News Digest — 7/14/26
Third Consecutive Night: CENTCOM Completes 5-Hour Mission, Hits Key Iranian Sites
The US Army on Monday night (13th) launched a third wave of strikes on targets in Iran in as many days.
In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it completed the latest wave of strikes against Iran at 10:15 p.m. on July 13.
During the five-hour mission, US forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarok, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. CENTCOM forces employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities,” the statement said.
CENTCOM noted that more than 50,000 service members are currently deployed across the Middle East and concluded by saying, “American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
In an initial statement announcing the strikes, CENTCOM said, “At 4:45 p.m, ET today, US Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”
“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement stressed.
Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Subsequent explosions were also heard on the islands of Qeshm and Kisch.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain overnight, concurrent to the US strikes, with official sources in the kingdom reporting that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed hostile airborne targets launched from Iran.
Earlier, the UAE Ministry of Defense reported that an Indian national was killed in an Iranian cruise missile attack targeting two oil tankers in the southern Strait of Hormuz, within Oman’s territorial waters.
Eight additional crew members were injured in the strike, four of them seriously. The Emirati Defense Ministry confirmed that the fires aboard both tankers have been brought under control, emphasizing that the nation “reserves the full right to respond to this escalation.”
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an aggressive statement directly confronting Washington: “A few hours ago, the US military – having learned no lessons from its repeated defeats – attempted to move vessels along an illegal route. Two tankers, misled by the United States, turned off their navigation systems and ignored repeated warnings from the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Security Control Center. In doing so, they endangered the shipping lane and chose to pass through a mined area. The tankers were struck and disabled.”
The IRGC added a direct threat aimed at regional nations and international shipping companies. “The IRGC Naval Forces make it clear to all: cooperation with the aggressor enemy will yield nothing but regret, losses, delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the creation of a global energy crisis.
The latest US strikes came after President Donald Trump vowed in an interview with Hugh Hewitt that the US would “hit Iran very hard.”
The President said that Pickaxe Mountain, the underground, heavily fortified nuclear tunnel complex located near the Natanz enrichment facility where Iran is believed to have an undeclared uranium enrichment plant, is a possible target.
“Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in the front door. And I think that maybe you’ll see that,” he said.
Earlier on Monday (13th) Trump announced that the US would reinstate the naval blockade on Iran, which was lifted after the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently.
Dancing In Ben Gurion Airport As New Olim Arrive From France
A total of 250 new Olim (immigrants) from France arrived in Israel on Monday (13th) across four flights organized by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, as part of the Summer 2026 Aliyah operation. They were greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, and dozens of members of the Bnei Akiva youth movement.
With their arrival, the number of French Olim who have moved to Israel since the start of this summer’s operation has reached approximately 800. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration estimates that thousands of new immigrants from various countries will arrive throughout the summer, including many families aiming to settle in the country ahead of the upcoming school year.
According to ministry data, more than 67,000 new immigrants from around the globe have moved to Israel since October 7. France remains one of the primary source countries for Aliyah, accounting for over 6,500 arrivals since the war broke out.
The figures further highlight a sharp upward trend: in 2023, 1,097 French Jews immigrated to Israel; in 2024, that figure doubled to 2,234; and in 2025, it reached 3,357 marking a more than 200% increase in just two years. The momentum continued into 2026, with roughly 800 Olim arriving from France to date, compared to around 690 during the same period last year.
Smotrich stated, “We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our dear brothers and sisters arriving from France. The Jewish people are returning to their homeland, personally fulfilling the vision of the end of days through a robust economy and a thriving nation. The Finance Ministry under my leadership is committing all necessary resources to provide these Olim with a comprehensive package and a seamless transition.
Sofer added: “I congratulate our fellow French Jews who continue to make Aliyah. Their desire to be part of the Zionist story – coupled with the initiatives we’ve championed at the ministry and the infrastructure built to encourage Aliyah from Western nations – is driving more and more Olim to choose Israel as their home. These new arrivals strengthen our economy, healthcare system, academia, and security establishment. I urge the citizens of Israel to welcome them warmly, help them to integrate into our communities, and play an active role in their successful absorption.”
UN Official: ‘Hamas Blocking Humanitarian Aid Distribution In Gaza”
A senior United Nations’ Official has publicly condemned the disruption of humanitarian aid operations by Hamas, in remarks that support longstanding Israeli reports that the terrorist organization has been undermining the delivery of assistance to Palestinian civilians.
Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, who serves as the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), issued the unusual statement on Sunday (12th) , following a series of security incidents involving aid deliveries inside the Gaza Strip.
“I strongly condemn the recent obstruction of humanitarian operations in Gaza… which endangered humanitarian personnel, intimidated workers delivering lifesaving food assistance and disrupted life-saving humanitarian operations,” Alakbarov wrote.
Although Alakbarov did not explicitly name Hamas, he referred to Gaza’s “de facto authorities” –the term the UN generally uses to describe the terrorist group, which has governed the Strip since seizing power in 2007.
Alakbarov highlighted several incidents, including armed gunmen storming a food distribution site, forcing operations to be suspended. In a separate incident, armed individuals entered a World Food Programme warehouse and assaulted two truck drivers delivering humanitarian aid.
“These incidents are not isolated. They are completely unacceptable and reflect an increasingly dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence and obstruction, including smuggling attempts, targeting and abusing humanitarian operations,” Alakbarov stressed.
Hamas is “placing humanitarian workers at risk, disrupting the delivery of life-saving assistance, and further constraining the ability of humanitarian organizations to operate at a time when civilians across Gaza continue to face immense and pressing humanitarian conditions,” he added.
Israel has long argued that Hamas systematically interferes with humanitarian aid entering Gaza by diverting supplies, intimidating aid workers, and exploiting relief operations to strengthen its own control over the territory. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that the group confiscates food, fuel, and other humanitarian supplies intended for civilians, hoarding the goods and reselling them to civilians at inflated prices.
Iranian Officials Spent Khamenei Funeral Week Meeting With Hezbollah and Hamas Officials
Iranian regime officials spent the week of Khamenei’s multi-day funeral reaffirming their commitment to the anti-America and anti-Israel “Axis of Resistance,” according to a series of photos and statements released by Iran’s Foreign Ministry and state media throughout the week.
Muhammad Fneish, a US-sanctioned Lebanese Shia politician and Hezbollah member, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on July 4 and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on July 5.
While the press release on the Araghchi meeting mentioned only that the pair exchanged comments related to Hezbollah’s actions against Israel, its gratitude to Tehran for including Lebanon in the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and exchange of condolences over assassinated leadership, the release on the meeting that followed pushed that Hezbollah would continue its “Islamic and revolutionary duty” in the “resistant front.”
Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, vice president of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shia Council (SISC), also met with Araghchi in Tehran last week, where the Foreign Ministry claimed that the minister “stressed Iran’s commitment to pursuing an end to the Zionist regime’s aggression and occupation against Lebanon”
Photos published by the Foreign Ministry revealed senior members of Hamas present at the meeting, including Muhammad Ismail Darwish, the Qatar-based chairman of Hamas’ General Shura Council.
After the meeting with Araghchi and Ghalibaf, Darwish told CNN’s Arabic service that Iran “will not make peace with America and will not recognize Israel,” and claimed that the parliamentary speaker reiterated his support for the “resistance front.”
Darwish, according to the Foreign Ministry, claimed that Iran’s successes in the war with the United States represented “the victory of the entire Resistance Front and Muslims.”
Ghalibaf also met with Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, a member of the Houthis’ leadership, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, where the representative from the Yemeni group reportedly said the Houthis would remain in the “same trench” for the sake of the Islamic Ummah (global Muslim community).
“What happened in Iran during the recent war has become a school of thought for the entire Resistance Front,”Nuaimi said.
UK Unveils Massive Security Package To Combat Antisemitism, Secure Jewish Communities
The British government has announced E251 million in security funding over the next three years to increase police protection in Jewish communities and strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism.The package will fund more than 500 additional police officers across England and Wales, with increased patrols around Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, schools and community centers.
Around 30 additional officers will be deployed in London, which is home to more than half of the Jewish population of England and Wales.
Greater Manchester Police will receive funding for approximately 80 additional officers, while seven other police forces serving areas with substantial Jewish populations will share roughly E43 million.
The announcement follows a series of violent and arson attacks targeting Jewish communities, as well as a decision to raise the national terrorism threat level from substantial to severe.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said the increased funding was intended to reassure Jewish communities and provide greater protection at vulnerable sites,
“After a series of appalling attacks against Jewish communities, the difficult decision was made to raise the threat level to severe,” Jones said. “My thoughts remain with the victims of these vile attacks.”
“Today we are going further and providing record funding to help keep Jewish people safe, supporting visible policing and protection around synagogues, schools and community centers,” she added.
Jones said the government would do everything in its power to eliminate antisemitism from British society.
The funding includes E86 million for the Metropolitan Police, more than E22 million for Greater Manchester Police and E41 million for national police coordination and antisemitism-related capabilities.
Another E59 million will go to counterterrorism police to strengthen protective security and the response to threats linked to hostile states.
The government said all police officers in England and Wales would receive antisemitism training. Police forces will also have access to an additional 10,000 officer hours each year to respond to threats and provide additional patrols.
Part of the funding will support Project Servator which deploys uniformed and plainclothes officers trained to identify suspicious activity and people who may be preparing to commit serious crimes.
British Chancellor Rachel Reeves said , “The poison of antisemitism has no place in our country, and we stand side by side with our Jewish communities. This money will see more officers on the streets and stronger protection at community sites to ensure they have the protection they need to live their lives peacefully.”
The new package follows an earlier E25 million allocation for immediate protection of Jewish communities. The government is also providing E32.4 million during the 2026-27 financial year for security at synagogues, Jewish schools and community centers.
Officials said patrols would be increased during periods of heightened risk, while officers would maintain a more permanent presence in areas with large Jewish populations.
The government has separately committed E7 million to address antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities. It has also expanded the Common Ground Programme, which supports communities affected by antisemitism, and provided additional funding to Barnet Council following a terrorist attack in Golders Green.
Government departments have also launched reviews into antisemitism in schools and health services, while officials said the Online Safety Act would require technology companies to remove illegal antisemitic content from their platforms.
The Iran The Funeral Cameras Didn’t Show – Masih Alinejad
In the months since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death, I have received hundreds of messages from friends and contacts inside Iran. They are messages of disbelief, relief and, when people feel safe enough, joy. But they are still afraid. They are always afraid.
The carefully choreographed seas of mourners at the funeral were an illusion. I know from experience how they are assembled through force. The total expense of the week-long funeral – including security deployments of roughly 150,000 police, temporary infrastructure, transportation, accommodation for thousands of out-of-town participants, free 24-hour metro and bus services, catering, and a week of public holidays – could approach $800 million. Why did the system that denounced extravagance pour hundreds of millions into a funeral?
For a supreme leader who was considered a tidal of a global movement, the absence of every major world leader was an embarrassment. This was not mourning. This was a regime staging a display of strength for an audience that is no longer watching.
Many of those attending the funeral genuinely wanted revenge. During the funeral, crowds of mourners hung an effigy of President Donald Trump. From the funeral stage, regime loyalists repeatedly vowed revenge.
Placards carried by mourners displayed prominent Americans, with red crosshairs or target marks over their foreheads. The captions read, “Sooner or later your heads will roll.”
When the Islamic Republic threatens to kill you, believe them. As a former journalist in Iran, I was forced into exile for criticizing the regime, only for Iranian intelligence operatives to plot my assassination in New York – a plan foiled by the FBI at the last minute. But before that, the regime threatened me publicly with posters, cartoons, and effigies. For the Islamic Republic, propaganda is the prelude to action.
This is Iran’s reality: a population who have learned to perform grief when required, and who express their true feelings only in whispers, anonymously, or not at all. I have been the keeper of those messages for years. They fill my phone. They fill my social media. They are the Iran the funeral cameras did not show. (Free Press)
