⚓ TANKER INCIDENT AND MISSILE ATTACK REPORTED NEAR OMAN: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported an incident involving a tanker approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman.
Another vessel was reportedly targeted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps using an anti-ship missile in the Strait of Hormuz, northeast of Khasab.
Iran’s IRNA news agency claimed the attack was carried out after the tanker refused instructions from the IRGC Navy and violated Iran’s blockade.
❗️ KATZ ANNOUNCES CENTRAL COMMAND REPLACEMENT, IDF SAYS MOVE WAS NOT COORDINATED: Defense Minister Israel Katz announced during a Channel 14 interview that IDF Personnel Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa would replace Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth as head of the IDF Central Command.
Bluth has commanded Central Command since July 2024. The position is normally held for two to three years, although it was unclear whether Bluth intended to serve a full three-year term.
Katz criticized Bluth over an administrative restraining order issued against Tal Yinon Dardik, who was described as a violent settler. The order was repealed on a technicality, and Katz instructed Bluth not to renew it.
Katz said Bluth and the Military Advocate General’s Corps appealed Dardik’s release “contrary to my policy.”
“They did it against my position; it was the wrong step. [Bluth] must take my policy into account, and I will insist on this,” Katz said.
Katz said he wanted Central Command led by “an IDF that strives for decisive victory, strikes its enemies, and protects the settlers.” He also said his “control over the [military] system is absolute.”
The IDF said Katz’s announcement had not been coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
“The statement issued by the Minister of Defense was not coordinated with the Chief of the General Staff. Major General Avi Bluth commands the Central Command amid a complex reality, with professionalism, bravery, and dedication, and should be granted complete trust. The Chief of the General Staff does not intend to change key IDF commanders' positions during these sensitive times. Once such a decision is made, it will be taken by the Chief of the General Staff and approved in accordance with the required protocols.”
Katz’s office later said Zamir had recommended Bar Kalifa for the position at the end of April and had asked Katz to interview him. Katz interviewed Bar Kalifa in June and concluded that he was the most suitable candidate.
According to the Defense Ministry, Katz has now accepted the Chief of Staff’s recommendation, with the appointment expected to take effect during the next round of senior military appointments.
The ministry said Katz’s policy is to promote commanders with proven records of offensive operations and success in what it called the “War of Revival,” in accordance with the security policy advanced by Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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