HEADLINES
Iran Uses US Hesitation to Strengthen Leverage
US Strikes Iran Radar Sites After Drones
Gas Prices Drop If Hormuz Flows Restored

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli defense officials say Tehran is using Washington’s reluctance to resume military action to improve its negotiating position. They report that Israel’s defense establishment is closely watching Iran’s enriched uranium program, internal power struggles in Tehran, and the declining likelihood of a joint military operation with the United States. The officials say Tehran believes Washington is reluctant to strike before or during major events in the United States, including the 2026 World Cup and the July 4 Independence Day celebrations, and that this perception is being used by Iran to strengthen its stance in negotiations. President Trump remains focused on avoiding renewed fighting while seeking an understanding on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, even as tensions flare between rival factions in Tehran over how long a ceasefire should last and how to proceed.

In Iranian Retaliation, President Trump said Iran’s military has been “totally destroyed” and that Tehran now possesses around 21% of its missile capacity after recent strikes. He asserted that US observers know “almost to the number” how many missiles and drones Iran still holds, while declining to reveal an exact figure. He said most drone factories and missile manufacturing sites have been knocked out, and that Iran still has missiles and drones, albeit at a fraction of their former capacity. He suggested delays in any potential peace deal are a result of Iranian leadership being “proud” and resistant to concessions.

In US Military Role, US forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites after Iran launched drones targeting the Strait of Hormuz, marking another escalation as Washington and Tehran pursue indirect talks to halt the three-month war. The US military says four Iranian drones were directed at regional maritime traffic, and US Central Command said it hit Iran’s surveillance sites on Goruk and Qeshm Island along the Strait. Negotiations for an interim halt to fighting would leave broader questions about Iran’s nuclear program to later discussions, with Tehran seeking access to billions in oil revenue, sanctions relief, port concessions, and leverage over the strait.

In Regional Impacts, officials say the path to lower gasoline prices hinges on restoring oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a point stressed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright during remarks at a Santa Barbara facility. Wright tied price relief to getting more oil moving and criticized California environmental policies for driving costs higher, calling for regulatory rollbacks to aid consumers as the administration seeks ways to ease prices while maintaining refinery operations. The regional security picture remains volatile: the House of Representatives rejected a Democratic-led Lebanon War Powers resolution, 324 to 92, with 91 Democrats voting in favor, while leadership stressed that no US troops are in combat in Lebanon. In the wider Persian Gulf, Patriot batteries have fired to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles over Bahrain as multiple interceptions were observed in recent minutes, and air raid sirens have continued to sound across Kuwait with Kuwaiti air defenses responding to a hostile missile and drone attack attributed to Iran. In the West Bank, three Palestinian civilians were injured during IDF operations near Hebron after a vehicle was misperceived as accelerating toward soldiers; they were evacuated for medical treatment and the incident is under review.

In Uplifting News, a Mississippi town is buzzing over a mezuzah ceremony conducted by its newly installed police chief, the first Jewish chief in the state’s history, in Ocean Springs. The mezuzah ceremony drew a crowd and highlighted a community’s moment of unity amid its Catholic-Protestant divides. In New York, the Israel Day Parade drew attention for its theme, Proud Americans, Proud Zionists, and for its high-security presence as the city prepared to mark the event in a climate of rising antisemitism. The coverage underscored how the Jewish community in the diaspora remains resilient and engaged, even as security measures reflect ongoing concerns.

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
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-898511
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898512
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-898509
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-898239
https://t.me/DefenderDome/21240
https://t.me/DefenderDome/21239
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-898483
https://t.me/DefenderDome/21238
https://t.me/DefenderDome/21237
https://t.me/DefenderDome/21236
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/us-attacks-iranian-coastal-sites-after-iran-launches-drones-latest-flare
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkgsw1zbfg
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898508
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-898380