Black rain fell over Tehran after oil depot strikes in the US-Israel war on Iran filled the sky with toxic petrochemical smoke. The contamination can seep into lungs, soil and water, with long-term risks from cancer to lasting environmental damage. What happens when the air people breathe becomes part of the battlefield?

In this episode: 
Narges Bajoghli, Cultural Anthropologist, Johns Hopkins University

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Black rain fell over Tehran after oil depot strikes in the US-Israel war on Iran filled the sky with toxic petrochemical smoke. The contamination can seep into lungs, soil and water, with long-term risks from cancer to lasting environmental damage. What happens when the air people breathe becomes part of the battlefield?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Narges Bajoghli, Cultural Anthropologist, Johns Hopkins University</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz, Marcos Bartolom&eacute; and Sar&iacute; el-Khalili with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take

The Take - Disco

Is war turning Tehran’s air into a chemical weapon?

Strikes on gas sites are now part of the US-Israel war with Iran. But its effect will echo far beyond the Gulf, hitting power, food, and prices worldwide. As gas supply shrinks and costs rise, who will feel it most, and how far could the shock spread?

In this episode: 
Justin Dargin (@justindargin), Energy Expert, Middle East Council on Global Affairs

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Tamara Khandaker, Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. 

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our editorial intern is Tuleen Barakat. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Strikes on gas sites are now part of the US-Israel war with Iran. But its effect will echo far beyond the Gulf, hitting power, food, and prices worldwide. As gas supply shrinks and costs rise, who will feel it most, and how far could the shock spread?
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Justin Dargin (<a href="https://x.com/justindargin">@justindargin</a>), Energy Expert, Middle East Council on Global Affairs</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Tamara Khandaker, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Sar&iacute; el-Khalili. Alex Roldan is our sound designer.&nbsp;
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolom&eacute;, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal.&nbsp;
Our editorial intern is Tuleen Barakat. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

How the Iran war is about to hit your wallet

This week: 172 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 677 Palestinians in Gaza. Trump has given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum. Israel is intensifying attacks on Gaza. Israel has launched an incursion into Lebanon. Israel has killed more than 72,253 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.

In this episode:
Mohamed Vall, Al Jazeera Correspondent
Zein Basravi, (@virtualzein) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent
Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent

Episode credits: 
This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: 172 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 677 Palestinians in Gaza. Trump has given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum. Israel is intensifying attacks on Gaza. Israel has launched an incursion into Lebanon. Israel has killed more than 72,253 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Mohamed Vall, Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Zein Basravi, (@virtualzein) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent</li>
<li>Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_journo), Al Jazeera correspondent</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:&nbsp; This episode was produced and mixed by Marthe van der Wolf. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.
&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;X,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;YouTube

Brief: Trump gives Iran a 48hr ultimatum, Israel is intensifying attacks on Gaza

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 2, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Elon Musk may have resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency, but few believe he’s stepping away from power. In under a year, DOGE brought Silicon Valley-style disruption to Washington, consolidating federal data and dismantling oversight. Now, Musk is expected to channel what he gained into a private AI venture – with public systems still in reach.

In this episode: 
Matt Binder (@mattbinder), Writer of Disruptionist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete, Alexandra Locke, and Natasha Del Toro.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement and Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 2, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Elon Musk may have resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency, but few believe he&rsquo;s stepping away from power. In under a year, DOGE brought Silicon Valley-style disruption to Washington, consolidating federal data and dismantling oversight. Now, Musk is expected to channel what he gained into a private AI venture &ndash; with public systems still in reach.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Matt Binder (<a href="https://x.com/mattbinder">@mattbinder</a>), Writer of<a href="https://www.disruptionist.com/"> Disruptionist</a></li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K. Li, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Kisaa Zehra, Mariana Navarrete, Alexandra Locke, and Natasha Del Toro.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement and Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">X</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

Is war turning Tehran’s air into a chemical weapon?

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