the moment a big airplane manufacturer that was providing planes for the Italian army, and the designer. The designer was an airplane engineer called Corrado Dascagno. Both of them, they were not in the motorcycle business. The idea of Enrico Piaggio was to have a vehicle for the families to start the country after the tragedy of the five years of war. So it takes a while to keep people able to buy economically first, and then to get used to this new object that was not a car and not a motorcycle, but something in between.

26:06The Vespa became very popular and started to sell hard after 1952-53. And the reason there were two. One was economically that Piaggio made the opportunity for families to buy Vespa paying once per month. And the second reason was marketing and very romantic story played by Hollywood. So the Vespa is a very friendly vehicle, not aggressive, friendly with all the ladies and the priest. So this is the sound of the little two-stroke, but a very civil, educated engine that sounds like a wasp, like a nice insect. The point is that the engine is not as motorcycle. You have a hot engine, oily engine in between your legs, while in the Vespa it's like a chair, you don't have anything.

27:03It's good to be ridden by people wearing skirts. I would say Vespa is a piece of design that is out really of the automotive industry, is really loved by several kinds of people and always brings you to Italy. Davide Morelli, Vespa expert there on the 80-year-long history of the famous Italian scooter. You're listening to NewsHour from the BBC.

27:43This is the BBC World Service in London and you're listening to NewsHour. I'm James Menendez. Rescue workers in Venezuela are continuing their search for tens of thousands of people who are still missing more than three days after those two powerful earthquakes struck one after another. Those brought down buildings in some of the most densely populated parts of the country. And of course, after so long, the hope of finding any survivors is fading fast. Add to that a weak government that was unprepared for a disaster on this scale, as our senior international correspondent, Ola Guerin, told us from the capital, Caracas.

28:17This country has been running on empty for years. Under the control of President Nicolas Maduro, the economy was basically run into the ground through mismanagement, through corruption. People have suffered years of hyperinflation. One young Venezuelan here has just said to me, a monthly salary would not buy you one packet of medication. So if this was a test for the Venezuelan state, it's a test. It could only fail. Where we are standing now, there is a big operation going on still, but this is to try to recover bodies, not to find the living hope of that is gone at this particular place now about seven bodies have been taken out so far today we saw one of those being recovered about an hour ago it was a very moving moment the body was found it was lifted gently from the rubble it was covered very carefully and placed on a stretcher and carried away by rescue workers with as much dignity as they could provide in a situation like this.