Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-22 at 18:02

HEADLINES
Sirik and Bushehr Hit US Strikes Ahwaz
US Probes Russia Aid To Iran Attacks
Saudi Nuclear Deal Allows Uranium Enrichment

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, several explosions were heard in Sirik and Bushehr on Thursday morning, according to local media reports. The deputy governor of Khuzestan Province said a location near the southwestern city of Ahwaz was targeted in US missile attacks, and the development of these events is being tracked as they unfold.

In Iranian Retaliation, US intelligence officials are examining whether Russia aided Iran by providing targeting data or drone technology after Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf. Four people familiar with the matter say there are no firm conclusions yet, but the strikes’ effectiveness and apparent precision, along with Russia’s broader support for Iran, are being considered as possible indications. Reports indicate at least two CIA sites were struck in March, including the CIA station in Riyadh and another site, though details remain undisclosed.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, concern has grown among some Israelis and Americans about a potential civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, with critics warning it could enable Saudi to eventually develop nuclear weapons. They point to plans for plants that could enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel without pervasive oversight, and fear the arrangement could remove one of the incentives for Saudi to normalize relations with Israel. Some reports suggest the Trump administration plans to move ahead with civilian nuclear arrangements without such safeguards, though no public agreement has been acknowledged.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on civil nuclear power, a deal that would allow the kingdom to build reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium. The arrangement is described under a nuclear cooperation framework and includes safeguards, though it does not incorporate an intrusive Additional Protocol. The pact was signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and the administration says it advances nonproliferation goals alongside broader economic and strategic objectives, all within a framework that would be presented to Congress for consideration. The reporting also notes the broader context of ongoing discussions about normalization with Israel.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, officials also announced a separate, landmark civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that would establish a civilian program in the Gulf state, with safeguards against proliferation emphasized. The agreement is described as laying a legal foundation for a long-term partnership and includes the possibility of a uranium enrichment facility and cooperative nuclear work, seeking to balance strategic aims with nonproliferation commitments; the deal awaits congressional action.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Reed College has agreed to a set of reforms to settle federal antisemitism investigations. The settlement, announced by the Anti-Defamation League and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, calls for changes including language in the discrimination policy stating that targeting Jewish Zionists can be discriminatory. The college will insert language recognizing that for many Jewish people, Zionism is part of religious, ancestral and/or ethnic Jewish identity, and it will treat targeting Jews on the basis of Zionist identity as discriminatory. A third-party consultant will monitor and report on adherence to the agreement.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel’s passport climbed to 18th globally in the Henley Passport Index, the highest position since the ranking began two decades ago, even as the country ranks 159th on the Global Peace Index. Henley & Partners notes that passport strength reflects broader indicators of a state’s standing on the world stage, with Daniel Shmeylin, director of the Israeli office, stressing that mobility and diplomacy remain key measures despite geopolitical challenges. The index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association and evaluates mobility, diplomacy, and international influence amid a complex security environment.

In Uplifting News, thousands gathered at the Western Wall on Wednesday night to observe Tisha B'Av, the fast day commemorating the destruction of the Temples and other tragedies in Jewish history. The fast lasts about 25 hours from sunset to nightfall the next day. Among those in attendance were National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, former prime minister Naftali Bennett, and Yesh Atid leader Gadi Eisenkot, as the gathering reflects a day of mourning and reflection observed across the community.

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-903372
https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-strikes-on-cia-facilities-prompt-questions-about-possible-russian-role/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903373
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-says-it-reaches-nuclear-power-deal-saudi-arabia
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-announces-civilian-nuclear-deal-saudi-arabia
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903374
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903246
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903371