🔸 U.S.-IRAN HORMUZ TALKS ADVANCE; NETANYAHU SETS RED LINE AND ARROW SYSTEM TESTED

🔸 U.S.-IRAN INTERIM AGREEMENT UNDER DISCUSSION: The United States has lifted sanctions on three entities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Reuters reported.

The U.S., Iran and Oman are reportedly closing in on an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, resume the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and restart negotiations over a nuclear agreement. The proposal has been under negotiation for several weeks, with the U.S. seeking an announcement on Wednesday.

According to two regional sources cited by Axios, the proposal would establish a temporary 60-day arrangement between Oman and Iran that could be extended. Inbound vessels entering the Gulf would travel through a northern lane in Iranian waters. Outbound vessels entering the Arabian Sea would use a southern lane through Omani waters, in coordination with Iran.

No tolls or fees would be charged during the temporary period. The parties would seek to clear naval mines from the strait’s median lane within 30 days. Once cleared, that lane would be used for inbound and outbound traffic under a permanent arrangement to be negotiated between Oman and Iran.

The emerging agreement would meet some Iranian demands for greater control over traffic through the strait, which Iran did not possess before the war.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12: “Trump wants a deal at any cost”.

A senior Gulf official told CNN there is a 50–50 chance of a provisional U.S.-Iran agreement on Friday, although key Iranian hardliners have not yet approved it.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated: “We have no plans for the Foreign Minister or the Speaker of Parliament to travel to Pakistan or Qatar at the end of this week. Of course, Pakistan and Qatar continue their efforts to reduce tensions, and Iran is also in contact and exchanging views with them”.

🇮🇱 NETANYAHU: ISRAEL’S EXISTENCE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE: Speaking at the reburial ceremony for the remains of Theodor Herzl’s grandparents, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We are in the midst of military and diplomatic developments.”

Netanyahu added: “Trump is our greatest friend, but I want to make one thing clear: Israel’s existence is not negotiable. With or without an agreement, we will do whatever is necessary to secure our future.”

🛡️ ISRAEL COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL TEST OF LONG-RANGE ARROW AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEM: The Ministry of Defense, together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, IDF and Israel Aerospace Industries, successfully conducted a pre-planned test of the Arrow system from a test site in central Israel.

The launch was part of a multiyear program to develop and upgrade the system. Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 form Israel’s uppermost air-defense layer and have intercepted threats from Iran and Yemen, including ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.

The test evaluated new capabilities against future threats and incorporated advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, combat lessons and automated production processes. The Defense Ministry said it marked an important step toward further IDF procurement and strengthened Israel’s ability to confront current and emerging threats.

Ministry of Defense Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said Israel is dramatically accelerating interceptor production and upgrading the system, adding that the country’s interceptor stockpile is continuing to grow alongside the development of new capabilities.

🚧 SECURITY EXERCISE AT TE’ENIM CROSSING: The Ministry of Defense Crossings Authority will conduct a security exercise at the Te’enim Crossing from 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, until 4:00 a.m. Thursday.

Route 557 will be intermittently closed. Gunfire and explosions may be heard during the exercise.

🔁 Know someone who should see this? Forward it.

🌐 Full updates & discussion: https://www.israelrealtime.com