Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Senior Iranian officials narrowly escape Israeli strike
UK-based B-1 bomber joins Iran strikes
Houthis strike two Saudi oil tankers

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he narrowly escaped an Israeli strike that hit a compound where senior Iranian officials were gathered on the opening morning of the war, offering one of the clearest glimpses yet into the chaos that engulfed Tehran’s leadership. “Suddenly, there was an attack,” he recalled, describing how security guards grabbed him and rushed him from the compound as explosions tore through the building. Describing the aftermath, Araghchi said officials escaped through collapsed beams and debris while “everything was in a state of ruin.” He acknowledged that Israel’s intelligence capabilities may have gone far beyond surveillance technology, saying the accuracy of the strike at exactly the right time “can no longer be attributed to technology” alone. “I really don’t know what to make of it,” he admitted, adding that Iranian security services are investigating possible human infiltration inside the regime. Araghchi also disclosed that Iran activated emergency wartime protocols, abandoned government offices for alternative locations and relied on underground tunnels for protection. “Except for the tunnel, there was nowhere safe,” he said.

In US Military Role, the United States deployed a B-1 long-range bomber to strike Iran, the first such deployment since the renewal of the conflict twelve days ago, with its mission beginning from a base in the United Kingdom and its exact target not publicly disclosed. The move comes as US Central Command did not reference the B-1 in a statement about overnight strikes. This remains a developing story. Separately, Washington is increasing the forces available in the Middle East in case of escalation, with fighter jets positioned across the region and bomber aircraft on high alert, as officials weigh broader options. Israeli officials also believe President Trump is preparing to escalate the American campaign against Iran, according to two Israeli officials, a move that could prompt Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel. Earlier, Trump warned he would strike bridges and power plants in retaliation for every time Iran fires on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, and he has threatened other energy sites as well. The United States completed its 12th straight night of strikes on Iran, lasting about five hours and targeting Iranian military assets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air-defense assets.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Yemen-based Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising the prospect of a second chokepoint for global oil supplies alongside Iran’s near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US military meanwhile said it launched a new round of strikes on Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction, marking a 12th consecutive night of American attacks. The Houthis, who control areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the opposite end of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz, have warned of further disruption as part of broader regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Five tankers changed course in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb, underscoring the wider impact on shipping routes and energy markets.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, on Tisha B’Av, Israel’s politics must reject hatred over unity, an editorial argues, urging humility and reflection after the Hamas-era violence. The piece notes the election campaign will culminate on October 27, 2023, and highlights how political messaging already framed unity while a bereaved father’s grief was invoked for campaigning. A scene features an AI-generated image of former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot moving toward a figure labeled “Israeli unity,” only for the figure to turn away, prompting questions about political messaging. The Likud campaign portrays unity while suggesting it could be abandoned to form a government with an Arab party; critics pressed questions about intent and responsibility. The piece concludes that the country’s next election should be anchored in humility and reflection rather than rivalry.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Reed College in Portland agrees to sweeping reforms as part of a federal antisemitism settlement, including language in its discrimination policy that bars targeting Jews on the basis of their Zionist identity and outside monitoring of compliance. The college will insert language stating that “for many Jewish people, Zionism is integral to their religious, ancestral and/or ethnic Jewish identity,” and will designate targeting Jews on the basis of Zionist identity as discriminatory. A third-party consultant will monitor and report on adherence to civil rights law, with oversight to ensure enforcement across campus policies and practices.

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://worldisraelnews.com/irans-foreign-minister-says-he-narrowly-escaped-israeli-strike/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903386
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903381
https://worldisraelnews.com/iran-not-ready-to-make-a-deal-trump-declares-after-vowing-to-expand-retaliatory-strikes/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-military-completes-12th-straight-night-strikes-iran
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/houthis-say-they-attacked-saudi-tankers-red-sea-threatening-new-chokepoint-iran
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903366
https://www.timesofisrael.com/portlands-reed-college-agrees-to-sweeping-reforms-as-part-of-antisemitism-settlement/