Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-24 at 07:07

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HEADLINES
Iran Bolsters Air Force with Russian MiG-29s
E3 Press Iran to Delay Sanctions Return
Nine Nations Recognize Palestine, Israel Pressure Mounts

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This hour’s update covers a new batch of Russia’s MiG‑29 fighters arriving for Iran to bolster its air force amid ongoing regional tensions; a tense UN diplomatic push as Iran and European powers race to avert the return of UN sanctions; a disputed Gaza blockade and the Global Sumud Flotilla moving toward Gaza as Israel prepares to enforce maritime limits; a shift in Palestinian statehood diplomacy that is reshaping international pressure on Israel; and notable domestic and humanitarian developments in the region.

Iran’s air force has received a batch of Russian MiG‑29s, a signal of Tehran’s effort to strengthen its aerial capabilities as it faces a sustained security north, west, and south. Tehran says the deliveries are defensive in nature, aimed at deterring potential threats and improving response options in a volatile regional environment. The move comes as Iran seeks to project greater deterrence amid confrontations with Israel and its regional allies, as well as scrutiny over its nuclear and ballistic programs.

At the United Nations, Iran and the European powers are locked in a struggle to prevent the automatic reimposition of UN sanctions ahead of a September 27 deadline. The foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany, along with the EU foreign policy chief, met Iran on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, signaling that diplomacy remains alive but fragile. The E3 have proposed delaying a sanctions relaunch for up to six months if Tehran agrees to restore access for UN inspectors, addresses concerns about its stockpiled enriched uranium, and holds meaningful talks with the United States. Diplomats say gaps remain even as all sides acknowledge what must be done. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and has pushed back against conditions that involve Washington directly in talks. European officials insist progress requires verifiable steps and timely cooperation by Tehran, with the ball squarely in Iran’s court.

Across the conference floor, President Donald Trump addressed the UN with a pointed insistence that Iran must be prevented from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability. The Trump administration has framed Iran as a principal threat and argued for a strong, unified approach with allies, including Israel, to deter and roll back threats in the region. Iran’s leadership has rejected negotiations with Washington as a pathway that would serve Tehran’s interests, signaling continued distance from US diplomacy in the current climate.

Meanwhile, the Gaza conflict and related humanitarian issues continue to shape regional dynamics. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza‑bound convoy of roughly 50 vessels and about 350 activists, report that drones and other disruptive measures were used in attempts to impede their journey off the Greek coast. Israel says it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, arguing that the maritime blockade is a legitimate self‑defense measure designed to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and the Gaza‑based authorities. The flotilla advocates maintain their mission is to deliver humanitarian aid and highlight what they describe as an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, while acknowledging the blockade’s legal and ethical complexities. Israel notes that it has allowed significant humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via land crossings, with hundreds of trucks delivering thousands of tons in recent days, while reiterating its right to enforce the blockade at sea. The debate centers on differing interpretations of international law, including the San Remo Manual’s provisions on blockades, proportionality, and the permissible means of enforc

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Published on 1 month, 1 week ago