Prime Minister Office Rejects Claims: Israeli Officials Deny Conditions Were Attached to Washington Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold a high level meeting in Washington at 18:00 following weeks of diplomatic coordination. Efforts by the Prime Minister's Office to secure the meeting began earlier this month, though initial willingness from the White House remained limited until diplomatic channels conveyed specific expectations regarding tangible progress across regional fronts. Article Body: Diplomatic sources revealed that American officials passed a firm message to Jerusalem indicating that Netanyahu needed to present substantial political developments ahead of the visit. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the message conveyed to Netanyahu warned, "If you think you are coming empty handed, you are not coming." 

Following consultations with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and senior advisors close to Trump, Netanyahu elected to present progress concerning operations in Gaza. The Prime Minister subsequently convened an urgent cabinet meeting to authorize the entry of an international stabilization force into the Gaza Strip, despite Hamas terrorists not yet fulfilling previous commitments to disarm. An Israeli official familiar with the cabinet deliberations commented on the decision, stating, "Netanyahu pushed forward the decision to introduce an international force into Gaza without looking back." The official characterized the policy change as a gesture to Trump that represents a retreat from previously established guidelines stipulating the total disarmament of Hamas terrorists as a prerequisite for post war arrangements.

The Prime Minister's Office issued an official response denying that any conditions were tied to the White House visit. A spokesperson stated, "Nobody placed any condition whatsoever on the Prime Minister's visit to the White House. The decision to introduce a multinational force was made by a cabinet decision eight months ago as part of the hostage release deal. This multinational force will not replace the IDF in any way." The upcoming closed door meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is set to focus primarily on strategy regarding Iran, alongside operational developments in Gaza. According to reports provided to Reuters, international observers view the cabinet decision as a key step toward aligning American and Israeli diplomatic frameworks before broader discussions take place. (Source)

Vance to attend Netanyahu-Trump meeting, amid tensions

US Vice President JD Vance, who has recently voiced criticism of Israel that bordered on the conspiratorial, will be at the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump today, the Prime Minister’s Office tells The Times of Israel.

After attending the memorial service for late US senator Lindsey Graham, Netanyahu will hold meetings with senior US officials, according to the PMO.
Netanyahu spoke at a memorial dinner in Graham’s honor last night. (Source)

"He does not decide for me": President Trump Rejects Netanyahu Opposition to Potential F35 Sales to Turkey

President Donald Trump addressed reporters aboard Air Force One regarding ongoing negotiations with Tehran, potential fighter jet sales to Turkey, and policy coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Donald Trump delivered a wide ranging press briefing to reporters aboard Air Force One as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington for bilateral talks. The American president outlined the state of negotiations with Tehran, potential defense sales to regional partners, and coordination with Israeli leadership following two weeks of military operations.

Discussing the ongoing diplomatic contacts with Iranian leadership, President Trump explained the factors driving Tehran to the negotiation table. "The only reason Iran wants to talk is because they are not in a good position. We have time, there is a good chance that something will happen in the talks, if not then we will go back to what we did before," Trump stated. The president detailed the recent military campaign, noting that intense operations over a fortnight severely impacted Iranian capabilities and forced a shift in Tehran's diplomatic approach. According to Trump, "Iran took a lot during the last 14 days, they asked us very nicely 'please stop, let's meet, if there is no deal, we will return to fighting like before.'"

Addressing strategic alignment with Israeli political leadership, President Trump described current coordination between Washington and Jerusalem. "There are a few disagreements with Netanyahu, but the situation is good, our positions and Israel's positions are fairly close regarding Iran," Trump remarked during the inflight briefing. When asked by reporters about potential Israeli opposition to a prospective F35 fighter jet transaction between the United States and Turkey, President Trump firmly rejected external interference in American foreign policy. "He does not decide for me, no one will tell me whether to sell or not sell airplanes," Trump declared.

Commenting on diplomatic ties with Turkish leadership, President Trump addressed regional tensions involving Ankara. "He is not a big fan of Israel, but he is a good friend of mine," Trump told reporters, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Trump also dismissed media reports alleging critical shortages of air defense interceptors within military stockpiles. "We have a lot of ammunition, different types. Biden gave a lot to Ukraine, and we are rebuilding it. We also have a lot of medium equipment, more than we could ever use," Trump stated. According to statements provided by White House officials to Reuters, the administration remains focused on evaluating Iranian compliance during the current diplomatic window while maintaining force readiness across the region. (Source)

Iran says no current talks with US, while regional official hails mediation progress

Iran said on Monday it was not currently holding negotiations with the United States, while a regional official said there was “significant” progress in ongoing mediation efforts amid a halt in recent fighting between the two sides. “At present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, denying reports that Iran had requested talks. “Mediators may convey messages to us from the American side regarding ongoing developments in the region. But at present, we have no negotiations with the American side,” Baghaei added.

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.”The two regional officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press to discuss the sensitive regional talks, said mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan were working to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran to return to an interim ceasefire deal that had been largely undermined by the recent exchanges of fire.

One of the regional officials who spoke to AP Monday described the progress made in mediation efforts as “significant.” He said mediators were working with Iran and Oman on a mechanism for managing vessels’ transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which was the trigger for the latest round of strikes and counterstrikes between Iran and the US. Baghaei also said on Monday that the US is not involved in the talks with Oman over the administration of the Hormuz. “These talks have no connection with the United States. They are a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and they are continuing,” Baghaei said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.” (Ed note: Who's lying? We do know that if the Iranians lips are moving, they are lying.)     (Read More)

New scaffold in Isfahan fuels fears of imminent protester executions

An iron scaffold erected Monday in the central Iranian city of Isfahan has raised fears that authorities are preparing to publicly execute more protesters arrested during January's nationwide unrest, sources told Iran International. The scaffold was installed in Alikhani Square, where protests erupted on January 8. Twelve young men convicted in what became known as the Alikhani Square case were sentenced to death. Two of them—Golmohammad Mohammadi and Erfan Esfandiari—were executed on July 19. Witness accounts circulating on social media described Alikhani Square as being under heavy security on Monday night.

A source close to the family of Amirhossein Safari, another defendant in the case, told Iran International that relatives had been summoned to Isfahan Central Prison for what they believed could be a final visit. The concerns were echoed by prominent Iranian activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who wrote on X that several families of the ten remaining death-row prisoners in the Alikhani Square case had also been instructed to report to the prison for final visits. Mahmoudian identified cousins Alireza Sepahi and Abolfazl Sepahi among those facing what he described as an imminent risk of execution. He also noted that two other defendants in the case had already been executed.

The visible deployment of security forces around the scaffold has further fuelled fears that additional executions could be carried out publicly. Iranian authorities accuse the defendants of involvement in the killing of four security personnel, as well as arson and vandalism during the January protests. Officials say four members of the Basij militia and Special Unit forces were killed during clashes in the area.

Earlier on Monday, UN experts led by Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, urged the authorities to halt the executions of the ten remaining defendants. "Sentencing 12 people to death in one hearing, in a closed courtroom and without clarity as to each defendant's individual responsibility violates established fair trial standards," the experts said. They said the defendants, aged from their late teens to their early twenties, were reportedly subjected to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and, in some cases, ill-treatment. According to the experts, the convictions relied heavily on confessions broadcast on state television, while Revolutionary Court hearings were held behind closed doors and the judgments were never made public. (Ed note: President Trump just said, "I have plenty of time." Hey, Trump, those people don't!  And the Iranian people continue to die under the hand of the Islamic Republic.)  (Read More)

Trump’s inner circle stands to gain from Saudi nuclear energy deal – report

President’s sons and supporters linked to firms that could build and power reactors for Riyadh under deal, NYT says; White House slams ‘attempts to fabricate conflicts of interest.’

The White House’s push to let American nuclear energy companies do business with Saudi Arabia could turn a profit for members of US President Donald Trump’s inner circle, The New York Times reported Sunday. Washington said last week that it reached a civilian nuclear pact with Riyadh, but the agreement’s status is unclear after Trump said the deal hinged on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia has said it would not normalize relations with Israel without a tangible path toward Palestinian statehood, which Israel rejects. Should a deal be reached, the construction of new reactors in Saudi Arabia and the supply of nuclear fuel to power them could result in a payday for firms affiliated with Trump and top cabinet members and donors, the report said.

Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr. in November acquired partial ownership of a nuclear fuel firm called Quantum Leap Energy, and the president’s eponymous Media & Technology Group said in December that it would merge with the nuclear start-up TAE Technologies. The deal is expected to include the US-based firm Westinghouse, which developed a large-scale nuclear reactor that has been used in China, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter who were cited by the Times.

Westinghouse is, in turn, a frequent business partner of real estate firm Newmark, which is partially owned by the sons of Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Times said. Another potential beneficiary of a US-Saudi nuclear deal is top Trump donor Peter Thiel, a major investor in nuclear fuel firm General Matter. A White House spokeswoman denied to the Times that the White House had any ulterior motives in pushing for a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia.

“The media’s continued attempts to fabricate conflicts of interest are irresponsible and reinforce the public’s distrust in what they read,” said the spokeswoman. Current and former Israeli officials have expressed concern over the US-Saudi deal, saying it could spark a nuclear arms race in the region and gives up leverage over Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel. (Ed note: It looks like President Trump, family, and friends already have their hands in the cake. Will the Saudi's swallow their pride, bite the bullet, and agree to normalizing relations with Israel, and not include their favorite sticking point, a path toward Palestinian statehood. What say you?)   (Source)

State Department sees ‘convergence’ of Iranian terror proxies, far-left groups

Despite a recent conference hosted by the U.S. State Department aimed at broadening the international focus on political terrorism, the department insists that combating Islamist terrorism, particularly threats linked to Iran, remains a core U.S. national security priority. The State Department convened representatives from about 70 countries, including Israel, on July 16 for its Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism to bring attention to “a blind spot in the international community’s counterterrorism focus,” arguing that the international community has devoted insufficient attention and resources to the growing threat posed by transnational far-left violence.

“We do see a convergence of different types of terrorism, an overlap with increasing connections, for example, with Iranian terror proxies and these far-left terror groups,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told i24NEWS. “We’re seeing increasing links, perhaps increasing motivations, when it comes to terror plots.” The administration’s shift in focus “doesn’t mean that the threat” of Iran-backed Islamist terrorism “goes away, but it means we have counterterrorism tools that have been able to, in many instances, successfully thwart attack,” Pigott said, citing sanctions and international cooperation targeting Tehran.

Iran backs a network of terrorist organizations across the Middle East, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and an array of Shiite militias in Iraq. “That remains a high priority. It’s within the national security strategy, for example, specifically talking about that brand of terrorism,” Pigott said. “But we do have tools here we can build upon. We need to see what we’ve done in the past, see what’s worked, fix what hasn’t worked, and make sure that we’re working together to keep us all safe.”

Washington is attempting to neutralize Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in southern Lebanon, through a trilateral framework it brokered with Israel and the Lebanese government. The partnership led to a White House visit last week by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the launch of the so-called pilot zone program, which aims to see the Lebanese Armed Forces establish control over areas Hezbollah has long held, with Israel Defense Forces troops subsequently withdrawing from those positions. “No one’s downplaying the challenges ahead of us,” Pigott said, responding to a question about the likelihood of success. “The United States, from the beginning of this process, has been focused on creating the space for good faith conversations, good faith discussions to take place.” (Read More)

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)