I - On Defense Podcast

For review:

1. During interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that Israel attempted to assassinate him.

2. IDF Strikes Houthi Ports in Yemen. More than 50 munitions were dropped by IAF fighter jets on the Houthi targets, in response to repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.

3.  Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday his group would not surrender or lay down its weapons in response to Israeli threats, despite pressure from Lebanon’s Western-backed government demanding the terror group disarm.

4. BBC Report: A senior Hamas commander quoted in...

For review:

1. Israel Sending Team to Qatar for Hostage Talks. However, the Prime Minister’s Office cautioned in a statement that Hamas had suggested several amendments to the proposal, which Israel found to be unacceptable.

According to a source involved in the mediation efforts, Hamas proposed three amendments to the proposed framework.

The source said that Hamas wants the agreement to say that talks on a permanent ceasefire will continue until an agreement is reached; that aid will fully resume through mechanisms backed by the United Nations and other international aid organizations; and th...

For review:

1.  Syrian state media reported Wednesday that statements on signing a peace deal with Israel were “premature.”

2.   The IDF carried out an airstrike Thursday in the Lebanese village of Sil, near Beirut, targeting an operative for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to the IDF, the target was involved in smuggling weapons and advancing terror plots, acting on behalf of the Quds Force, the IRGC’s foreign arm.

3.  Iran on Wednesday formally suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog- the International Atomic Energy Agency.  Following a parliament vote on the matter last...

For review:

1. Iranian Foreign Minister: Diplomacy Not Off the Table.  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it will take time and assurances from the US before Tehran is ready to re-engage in talks on its nuclear program.

2.  US President Donald Trump said Monday he is not holding discussions with Iranian leaders and not offering them anything.

3. Israel & Syria Hold Talks on Security Matters.  The neighboring states have been opposing sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, including from the 1948 War of Independence through the 1982 First Lebanon War. 

4.  After months of di...

For review:

1. Israel - Iran War Summary.

2. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi says Iran likely will be able to begin to produce enriched uranium “in a matter of months,” despite damage to several nuclear facilities from US and Israeli attacks, CBS News said Saturday.

3. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel’s operation against Iran has opened up “broad regional possibilities,” while stressing that freedom for hostages was a top priority.

4. A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen was likely intercepted by air defenses on Saturda...

For review:

1.  IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has told colleagues that Iran is no longer a nuclear threshold state following the Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear program. While Iran may still maintain parts of its nuclear program, it has been set back by years, LTG Zamir has concluded.

2. Iranian Parliament votes to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Bill sent to Iranian President for ratification.

3. President Trump prepared to remove sanctions on Iran- changes mind after Iranian Supreme Leader's "blatant and foolish" statement.  In a video statement on Thursday, Ay...

For review:

1.  In a video statement on Tuesday summing up the war against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “achieved a historic victory” that would “abide for generations."

“Now, the focus returns to Gaza, to bringing the hostages home and toppling Hamas rule,” he added. 

2. IDF: Iran's Nuclear Program Set Back Years.  

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effi Defrin said Wednesday:  "I can say here that the assessment is that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, and I can also say that we set it back by years, I repeat, year...

For review:

1.President Trump Announces Ceasefire Agreement between Israel and Iran. 

There was no immediate Israeli comment on President Trump’s announcement.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later insisted on X that “as of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.” 

He said, however, that the Islamic Republic would not launch further attacks if Israel immediately ceased strikes.

2. Many questions remain after Sunday’s strikes, especially about the whereabouts of Iran’s sensitive stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent. 

IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi...

For review:

1. US CJCS: 7 x B2 Bombers Dropped 14 x GBU-57/B MOP Bombs.

2. IAEA Chief on Fordo: "Clear Indications of Impacts...Cannot Announce Degree of Damage.

3. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Sunday morning of “everlasting consequences” after the American military had carried out an attack” on the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran.

4. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that he would be traveling to Moscow later in the day to hold “serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow.”<...

For review:

1. US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites at Fordo, Natanz, & Isfahan.

2. NY Times Report: Iran Supreme Leader Has Nominated Potential Successors.

3. IDF Eliminates Three More IRGC Commanders.

For review:

1. On Thursday night, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem offered "all forms of support" to Iran in its fight against Israel and the US.

2. On Friday, the Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck several Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon, the IDF says.

3.  Iran Launches Another Missile with Cluster Warhead. The apparent targeting of Beersheba with a cluster bomb came after the IDF Home Front Command on Thursday confirmed that Iran had launched at least one ballistic missile carrying a cluster bomb warhead at central Israel.

4. Reports from Tehran said that a...

For review:

1. Iran has appointed a new chief of intelligence at its Revolutionary Guards on Thursday, the official Irna news agency says, after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike last week.

2. IDF Strikes Heavy Water Reactor at Arak & Khondab.

3. The IAEA confirmed Thursday that IDF strikes had hit Iran’s partially built Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor and damaged the nearby plant

“IAEA has information the Khondab (former Arak) heavy water research reactor, under construction, was hit. It was not operational and contained no nuclear material, so no radiological effe...

For review:

1. The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.

2.  Iran Supreme Leader: US Involvement Will "Result in Irreparable Damage." “Americans should know that any military involvement by the US will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage to them.”

3. Iranian media said that Israel briefly hacked state television broadcast on Wednesday. 

4. Iran announced Wednesday heavier internet curbs, accusing Israel of misusing the network for military purposes. Critics accused the regime of restricting internet use in...

For review:

1. Iran Supreme Leader Defiant : "No mercy." 

Iran fired a pair of ballistic missile barrages at Israel early Wednesday, as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared “the battle begins” and called to show “no mercy” toward Israelis. 

2.  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issues an evacuation warning for part of Tel Aviv, according to Iranian news agencies. 

3.  Iran has prepared missiles and other measures for potential strikes against US forces in the Middle East, (New York Times reports). The Iranian military is planning the possible attacks as a retaliatory measure if Amer...

For review:

1. Israeli PM on Targeting Iranian Supreme Leader: "We're Doing What We Need to Do." Targeting the Iranian Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) would be a surefire way to “end the conflict” with the Islamic Republic.

2. Eight people were killed by Iranian ballistic missiles that slammed into Israeli cities in at least five locations early Monday, and nearly 300 others were injured, as the conflict entered a fourth day.

3.  Iran Strikes Oil Refinery in Haifa.

4. IDF bombed an Iranian refueling plane at Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran, some 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles) from Israe...

For review:

1.  The UN conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.  France and Saudi Arabia had been set to host the gathering between June 17-20 in New York. 

2. Israel smuggled attack drones into Iran using a variety of means, including trucks, shipping containers, and even suitcases, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the Mossad operation.

3.  Israeli PM & President Visit Site of Deadly Missile Strike in Bat Yam.

For review:

Latest information concerning Israel and Iran.

1. Iran cancels talks with US scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

2. Update on Iran missile strikes in Israel.

3. Israeli Defense Minister (Israel Katz): "Tehran will burn" - if Iran Supreme Leader does not stop missile attacks on Israel's Home Front.

4. IDF strikes Iran's energy infrastructure.

5. Israeli Official (unnamed): assassination of Supreme Leader "not off limits."  

For review:

Roll-up of today's events concerning the Israeli attack on Iran's Nuclear Sites and Iran's reaction.

For review:

1. Israel Strikes Iran.

For review:

1. Hamas and Abu Shabab Group clash in Gaza. 

Gaza’s Hamas-run police force said Thursday that it killed 12 members of the Abu Shabab militia in Gaza, which said its fighters had killed five Hamas operatives.

2. On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas Has New Leader in Gaza (Az al-Din Haddad).

3.  US & Iran to Meet Sunday in Oman. A US official told Reuters that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday and discuss Iran’s response to the recent Americ...

1. After repeated warnings, the activist vessel (Madleen) intercepted by Israeli Navy.  Four activists have been deported (voluntarily), and the remaining eight will appear before an Israeli tribunal- to authorize their deportation.

2.  For the first time, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack on Tuesday, while reiterating his call for the terror group to release the remaining hostages in Gaza.  

“What Hamas did in October 2023 in killing and taking civilians hostage is unacceptable and condemnable and Hamas must immediately release all hostages,” Mr. Abbas wrote in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi...

For review:

1. As of Sunday AM, the activist humanitarian aid vessel (Madleen) is roughly 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Sunday that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to “prevent the ‘Madelaine’ hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza.” 

2. Israeli outlet Channel 12 reports that documents found during IDF operations in Gaza show a close effort between Qatar and Hamas to thwart US President Donald Trump’s “deal of the century” peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians and efforts for Arab countries to normalize relations with the Jewish state. 

3.  The IDF an...

For review:

1. Wall Street Journal Report: Iran Ordered Solid-Fuel Material From China for Missile Production. The Journal report, which cited people familiar with the transaction, said Tehran had ordered enough ammonium perchlorate to potentially manufacture up to 800 missiles. 

2. Israel has been arming the Abu Shabab Clan in the Gaza Strip as part of an effort to strengthen opposition to Hamas in the enclave, defense sources confirmed on Thursday.

3. The Israeli Navy is expected to block a high-profile activist mission sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade. Israeli defense officials told The Times of...

For review:

1. US Vetoes UNSC Gaza Ceasefire Resolution.  

“The United States has been clear we would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza,” Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote. 

2.  Iran Rejects US Nuclear Deal Proposal.  The supreme leader insisted Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment program. 

3. IDF responds with artillery barrage to rocket fire targeting the Israeli Golan Heights.  A group calling itself the Mohammed Deif Brigades claimed the attack in...

For review:

1. Ukrainian negotiators said Russia had again rejected an "unconditional ceasefire - but the two committed to return the bodies of 12,000 Soldiers. The two sides agreed to exchange all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well those aged under 25.

2. During talks in Istanbul, the Russian delegation handed Ukraine a "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document.

According to the document, among Russia key demands are the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation...

For review:

1. The foreign ministers of Arab countries who had planned to visit the West Bank over the weekend condemned on Saturday Israel’s decision to block their trip.  Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates had been expected to take part alongside Turkey.

2. Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Russian Airfields Target Bombers. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the 01 June “Spider Web” drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases.  More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, includin...

For review:

1. Houthi rebels threaten to target Israeli civilian aircraft after latest IDF strike on Sanaa International Airport.

2. Israel to block a delegation of Middle Eastern foreign ministers from making a visit to the West Bank. The foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey were slated to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. 

3. In April, Saudi Arabia Advised Iran to Negotiate with Washington. Saudi Arabia dispatched Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran,  with the warning that it would be better to re...

For review:

1.  A senior Israeli official said Monday that a Hostage release and Ceasefire deal with Hamas has been rejected. The proposal- as reported by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen- called for a ceasefire of about 70 days during which 10 living hostages would be released in two phases, modifying the so-called Witkoff outline, which laid out a shorter ceasefire for the release of about 10 living hostages. 

2. US Initiative Begins Aid Distribution in Gaza.  The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF),  stated that roughly 8,000 boxes of food have been distributed in the foundation’s first two days of operation, with each box fe...

For review:

1. Houthis continue missile attacks on Israel. A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Houthis was successfully intercepted by air defenses, the military said Sunday. It was the third attack in four days, and the fifth since last Sunday.

2. IDF Prepares for Ground Offensive in Gaza with 5 Divisions. When the major ground offensive is launched, the Palestinian population will be pushed into three small zones in Gaza. The IDF will then capture the rest of Gaza, clear it of Hamas infrastructure, raze most buildings, and hold it for the foreseeable future. This captured...

For review:

1.  Updated Info on Strike that Targeted Hamas Leader.  The strike that targeted and possibly eliminated Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar in Gaza earlier this month was made possible when the terror chief made the rare mistake of moving without a defensive “hostage belt” protecting him, according to a Friday report. 

2.  Israel will receive a “devastating and decisive response” if it attacks Iran, the IRGC said on Thursday as Tehran vowed to defend its nuclear sites, days after two separate reports suggested Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. 

3.  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas...

For review:

1. US & Iran to Meet Friday in Rome for 5th Round of Talks. 

2. Report: Israel Ready to Strike Iran if Nuclear Talks with US Break Down. Israel is getting ready to quickly strike Iran if ongoing talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic over the latter’s nuclear program break down, Axios reports, citing a pair of Israeli sources.

3. Israel and Turkey have reached an agreement in principle aimed at preventing any unwanted incidents between both countries’ militaries operating in Syria, and established a hotline to avert such conflicts, according to me...

For review:

1. President Trump Phone Call with Russian President.  President Trump sought to emphasize what he described as an excellent “tone and spirit” shared with the Kremlin leader. President Putin, meanwhile, described the call as “meaningful and frank.” 

2.  EU Preparing Sanctions Package. The EU is preparing an important sanctions package against Russia as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a press conference on May 19. 

3.  The EU & the UK agreed on a security and defense partnership which they said will allow for closer cooperation in areas such as support for U...

For review:

1. Russia and Ukraine Istanbul Talks Last Under 2 Hours with Large Prisoner Exchange Agreement and Consensus to Meet Again. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the POW swap as a “confidence-building measure” and said the parties had agreed in principle to meet again.

2. US President Donald Trump says he will be speaking to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday about ending the war in Ukraine, saying the call would be about "stopping the 'bloodbath'". The President said the call would take place at 10:00 EST & he would then speak to Ukrainian President Zelensky, and leaders of s...

For review:

1. President Trump on Last Leg of Middle East Visit.

2. Despite No President Putin- Russia & Ukraine Delegations Still to Meet on16 May.

3. US Army's First Unit Fielded with FLRAA will be 101st Airborne Division.

4. US Army High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aircraft procurement down to 6 systems instead of 12, as originally thought.  Last year, the Sierra Nevada Corporation won an Army contract to integrate a suite of capabilities onto the Bombardier Global 6500 jet under the HADES program. The service wants to have an initial aircraft ready for the force b...

For review:

1. Russia - Ukraine Talks in Istanbul Thursday: Will Russian President Attend? In what may have been a surprise for the Russian leader, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responded by accepting the invitation, saying he was ready to meet Putin in Turkey on 15 May.

2. President Trump said he might take a detour during his Mideast trip to visit Turkey for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on 15 May.

3.  Calm in Kashmir Border Region as Ceasefire Holds. Indian and Pakistani authorities said Monday there was no firing reported overnight along the heavily militarized region between t...

For review:

1. Ukraine Agrees to Direct Talks with Russia in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would agree to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump told him immediately to accept Putin's proposal of direct talks.

2.  India & Pakistan Ceasefire. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday after US-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades, but they accused each other of violating the deal just hours later.

3. The Indian Navy massed naval forces in the Northern A...

For review:

1. Israeli Defense Minister (Israel Katz) warned Iran of consequences for sponsorship of Houthi Rebels. 

Defense Minster Katz: “I also warn the Iranian leadership that funds, arms and operates the Houthi terror organization… You are directly responsible. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus and the Houthis in Yemen, will also be done to you in Tehran.”  

2. IRGC General Threatens to "open the gates of hell" if US & Israel Attack Iran.

IRCG Chief Hossein Salami: “I’m issuing a serious warning. If you make one wro...

For review:

1. US President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that he is seeking to “blow up” Iran’s nuclear centrifuges through an agreement with Tehran, but is also prepared to blow them up in an attack if necessary.

2. UAE Facilitates Indirect Security Talks Between Israel & Syria. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday confirmed that his country was currently taking part in indirect talks with Israel. Reports earlier in the day said that the United Arab Emirates had facilitated a backchannel for dialogue between Jerusalem and Damascus.

3.  Moscow Victory Day Parade Guest List. The most high-pr...

1. IDF Airstrikes Disable Sanaa International Airport. Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft were involved in the strikes on Yemen on Tuesday, including fighter jets, refuelers, and spy planes. The IDF said the fighter jets dropped 50 munitions on the targets.

2.  President Trump Announces Truce with Houthis; Halts Bombing in Yemen. Oman revealed that it had mediated the ceasefire deal under which neither side will target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

3. A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States is likely to take place over t...

For review:

1. Israeli PM Vows Retaliation Against Iran & Houthis for Airport Missile Strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to retaliate against the Houthis in Yemen and to act against “their patron” Iran, hours after the rebel group struck Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile. 

2. President Trump said in an interview aired Sunday that the aim of his administration’s nuclear talks with Iran is to achieve “total dismantlement” of Tehran’s nuclear program, but that he is open to letting the Islamic Republic pursue civilian nuclear energy.  

A fourth round of talks betwe...