Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 16:02

HEADLINES
Doha hosts direct CENTCOM IRGC talks
Rubio strengthens Gulf ties amid Hormuz tolls
Turkey F-35 path alarms Israel

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM is entering direct talks with the IRGC in Doha, Qatar, in a rare military-to-military channel that bypasses the usual State Department or CIA mediation. US Vice President JD Vance told Unherd on Thursday that CENTCOM officials will meet with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials in Doha to resolve conflicts between the sides. "One of the things we wanted to come out with," he told me, "was a 'channel on the Iranian side' for reducing conflict. Which we did. They were like, 'OK, fine, we’ll send somebody from the IRGC to go hang out in Doha with somebody from CENTCOM,' and that’s how we’re going to settle a lot of these disputes." The move comes after a period in which CENTCOM has been part of a bombing campaign with Israel in which IRGC officials across Iran were killed. US law currently designates the IRGC as a terrorist organization, leaving the legality of such meetings in a gray area. The IRGC is described as Iran’s largest intelligence agency, even larger than the Iranian Intelligence Ministry.

In Regional Impacts, Gulf diplomacy takes center stage as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the UAE and then Kuwait to reinforce partnerships with regional partners. The visits, described by the US State Department as a demonstration of strong partnerships, occurred as discussions in the region continued to focus on Venezuela relief efforts in the wake of two powerful earthquakes there. In Bahrain, Rubio met with Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, emphasizing US opposition to any tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar remains a key mediator in talks with Iran, with Pakistan, and Switzerland hosting discussions where US Vice President JD Vance is identified as the point person on talks with Iran. The broader picture reflects a US approach that ties regional stability to ongoing diplomatic engagement across multiple fronts.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump indicated Turkey could be positioned to modernize its military, including a potential pathway to access the F-35 stealth fighter program, a prospect that has raised concerns in Israel. Trump said Turkey had come close to joining the regional conflict over Iran but stayed out at his request, praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a strong man and a friend who, he said, did what he asked. Speaking with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump stressed that Erdogan respected his request to stay out of the war. With a visit to Turkey planned next month, Trump suggested further steps that could significantly strengthen Turkey’s military capabilities, a development that Israel views with concern. The discussion underscores the uneasy balance around Turkey’s role in the region and the implications for Israeli security interests. The backdrop notes that the possibility of Turkey regaining access to the F-35 program remains a point of high sensitivity for Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, marathon Knesset hearings are set to rapidly advance the haredi parties’ contentious Torah Study bill. The coalition plans eight hours of deliberations on Sunday, followed by further sessions on Monday and Tuesday, as part of the Basic Law: Torah Study proposal that would enshrine Torah study in Basic Law and critics argue it could enable draft evasion and change the status of yeshiva students who do not serve, allowing them to continue receiving state benefits. Opposition coordinator Merav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid) appealed to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, arguing that there is insufficient time to prepare for such a dense schedule. The haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism had paused coalition voting pending progress on the legislation. Separately, Likud lawmaker Amit Halevi said Netanyahu is expected to work behind closed doors to influence the party list, with a Sunday vote on changing the primary system intended to grant the prime minister control over the top slots. Halevi noted that any change would still require committee approval, and that Netanyahu has reportedly warned he could leave Likud if changes do not advance.

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-900563
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900574
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-900576
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900577
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900570