HEADLINES
Khamenei Steers Iran War Strategy From Hiding
Project Freedom Plus Looms If Talks Stall
Two Returning Israelis Find Meaning at Home

The time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, US intelligence assessments indicate that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is playing a critical role in Iran's war strategy despite remaining in hiding. The assessments suggest he is likely involved in directing ongoing US-Iran negotiations after reports he was injured at the start of the conflict. While the central authority within the regime remains unclear, Khamenei is described as working alongside other senior Iranian officials. Some sources say he remains active in diplomatic strategy, while others point to evidence that he may be operating with a smaller, more intermittent role. With accessibility limited, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are effectively running major parts of the regime’s ongoing response.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the tone from Washington on Iran talks shifted as President Donald Trump said renewed operations in the Strait of Hormuz could resume if talks stall. He described the potential move as Project Freedom Plus, noting that he did not specify what additional elements might be included. Trump also noted that Pakistan had asked the United States not to pursue the plan. Separately, the administration paused Operation Project Freedom earlier in the week, which had guided ships through the Strait under US military escort, with reported Saudi pressure influencing that pause. In parallel, the US said two Iranian-flagged oil tankers were disabled after attempts to violate the blockade, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce the Strait’s security.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Ben-Gurion Airport is described as Israel’s primary international gateway and a microcosm of Israeli society, reflecting the country’s wonders and quirks, including a noted Toblerone obsession. For many Israelis, the airport feels natural, while Europeans may struggle to grasp its central role in connecting the country to the world.

In Uplifting News, After years abroad, they came back to Israel: I regret not doing it sooner. Two Israeli women who spent 16 years in Australia and 20 years in the United States have returned home, facing war, rising prices, and ongoing questions about why they chose to come back now, expressing that the move has been meaningful even amid the challenges.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-895599
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895598
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rydgm4nawl
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/h1pcjx2rwx