Episode Details

HEADLINES
Israel Rejects US Iran Nuclear Preconditions
Massive US Drills Signal Regional Deterrence
Ran Gvili Funeral Marks Gaza Milestone

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. Here is the hour’s update on the Middle East with a focus on Israel’s security concerns and regional dynamics.

Israel is assessing reports that the United States and Iran are quietly engaging in contacts and that Washington has set preconditions for possible negotiations on a new nuclear agreement. Israeli officials describe the conditions being discussed as insufficient to address Israel’s security needs, noting that any deal would require tighter controls over Iran’s nuclear program, its missiles, and its regional activities. The assessment comes as Israel also watches a broader international effort to manage the crisis surrounding Tehran’s goals and the question of whether diplomacy can coexist with deterrence.

In Washington, President Donald Trump has suggested that he would prefer Iran to reach an agreement, while signaling a warning that an additional naval armada is moving toward the region. The posture underscores the ongoing tension over Iran’s program and the risk of escalation, even as talks among mediating states continue in various forms. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a press conference, reiterated Israel’s readiness to respond decisively if Iran acts against it, saying Israel would reply with force “to a level they have never seen.” He also stressed that the United States remains in close contact with Israel and that US policy decisions are ultimately for Washington to determine.

US military activity in the region remains pronounced. A large-scale exercise involving air, naval, and air-defense drills is underway in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, conducted in coordination with partner countries. The presence of US forces, including aircraft and carrier assets, continues to be framed as a demonstration of readiness to deter a broader confrontation while diplomacy proceeds.

Israeli assessments emphasize that the preconditions reportedly being pushed by Washington include the return of nuclear inspectors, the removal of enriched uranium, and limits on Iran’s missile program. Officials caution that these measures, while important, do not by themselves constitute a comprehensive solution from Israel’s perspective, and they are wary of timelines or assurances that could leave Iran’s broader regional activities unaddressed.

On the diplomatic front, a range of mediators are signaling interest in quiet dialogue. Reuters reports Iran’s foreign minister has said Tehran remains in contact with mediating countries and that a negotiations channel has not been formally opened with the United States, while saying talks are being pursued through intermediaries. Turkey’s foreign minister, in an interview with Al Jazeera, urged resolving disputes with Iran one by one rather than through a sweeping package, arguing that a staged approach could be more durable. The Turkish minister also noted Iran’s readiness to discuss its nuclear program and urged progress on individual issues first. Separately, according to outlets including The Jerusalem Post, Turkey, Oman, and Qatar have passed messages to Iran urging a measured path to reduce the risk of war, with mixed results to date.

In parallel, a political conversation is playing out in Iraq. President Trump has weighed in on Iraqi politics, warning against the return of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose influence remains a point of concern for Washington given Iran’s and Iran-aligned groups’ role in the country. US officials have stressed the importance of Iraqi sovereignty and the need to curb Iranian influence, a theme echoed by lawmakers who call for a stable, independent government in Baghdad.