HEADLINES
Iran Assembly Names Next Leader Amid Uncertainty
Gulf Realigns as Iran Escalates Attacks
Israeli Soldiers Wounded by Lebanon Mortar Fire

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, an opinion-focused piece contends that the so-called rules-based international order has long overlooked the explicit, ongoing confrontation among Iran, the United States, and Israel, and asks who has the right to tell Israel how to defend itself against Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional proxies. It critiques Western leaders, including Britain's prime minister for calls to de-escalation and a diplomatic process, arguing that such positions amount to spinelessness in the face of the conflict. It also questions France’s stance on international law as it relates to broader alignment with the United States and Israel.

In US Military Role, Iran’s Assembly of Experts is reported to be convening within a day to select Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Iranian and regional outlets providing conflicting details about the process and location. Some reports say the assembly’s buildings in Qom and Tehran were struck by Israeli actions, while others describe the planned selection as moving to virtual formats and name Mojtaba Khamenei as a possible successor, with indications that a decision could come soon. Separately, a Washington Post report based on a classified National Intelligence Council assessment completed a week before the current conflict suggests that a large-scale military assault would be unlikely to topple the regime, though succession scenarios and Iranian responses to potential leadership changes remain a focus of concern. Additionally, a White House briefing states that the objective of the war is expected to be achieved within four to six weeks.

In Regional Impacts, Gulf leaders are portrayed as being on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation chance to reshape the Middle East, with drone and missile attacks from Iran intensifying pressure on nearby Arab states and prompting shifts in diplomatic language from cautious de-escalation to condemnation and, at times, calls to be excluded from the conflict. The piece notes a sense among some Gulf influencers and observers that political calculations are not bound by domestic election concerns, spotlighting Dubai as an example of how regional dynamics are shifting in the wake of escalating tensions and broader strategic reevaluations. A separate item references West Tehran in a brief, noting developments in that area.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israel Defense Forces report that two soldiers from the Givati Brigade were moderately wounded by mortar fire during a defense mission in southern Lebanon, and they were evacuated to a hospital with their families informed of the injuries.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former ambassador Mike Herzog, the president’s brother, responds to Donald Trump’s threats to sanction him, insisting that anyone who believes threats of force and external pressure will influence the president does not understand the people involved, underscoring a firm stance against external coercion.

In Uplifting News, Israelis living in the United Arab Emirates express a longing to return to Israel, describing hopes and rumors about secret flights, while noting they feel they are not yet part of the ongoing operational picture.

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/opinion/article-888972
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889149
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889146
https://t.me/newssil/194563
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889142
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/71501
https://t.me/abualiexpress/116864
https://t.me/newssil/194564
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293184