Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-16 at 15:02

HEADLINES
IRGC Threatens Israel If Hezbollah Attacks Lebanon
Exiled Prince Denounces Iran MoU; US Push
Elbit Systems Iron Beam Rewrites Air Defense

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, the emboldened IRGC has just released a threat to attack Israel if it continues to strike Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli drones struck three vehicles in southern Lebanon, killing at least four people and wounding others, with a double-tap strike in the village of Mayfadoun taking two lives as onlookers gathered. A separate strike in the town of Shoukin killed two more, and there has been no immediate comment from the IDF. Earlier, the IDF intercepted Hezbollah rockets aimed at an IDF post and then struck the rocket launcher involved, and forces also attacked a suspicious vehicle after firing a warning shot.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iranian exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi denounced the upcoming US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, calling it morally wrong and strategically misguided, arguing that a deal with Tehran would empower a regime that has executed protesters and that such deals will fail, leaving the Iranian people to ultimately liberate themselves. Separately, US Vice President JD Vance has become the public face of the administration’s push for the MoU, touring networks to describe it as a path to peace and stability and signaling substantial sanctions relief if Iran makes the right changes. A leaked draft of the MoU reportedly envisions a plan for rehabilitation and economic development of the Iranian regime with financing of at least $300 billion through a private investment vehicle, not government money or grants, and notes that Israel is not mentioned in the document. Finally, reporting also notes a provision that would allow Iran to begin selling oil immediately upon signing, including access to banking, transportation, and insurance services to facilitate sales, with final adoption expected via a UN Security Council resolution; Israel sought to review the text but was denied.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Reservists Party holds primaries ahead of elections, with thousands of members voting digitally to choose 28 candidates including IDF reservists, bereaved families, wounded veterans and social activists who have opposed the coalition’s haredi draft policy; results will be announced the following day. In a separate development, the Foreign Ministry denied Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s claim that the Hebron Agreement had been annulled, saying the agreement remains in place and that changes since involve mainly legislation on the planning and construction of Hebron’s Jewish heritage sites; in December, a Civil Administration council removed planning powers over the Cave of the Patriarchs from the Hebron Municipality after disputes over a proposed roofing project, a move the ministry said was the result of longstanding cooperation issues.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Elbit Systems’ laser program, the Iron Beam, is showcased as a potential game-changer in air defense. The Jerusalem Post gives an exclusive look at Elbit’s laser lab and the components of the system, including efforts to adapt the ground-based laser technology for aircraft so threats can be shot down at much closer range and even from above, highlighting how this technology is shaping the future of modern warfare.

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-899602
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899617
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899616
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899615
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899614
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899613
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899608
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899611
https://t.me/abualiexpress/124751
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/77906