🌍 U.S. / IRAN DIPLOMACY: President Trump said Iran continues to seek a deal with the United States, while warning that Washington will either reach an agreement or “finish the job.” He also linked broader regional normalization to the process, expressing uncertainty about advancing an agreement if Gulf states do not join the Abraham Accords.
⚓ SANCTIONS, URANIUM, AND HORMUZ: Trump rejected sanctions relief in exchange for Iran relinquishing highly enriched uranium and said he opposes Russia or China taking custody of Iranian nuclear material. He also stated that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to all nations as international waters, rejecting any Iranian effort to control maritime access.
The U.S. Secretary of War said the American blockade of Iranian ports has inflicted significant economic damage on Iran, while Trump said domestic political considerations would not affect his Iran policy decisions.
🛰️ IRANIAN POSITIONING: Iranian officials and state-linked media signaled continued caution regarding negotiations. Fars News Agency claimed Trump could soon unilaterally announce completion of a U.S.-Iran agreement, while a member of Iran’s negotiating team said key issues remain unresolved.
The IRGC assessed that the likelihood of war remains low but stated Iranian forces are prepared. An advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader said the Strait of Hormuz remains the “real guarantor” of any agreement with Washington.
🚢 STRAIT OF HORMUZ INCIDENT: South Korea announced it will summon the Iranian ambassador after assessing that an Iranian missile likely targeted a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month. Seoul said it will demand measures to prevent a repeat incident.
🏛️ ISRAELI POLITICAL CRISIS: Prime Minister Netanyahu requested cancellation of his testimony, stating he had been occupied overnight with diplomatic and security matters.
Coalition tensions continued surrounding the Haredi draft exemption dispute and the proposed dissolution of the Knesset. A dissolution bill is expected to reach a first reading Monday, with a proposed election window between September 8 and October 27.
⚖️ COALITION AND LEGISLATIVE BATTLES: Coalition Chair Ofir Katz said the Knesset Committee is expected to debate and vote on the dissolution bill Monday before advancing it to the plenum the same day.
United Torah Judaism reportedly threatened Netanyahu and considered supporting legislation to establish a state commission of inquiry amid disputes surrounding the daycare law. A preliminary reading later passed for legislation intended to bypass the Supreme Court and subsidize daycare centers for Haredim, despite Likud MK Eliyahu Revivo Iluz voting against the coalition position. Following the vote, Haredi parties were no longer expected to support establishing a state commission of inquiry today.
🗣️ DRAFT EXEMPTION DEBATE: Shas chairman Aryeh Deri sharply criticized opponents of the daycare legislation, accusing them of hostility toward the ultra-Orthodox public.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the draft exemption dispute as an “existential moment” for Israel, arguing that military and economic burdens cannot continue falling mainly on the serving and working population. Bennett said a future government led by him would make no compromises on enlistment and would withhold state funding from those who do not serve.
MK Gadi Eisenkot criticized Bennett and Yair Lapid, calling their positions “populist and unserious” and arguing they failed to implement similar measures while previously serving in senior government roles.
🪖 HAREDI ENLISTMENT FIGURES: The IDF reported that 433 Haredim enlisted in designated military programs over the past two months, including a record 272 combat soldiers.
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