Netanyahu: Iran to top agenda during Washington visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he would be discussing “all pending issues,” including the Iran war, during his visit to Washington this week. “Tomorrow I will fly to Washington to meet, at his invitation, with President Trump,” Netanyahu said in opening remarks ahead of a government meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday. The premier said he would also attend a memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he described as “one of Israel’s greatest friends since its inception.” “It is fitting that we pay him this respect,” the premier continued. Addressing the wave of terror attacks across Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said the Israel Defense Forces continued to raid Palestinian villages, seize weapons and arrest suspects.

He said soldiers had entered a hospital in the Samaria city of Nablus (Shechem) to detain two accomplices to Friday’s deadly terrorist shooting near Havat Gilad. The home of the gunman was sealed ahead of its planned demolition, he noted, adding that the residences of other suspects had also been mapped for possible destruction. Jerusalem remains prepared to expand its military operations against “the terrorist nests” in Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu vowed. Netanyahu also welcomed what he described as a decision “by a large majority of countries” to remove International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khanfrom office over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Netanyahu again accused Khan of advancing ICC arrest warrants against himself and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to deflect attention from the allegations against him. “He did this to divert attention, to rally all of Israel’s haters around him, naturally, to give himself a protective shield,” he said. “This shield has now been torn apart, exposing his true motivation, the injustice, and the deep corruption that exists not only in the prosecutor’s office, but in the International Criminal Court as a whole.” Netanyahu said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday night, who reaffirmed Washington’s intention to act “firmly” against the ICC.

The ICC “endangers justice in the world and also threatens the right of democratic, sovereign states to exercise their sovereignty, and essentially attempts to subjugate their security to the decisions of a corrupt bureaucracy in The Hague,” he added. “I think this is a very positive development, and I think it is important that we echo this around the world.”Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington comes amid continued strategic coordination with the Trump administration following recent tensions with Iran and as the two allies discuss broader regional issues According to Axios, Netanyahu has met with Trump in the Oval Office six times since the U.S. president returned to office, more than any other world leader. (Source)

Mojtaba Khamenei praises Hezbollah, calls for continued jihad, attacks against Israel

In statements attributed to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, he asserted that “there remains no path forward except jihad and resistance” against the US and Israel.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for continued jihadist attacks against Israel, while praising the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah in a series of statements attributed to him on Sunday. In the statements, which were released in response to a Hezbollah letter pledging allegiance to Iran’s Islamic Republic, Khamenei allegedly asserted that “there remains no path forward except jihad and resistance” against the US and Israel.

He continued to claim that Hezbollah’s steadfast commitment to terrorism has “become an inspiring message” for those in pursuit of “liberation from global arrogance” and “divine victory.” Khamenei was also quoted as stating that, in line with policy set by Khamenei’s father and previous supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the defense of Hezbollah is Iran’s “strategic mandate.”

He also allegedly asserted that Iran’s primary condition for reaching a peace agreement with the US is the halting of all Israeli operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Khamenei also lamented the killing of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israeli strikes in 2024. He described Nasrallah as “Hezbollah’s master of martyrs,” crediting him with growing Hezbollah from a “sapling of Islamic resistance into a mighty tree.” (Ed note: Don't ya just love those Iranian Ayatollahs? They will fight until the last drop of someone elses blood.) (Source)

Iran threatens to expand war if US resumes strikes, which it says Israel is pushing for

Ahead of Trump-Netanyahu meet, Iran says conflict will spread ‘geographically’ if US renews strikes after 2 days of quiet; reports progress on talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s army warned on Sunday that the Middle East war would widen if the United States chose to press ahead with attacks on the Islamic Republic, ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington. The stark caution came after the second night in succession without US strikes on Iran, following nearly two weeks of nightly attacks and responses by Tehran that targeted US allies across the Middle East, but not Israel, which stayed out of the fighting. Iran said on Sunday it has halted retaliatory attacks in the region after the United States stopped its strikes on the country for the past two nights.

“Since… our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations,” said army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia, confirming there have been no US strikes over the past 48 hours. Earlier, he told state television that he believed Israel was trying to prod the US into resuming attacks. “I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists’ deception, or move in line with them, and insist on continuing the war, particularly through airstrikes, geographically this will expand further,” Akraminia said.

He said the war had already expanded to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, referencing the recent military flare-up between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia. “The scope of our operations now encompasses the entire region, from US bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf,” he said. Akraminia said the situation in the Middle East for the United States is “difficult and unsettled,” predicting that Washington was now looking “for a new strategy.” “We are prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely,” he added. (Read More)

Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States

Iran’s foreign ministry says it is not currently involved in negotiations with the United States, despite a halt in recent fighting between the two sides. “At present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” the ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says, denying reports that Iran had requested talks.

US President Donald Trump ordered a halt to daily strikes on Iran over the weekend, with UN ambassador Mike Waltz saying Washington remained “locked and loaded” for more attacks and that “more assets have gone into the region,” but that Trump was “giving talks some space — he’s giving it a little bit of room.” (Source)

'We have more than we need': Trump rejects claims of dwindling munitions

President Trump rejects reports that he delayed massive two-week military strike on Iran over concerns about declining missile stockpiles.

The Wall Street Journal on Sunday confirmed a reportfrom The New York Times which stated that US President Donald Trump has put off a major escalation of the military campaign against Iran. US officials quoted in the report said the decision came amid efforts to revive diplomacy to open the Strait of Hormuz and a debate over the impact of declining munitions stocks.

The officials told The Wall Street Journal that the US military had been poised Friday to launch an intensive series of strikes against Iran, which could have lasted up to two weeks, but added the operation was delayed so diplomacy could proceed and as officials discussed the effect a major attack could have on the US shrinking stocks of Patriot and other air defense interceptors. The officials made clear that Trump could still order an attack and added that the situation remains fluid.

The Wall Street Journal further quoted the officials as having said that the White House has been informed of the declining inventories of air defense interceptors by Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The officials told the newspaper that the issue is a concern for Caine, who believes that the low inventories would not preclude a resumption of major combat operations against Iran, but would add to the risk. A spokesman for Caine refused to discuss the chairman’s confidential advice to the president.

Several officials told The Wall Street Journal that Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads US Central Command (CENTCOM), believes the US can cope with the limited stocks of Patriot and other air defense interceptors because stepped-up US strikes, if they are approved by Trump, would blunt Iran’s ability to launch large numbers of missiles. A spokesman for CENTCOM declined to comment on Cooper’s planning. Trump himself denied that dwindling munitions are a problem, telling The Wall Street Journal in a statement that “we have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need."     (Read More)

Vance, Caine raised concerns about escalating war in Iran, sources say as US pauses consecutive nights of strikes

Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine both raised concerns about escalating the war in Iran as President Donald Trump weighed the possibility during a White House meeting on Friday, a source familiar with the matter and a US official told CNN. On Friday night, the US appeared to pause its bombing campaign on Iran after nearly two weeks of consecutive nights of strikes. Operations are “on a hold,” a Department of Defense source told CNN on Saturday.

On Friday, Caine specifically raised concerns about the US munitions stockpile and other potential negative implications, according to the sources. One of the sources said that Caine told Trump and the US military they could carry out the options available to him and be successful but then warned of the possible implications. The stockpile concern was one of many raised to Trump during the meeting, both sources said. The potential for massive civilian casualties inside Iran if the US resumed major combat operations was also raised, a person familiar with the matter said.

Trump has threatened civilian infrastructure, including roads, bridges and power plants, over the past week, the targeting of which could constitute war crimes. Doing so could potentially leave scores of Iranians dead and many more to suffer without power or food, Trump was warned, according to the person. The broad concerns raised during Friday’s meeting also included sparking a potential refugee crisis, Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy and desalination infrastructure and the potential for regional escalation, according to a source familiar with the discussion.

Most of the advisers in the room said that if Trump wanted to pull the trigger on a bigger attack, the US could do so in a devastating way, but that the president should consider the potential second- and third-order effects. It’s currently unclear if the stockpile concern or warning about escalation were the primary reasons why the US paused consecutive nights of strikes or whether it will continue to do so.  *Ed note: So whose story are you going to believe? Do we have enough "stockpile" or not?)   (Read More)

Syria’s Sharaa: Working on security pact with Israel, could lead to comprehensive peace deal

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an interview aired Sunday that his country is working toward a security agreement with Israel, which he said could eventually pave the way for comprehensive peace between the two neighbors. In excerpts from the interview set to air on Al Jazeera later in the day, Sharaa said that several countries are involved in the negotiations between Damascus and Jerusalem, which he said is focused on reaching an arrangement that would see the Israeli military leave the buffer zone it seized after the 2024 ouster of Syria’s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The two countries, which have no formal relations and are officially in a state of war, have since been engaged in several rounds of US-backed talks, and in January agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism, as well as encouraging diplomacy and commercial opportunities between them. Talks for a wider security deal, aimed at reviving a 1974 disengagement agreement that established a UN-monitored buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, are ongoing.

Sharaa said that he hoped such an agreement would lead to comprehensive peace talks with Israel, without Syria relinquishing its claim to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured during the 1967 Six Day War and later annexed in a move that Syria and most countries don’t recognize. He further told the Qatari outlet that Syria had no interest in a confrontation with Israel and was seeking to avoid one. (Ed note: So, if Israel will, 1) get its IDF out of the "buffer zone" in Syria, 2) give back the Golan Heights, and  3) return to the 1967 boarder lines, Syria might talk with them. What a guy!) (Read More)

Syrian president: We will not intervene militarily in Lebanon

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says Damascus won't involve itself militarily in Lebanon, but warns internal instability there would have serious repercussions for Syria.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Syria does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon. However, he warned that Damascus is deeply concerned about the possibility of internal unrest in Lebanon, saying such a scenario would have a direct and negative impact on Syria. Al-Sharaa also emphasized that allowing groups outside the authority of the state to possess weapons has led to disastrous consequences in the region over the past four decades.

As such, Syria supports the authority of a strong central government holding a monopoly on arms and law enforcement, with only the state having the authority to make decisions on war and peace. Last week, Kan 11 News revealed that operational plans for a potential intervention regarding Hezbollah in Lebanon are taking shape within Syria’s defense establishment. These preparations are taking place behind the scenes, contrasting with official statements by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who publicly rejected US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he take action against the organization inside the neighboring country.

A Syrian security official close to the Damascus regime recently said that plans targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon are quietly being developed, ready to be executed if necessary. In the same conversation, the official added that the highest echelons of the Syrian security apparatus have received explicit directives to counter and thwart any Hezbollah presence on the ground. Previously, US President Donald Trump asserted that Syria's president is the most suitable figure to address the Hezbollah threat in Lebanon in place of Israeli military action.  (Ed note: Always keep one eye on the state of Syria.)  (Source)

Golan Heights 'are Syrian territory,' UN chief Guterres stresses during Damascus visit

The United Nations recognizes the Golan Heights as part of Syria, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, condemning Israel's actions in the region during his visit to Damascus on Saturday. "I’d like to remind the international community that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory," he said. "Violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable and must cease."

Guterres' comments came during a Saturday press conference alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shaibani after being welcomed to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's palace. The Damascus appearance is part of the first visit to Syria by a UN chief since 2009, before the civil war that dismantled the Assad regime.

The secretary-general went on to describe "a future defined by peace, dignity, and opportunity by the Syrians themselves," in reference to the Golan Heights. He recognized the UN's absence from the region, calling it a "conscious decision not to come to Syria since the beginning of the brutal repression of the Syrian people in 2011 until the fall of the regime.”

Guterres then urged the international community to take a more active role in mitigating Israel's involvement in Syria while pledging continued UN advocacy on the issue. In his opinion, now's the time for "partnership and solidarity." He covered a plethora of other topics in his address, including underscoring the need for post-war reconstruction and promising the UN's support in that process. (Ed note: And I'd like to remind the UN Chief that the Golan Heights belongs to the Jew, not to Syria. Syria would love to have the Golan back, so they could fire rockets down into Israel from it. Always keep one eye on the state of Syria.) (Read More)

Report: US special forces preparing potential raid to seize Iran’s enriched uranium

Possible targets included the damaged Fordo and Isfahan facilities, as well as the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz.

US special operations forces were preparing for a possible mission to seize enriched uranium from Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities, the New York Post reported, citing a source familiar with military planning and US security experts. The operation could involve thousands of troops securing nuclear sites, clearing damaged or booby-trapped entrances and establishing protected routes to an airfield. A smaller team of special operators would then enter the facilities and remove the nuclear material, according to the report.

Joseph Rodgers, deputy director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Post that a military operation could become the most likely option if negotiations failed to produce an agreement on Iran’s uranium stockpile. He described any such mission as exceptionally complex and dangerous. Potential targets included the damaged Fordo and Isfahan facilities, as well as the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, where Iran was reported to have transferred hundreds of centrifuges.

Iran had reinforced the Isfahan site and placed mines and explosives in its tunnels in anticipation of a possible raid, it is understood. US forces would need to maintain control of the surrounding area and airspace while construction crews reopened access points and transported the uranium. Richard Goldberg, a former US National Security Council official, said a raid on Pickaxe Mountain could instead focus on infiltrating the site, placing explosives and withdrawing, if airstrikes alone were considered insufficient to destroy the facility. (Source)

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Dr. Bill Salus says: If the events in this article happen, it could lead toward the fulfillment of the prophecy below. Trump Is angry with Tehran, but the LORD is fiercely angry with Iran, which trumps even Trump”s anger!

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will destroy the archers (missile launchers) of Elam (southwest Iran)—the best of their (IRGC) forces. I will bring enemies (likely ground forces) from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world. I myself will go with Elam’s enemies (possibly a USA led coalition) to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 49:35-37, NLT; emphasis added)

Note from the map below that some of the sites identified in this article are located in the territory of ancient Elam.

As Trump pauses Iran strikes, Israel said to believe he’ll soon be forced to escalate

After first day of calm in some 2 weeks, Jerusalem sources tell Hebrew media that diplomacy is sure to fail, leaving US president no choice but to order major attack.

After the United States refrained from striking Iran overnight Friday-Saturday for the first day in two weeks, Hebrew media reported Saturday that Jerusalem had been prepared for a major escalation in the war over the weekend, which never came. Despite the pause, Israeli leaders still estimate that US President Donald Trump would soon be compelled to step up military action, the reports said.

After the quiet night in Iran, there were also no reports on Saturday of attacks by Iran on its Gulf neighbors, which have been taking place daily as well. Trump personally ordered the US military not to strike Iran on Friday and Saturday, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the directive. Kan reported that the Israeli military had prepared for a significant escalation in the conflict. Channel 12’s diplomatic corespondent Yaron Avraham reported the same, while Barak Ravid, who reports for both Channel 12 and US outlet Axios, said that according to his information, the strikes the US military had planned for Friday night, before Trump nixed them, had been no different in scale than those it had carried out over the previous 13 nights.

Multiple outlets, including Axios and Kan, cited sources as saying that the US was still intending a major expansion of the fighting, but that Trump was now favoring allowing more time for negotiations. Kan reported that the US military has continued to send significant forces to Israel, including dozens of warplanes, refueling planes, air defenses and munitions. It said some 90 refuelers had arrived over the past few weeks and were stationed at Ben Gurion Airport and the Ramon and Ovda airbases — a similar deployment to the one that took place just before the US-Israeli war against Iran was launched in late February. (Read More)

Netanyahu: 'We're prepared to act on broader scale against terrorist nests'

At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said that he would meet with President Trump in Washington.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday's Cabinet meeting that he will depart for Washington tomorrow, where he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. He added that he will also attend the memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham. "I will also discuss all pending issues with President Trump, including the situation in Iran," Netanyahu said.

Addressing the security situation in Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said the instructions given to the security forces are prepared to "enter the villages, sweep them, seize weapons, and make arrests." He added that "these things have been done and are being done at this very moment," noting that Israeli forces also operated at a hospital in Shechem (Nablus), where, according to him, two accomplices who had been hiding there were arrested. The Prime Minister further stated that the home of the terrorist has been sealed ahead of its planned demolition and that the homes of the accomplices have also been mapped in preparation for action against them. "We are also prepared to operate on a broader scale against the terrorist nests," he added. 

Netanyahu also addressed the decision to dismiss the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). He said the decision exposed "his true motives, the injustice, and the deep corruption that exists not only in the Office of the Prosecutor but throughout the International Criminal Court." Netanyahu said he spoke last night with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, according to the Prime Minister, reiterated the United States' intention "to act forcefully against this organization, which endangers justice around the world." The Prime Minister described this as "a very positive development" and said, "It is important that we amplify this message throughout the world." (Source)

Strikes on shipping lanes, Saudi escalation mark new phase in Yemen's conflict - analysis

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen are escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, and in response, the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis has launched strikes of its own. This is part of an escalation that has continued throughout July, as the Saudis don’t want Iran to open up an air bridge to the Houthi capital in Sanaa in Yemen, fearing the Iranians are transporting weapons and advisors. The Houthis have claimed that unless the Saudi-led “blockade” ends, they will attack Saudi Arabian ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

This essentially means the Houthis are trying to shut down a key transit point the same way Iran has done with the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis threatened to escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia amid renewed tensions between the two sides on Friday. Al-Masirah, the Houthi-run media in Yemen, reported on their intentions.

Reports quoted Mahdi al-Mashat, the Houthi chairman of the Supreme Political Council, the executive body of the Houthis, as threatening Saudi Arabia. Houthi authorities accused Saudi Arabia of attacking Sanaa Airport and sites in Hodeidah, claiming that the strikes would lead to retaliation. According to Al-Masirah, the Houthis said they had carried out two operations against Saudi targets, including an attack using missiles and drones against Aramco facilities in Yanbu. They claimed the strikes achieved their objectives. (Read More)

Yemeni air force strikes Houthi missile and drone launch sites in Marib and al-Jawf, officials say

The Yemeni government air force has carried out airstrikes on Houthi missile and drone launch sites and arms depots in the Marib and al-Jawf provinces along the front line with the Iran-aligned group, two Yemeni military officials say.

The officials say the strikes were among the first offensive operations launched by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government against the Houthis amid renewed violence in the more than decade-old conflict, following the collapse of a four-year truce between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. (Source)

Reuters: Iran Sent Senior Commanders and Missile Equipment to Houthis in Yemen

Iranian Revolutionary Guard transfers advisors and advanced weapons components to Yemen via flight July 13, aimed at strengthening Houthi military capabilities. Iran transferred senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, military advisors, and advanced weapons components to the Houthis in Yemen on July 13, according to reporting by Reuters citing four sources including two Iranian officials.

The transfer took place via a Mahan Air flight from Tehran originally destined for Sanaa airport, but the aircraft diverted to the port city of Hodeidah after Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces attacked Sanaa airport. According to the Iranian sources who spoke to Reuters under condition of anonymity for security reasons, between 10 and 21 IRGC personnel including senior commanders were aboard.

The equipment included components for short and medium-range missiles and unmanned aerial systems, similar to weapons systems used previously in attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to military analysts cited in the reporting. Iranian sources said the purpose of the deployment is to support Houthi activities and provide training on new missile systems. Reuters also reported that Iran transferred gold aboard the aircraft intended to finance Houthi operations.

Mohammed al-Emrani, spokesman for the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, confirmed details of the Iranian transfer in comments to Reuters, stating that the deployment of IRGC personnel is designed to prepare the militia for threats to international maritime security. Both Iran and the Houthis deny the reports. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said the July 13 flight carried a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral of Supreme Leader Khamenei, along with Yemeni civilians who had received medical treatment in Iran. (Read More)

Zelensky: Ukrainian long-range strikes hit Russian warship, vessels transporting Iran-linked cargo

Zelensky hailed a long-range operation in the Caspian Sea, claiming Ukrainian forces struck a Russian warship and vessels tied to Iran-linked military logistics.

Ukraine's forces struck a Russian warship and vessels used for transporting Iran-linked military cargo in the Caspian Sea, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday. "We also achieved very strong results with long‑range strikes in the Caspian Sea - including vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran," he said on X. Zelensky did not provide additional details.

Iran's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, condemned a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, saying on Saturday it resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another. Tehran described the incident as an act of aggression and said it would defend its national interests and security, while accusing Ukraine of seeking to expand the Russia-Ukraine war.

The report from Ukraine comes on the heels of a recent statement from US President Donald Trump to Truth Social on Friday, in which he claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him that Russia was not selling weapons to Iran. "If they did, it would be very bad for them - certainly not in their best interests," Trump emphasized in the post.

Despite Trump's confidence in Putin's claims regarding arms sales to Iran, recent reports from US intelligence sources indicated that Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf might have received Russian assistance, potentially involving the provision of targeting information or advanced drone technology. (Ed note: The one hit by Ukraine, the 1200 kilometers, is about 745 miles. Say, you don't think that the Russians are lying, do you?) (Read More)

Central Command Flight Surge: United States Air Force Mobilizes Multiple Refueling Aircraft Near Iran

At least six US Air Force aerial refueling tankers initiated intensive flight operations across Persian Gulf airspace to sustain expanded military readiness.

The United States Air Force initiated intensive flight operations over the Persian Gulf, deploying multiple aerial refueling aircraft across strategic airspace in several Gulf states. Flight tracking logs and regional monitoring confirmed that at least six American tanker planes were operating simultaneously near critical maritime corridors. The aerial maneuvers signal heightened operational activity by US forces operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility.

The flight patterns highlight a major mobilization of heavy support aviation, including KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus refuelers, stationed throughout regional military installations. Aerial refueling tankers serve as critical force multipliers, extending the operational range, loiter time, and endurance of tactical fighter aircraft and reconnaissance platforms. The heightened presence of these specialized aircraft enables continuous air coverage over the strategic waterway connecting Gulf nations to international shipping routes.

Regional aviation observers noted that the refueling aircraft operated in synchronized tracks over airspace belonging to key allied states in the Gulf. This movement coincides with ongoing American military efforts to maintain maritime security, enforce naval blockades, and support deterrence operations against potential regional threats. By maintaining constant aerial refueling tracks, the Pentagon ensures that combat jets can remain airborne without returning to terrestrial bases to resupply fuel.

According to statements provided by defense analysts to Reuters, the deployment of multiple refueling assets across the Persian Gulf demonstrates an elevated state of operational readiness. Military officials routinely utilize these flight corridors to support routine patrols, escort commercial shipping vessels, and position tactical assets for rapid response protocols. The continuous presence of support aircraft reflects sustained American focus on maintaining strategic dominance and operational flexibility across Middle Eastern flight corridors. (Source)

Iran said to threaten Israel, reject US ceasefire proposal passed along by Iraqi PM

Iran on Thursday rejected a ceasefire proposal passed along from the United States by Iraqi mediators, The New York Times reported, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials, as the US staged its 13th straight night of strikes against the Islamic Republic. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had traveled to Iran that day, with a proposal formulated shortly after he met with US President Donald Trump in the White House earlier this month.

Iranian officials told the newspaper, however, that they were not interested in a “temporary deal” that would not address the final status of the Strait of Hormuz, a key sticking point in negotiations. Al-Zaidi’s office said he visited Tehran to call for peace and dialogue, and promised not to allow Iraqi territory to be used for attacks on Iran. Trump, meanwhile, warned that the United States would use Iranian money under Washington’s possession or control to pay for “any and all damages” done to ships and cargo by strikes in and around the Gulf.

“Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded: “Seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent. Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe,” Araghchi wrote on social media. “Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.” (Read More)

US intel said to find Mojtaba Khamenei ‘far more’ inclined than father to seek nuclear weapons

US intelligence assesses that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “far more” inclined to seek the development of nuclear weapons than his father was, according to The New York Times. The report, citing officials who have been briefed on the issue, said that based on intercepted conversations and information gathered prior to the current war, Khamenei is thought to be less hesitant than predecessor Ali Khamanei about building nukes. The elder Khamenei was killed by Israeli strikes at the opening of the war on February 28.

The Times notes that this assessment is not based on new information gathered since the start of the war, or since Mojtaba’s ascension as leader, but on previously collected information. Though Western intelligence agencies reject Iran’s assertion that it never sought to develop nuclear weapons, and Israel has argued Tehran took steps toward weaponization in recent years, Ali Khamenei is broadly believed to have been at least ambivalent over pursuing the matter.

But the American intelligence report assesses that those within the regime seeking nuclear bombs have now seen their position strengthened, as they argue such weapons are necessary to protect the Islamic Republic from future attacks. (Source)

Report: Bahrain and Kuwait secretly struck Iran in first direct retaliation

The Wall Street Journal reports that Bahrain and Kuwait secretly launched jet strikes on Iranian drone and missile depots last month.

Bahrain and Kuwait secretly sent jets to strike sites inside Iran, their first direct retaliation against Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Sources familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the strikes took place earlier this month, and the jets hit drone and missile storage depots.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which attacked Iran multiple times early in the war, provided intelligence and defensive air cover for the operation, said The Wall Street Journal. Spokespeople for both the governments of Kuwait and Bahrain did not comment on the report.

The WSJ report comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue. Early Friday morning, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a 13th consecutive night of strikes in Iran targeting military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched missiles towards Bahrain, triggering sirens. In addition, Jordan's military on Friday afternoon reported that it shot down seven missiles and six drones launched from Iran. (Source)

Netanyahu to visit DC for White House meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to travel to Washington, D.C., on July 27 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump for an official visit that will include a White House meeting and attendance at the funeral of the late senator Lindsey Graham, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Friday.

According to Axios, Netanyahu has met with Trump in the Oval Office six times since the U.S. president returned to office, more than any other world leader. The visit comes amid continued strategic coordination between Jerusalem and Washington following recent tensions with Iran and as the two allies discuss broader regional issues. Axios reported that the meeting had been under discussion for several days before being finalized.

Graham, a South Carolina Republican who died on July 11, was among Israel’s staunchest supporters in the U.S. Senate. In announcing Netanyahu’s plans, the Prime Minister’s Office described the longtime senator as “a friend of Israel.” (Source)

US completes 13th night of strikes on Iran, CENTCOM confirms

Tehran activated its air defenses, while explosions were reported in the islands of Qeshm, Larak, and Hengam, as well as the Iranian cities of Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas.

US forces completed the 13th night of attacks against Iran early Friday morning, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a post on X/Twitter. The strikes "targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz," it said in the post.

CENTCOM also confirmed that the strait remains open for transit "despite recent attacks from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," and that "commercial vessels continue to freely navigate with US military support." Earlier on Friday, CENTCOM had announced in a post on X strikes "aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping."Meanwhile, Iranian air defenses were activated in the capital city of Tehran Friday morning to counter the US's "hostile threat," Iran's semi-official Nour News reported.

IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency had said the explosions were caused by American missiles. Iranian media also reported explosions in Ahvaz, a city in southern Iran, and in an area west of Bandar Abbas, a port city occupying a strategic position in the Strait of Hormuz. (Read More)

Trump says he is close to launching 'massive attack' on Iran, 'bigger than ever before'

US President Donald Trump is close to making a decision on whether to launch a new major combat operation against Iran, he told Axios on Thursday. "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," he said. Trump added that Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," but that there would be "consequences" to it joining the strikes, and that the United States didn't need any assistance.

His relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, was very good. "Relations with Bibi are very good. I would meet with him if he is here," he stated. During the interview with Axios, Trump also said that Iran wants to negotiate, but that they "haven't received enough pain yet." Two regional sources corroborated that the Iranian leadership was "not being helpful" in negotiations, and had not accepted the latest proposal. (Source)

National Infrastructure Targets Selected: Israel Plans Aggressive Operational Objectives for Next War Stage

The Israeli defense establishment elevated its operational readiness to maximum levels following intelligence assessments regarding potential Iranian miscalculations or preemptive strikes. While Home Front Command directives for the general public remain unchanged, municipal authorities across the country have proactively prepared public bomb shelters. Security personnel are monitoring real time indicators, drawing on lessons from previous military campaigns, including Operations Rising Lion and Lion's Roar, as forces prepare for immediate deployment.

Internal assessments within the defense establishment indicate that maintaining the current status quo represents the preferred immediate strategy for Israel. This approach relies on an effective blockade of Iran combined with sustained US military pressure on Tehran. However, defense planners express concern that Washington may seek to avoid strategic stagnation, potentially leading to a diplomatic agreement that does not address Israel's core security requirements.

Should active war resume, Israeli defense officials advocate for a significantly more aggressive targeting strategy than that used in Operation Lion's Roar. Senior commanders maintain that any renewed campaign must encompass strikes against Iranian national infrastructure assets. Defense analysts note that expanded targeting does not guarantee regime collapse or surrender, while raising the risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy infrastructure. (Read more)

Iran avoiding strikes on Israel over fear of Hezbollah's collapse, former intelligence officer says

Iran is refraining from striking Israel partially due to fears of Hezbollah's collapse in Lebanon if fighting resumes with Israel, according to retired military Lt.-Col. (res.) Or Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) and former head of the military intelligence Hezbollah desk.

The US State Department announced earlier this week that activity had begun in three "pilot zones" in Lebanon, in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya. According to the American announcement, the move is being carried out under the tripartite framework between the US, Israel, and Lebanon, and under the auspices of the military coordination group established to implement the understandings.

Horowitz argued that he is seeing a significant weakening of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. "A historic change is taking shape in Lebanon. Hezbollah is in a weaker state than ever before, Horowitz said. "On the other side, there is a brave president; he wants to end the hostility once and for all. At the end of the day, he is a politician; he wants to avoid a civil war and being murdered himself, and despite that, he is making very brave moves." He then analyzed the expansion of Lebanese Armyactivity in the area alongside Hezbollah's weakening. (Read More)

Iran warns of strikes on Tel Aviv if Trump expands campaign to Tehran

Iranian officials tell New York Times that Iran will attack Tel Aviv and urge Houthis to block the Bab al-Mandab if Trump acts on threats to strike Tehran and key infrastructure.

Iran threatened to strike Israel again should US President Donald Trump expand the strikes on Iran to include the capital, Tehran, the New York Times reported Thursday, citing two Iranian officials. The two officials told the newspaper that Iran’s Armed Forces are anticipating and preparing for the possibility of the war expanding if Trump carries through with recent threats to strike Tehran and critical infrastructure.

The officials further said that If Trump does follow through with said threats, Iran will expand the fight regionally, including by striking Tel Aviv and asking the Houthi rebels in Yemen to close Bab al-Mandab, a strategic waterway in the Red Sea. Earlier on Thursday, Trump told Axios' Barak Ravid that he is considering launching an attack on Iran on a scale beyond all previous attacks. "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said.

Trump added that Israel would join the US military's operation if he asked, but said that the US does not need the help in order to carry out the strikes he is considering. Addressing the attempts to revive talks to end the conflict, Trump said that the Iranian regime has not "received enough pain yet." On Wednesday, the President warned that the US would begin blowing up Iranian bridges and power plants if Iran does not cease its attacks on international shipping. Reports on Thursday indicated that Israeli defense officials increasingly believe that the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran could develop into a broader conflict in the coming days, potentially including missile attacks against Israel. (Source)

Satellite images show Iran rapidly rebuilding sites hit by US and Israeli strikes

WSJ report shows extensive reconstruction at multiple locations; officials lament Tehran’s ability to quickly recover and retain ability to attack, question efficacy of strikes.

Iran has managed to rebuild a significant amount of infrastructure destroyed during its war with the US and Israel in recent months, ranging from bridges to missile bases, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The report, based on a review of satellite imagery, suggested that the speed at which Tehran is restoring its damaged capabilities is the reason why it is continuing to hold its own against the US after hostilities renewed earlier this month over disputes relating to the Strait of Hormuz.

One set of satellite images showed that an access road leading to an Iranian missile base had been damaged by strikes in early March, the Journal reported. Several weeks later, a newly paved road could be seen leading to the base’s entrance in Kangavar, western Iran, despite it having also been blocked by the strikes. Other images obtained by the WSJ showed that as of early July, reconstruction efforts were underway at the Bandar Anzali port linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel said in March that it had caused significant damage to the port, an IRGC command center located there, and an adjoining shipyard. In a third instance, the newspaper said reconstruction efforts were documented at a missile production plant near Tehran in recent weeks. According to the outlet, Israeli military officials have pointed to these instances as proof that the bombing campaign unleashed on February 28 was ineffective.

One official cited by the outlet suggested that Israel should have focused exclusively on military infrastructure rather than broadening its scope to target regime bodies, believing that doing so would have enabled it to inflict more damage. A second official said Iran was capable of rebuilding almost everything that had been hit, the WSJ added. Satellite images from Planet Labs cited by the newspaper showed that a missile base in Dezful was struck both in June 2025 and again in March 2026, with strikes burying the entrance to the site. Yet just a few months later, the Iranians were already digging out tunnels to regain access, according to images from Airbus. (Read More)

US-Saudi nuclear deal subject to Abraham Accords signing, Trump says

President Donald Trump on Thursday conditioned a deal on civilian nuclear power with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-mediated normalization treaties signed or acceded to by Israel and six Muslim countries since 2020. The agreement “pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and the UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords. The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president’s statement comes after the Trump administration announced the previous day that it signed a “peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” with Saudi Arabia, with no mention of a requirement for normalization of relations with Israel. The agreement provides a “legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives” and allows “great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs,” the U.S. Department of Energy said. 

The agreement will go to Congress for review, according to the department. Brian Romick, CEO and president of Democratic Majority for Israel, stated that the “decision to provide Saudi Arabia access to American civil nuclear technology without any meaningful progress toward normalization with Israel is a major strategic mistake.” Trump has several times previously called on additional Arab and Muslim countries to join the Abraham Accords. (Read more)

Israel braces for possible Iranian strike this weekend

As US intensifies its military campaign against Iran, Israeli defense officials prepare for possibility of an Iranian attack as early as this weekend.

Israeli defense officials increasingly believe that the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran could develop into a broader conflict in the coming days, potentially including missile attacks against Israel. Israel is therefore preparing for the possibility of an Iranian response as early as this weekend.

Meanwhile the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday morning completed its 12th consecutive round of strikes on Iranian targets, marking the first use of heavy bombers since the campaign began. The US has also reinstated the maritime blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli defense officials have warned that the greater the American military pressure on Iran, the higher the likelihood that Tehran will retaliate by attacking US targets in the region, and possibly Israel, if it views the Jewish state as part of the campaign.

According to information obtained by Arutz Sheva - Israel National News, Home Front Command soldiers received phone calls on Wednesday instructing them to remain on heightened alert in the coming days. The calls were described as a precautionary measure in preparation for various scenarios amid concerns over possible regional escalation. At this stage, no new instructions have been issued to the public. (Source)

US launches 12th straight round of strikes on Iranian military targets. Details inside

Directed by President Trump, US forces launched a 12th consecutive round of strikes against Iranian military targets to protect commercial shipping, according to CENTCOM.

The United States launched its 12th consecutive round of strikes on Iranian military targets on Wednesday (July 22), with the operation carried out under the direction of President Donald Trump, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). In a post on X, CENTCOM said the latest wave of attacks began at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time and forms part of Washington's ongoing military campaign against Iran.

"At 5:30 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief's direction. The mission will continue to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters," CENTCOM said. The military said the operation is aimed at weakening Iran's capability to threaten civilian shipping and commercial vessels operating in regional waters. It did not disclose the locations of the strikes or provide details on the targets hit or any immediate assessment of damage.

The latest action marks the 12th consecutive round of US strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, underscoring the continued escalation between Washington and Tehran amid heightened tensions in the region. There was no immediate response from Iranian authorities regarding the latest strikes. (Source)

Yemen’s Houthis hit tankers in Red Sea as US strikes Iran for 12th consecutive night

Crew safe after Iran-backed rebels say they hit two Saudi ships that violated their blockade; Iran says it targeted US military assets in Kuwait and Jordan in response to strikes.

The Iran-backed Houthis struck two Saudi oil tankers on Thursday that they accused of violating a naval blockade imposed by the group, signaling a potential new front in the US-Iran conflict, as the US military struck Iran for the 12th successive night. The attack came after the Houthis said on Monday that they were imposing a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, a move that could significantly widen the war and strain the US military.

Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers, identified as Encelia and Laylia, saying the vessels violated their naval blockade. The Encelia was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire at the front of the ship, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing an official source at the General Transport Authority. The source said all crew members were safe and that authorities had taken necessary measures to secure the vessel and crew and protect the marine environment.

Disputes over management of the Strait of Hormuz led to the collapse of a preliminary deal reached in April between Washington and Tehran, reigniting the simmering five-month conflict. A Houthi maritime blockade may create a second chokepoint on global oil supplies alongside Iran’s near-closure of the Hormuz. Before the Red Sea flare-up, Trump threatened Wednesday to bomb one Iranian bridge or power plant in return for each attack on shipping in Hormuz, reiterating his longstanding threat to go after Iranian infrastructure. Trump said on Tuesday he would “take care of” the Houthis if they followed through on their own blockade threat against Saudi ports. (Read more)

Iran strikes on CIA facilities in Gulf prompt questions about possible Russian role — sources

Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted US intelligence analysts to investigate whether Russia assisted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, say four people familiar with US intelligence. These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, say US intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cite the strikes’ effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia’s broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.   

Reuters and other media have reported — and US officials have acknowledged — that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on US targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community’s investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed.   

At least two CIA sites were struck in March, Reuters and other outlets have reported. One of the facilities was the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located in the US embassy in Riyadh, and a separate site was located in eastern Iraq. Some of the sources said additional CIA sites had been hit, but they did not disclose details. (Ed note: Well, well. Is old Gog of Magog giving Persia a hand up?)  (Source)