HEADLINES
Iran Enrichment Halt Draft Sparks Skepticism
Lebanon Welcomes Iran Memorandum Gaza Attacks Rise
EU Stalls Sanctions on Ben-Gvir

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Avner Vilan, a former senior security official and expert on Iran's nuclear program, said it is too early to know what will emerge from the talks between the United States and Iran. “Will we see tricks and gimmicks?” he asked, noting that “the Iranians have no problem lying.” He cautioned that the final agreement remains uncertain and that a published Iranian draft suggested Iran would completely stop its enrichment, though he has not seen the final text. He argued that if the published draft is what was signed, the deal could amount to a general statement of intent in exchange for immediate relief, with steps such as opening the Strait of Hormuz in both directions, a halt to fighting, and a mechanism to transfer money and lift sanctions, followed by how Iran would proceed with its nuclear project. He added that there may be surprises or an asterisk in the final terms, and he noted that the immediate financial aspects would be central to the understanding.

In Regional Impacts, leaders across the Middle East and Gulf states welcomed the memorandum reached between the United States and Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun praised Lebanon’s inclusion in the agreement and said the people of Lebanon look forward to a definitive end to the cycle of violence and to stability, security, recovery, and reconstruction. Qatar’s State Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi welcomed the understanding, saying it paves the way for a lasting cessation of military operations, while Pakistan’s role in facilitating the process was acknowledged by Iranian officials in confirming the sign-off. In Gaza, meanwhile, the past 24 hours saw at least nine people killed in targeted Israeli attacks.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Lebanon is an integral part of the agreement to end the war with the United States, with diplomatic visits to regional countries on the agenda before the signing expected Friday in Geneva. Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian said the government intends to sign the memorandum, adding that the actions of Iran’s governors helped prevent a collapse of the country during the war. He said the manner and mechanism of signing would be finalized soon, and Tehran will publish results officially. This is a developing story.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former consul to Los Angeles Yaki Dayan warned that Washington’s evolving relationship with Qatar complicates Washington’s posture toward Israel, saying there is no viable alternative from Israel’s side and that “there are no giant friends waiting at the door to embrace you.” He highlighted what he described as an emerging axis—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, and Turkey—built in response to the broader conflict. Vice President JD Vance said there are many details to be finalized about the incomplete peace deal with Iran, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is expected to remain open without tolls in the long term after the signing, and acknowledging that the full text had not yet been released. He stressed that technical negotiations would determine how the open Strait and other elements would be implemented and that critical issues, including the nuclear program, remain to be resolved. Separately, analysts questioned Tehran’s claim that the United States would unfreeze about $12 billion in assets before talks begin, with experts suggesting that any favorable terms could be quickly retracted if the regime fails to honor promises, and that many details of the agreement remain uncertain.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, EU foreign ministers have not reached a consensus on sanctioning Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, with several member states calling for measures but no agreement yet. In another development, police dispersed a haredi protest near Ofakim after dozens blocked major routes in response to the arrest of a draft dodger, with traffic at Gilat Junction and adjacent roads gradually returning to normal after police intervention. Earlier this week, 17 haredi men were indicted for breaking into the home of IDF Chief Military Police Officer Brigadier-General Yuval Yamin during a protest in April, with charges including rioting, trespassing, and property damage involving several minors. Separately, retired Supreme Court justice Yosef Elron told the High Court that the Knesset’s vote to elect Rabello as state comptroller was conducted unlawfully, joining petitions that seek to cancel the result while not claiming personal preference for the position.

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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