Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Iran declares full scale war on US
Iran narrows attack to high profile targets
Houthis impose naval blockade on Saudi ports

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran is avoiding a broad, direct attack on Israel because it fears Israeli strikes on senior regime figures and institutions vital to its survival, Iran researcher Beni Sabti told 103FM on Sunday. Sabti of the Institute for National Security Studies said Tehran’s public posture during protests reflects a fear of a swift Israeli strike, with Iran reportedly focusing on high-profile targets and senior officials. He warned that while there may be rogue elements within the Revolutionary Guards provoking confrontation, Iran has shifted into a mode resembling a terror organization, raising concerns about how far such actions could go.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran’s president declares ‘full-scale war’ on US after latest strikes. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is now engaged in a “full-scale war” with the United States even as mediators push for a 10-day ceasefire aimed at restarting diplomatic talks. The United States has moved additional military aircraft into the region and is considering expanding its campaign beyond nightly strikes. US attacks in the latest phase have targeted Iranian command centers, coastal radar installations, missile and drone launch sites, air-defense systems, and assets tied to the Strait of Hormuz, while American strikes have largely avoided Iran proper and its nuclear facilities. In the past few hours, Iran fired missiles at Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

In US Military Role, The Jerusalem Post’s must-listen news roundup notes that even as mediators press for a ceasefire, intense US attacks are testing Iran’s resolve and highlighting vulnerabilities in the regime.

In Regional Impacts, Iranian officials warned Turkey and Azerbaijan against facilitating attack routes for the United States or Israel. Senior military adviser Yahya Rahim Safavi said the two countries must not be used to mount attacks on Iran, noting that Incirlik Air Base near Adana hosts US and NATO aircraft, while Azerbaijan insisted there are no US or Israeli bases on its soil. Safavi said there was no targeting of Turkey or Azerbaijan themselves, but warned against attacks launched from their territory and ordered an internal probe into a recent drone-related provocation. In Gaza, two people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a jeep in the central area, raising the morning’s confirmed fatalities in the enclave to eight. Separately, on Sunday the IDF struck in southern Gaza, eliminating Asma Kamal Shehadeh Abu Tim, described as a Hamas cell commander who infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack and participated in abducting Israeli civilians.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel urged immediate action to halt any plan that would bar Israeli citizens living abroad from entering the country or voting, stressing that voting is a constitutional right and that citizens must be allowed to enter close to the election. The organization asked officials to safeguard equal access to the ballot and to prevent obstacles to citizens trying to reach Israel. Separately, the Vaad Hayeshivos warned that ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers over 18 who have missed their draft date should avoid airports and border crossings to evade arrest, while those seeking a legal exemption must go to IDF recruitment offices before their deadline. The alert comes ahead of Tisha B’Av and amid anti-draft protests, with demonstrations continuing to draw large crowds.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Hind Rajab Foundation filed an urgent criminal complaint with Belgium’s federal prosecutor against an IDF veteran who attended Tomorrowland. The Brussels-based group alleges the individual remained in Belgium after the festival and claims involvement in war crimes, requesting urgent measures to ensure the suspect remains within Belgian judicial reach as investigators assess the case.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and warned shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi ports, signaling a potential new front in the broader confrontation with the United States and raising risks to energy supplies and global trade. The Houthis’ email directing ships not to engage with Saudi ports cited a blockade that took effect at 1201 GMT on July 20, with vessels potentially facing sanctions or targeting if they ignore the warning. In south Lebanon, sources cited by Lebanese media said the Lebanese army moved into the village of Zotur al-Arabiya north of Litani, following comments from the US State Department about “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, and a satellite image was released to illustrate the village’s location. Also in this topic, Reuters reported that the Houthis reiterated the threat to shipping by warning vessels against loading or discharging in Saudi ports, stating such activity could lead to targeting anywhere within the Houthis’ operational reach.

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-903184
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https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/houthis-warn-shipping-companies-avoid-saudi-ports-email-shows
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903178
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903171
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