Transcript [00:00] Easy run shrine at any cost to recover [00:03] the uranium buried by the strikes in [00:06] Isfahan. [00:08] An Iranian cyber attack has recently hit [00:11] United States water infrastructure. [00:14] United States Air Force is at its [00:16] highest level of military readiness [00:18] ahead of a possible major attack, [00:21] perhaps the largest since World War II. [00:25] And at the same time, Iran is secretly [00:27] preparing for war against the United [00:29] States of America. [00:31] Officials in Tehran claim that no [00:33] agreement has been reached regarding the [00:35] opening of the Strait of Hormuz. [00:38] So, while the oil prices are falling [00:41] sharply, the Revolutionary Guards [00:43] continue to mock Trump. [00:46] United States President Donald Trump [00:47] said that there is a deal with Iran on [00:50] the Strait of Hormuz and that there will [00:52] be a deal on the nuclear disarmament of [00:55] Iran. [00:57] But Tehran denies it. And the Gulf [00:59] states are concerned. Why is Mohammad [01:02] bin Salman of Saudi Arabia so afraid of [01:04] Iran's Revolutionary Guards? And is it [01:07] possible that Trump never intended to [01:09] attack Iran at all, but used the threat [01:13] to apply pressure? [01:14] The United Arab Emirates pressured Trump [01:17] to escalate the campaign against Iran, [01:19] take control of the Strait of Hormuz, [01:21] and even consider ground operations. [01:25] Saudi Arabia and Qatar, on the other [01:27] hand, asked him to avoid an attack and [01:29] advance negotiations. [01:31] The Middle East is heating up. Arab [01:34] countries are threatening Iraq, and [01:36] Hezbollah is receiving clear warnings. [01:39] So, while the threats between the United [01:41] States and Iran are intensifying, and [01:44] Trump must choose between a problematic [01:45] agreement, a war of attrition, or a [01:48] broad military campaign, the [01:50] Revolutionary Guards are officially [01:52] preparing for combat. [01:54] I'm Amir Pinto. With me is Mati Shahani, [01:57] and we're here on Boots on the Ground. [01:59] We bring you the full truth about what's [02:01] happening in Israel, as well as the full [02:03] truth about what's happening in our [02:04] neighborhood, the Middle East. Today, [02:07] today is August 3rd. So, let's begin. [02:10] Because under the shadow of an [02:11] aggressive naval blockade by the United [02:14] States military, President Donald Trump [02:16] canceled a planned attack on Iran at the [02:19] last moment following heavy pressure [02:21] from Saudi Arabia, while the United [02:23] States and the United Arab Emirates is [02:25] demanding that the United States [02:28] take decisive military actions and [02:30] expand the fighting against the [02:32] Revolutionary Guards. [02:35] Trump announced overnight that [02:36] Washington intends to sign two [02:38] agreements with Iran. [02:40] One regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and [02:42] the other regarding the dismantling of [02:44] Iran's nuclear program. Speaking with [02:47] reporters aboard the presidential [02:49] aircraft on his way to the White House, [02:51] Trump added that the United States is [02:53] discussing the format of negotiations [02:56] with the Iranians. [02:58] He emphasized that the talks would begin [03:00] today, and made it clear that the United [03:02] States is ready to act whenever it [03:04] chooses. [03:06] The Saudi Press Agency reported [03:08] yesterday that Saudi Crown Prince [03:10] Mohammad bin Salman [03:11] spoke with Trump, and also emphasized [03:14] the need [03:15] to prioritize dialogue in order to [03:17] reduce the tensions in this region. [03:20] Following his decision to suspend the [03:23] attack, Trump said that the suspension [03:26] was conditional on reaching an agreement [03:28] quickly. According to him, the agreement [03:31] must include the immediate and complete [03:33] opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an [03:36] end to the Iranian nuclear threat. [03:39] American officials say that President [03:41] Trump was closer than ever before to [03:44] launching a massive attack on Iran, and [03:46] effectively backed down only one day [03:48] before the operation was scheduled to [03:50] take place. [03:52] Pressure from Qatar and Saudi Arabia led [03:55] him to give negotiations another chance. [03:58] According to reports, planning for the [04:00] attack began last Wednesday. This is 1 [04:03] day after the meeting between Netanyahu [04:05] and Trump amidst the back of progress in [04:08] the talks and the Iranian surprise [04:11] attack on the American base in Jordan. [04:14] So, operational plans to attack the [04:17] energy and the infrastructure targets in [04:19] Iran was also revealed. And a senior [04:22] American official said that Israel was [04:24] supposed to be part of this plan. [04:27] Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is [04:30] once again showing just how concerned he [04:33] is about the regional escalation with [04:35] the Revolutionary Guards and the [04:38] situation with Iran. So, the Saudi Crown [04:41] Prince quickly spoke with Trump about [04:43] the importance of reducing the [04:45] escalation with Iran and the need for a [04:47] diplomatic path that would achieve [04:49] positive results in preserving the [04:51] security and stability of this region. [04:54] He warned against being dragged into a [04:56] broader conflict whose consequences [04:59] would affect not only regional security, [05:01] but also international security and the [05:04] stability of the region. So, will the [05:07] Strait of Hormuz open soon or not? Let [05:11] me know what you think about this in the [05:12] comments. [05:13] Because talks between Iran and Oman are [05:15] advancing. But on the other side, the [05:18] United Arab Emirates [05:20] pressured Trump to escalate the campaign [05:22] against Iran, take control of the Strait [05:23] of Hormuz, and even consider ground [05:26] operations. [05:27] Saudi Arabia and Qatar, on the other [05:29] hand, asked him to avoid an attack and [05:32] advance negotiations. [05:35] Trump revealed the moment when he [05:37] decided to stop the operation and said, [05:40] "Regarding Iran, the United States was [05:42] ready to act right now." [05:45] It was going to be a massive attack. [05:47] Everything was ready, but when the [05:49] allies asked us to cancel it, we had to [05:51] stop and say, [05:53] "Wait. [05:54] Let's see." [05:55] The reason that they asked us to do all [05:57] of this is that they believe that there [06:00] is a chance of reaching an agreement. [06:03] Trump added that the United States can [06:05] act at any moment that it chooses, and [06:08] explained that [06:09] he was asked to stop primarily by three [06:12] major allies, and also by Iran, which he [06:15] said made the request very firmly. [06:19] In fact, the president said that they [06:21] said that they want to reach an [06:23] agreement now. [06:25] And Israel made it clear to the United [06:27] States that if the attack does not [06:29] severely damage the economic targets and [06:31] the regime's targets in Iran, there's no [06:34] point in carrying it out. [06:36] On Friday, Trump had already publicly [06:38] hinted that he was about to order an [06:40] attack on Iran. And at the same time, he [06:42] added that he sometimes finds it [06:45] difficult to know whether the [06:46] information coming from Tehran can be [06:48] trusted or not. [06:50] And at the same time, the same time as [06:52] Trump's statements, the United Kingdom [06:55] Maritime Trade Operations Centre [06:57] reported an explosion near a vessel in [07:00] southern shipping lane of the Strait of [07:02] Hormuz. So, according to the [07:04] announcement, no casualties and no [07:06] damage was reported to the vessel, [07:08] but there are reports and circumstances [07:12] of the incidents that remain unclear at [07:15] this very moment. So, we're not sure [07:16] what happened there. [07:18] And while the world once again watches [07:21] for what feels like the countless time, [07:24] another ceasefire and a renewed [07:26] beginning of negotiations, [07:28] the Revolutionary Guards [07:29] are advancing a plan to expand the [07:32] conflict in the event that American [07:34] attacks will resume. [07:36] So, according to the report, the [07:38] pro-Iranian militias are preparing for [07:40] coordinated action all across the Middle [07:43] East. [07:44] Baghdad's neighbors made it clear to [07:47] Iraq that it must restrain the [07:49] pro-Iranian militias or they will be [07:51] attacked on Iraqi territory. [07:54] Officials in Baghdad are promising to [07:56] prevent the resumption of launches. [07:58] Well, in Lebanon, there are calls to [08:00] avoid renewed involvement in the [08:02] conflict between the United States and [08:04] Iran. [08:05] And meanwhile, five Lebanese army [08:07] soldiers were injured by Hezbollah [08:09] explosive device. [08:11] And earlier today, a Lebanese army [08:13] vehicle drove over an explosive device [08:15] in southern Lebanon, and five Lebanese [08:18] soldiers were injured in this explosion. [08:21] Following an examination and contrary to [08:24] the claims that were circulated, it can [08:26] be confirmed that this was not an IDF [08:28] explosive device. [08:30] According to information held by the [08:32] IDF, it was an explosive device [08:34] belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist [08:36] organization. [08:37] The incident took place in the area of [08:40] Kafr outside the security zone in [08:43] southern Lebanon. An area where IDF [08:45] forces were not present at all. [08:48] So, as you can see, we have a lot ahead [08:51] of us. So, let's dive into the details. [08:54] I'm Yaakov Pinto, and with me is Matti [08:56] Shoshani. [08:57] And we're here on Boots on the Ground [09:00] bringing you the full truth about what's [09:01] happening in Israel and about this war [09:04] against the revolutionary guards in [09:05] Iran, which is the head of the crumbling [09:07] axis of evil in the Middle East. And [09:09] just before we begin, I want to call on [09:11] you to continue spreading the truth. [09:13] Help us. How do you do it? You hit the [09:15] subscribe button on TBN Israel YouTube [09:18] channel. You hit the super thank you [09:19] button. You make a donation to the [09:22] channel, and you look us up on our [09:24] social media accounts, Yaakov Pinto and [09:27] Matti Shoshani, to see life in Israel [09:30] through our eyes, what it's like to be [09:32] here. [09:33] So, as missiles once again fall all [09:36] across the Middle East from Iran, [09:38] Hezbollah, and other enemies. Many [09:40] people are asking how they can stand [09:42] with Israel in a meaningful way. [09:45] And the answer is simple. Help us [09:47] rebuild. [09:48] That's the best way to defeat all the [09:51] purpose of the terrorists and the [09:53] enemies. They want to destroy us. They [09:55] want to destroy this nation. [09:58] And we rebuild. We plant trees for the [10:01] future. So, the rebuild Israel campaign [10:03] continues. It's bringing life back to [10:05] Israel's north, to the area that was [10:07] directly attacked by Hezbollah, the [10:09] terrorist organization from Lebanon, [10:11] that launched missiles and destroyed and [10:13] burned apple orchards. We are now [10:16] planting new ones, new trees with [10:20] apples. This is a long-term commitment [10:22] to restore what was damaged and to [10:24] strengthen Israel's future. So, at a [10:26] time when Israel is under attack, [10:28] planting trees is a powerful [10:29] declaration. We're still here. We're [10:32] building. We're going. And we're not [10:34] leaving [10:36] anywhere, because God promised this land [10:38] to the people of Israel. And together, [10:40] we can help it flourish once again. So, [10:42] this orchard is more than just [10:44] agriculture. It creates jobs for local [10:46] families. It helps communities return [10:48] and rebuild. And it sends a clear [10:50] message to the people of Israel, you are [10:52] not alone. [10:54] So, when you donate, you're not just [10:55] giving. You're rebuilding. And your [10:58] support is putting trees in the ground. [11:00] It restores livelihoods and transforms a [11:02] land that was scarred by war into a land [11:04] that grows again. So, this is how [11:06] renewal takes root. And this is how we [11:08] rebuild in Israel. You want to be part [11:10] of that? Go to [11:11] www.tbn.org/rebuildisrael. [11:17] That's tbn.org/rebuildisrael. [11:19] Or call 800 [11:22] 804-7895. [11:25] Okay? So, tbn.org/rebuildisrael [11:27] or call 800-804-7895. [11:32] Thanks you much. And we'll soon going to [11:34] go up to the northern border to show you [11:36] this community and what's happening [11:38] there right now. And now we turn to our [11:41] senior Middle East correspondent, the [11:43] one and only Mati Shoshani. Mati, we are [11:46] still hearing about the Iranian uranium [11:50] that is the central threat. So, if Iran [11:52] is truly trying to recover uranium that [11:54] is buried by the strikes in Isfahan, [11:57] are we no longer talking only about like [11:59] a nuclear program, but also about a [12:01] military race to rescue the nuclear [12:04] materials that could disappear under the [12:06] radar? [12:08] What do you think is happening there? [12:09] And can the United States see if the [12:12] Iranians are trying to dig in areas that [12:14] were bombed with their satellite imagery [12:16] and other surveillance systems? [12:19] >> That's a lot of questions. I'll try to [12:20] unpack them quickly. One, [12:22] >> I have some more I have some more [12:23] questions, Mati, by the way. [12:25] >> We'll get We'll get to the [12:26] >> It's been a long time. [12:28] >> Yeah, yeah. Well, some some of us have [12:29] to get back from vacation. And then some [12:32] of us have to get back from vacation. [12:33] But to to your point, Emil, there's a [12:35] couple things happening here. [12:37] The first one has to do with the [12:38] enriched material. [12:40] We don't exactly know where the enriched [12:42] material is. [12:43] And I would dare say that very few if [12:46] any in the West know where all of it is. [12:49] Now, we keep talking about Pickaxe [12:50] Mountain, Pickaxe Mountain this or that. [12:53] It's just a symptom. [12:54] The big picture here is what's really [12:56] important when it comes to nuclear [12:57] capabilities. [12:59] Nuclear capabilities are made of three [13:02] different things. One, the ability to [13:04] enrich material, which Iran has. Even if [13:08] you bomb them, they have it. The second [13:10] one is the blast cap. It's taking the [13:12] enriched material and turning it into an [13:14] explosive device, which they are close [13:17] to but have not demonstrated yet. And [13:19] the third part is delivery mechanism, [13:22] which is a ballistic missile, which Iran [13:23] has plenty of and continues developing. [13:27] And that's really the big problem here, [13:28] which is nuclear capabilities [13:30] are more than just one location. [13:33] Nuclear capabilities [13:35] are more than a yes or no binary [13:37] question of whether or not they have or [13:39] don't have enriched material. Because [13:41] let's run the game. Let's say we take [13:43] their enriched material, if it's in [13:45] Pickaxe Mountain or Natanz or Isfahan or [13:48] wherever, in the back pocket of [13:52] uh Mojtaba Khamenei, wherever he's [13:53] hiding. [13:54] That's beside the point. Let's say we [13:56] get 100 [laughter] [13:57] >> A back pocket? [13:58] >> A back pocket of Mojtaba [14:00] >> Left of him. [14:03] >> [laughter] [14:04] >> But let's say we get all of the enriched [14:06] uranium. All of it. [14:08] All of it. Does that prevent Iran from [14:10] reaching nuclear capabilities? [14:12] And the answer is a decisive no. It [14:14] delays their capability. It pushes back [14:17] the timeline. I I just read a book, [14:19] fascinating book, um I'll post on this [14:22] on my social media later today. [14:24] The The talks about how Israel and the [14:25] United States delayed the nuclear [14:27] program. We've delayed it by more than a [14:29] decade at this point. But the point is [14:31] the keyword is delay, not canceled. [14:34] There is no off switch to the Iranian [14:36] desire to reach a bomb. So even if you [14:38] take away their enriched material, even [14:41] if you bomb every last centrifuge, [14:43] even if you cut the supply chain, [14:45] there's still too many scientists, too [14:48] many vendors, too many locations where [14:51] the knowledge and ability and know-how [14:53] exist. [14:54] And it's just a question of time till [14:56] they spool the system up again to reach [14:59] that same capability. And I'm not saying [15:01] it's not a worthwhile endeavor. I mean, [15:02] there's 100% value in pushing back an [15:06] Iranian nuclear program by 12 or 18 or [15:08] 24 months, or even 3 months. It's still [15:11] a very valuable operation. [15:13] But there's no one military operation [15:16] where the US special forces come in and [15:18] dismantle Pickaxe Mountain, or someone [15:21] else comes in and removes the enriched [15:23] material or eliminates five more heads [15:25] of the nuclear program and the scientist [15:28] and and the whatever. One day or [15:30] another, in 12 months, in 18 months, in [15:32] 24 months, they will be back at the same [15:34] point that they are today unless one [15:37] dramatic and important things happen, [15:40] which is [15:41] to take away their incentive and ability [15:44] to promote a nuclear military program. [15:46] And how do you do that? By having a [15:48] strong agreement with a supervision [15:51] mechanism that includes supervisors on [15:54] the ground in Iran. There is no other [15:57] way to do this, and I can give you [15:59] plenty of examples of countries who no [16:02] one wanted them to have a bomb that [16:04] ultimately gained a bomb. They bought it [16:06] from someone crazy like the North [16:08] Koreans. They manufactured it. They [16:10] stole the scientist. There's a dozen [16:13] different ways [16:15] to get to a nuclear capability. And [16:17] that's without taking into calculation [16:18] the fact that one day Russia might wake [16:21] up and say, "You know what? [16:23] Let's watch the world burn. Let's go [16:24] crazy. Let's, you know, break all the [16:26] rules. Let's sell a nuclear program to [16:29] the Iranians because things are going [16:31] too poorly in the war with Ukraine." Or [16:33] maybe it happens to China and they say [16:35] we have demographic, financial, South [16:38] China Sea issues. Let's us sell under [16:41] the table a nuclear program to the [16:44] Iranians. Or North Korea, who we know [16:46] was trying to do this, sells a program. [16:48] Or Pakistan, who stole their own program [16:51] and now was wanting to sell components [16:52] of it to Iran. There's just too many [16:55] options of getting to it. We have to cut [16:57] the incentive line, and it's not [17:00] sufficient to just look at the symptom. [17:02] Now, the symptoms are important, and [17:03] pickaxe mountain is important, and [17:05] retrieving the enriched uranium is too [17:07] important, but that's not enough. [17:11] Taking that away buys time. It doesn't [17:13] eliminate their desire and ability to [17:16] reach nuclear capability. There are very [17:18] few cases in history [17:20] where country with money and a desire to [17:23] reach nuclear capability was prevented [17:25] from doing so, and it was mainly because [17:27] of internal political instability. Assad [17:30] in Syria is one example. Israel bombed [17:32] his program, and we were able to stop [17:34] it, but he was also a very weak leader [17:36] who wasn't able to restart the program. [17:38] Saddam Hussein in Iraq, same same, but [17:42] there were other factors that [17:44] contributed to the fact that he wasn't [17:45] able to once again buy a nuclear [17:48] reactor, the Iran-Iraq War, the First [17:50] Gulf War, the Second Gulf War, the all [17:52] these issues that prevented him from [17:54] doing that. They really were the main [17:56] reason that he wasn't able to able to [17:58] restart even after substantial bombing [18:00] campaign. And that that's the bottom [18:02] line here. All the problems in our life [18:04] right now, Yael, that have to do with [18:05] Iran and their proxies, their symptoms [18:09] can go away by military action. The [18:11] long-term answer, the long-term [18:12] solution, it's always agreement, it's [18:14] always regime change, it's always [18:16] political. That is the sad reality of [18:19] life here, that unless you deal with the [18:21] root cause, the symptoms will keep [18:23] resurfacing again and again and again. [18:26] That that is the reality. [18:29] >> My dear, let's talk about the division [18:31] that we see between countries of the [18:33] Middle East regarding the response [18:35] towards Iran. So, you have Saudi Arabia, [18:37] Qatar that are seeking an agreement [18:41] through negotiations and to de-escalate [18:44] the situation in the region, while you [18:46] have the United Arab Emirates that is [18:48] actually asking for more aggressive [18:49] action against the regime in Iran. [18:52] Yeah. Why is that? And how does it tie [18:55] into Israel? [18:57] >> I I love that question because it shows [18:59] how complex and how nuanced the politics [19:02] of the Middle East really are. Let's be [19:04] honest here, Yael. Every one of these [19:06] countries that you named, any any [19:07] country in the Gulf, they only have [19:09] negative emotions about Iran. None of [19:11] them is sitting and waiting that Iran [19:13] will win. They all fear them, they all [19:16] loathe them, they all hope that that [19:18] regime falls and is replaced with [19:19] someone far more moderate. There is no [19:23] no gap between them when it comes to [19:25] that topic. The political difference is [19:28] what are they willing to do to get to [19:29] that point? And that really changes [19:32] based on the country. How much of an [19:33] attack by the Iranians are they willing [19:36] to take to see the regime change? Saudi [19:38] Arabia hates Iran. I mean, they're [19:41] diametrically opposed to them. They are [19:43] the kings, they are the representatives [19:44] of Sunni Islam. Iran is the opposite, [19:47] they're the representatives of Shia [19:48] Islam. They're theologically opposed, [19:50] they're ideologically opposed, and [19:52] they're politically on the other sides [19:54] of the political map. They're [19:55] legitimately enemies when it comes to [19:57] religion and politics. The main [19:59] difference is Saudi Arabia doesn't want [20:02] Iranian attacks. And more importantly, [20:05] Saudi Arabia has seen enough of Iranian [20:08] proxy attacks by the Houthis on their [20:11] facilities. Let me talk about the cost [20:13] of Iranian proxies for just a second to [20:16] these countries. When you are a Gulf [20:18] state and you've spent who knows how [20:20] many billions of dollars, 2 million, 3 [20:23] million billion dollars building a huge [20:26] oil refinery facility or an enormous [20:29] processing plant for liquid natural gas, [20:33] LNG, [20:34] and you built that at some port off your [20:36] coast. And then a barrage of Iranian [20:38] drones comes and it blows up half of [20:40] that facility and the timeline on [20:43] repairing that, even without a war, is 3 [20:46] to 5 years. And in that 3 to 5 year [20:48] period, you're losing [20:51] tens to hundreds of millions of dollars [20:52] per month of revenue, possibly more than [20:55] that, possibly billions per month of [20:57] revenue for multiple years. Suddenly, [21:00] your financial incentive becomes a huge [21:03] indicator of what your political [21:05] incentive is going to be. They all fear [21:08] Iran, they all want Iran to stop [21:09] attacking. They just realize that no [21:12] one, including the United States, can [21:14] stop all the drone attacks, all the [21:16] submarine attacks, all the domestic [21:18] terrorism attacks, and all the ballistic [21:21] missiles, and just regular missiles and [21:23] rockets [21:24] that Iran has been able to launch at [21:26] them. [21:27] And there's no number, and and we need [21:28] to be honest about this. When you talk [21:30] about American aerial protection, be it [21:33] SAM missiles or Patriot batteries spread [21:36] throughout the Gulf states, there is [21:38] almost no number that the US would be [21:40] able to place in the Gulf states that [21:42] can hermetically, completely seal off [21:45] their air- airspace to Iranian attacks. [21:48] And every one of those attacks, you [21:50] know, these are advanced countries with [21:52] advanced economies and a lot of money [21:54] invested into oil processing [21:56] infrastructure. [21:57] Those strikes by Iran are expensive to [21:59] them. They cost them politically, they [22:01] cost them financially, they cost them in [22:04] public perception of their power [22:05] projection. They don't want those [22:08] attacks. And the political difference [22:10] between them is are they willing to [22:12] publicly state that they want to fight [22:14] against Iran, or do you want to leave [22:16] the public part to President Trump and [22:18] his tweets, and behind the scenes fight [22:21] against Iran? Because they're all on the [22:23] same boat. [22:24] Iran Iran is the enemy. Qatar, [22:27] Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, [22:30] and others in the Gulf, they're afraid [22:32] of the Iranians, and they want them to [22:33] stop attacking. But because the Iranians [22:36] are a terrorism regime, they know it's [22:38] almost impossible to completely prevent [22:41] any attack. And when you're afraid of [22:43] the bully, sometimes you just sit [22:45] quietly in the corner. One last thought [22:47] here, Yael, which I think is important [22:49] to note, [22:51] is that these countries have also [22:53] projected a substantial amount of [22:54] weakness in this campaign. [22:56] They are afraid to openly take military [22:58] action against Iran, even when we know [23:00] that behind the scenes, they've [23:02] repeatedly participated in attacks [23:04] against Iran, but they don't make public [23:06] the fact that they've done that. And [23:08] there's a reason for that. They are [23:10] afraid of the Iranians, and [23:11] understandably so. I would be, too, if [23:14] next door to me was a country that has, [23:18] you know, has spent tens of billions of [23:19] dollars on weaponry infrastructure, all [23:22] meant to destabilize and break my [23:24] economy. I, too, would be afraid if I [23:26] led a country in the Gulf. And Israel [23:28] has the privilege of being far enough [23:31] removed from the majority of Iranian [23:33] attacks. I mean, it takes a ballistic [23:35] missile with a range of [23:37] 1,300, 1,200 mi to reach Israel. Iran [23:41] has less of those than they do have [23:42] medium-range missiles that can reach the [23:44] Gulf states. It takes a long-range [23:46] drone. It takes a long-range proxy [23:48] attack. Israel has the luxury, and the [23:50] United States, too, of being far enough [23:53] to not be concerned on a daily basis. [23:55] The Gulf states don't have that luxury. [23:57] They have a reason to be alarmed, [23:59] afraid, and concerned about Iran. And [24:02] until something changes in Iran, they [24:04] will continue to weigh their steps [24:06] carefully because of the fear of what [24:08] Iran will and can do to them. That is a [24:11] simple, sad reality of the politics in [24:14] the Middle East right now. That's it. [24:16] And the last point here is [24:17] They're also looking into the future, [24:19] yeah. They want to know where things are [24:21] going. And right now, the US might [24:23] withdraw much of its forces, and they'll [24:25] be left to deal with Iran on a daily [24:27] basis. That's That's a reality they're [24:29] contending with. [24:31] >> Exactly. [snorts] And in the meantime, [24:33] while there is a ceasefire and talks [24:34] about negotiations, we see an escalation [24:37] by the Iranian proxies launching attacks [24:39] against American military facilities in [24:42] the region, [24:43] against Israel via drones that are [24:46] coming from the direction of Iraq, and [24:49] also suicide drones that attack even [24:53] Egyptian ports that port American [24:57] vessels. So, I'm not even talking about [25:00] the Houthis threatening to shut down [25:02] another major maritime route in the [25:05] Strait of Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea. [25:08] So, I mean [25:10] Talk is very cheap here in the Middle [25:12] East, Matti. [25:13] >> Well, I I'd say it's the opposite. Talk [25:15] is very expensive. If you if you try to [25:18] point out that you're not afraid, your [25:20] next door neighbors there to show that [25:21] you have a reason to be afraid and and [25:23] and it really is a valid reason at this [25:25] point. [25:27] >> Yeah, exactly. Well, thank you very [25:28] much, Matti. [25:29] And we'll see you again this evening for [25:31] our second report of boots on the [25:32] ground. [25:33] >> We we we asked the people last time [25:36] to say hi and and let us know in the [25:37] comments if they enjoyed Ashley's [25:39] presence. I think she's [25:41] >> I'm here. [25:41] >> She's she's right here. Sorry. [25:45] >> [laughter] [25:47] >> She's been hiding behind my head the [25:48] entire time. [25:49] >> Yes. But, I'm looking forward to [25:51] reporting to you updates throughout the [25:53] week and I hope that you all do not [25:56] hesitate in continuing to spread the [25:58] truth. [26:00] >> Definitely. So, we're very excited to [26:03] have Ashley join our team and we're [26:05] happy that you guys back at home [26:07] appreciate her knowledge and reporting [26:09] and her British accent. [26:11] >> Perfect accent. [26:12] >> I'm sure that she's pronouncing American [26:14] words way better than I do. [26:17] >> I would like to say that my accent is [26:19] real. I am from Manchester in England [26:21] and this is my real accent. [26:24] >> Yeah, yeah, right. Also, my accent is [26:26] real. I am here from Jerusalem. [26:30] >> [laughter] [26:31] >> Thanks. Thanks, Ashley. Thanks, Matti. [26:33] We'll see you again later on. [26:35] >> Thank you. [26:38] >> Okay, and thank you for joining us. If [26:40] you like to receive the updates every [26:42] single day, go to TBN Israel YouTube [26:45] channel, which is here. Hit the [26:46] subscribe button. Also, check if you are [26:48] subscribed or not. You can leave us a [26:49] super thank you and you can donate on [26:53] the donate button on YouTube or [26:55] of course go to [26:57] www.tvn.org/rebuildisrael [27:01] help us plant trees in the north. [27:03] This is the best thing that you can do [27:04] in order to help us continue and share [27:06] the truth and show the terrorists that [27:09] we're not going anywhere, okay? We're [27:11] here to stay and we are investing in the [27:13] future. So, let's continue with the [27:15] news. Across at least seven American [27:17] states [27:19] water utilities have reported cyber [27:22] intrusions that altered passwords, [27:25] network settings, and automated [27:27] controls. [27:29] Some facilities lost pressure or [27:31] experienced flooding while operators [27:34] shifted parts of their systems to manual [27:36] control. American authorities have not [27:39] publicly assigned final responsibility, [27:41] but Iranian-linked activity [27:44] is one of the main possibilities under [27:46] investigation. [27:48] Why would a war centered on Iran, [27:50] Israel, and the Strait of Hormuz [27:52] suddenly reach water pumps inside the [27:55] United States? [27:57] Because Tehran's military doctrine does [27:59] not separate missiles, militias, [28:02] shipping, energy, and also cyber [28:04] operations [28:05] into different wars. [28:07] They are different pressure points [28:09] inside the same campaign. Modern water [28:11] plants rely on industrial controllers [28:15] that open valves, regulate the pressure, [28:18] measure the chemicals, and activate [28:20] pumps. These controllers are often [28:22] called PLCs. [28:24] If an attacker changes their [28:26] instructions, the physical system can [28:29] malfunction even when the computer [28:31] screen appears normal. [28:34] Iranian-linked hackers have targeted [28:36] this type of equipment before. [28:39] In 2023, [28:40] a group connected to the Revolutionary [28:42] Guards attacked American water [28:44] facilities using Israeli-made [28:46] controllers. [28:48] At one Pennsylvania facilities, [28:50] employees had to operate the system [28:52] manually after the automatic pressure [28:55] controls were disrupted. [28:57] Israel had experienced an earlier [28:59] warning in 2020. [29:01] Iranian attackers penetrated systems [29:03] connected to water and to sewage [29:05] facilities. [29:07] One reported objective was to alter [29:09] chlorine levels or to force the pumps to [29:12] shut down when sensors detect a [29:14] dangerous chemical imbalance. [29:18] This matters far beyond computers. [29:21] Water is one of the most exposed [29:23] strategic resource in the Middle East. [29:25] Desalination supplies roughly 42% of the [29:28] water that is used in the United Arab [29:30] Emirates, around 70% in Saudi Arabia, [29:34] 86% in Oman, and approximately 90% in [29:37] Kuwait. [29:39] A missile, drone, or cyber attack [29:41] against one large desalination plant can [29:44] therefore create pressure without [29:45] destroying an army. It can interrupt the [29:48] electricity, damage the pumps, force [29:51] evacuations, and produce immediate fear [29:54] amongst the civilians. [29:55] So, that logic also appears in the [29:57] secret plan that Iran prepared during [29:59] the ceasefire. [30:01] Senior Revolutionary Guard commanders [30:03] used the pause to coordinate with [30:05] Hezbollah, with the Houthis, and also [30:07] with the Shia militias in Iraq. [30:09] The purpose was not simply to answer one [30:12] American strike. [30:13] It was to make every new American [30:16] operation [30:17] more expensive across the region. [30:20] The system is deliberately flexible. The [30:23] Quds Force supplies strategic direction, [30:25] advisers, intelligence, and also [30:27] weapons. [30:28] The organizations on the ground can then [30:30] choose the time, the route, and the [30:32] method of the attack. [30:34] That structure gives Tehran room to deny [30:36] direct control while its advisers still [30:39] observe the consequences. [30:42] We have already seen parts of the plan. [30:45] Drones struck or threatened Saudi energy [30:47] facilities. Gas vessels burned near an [30:51] Egyptian port close to the Suez Canal. [30:54] Missiles were launched towards a base in [30:56] Jordan used by American forces. [30:58] The Houthis declared a maritime campaign [31:01] against Saudi shipping. [31:03] Iran also tightened its influence inside [31:06] Hezbollah. Revolutionary Guards [31:07] commanders were reportedly placed [31:09] directly inside the organization's [31:11] leadership structure after Israeli [31:14] operations removed experienced Hezbollah [31:16] commanders. [31:18] The damage weakened Hezbollah, but it [31:20] also created space for Tehran to [31:22] supervise the rebuilding process more [31:24] closely. [31:25] The American response was combined air [31:28] strikes with a naval blockade. The [31:30] Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group remains a [31:33] central platform in the Arabian Sea. Its [31:36] aircraft include F-35C stealth fighters, [31:39] F/A-18 strike aircraft, EA-18G [31:43] electronic warfare jets, [31:45] E-2D command and control planes. Each [31:48] aircraft has a different role. [31:51] The F-35C can penetrate defended [31:54] airspaces. [31:55] The EA-18G can jam the radar and the [31:58] communications. [32:00] The E-2D builds the airborne picture [32:03] that allows ships and aircraft to [32:05] operate as one network. [32:07] American forces have also redirected [32:09] commercial vessels, boarded ships, [32:12] and disabled vessels accused of [32:15] violating the blockade. [32:17] The objective is to restrict Iran's [32:19] access to revenue and also to prevent [32:22] weapons from moving through its ports. [32:25] This is where the Gulf states sharply [32:27] disagree. [32:28] Saudi Arabia and Qatar pushed President [32:31] Trump to delay the planned strike and to [32:33] give negotiations another a [32:36] Their concern is practical. [32:38] A major attack on Iranian energy or [32:40] government infrastructures could trigger [32:42] missiles, drones, sabotage, and cyber [32:45] attacks against the Gulf oil fields, the [32:47] ports, the bases, and the desalination [32:50] plants. [32:51] The United Arab Emirates has argued for [32:53] a harder approach. Officials in Abu [32:56] Dhabi reportedly believe that the [32:58] Revolutionary Guards will not compromise [33:01] unless the United States increases the [33:03] military pressure, secures the Strait of [33:05] Hormuz, and keeps a possible ground [33:07] operation available. [33:09] President Trump placed the Emiratis [33:12] amongst the countries that asked him to [33:13] pause. [33:15] Other accounts described Abu Dhabi as [33:18] pressing for escalation. [33:20] Those positions are not necessarily [33:22] contradictory. [33:23] The Emiratis can support a short [33:25] diplomatic window while demanding a much [33:27] stronger military response if it fails. [33:31] The Gulf capitals are also asking [33:33] Washington for additional missile [33:35] interceptors and firmer defense [33:37] guarantees. [33:38] Their problem is simple. [33:40] They are close enough to Iran to be hit [33:42] quickly, but they cannot control what [33:44] the White House decide decides to do. [33:48] And before we continue, I'm calling on [33:50] all of you to help us by sharing the [33:52] truth. Like this report, share it, hit [33:55] the super thank you button on this live, [33:57] and also hit the subscribe button on TBN [34:00] Israel YouTube channel so that you help [34:02] us reach more people around the world [34:04] and receive daily updates from the [34:05] situation. So, what you see here on [34:07] YouTube is only part of the story. You [34:10] can get a closer to [34:13] the situation first hand and [34:15] behind-the-scene moments, and also [34:17] stories of faith, resilience, and hope [34:19] from Israel by going to [34:21] www.tbn.org/journeys/boots. [34:26] tbn.org/journeys/boots, [34:29] and you can also text the word boots to [34:31] 316-316 [34:33] to receive direct updates from TBN [34:35] Israel from Jerusalem. [34:37] This is It might be Shashani and myself, [34:39] Yael Pinto, but we're reporting what [34:41] we're seeing and feeling [34:43] on the ground here. [34:45] And calling you to pray for the [34:46] situation. Now, look at the negotiations [34:49] itself. [34:51] President Trump says that the talks with [34:53] Iran are beginning on the afternoon of [34:56] August 3rd. He describes two separate [34:58] agreements. One covering the Strait of [35:00] Hormuz and a larger agreement covering [35:03] what he calls the denuclearization, [35:07] like anti-nuclear, of Iran. So, that [35:10] distinction is very critical. A maritime [35:13] agreement can be negotiated through [35:15] routes, inspections, communications, and [35:17] also security procedures. A nuclear [35:20] agreement must address the uranium [35:21] stockpiles, the centrifuges, the [35:23] inspectors, the underground facilities, [35:26] and the consequences of violation. [35:29] Iran says that its talks with Oman over [35:31] Hormuz are in their final stage. The [35:34] proposals include a new navigation [35:36] mechanism and a regional maritime [35:39] security framework funded partially by [35:41] the Gulf governments, the shipping [35:43] companies, and also the energy industry. [35:46] Iran has demanded authority over parts [35:49] of the shipping lanes and has discussed [35:51] collecting passage fees. The United [35:54] States rejects any arrangement that [35:56] turns an international waterway into a [35:58] Revolutionary Guard toll station. [36:01] Iranian officials are also using careful [36:03] language. They say that negotiations [36:05] over a route do not mean that the strait [36:08] is open. [36:09] Military sources insist that ship will [36:11] continue to follow directed route and [36:13] receive approval from the Revolutionary [36:16] Guard's Navy while American hostile [36:18] actions continue. [36:20] So, Trump says that there is an [36:21] agreement. Iranian officials say that [36:24] there is no agreement. Oman says that [36:26] progress is real and the markets are [36:28] already pricing a breakthrough that has [36:30] not yet even been signed. [36:32] So, there is another possible trade. A [36:35] temporary ceasefire could include [36:37] reopening negotiations and lifting the [36:39] American blockade from the Iranian [36:41] ports. [36:42] Iran is also seeking relief for its oil [36:44] exports, and President Masoud Pezeshkian [36:47] has demanded that Washington return to [36:49] the memorandum that was signed in June. [36:52] He says that Iran's Supreme National [36:54] Security Council supports forcing States [36:56] to honor its commitments. [36:59] The nuclear file is far more dangerous [37:01] because inspectors still cannot verify [37:04] the complete status of Iran's enriched [37:06] uranium. [37:07] Before the strikes, Iran held [37:09] approximately 140.9 [37:12] kg of uranium enriched to 60%. [37:16] A significant share, possibly around [37:18] half. [37:20] This is what believes to remain inside [37:22] the underground complex near Isfahan. [37:25] The tunnel entrances were buried, [37:28] blocked, and reportedly mined. Satellite [37:31] analysis has not shown a larger [37:33] excavation operation with bulldozers. [37:36] That means that there is no public proof [37:38] that Iran is currently removing the [37:40] stockpile at a maximum speed. [37:43] The concern is that a narrow access may [37:45] still exist. [37:47] Removing the material will not resemble [37:49] carrying boxes from a warehouse. The [37:51] uranium is stored as uranium [37:54] hexafluoride gas in specialized [37:57] cylinders. A recovery operation would [38:00] require excavation equipment, radiation [38:03] specialists, engineers, security forces, [38:06] transport vehicles, and protected [38:09] airspace. [38:10] An outside force attempting to seize it [38:13] would need to hold the site deep inside [38:15] Iran while clearing tunnels and moving [38:18] radioactive cargo. [38:20] That's why descriptions of a small [38:22] commander raid are misleading. It could [38:25] become a large ground operation with a [38:27] temporary military base built around the [38:29] excavation area. [38:31] Iran knows this. Blocking and also [38:33] mining the entrances increases the time [38:36] that any outside force would need to [38:39] remain exposed. It also gives Tehran [38:41] another argument. The material exists, [38:44] but access is too dangerous for [38:46] inspectors or for foreign troops. [38:49] The loss of Iran's uranium metal [38:51] conversion facility has delayed the [38:55] final steps that is required for a [38:56] weapon. It has not removed the [38:58] stockpile, the scientific knowledge, or [39:01] the political decision that could [39:02] restart the program. [39:04] Oil markets reacted before diplomats [39:06] completed the first meeting. United [39:09] States crude fell by 5% to roughly [39:11] $80.79 [39:13] per barrel. Brent crude dropped [39:15] approximately to $83.87. [39:19] Those prices do not prove that peace is [39:22] coming. They show that traders believe [39:25] that the immediate risk of a strike on [39:27] energy facilities had decreased. [39:31] OPEC plus also approved an increase of [39:33] approximately 188,000 [39:35] barrels per day. [39:37] That provides a limited [39:40] caution, but it cannot replace the [39:42] normal traffic throughout the Strait of [39:44] Hormuz. [39:46] If the strait is closed again, [39:49] away from the negotiating table, Iraq is [39:51] becoming the next pressure point. [39:54] Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and also [39:56] Kuwait have warned Baghdad that attacks [39:58] launched by Iran and the back Iranian [40:01] back militias from Iraq could bring [40:03] direct retaliation. [40:05] Syrian forces detected militia movements [40:08] near the border and warned that any [40:10] cross-border attack would be answered. [40:14] The Al Qaim and Al Bukamal corridor [40:17] remains strategically important. It [40:19] connects militia areas in Iraq with [40:22] eastern Syria and routes leading towards [40:24] Lebanon. [40:25] A shipment containing dozens of drones [40:27] intended for Hezbollah was recently [40:29] intercepted near the Syrian border. [40:32] American and also Saudi strikes against [40:34] militia sites in Iraq killed around 20 [40:36] fighters including reportedly Iranian [40:38] advisers. [40:40] Baghdad condemned the attacks on its [40:42] territory. [40:43] But neighboring governments are losing [40:45] patience with armed groups that operate [40:47] outside the state's full control. [40:50] Lebanese officials have also urged [40:52] Hezbollah not to re-enter a large [40:55] regional war. [40:56] Israel has made [music] clear that [40:57] renewed Hezbollah involvement could [40:59] bring much wider strikes across Lebanon. [41:02] And a new round of Israeli-Lebanese [41:03] discussions is scheduled for August 4th. [41:07] This is something that neither sides [41:09] needs, which is an Iranian proxy attack [41:12] to destroy this channel. [41:14] For Israel, [music] the military picture [41:16] remains uncomfortable. Repeated American [41:19] strike preparations followed by [41:21] last-minute cancellations creates [41:23] readiness costs, aircrafts, [41:26] interceptors, intelligence teams, [41:28] civilian aviation, and emergency teams [41:30] that need to remain at the peak alert [41:32] ready [41:33] indefinitely. [41:35] This is expensive. [41:37] Israeli officials therefore want [41:39] clarity. A strike that damages a few [41:42] isolated targets but leave the regime's [41:44] missile, nuclear, and economic systems [41:47] functioning may not justify the regional [41:50] retaliation [41:51] that it would trigger. So, Trump says [41:54] that he prefers an agreement because he [41:55] does not want people killed. He also [41:58] says that American forces can act [42:00] whenever he chooses and described the [42:03] canceled operation [42:04] as the largest planned attack since [42:06] World War II. [42:08] The contradiction is part of the [42:09] pressure. [42:10] Iran has been [42:12] offered a way out or been shown that the [42:16] forced position [42:18] is just outside the door. [42:21] So, the coming negotiations will test [42:22] whether Iran's diplomats can deliver [42:24] free navigation, verifiable nuclear [42:27] limits, and restraint from the [42:29] Revolutionary Guards. Because one [42:31] missile from Iraq, one cyber attack on [42:34] the water plant, or one attempt to move [42:37] uranium at Isfahan could return the [42:40] entire region to the edge. Will August [42:43] 3rd become the beginning of an [42:45] enforceable agreement or the date both [42:48] sides used to prepare for the next [42:50] round? [42:51] Let me know what you think about this in [42:52] the comments. [42:54] And keep spreading the truth. [42:55] Hit the subscribe button on TBN Israel [42:57] YouTube channel. [42:59] Make sure to [43:00] share this video with as many people as [43:02] possible. [43:04] Look us up on our social media accounts, [43:05] the A of I n t o m a t i s h a n i, and [43:07] pray for the situation. [43:09] God is listening. [43:11] Pray that his will will be done. Pray [43:12] for wisdom wisdom to our leaders, for [43:15] protection for our soldiers, and for the [43:17] peace of Jerusalem, this tiny city right [43:20] here behind me. [43:23] And see you here, maybe, very soon.
