HEADLINES
Israel Iran clashes escalate as Tehran presses
Trump claims Iran destroyed, 21% missiles remain
House defeats Lebanon troop withdrawal bid

The time is now 11:01 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 playing with cards it does not have as Washington pursues a long-term ceasefire and a possible agreement with Tehran. They say the defense establishment is closely watching Tehran’s enriched uranium program, internal power struggles in Tehran, and the waning likelihood of another joint military operation with the United States. The officials assess that Tehran believes Washington is reluctant to strike before or during major United States events, including the 2026 World Cup and the July 4 celebrations marking the country’s 250th independence anniversary, and that this perception is being used by Iran to strengthen its negotiating position. President Trump remains focused on avoiding renewed fighting while pursuing an understanding on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, tensions are described as rising between officials pushing for a longer ceasefire and reconstruction and hard-line figures seeking revenge against Israel and other countries.

In Iranian Retaliation, President Donald Trump contends that Iran’s military has been “totally destroyed” and now has about 21% of its missile capacity left after recent strikes. In an interview with NBC News, he said they know where Iran’s drones and drone factories are and that most drone facilities have been knocked out, as have many missile manufacturing sites. When pressed for exact counts, he declined to specify but said he knows “almost to the number” how many missiles and drones remain, estimating perhaps 21% or 22%. He noted that the percentage is still sizable, though far less than before the strikes, and attributed any delay in reaching a peace deal to Iranian leadership being “proud” and resistant to accept their situation.

In US Military Role, the House approved a decisive rejection of a Democrat-led resolution to remove US troops from Lebanon, voting 324 to 92 with 91 Democrats in support. The measure would have ordered the president to withdraw US troops from Lebanon within seven days. Democratic leaders argued there are no US servicemembers involved in combat operations or hostilities in Lebanon, and the resolution was defeated. Two Jewish Democratic lawmakers, Jerrold Nadler and Dan Goldman, voted no and said their opposition should not be read as an endorsement of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s prosecution of Israeli actions.

In Regional Impacts, the administration’s broader effort to lower energy costs ties to events in the region. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said lowering pump prices will ultimately require more oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, and he faulted California’s environmental policies for high gas prices, signaling a willingness to roll back some regulations and engage with California’s governor to support oil refineries after recent closures. Separately, defenses in the region show missiles and air defenses in action: Patriot Batteries have launched to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles over Bahrain, and several ballistic missile interceptions were observed over Bahrain in the last minutes. Air raid sirens continued to sound across Kuwait as Iran conducted another drone and missile attack, underscoring the ongoing regional volatility.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Canadian police arrested Steven Luu, 38, in connection with an overnight arson at Montreal’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. A window was smashed and minor burn damage occurred inside the synagogue, which was also targeted last year with swastika graffiti. Luu faces arson and possession of incendiary materials charges, though investigators said he is not currently suspected of a hate crime; the probe continues. Rabbi Lisa Grushcow condemned antisemitism and urged proactive policing, saying the community must respond with resolve.

In Uplifting News, a Mississippi town was captivated by the mezuzah ceremony of its Jewish police chief, Efraim O’Sullivan, who in 1979 became the first and so far only Jewish police chief in Mississippi. Ocean Springs sits along the Gulf Coast, with a mix of Catholics and Protestants, where the ceremony drew a crowd and became a memorable moment of shared community spirit that echoed across a region touched by religious and cultural tensions.

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.timesofisrael.com/suspect-arrested-for-arson-at-montreal-synagogue-the-latest-antisemitic-attack-in-canada/
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