HEADLINES
US strikes Iran infrastructure on Qeshm Island
Trump says air campaign cripples Iranian army
Knesset to pick comptroller by secret ballot

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In טראמפ על איראן: אנחנו לא צריכים מגפיים על הקרקע. חיסלנו חלק ניכר מהצבא שלהם רק על ידי הפצצה.
President Trump says the United States does not need ground forces in Iran, arguing that a heavy bombing campaign has significantly degraded Iran’s military without deploying boots on the ground. He describes the strikes as having killed a substantial portion of Iran’s army through air power alone, a portrayal that emphasizes a strategy of air campaigns over land incursions.

In British Airways extends flight cancellations to Israel through the end of October, British Airways is extending the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv and several other Middle East destinations through October 25, 2026, citing security uncertainty and difficulty in reaching stable arrangements with Iran. Etihad is expanding operations at Ben Gurion Airport in a sign that some regional aviation activity continues. The airline also notes plans to resume flights to Gulf destinations Doha, Qatar, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in August. Across the region, other major carriers have extended cautions or suspensions, with Delta delaying the resumption of its New York–Tel Aviv service until September 6 and postponing a Boston–Tel Aviv route launch with no new date announced; American and others have similarly adjusted schedules in light of the security environment. Separately, an Israir flight scheduled to land in Ljubljana was refused permission to land and diverted to Zagreb; Israir’s chief executive described the Slovenian decision as politically motivated and said authorities tried to find a workaround, while Israeli officials weighed their options under a shifting regional landscape. In the broader crisis, Iran conducted attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain as US forces responded with self-defense strikes on Iranian infrastructure on Qeshm Island, part of a broader flare-up in the region that CENTCOM says involved interception of missiles and drones and retaliation against Iranian military targets.

In טראמפ על איראן: אני יכול לתת תשובה ואז 20 דקות לאחר מכן להיכנס לחדר הסגלגל ולהבין שהתשובה שלי שגויה. זה משתנה, אתה יודע. עובדות משתנות.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump has made a series of remarks and characterizations about the Iran situation and US–Israel dynamics. He acknowledged reports that he used strong language regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu in a call about Lebanon, saying he was not angry but perturbed by Netanyahu’s ongoing confrontations with Lebanon. He has asserted that Iran has already agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon, with caveats that such a stance could change. He has suggested an interest in meeting the Iranian leadership, including the Ayatollah, and has spoken of a potential thaw in relations, indicating a willingness to engage at some point. He also described a view that the current tension with Lebanon and the broader Iran issue were part of a broader strategic situation he helped shape, noting that actions taken were aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities. Reports have also described late-night calls following discussions about Hezbollah, with indications that Trump was not pleased by the recent turn of events. In comments about Israel’s status, he has asserted that his own actions were central to Israel’s current position, underscoring a narrative that he played a decisive role in shaping regional security and the state’s survival.

In טראמפ על איראן: אני זה שהתחיל אותה. אני לא רוצה לשעמם אף אחד, אבל אני זה שהתחיל אותה, משום שאי אפשר לתת להם להשיג נשק גרעיני. לא הייתה נשארת מדינת ישראל אלמלא אני.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump has reiterated a claim that his actions were foundational to Israel’s current situation, arguing that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was pivotal to Israel’s survival. He has emphasized a willingness to engage with Iranian leadership in the future and has framed his own role as central to shaping events in the region, including statements about his relationship with Netanyahu and ongoing debates over Iran strategy. He has suggested a path forward that could involve direct meetings with Iranian leaders, while also describing the shifting nature of facts and the understanding of those dynamics in a rapidly changing regional context.

In טראמפ על איראן: אנחנו לא צריכים מגפיים על הקרקע. חיסלנו חלק ניכר מהצבא שלהם רק על ידי הפצצה.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset is preparing for a secret-ballot vote to select the next state comptroller, with a choice between retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s attorney Michael Rabilo. The state comptroller oversees public administration, integrity, and the quality of government services, with broad powers to access documents, publish reports, and audit ministries and other public bodies. The election is by secret ballot for a seven-year term, and the current comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, is due to finish his term on July 3. If a majority of 61 Knesset members does not support either candidate, additional rounds will be held until a winner emerges.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
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