Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 22:02

HEADLINES
Eleventh Night of US Strikes on Iran
US Delivers Saudi Nuclear Pact Skipping Safeguards
Eisenkot Leads Yashar with 24 Seats

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US Central Command said it completed its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran as of 8:15 p.m. EST, targeting Iranian military operation centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM said the strikes are intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in Iran’s Bushehr County, a region that includes the Bushehr nuclear power plant and a naval base critical to the IRGC Navy. Reports also pointed to a strike near Tabriz and Tehran’s air defenses activating. The campaign has coincided with Iran’s reported attacks on more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the strait. Separately, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of New York, was identified as the third service member believed to have been killed after an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan; her status is listed as Duty Status–Whereabouts Unknown and she is believed deceased. Officials said the latest strikes were concluded, marking the 11th night of action, and noted an uptick in activity across Iran with air defenses visible over Tehran following threats that accompanied the exchanges. In the days surrounding the campaign, US officials said the strikes aim to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has continued to threaten or carry out actions against commercial shipping.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Trump administration plans to submit within days to Congress a Saudi nuclear power pact, known as a 123 Agreement, that would allow cooperation on nuclear technology without safeguards the United States says are needed to prevent materials from being used in weapons programs. Two Reuters sources said the agreement will be delivered to Congress and signed previously in Riyadh by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman. The move comes amid concerns over missing safeguards in the pact. Separately, a report highlights lobbying by Syrian Jews urging the United States to lift sanctions on Syria, framed in the context of Israel urging caution; the effort centers on a collaboration between a Syrian-American son of Palestinian refugees and a Syrian Jewish cantor, competing with Israel’s stance as new government considerations and regional dynamics unfold.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Channel 12 poll shows Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! party as the largest faction in the Knesset if elections were held today, with 24 seats, while Eisenkot remains the preferred candidate for prime minister, ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu. The poll, conducted by Midgam Institute in partnership with iPanel, also suggests the entry of new parties has shifted some balance among blocs, with many opposition voters favoring a government relying on outside Arab party support if their bloc misses a majority. Coalition voters expressed satisfaction with the agreements reached with the ultra-Orthodox parties and want their participation in the next governing coalition. Separately, a New York City situation drew attention as the mayor said he does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu during his United Nations General Assembly visit, with a recorded message labeling Netanyahu as a war criminal and criticizing him for the Palestinian situation.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Democratic candidate, has drawn attention with remarks challenging AIPAC and donors, saying he would be “dangerous” to those interests and to political allies who fund electoral campaigns. He has framed a foreign policy based on morality and decency as opposed to moneyed influence, arguing that Israeli policies in the region amount to genocide and that the political landscape is shaped by billionaire donors and pro-Israel lobbying.

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-903245
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hknekstvzl
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-military-says-it-has-ended-its-latest-strikes-iran
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22383
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkndbwa4ml
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22382
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903247
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-israel-urged-caution-these-syrian-jews-lobbied-the-us-to-lift-sanctions-on-syria/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903241
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s18gic6emx
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjzqmfp4ml