HEADLINES
Iran strikes Fifth Fleet and Kuwait
BA extends Middle East flight suspensions
Hezbollah drone launches intercepted over Israel

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has escalated what it characterizes as tit-for-tat responses to a series of US military actions in the region. Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps announced that missiles and drones targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Iran also asserted it struck a vessel identified as MSC Panaya, which it described as affiliated with US and Israeli interests, as part of retaliation for US attacks. The United States had earlier struck an Iranian oil tanker to prevent it from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran said its forces answered with missiles and drones aimed at a US air and helicopter base in a regional country and at the Fifth Fleet headquarters. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said Iran launched 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones at Kuwait overnight, with reports of substantial damage and injuries at Kuwait’s airport. In what Kuwait and other sources describe as a widening campaign, Iran’s actions were followed by reports of further strikes. Separately, an Israir flight scheduled to land in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was denied landing permission and diverted to Zagreb; Israir said the decision was politically motivated by Slovenian authorities, and Israeli officials and the company engaged in attempts to resolve the issue.

In Regional Impacts, the reverberations of the regional tensions are being felt in travel and security planning. British Airways extended the suspension of flights to most Middle East destinations, including Tel Aviv, Dubai, Bahrain, and Amman, through October 25, 2026, citing regional security uncertainty and difficulties in reaching stable arrangements with Iran. BA plans to resume flights to Gulf destinations Doha and Riyadh in August. Delta Air Lines said it would not resume the New York–Tel Aviv route before September 6, with the Atlanta–Tel Aviv service suspended through December 18 and the Boston–Tel Aviv launch postponed with no new date. Other carriers have likewise adjusted operations in the region. Kuwait’s defense ministry reiterated the overnight Iranian strike against Kuwait, reporting 13 missiles and 17 drones, and Kuwait’s airport was reported to have sustained significant damage with injuries. Israir’s diverted flight to Croatia followed a landing denial in Slovenia, which Israir attributed to politically motivated decisions by Slovenian authorities, with Israeli authorities working toward a resolution.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, tensions remain elevated as Iran strikes Kuwait and Hezbollah defies ceasefire talks. The IDF spokesperson said two launches from Lebanon were intercepted after crossing into Israeli territory, marking a second drone incursion by Hezbollah in a single day. Hezbollah later released a video claiming to show the Beqaa Ridge at night, with a Hebrew caption saying “We came and did not find you,” a posting that the group presented as showing activity near Israeli views of the border. The combined exchanges underscore a volatile mix of state and non-state actors in the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump asserted that he started the Iran war and that there would be no Israel without him. He argued that stopping Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon is essential and framed his leadership as pivotal to Israel’s survival. In a Pod Force One interview with the New York Post’s Miranda Devine, Trump acknowledged a tense call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing a moment when he reportedly told Netanyahu, “What the fuck are you doing?” and, according to Axios reporting cited by Trump, said, “You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass.” Trump also asserted that Iran would not be permitted to reach a nuclear deal under his watch and that his role helped preserve Israel’s security, although he said he had not met Iran’s Supreme Leader and could not confirm his status. Separate reporting after the interview also quoted Trump acknowledging that he called Netanyahu crazy, reflecting ongoing public discussion of the personal dynamics between the two leaders and the broader US-Israel coalition during the regional crisis.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Mizrahi representation in Israel’s elite power centers remains a point of contention. Ministerial Liaison to the Knesset Dudi Amsalem (Likud) said Mizrahi Israelis face barriers in reaching senior roles within state institutions, citing the absence of Moroccan judges on the Supreme Court, the lack of a Sephardi state attorney since Israel’s founding, and limited Mizrahi representation in senior law faculties, among other indicators. He emphasized that not all Ashkenazim are racist, but suggested that most racism is linked to Ashkenazi communities, arguing that representation numbers do not reflect reality. In a separate reflection on Lebanon policy, former IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz urged current commanders to challenge the government’s Lebanon policy, criticizing the lack of a clearly defined objective and saying the Beaufort Ridge operation appeared symbolic rather than strategic. He argued that the military’s most senior leaders should push for a different approach rather than relying on political channels alone.

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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