Iran protests spread to Tehran: ‘Death to the Dictator!’
Dozens of Iranians marched down a major street in Tehran on Monday, online videos show, amid ongoing protests over water shortages in southwestern Iran.
Israel
Israel To Reinstate ‘Green’ Vaccine Passport Policy, ‘Soft Suppression’ by Govt to Battle COVID
Because of a rise in COVID infections, apparently caused by the Delta variant of the coronavirus, the Israeli government announced that it is reimposing restrictions on its citizens, including wearing masks indoors and prohibiting the unvaccinated from entering some public places, such as restaurants, gyms, and synagogues, reported Reuters.
Lapid and Gantz said to warn US: Iran is close to nuclear threshold
Israeli authorities have warned US officials in recent days that Iran is closer than ever to attaining nuclear weapons, according to the Kan public broadcaster.
Mounting Pressure On Unvaccinated Americans
There is mounting pressure on millions of Americans to take coronavirus vaccines despite concerns about their side effects.
Hezbollah Commander, IRGC Senior Official Killed in Israeli Strikes
Israeli strikes reportedly killed a Hezbollah military commander and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) senior official.
Russia says its air defense systems in Syria intercepted Israeli missiles
Russian anti-aircraft artillery systems in Syria intercepted a number of missiles launched by Israel in airstrikes this week in an area southeast of Aleppo, according to a Russian military official.
IDF strikes Gaza after incendiary balloons spark fires in south
Israel Defense Forces jets struck a series of targets in Gaza late Sunday night, hours after incendiary balloons launched from the Strip sparked several fires in southern Israel.
Israel says Pfizer Covid vaccine is just 39% effective as delta spreads, but still prevents severe illness
Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine is just 39% effective in Israel where the delta variant is the dominant strain, but still provides strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization, according to a new report from the country’s Health Ministry.
After almost 20 years, Israel rejoins African Union
For the first time since 2002, Israel has rejoined the African Union, a significant diplomatic achievement.
Israel will “look into” NSO Pegasus spyware allegations
Israel’s National Security Council has announced it is “looking into” allegations that Israeli-made NSO Pegasus spyware has been used to illegally spy on a range of people including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ynet News reported Tuesday.
PM Bennett: Vaccine ‘significantly less’ effective against the Delta variant
The effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine against the Delta variant is “weaker” than health officials had hoped, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Friday, as over 1,000 people tested positive for coronavirus and more countries were added to the list of places to which Israelis will be banned from traveling.
Israeli jets said to strike inside Syria for second time in days
Israeli planes carried out airstrikes Syria for the second night this week, Damascus said early Thursday, while claiming that most missiles were shot down.
IDF chief warns Lebanon, Hezbollah against triggering escalation
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi warned Lebanon on Tuesday that Israel will respond forcibly to any rocket attacks. The statement followed rocket fire by Lebanon-based terrorists on Israel late Monday night.
IDF, Mossad Push Plan for Multiple Small-Scale Operations Against Iran Nuclear Program
Israel is examining possible changes to its operational plans against the Iranian nuclear program in order to contend with a US reentry to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Sen. Lindsey Graham warns that IDF may have to launch preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities soon
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most respected foreign and defense policy experts in Washington, fears a new war may be coming to the Middle East sooner than most people realize.
Israeli scientists identify 3 existing drugs that can eliminate COVID-19
Hebrew University of Jerusalem studies published in a pair of medical journals suggest that already-existing drugs can be repurposed to fight Covid, Hebrew-language news sites reported Monday.
Ben & Jerry’s will stop sales in Israeli settlements of West Bank and East Jerusalem
The US-based ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s announced Monday it will continue doing business with Israel, but will stop sales in Israeli settlements of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, areas it referred to as Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The Israel-targeted Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has pressured Ben & Jerry’s to make such a move for years.
Hungary, Other Nations, Spying On Journalists and Activists
Hungary’s government has denied wrongdoing after a worldwide investigation showed authorities infected cellphones to spy on critical journalists, politicians, and business figures.
US said to weigh sanctions on Iran’s oil sales to China if nuke talks fail
US President Joe Biden’s administration is weighing fresh sanctions targeting Iranian crude oil sales to China if Tehran hinders ongoing talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, a report said Monday.
IDF: Iron Dome shoots down rocket from Lebanon; another lands in open area
Israel’s Iron Dome aerial defense system shot down a rocket from Lebanon after two were fired at Israel Tuesday morning, the Israeli military said.