Transcript [00:00] Iran continues to enrich uranium in [00:02] centrifuges at the mountain of the [00:04] peacocks. [00:06] The Revolutionary Guards want an atomic [00:09] bomb and Israel has not yet said its [00:12] final word against the Islamic Republic. [00:15] A gas tanker was attacked in Egypt by [00:18] Iranian drones. [00:20] Iran's militias have awakened. [00:23] And the United States and also Saudi [00:25] Arabia have sent a clear message. [00:28] Trump is threatening to blow the [00:30] Iranians to pieces. [00:33] Approximately 20 Revolutionary Guards [00:35] personnel were eliminated in Iraq. [00:38] Israel is preparing to respond to the [00:40] violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon [00:43] and the Saudi defense minister met with [00:46] Vance in Washington. [00:49] Since last Friday, relative calm has [00:51] been maintained in the Middle East, but [00:54] a series of incidents and provocations [00:57] could ignite the region once again. [01:00] Now, the United States is preparing for [01:02] a significant response against Iran. [01:05] The largest so far, according to [01:08] officials. [01:10] And the pro-Iranian Shiite militias [01:12] carried out 30 attacks within 72 hours. [01:15] So, [01:16] what is behind the Iranian attack on [01:19] Saudi Arabia? [01:21] And while the battle over Hormuz [01:24] continues, Iran is trying to shape the [01:27] post-war Middle East. [01:29] The Houthi terrorist organization in [01:32] Yemen is following its footsteps. And [01:34] today, we will bring you the dramatic [01:37] Houthi move that could shake the [01:39] maritime trade. [01:41] I'm Amir Pinto. Mati Shoshani is still [01:44] not with me today, but we have Ashley [01:45] Alex and we're boots on the ground [01:48] bringing you the full truth about what's [01:49] happening in Israel, as well as the full [01:51] truth about what's happening in our [01:53] neighborhood, the Middle East. [01:55] Today is July 30th, so let's begin. [01:58] The struggle surrounding the Strait of [02:00] Hormuz [02:01] is not only about freedom of navigation. [02:04] Tehran is trying to turn its military [02:05] achievements into permanent diplomatic [02:08] standing, while the United States and [02:10] the Gulf states are seeking to prevent [02:12] it from controlling one of the world's [02:14] most important energy arteries. [02:17] After a period of relative calm, the [02:20] pro-Iranian Shiite militias in Iraq [02:22] increased their activity. [02:24] Drone launches towards Israel and [02:26] Jordan, and also attacks against targets [02:29] in Saudi Arabia. [02:30] And at the same time, Iran lost [02:32] approximately 20 advisers in the single [02:35] night in a dramatic attack that was [02:37] carried out by the United States and [02:39] Saudi Arabia on the night between [02:41] Tuesday and Wednesday. [02:44] According to reports, the attacks in [02:46] Iraq resulted in the elimination of [02:48] approximately 20 Iranian advisers. [02:51] The sites that were attacked were [02:52] deliberately selected because they [02:55] served as centers of activity for the [02:57] Iranian advisers and the pro-Iranian [02:59] militias. [03:01] And at the same time, the attacks were [03:02] intended to disrupt the militias' [03:04] abilities to launch missiles and drones [03:07] towards the American forces, Israel, [03:09] Jordan, and also Saudi Arabia. [03:12] In addition, the United States military [03:14] diverted 20 commercial vessels, disabled [03:17] two more, and boarded two others as part [03:20] of the enforcement operations connected [03:23] to the blockade on Iran. This is [03:25] according to the United States Central [03:27] Command. [03:29] The militias in Iraq see themselves as [03:31] Iran's forward line of defense. [03:34] If the United States launches a ground [03:36] invasion, they may attempt to cross the [03:38] border and fight alongside the [03:40] Revolutionary Guards. Therefore, the [03:43] operation carried out tonight by the [03:45] United States and by Saudi Arabia is a [03:47] clear signal to Tehran. [03:50] The game has changed. [03:52] Within only 72 hours, the pro-Iranian [03:55] Shiite militias launched approximately [03:57] 30 attacks from Iraq towards Saudi [04:00] territory. [04:01] The severe escalation led to a combined [04:04] military response [04:05] by Saudi and the United States. [04:09] Whose targets were mainly bases [04:10] belonging to the Popular Mobilization [04:13] Forces, one of the most powerful [04:15] frameworks of the Shiite militias in [04:17] Iraq. [04:19] Iran is signaling to the United States [04:21] and Saudi Arabia that any increase in [04:23] pressure surrounding the Strait of [04:25] Hormuz will cause oil prices to surge [04:28] and place heavy political pressure on [04:30] the American administration. [04:33] This is why in recent days the Iraqi [04:35] militias and the Houthis have attacked [04:37] Saudi oil facilities in Yanbu and Jizan [04:41] alongside attacks on oil tankers at sea. [04:45] Tehran also wanted to signal that it [04:48] views Saudi Arabia's position to the [04:50] Iranian control over the shipping lanes [04:52] in Hormuz with great severity. [04:55] And that it is this dissatisfied with [04:58] the kingdom's military moves against the [04:59] Houthis in Yemen, especially the latest [05:02] attacks on the airport in Sana. [05:06] And Iran also attacked in Egypt. [05:08] An explosion was reported at the port of [05:11] Damietta following an attack by the [05:14] Iranian drones. [05:15] The explosion occurred during the [05:18] unloading of a gas shipment in the [05:20] Mediterranean port city. [05:22] Local authorities said that the [05:23] situation was under control and that the [05:26] vessels involved in the incident had [05:28] been safely moved outside the port area. [05:31] And according to additional reports, the [05:33] tanker that was attacked is [05:35] American-owned. [05:37] By noon, President Donald Trump had [05:40] already threatened Iran with a harsh [05:41] response. [05:43] He issued another threat towards Tehran [05:44] following the unusual attack against the [05:46] American tanker in Egypt, continuing the [05:49] aggressive approach of recent weeks, [05:52] the strikes against Iran, which resumed [05:54] targeting the regime over the past [05:57] month, will continue if Iran continues [06:00] to set the region ablaze. [06:03] So, preparations for escalations [06:05] are also underway here in Israel. And [06:08] the IDF, which are looking towards Iran [06:11] and Lebanon [06:12] with suspicious eyes. [06:15] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met [06:17] this evening with American Secretary of [06:19] Defense Pete Hegseth, [06:21] one day after his meeting with President [06:22] Trump. [06:24] According to the sources, Saudi Arabia [06:26] believes that Iran will attempt to [06:28] create leverage for itself through [06:30] escalation and will continue using the [06:33] pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and the [06:36] Houthis in Yemen. [06:38] The Saudi response against the Houthis [06:40] and the Iraqi militias was intended to [06:42] make it clear that attacking civilian [06:44] infrastructure is a red line that will [06:46] not go unanswered, even if the kingdom [06:49] is still seeking to reduce the tensions. [06:52] But Iran is not the only place where [06:53] things are heating up. [06:55] In Lebanon, an IDF engineering vehicle [06:58] was struck last night by a Hezbollah [07:00] explosive drone in the Ali Taher Ridge [07:03] south in southern Lebanon and during a [07:05] patrol by the forces in that area. [07:08] This was a violation of the ceasefire. [07:10] There are no casualties, but the IDF [07:13] wants to respond to the launch of the [07:14] explosive drone and is marking the [07:17] tunnels in the Ali Taher Ridge as a [07:19] possible target. [07:21] In the Ali Taher Ridge area, let us [07:24] remember that dozens of terrorists from [07:26] the Hezbollah terrorist organization [07:28] have been traded for a long time. [07:31] They've been trapped underneath this [07:34] mountainous area in tunnels. So, blowing [07:37] up the tunnels in this area could be a [07:39] significant step and perhaps even the [07:42] opening point for a return to fighting [07:44] in Lebanon. [07:45] The IDF is now waiting a decision from [07:47] the political leadership, and also Prime [07:49] Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding [07:52] how to act in Lebanon. And in the [07:54] meantime, in the maritime arena, the [07:56] Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen [07:59] is considering a new move, [08:01] charging fees to commercial vessels that [08:03] are passing through the Bab el-Mandeb [08:05] Strait, one of the main shipping routes [08:07] that is connecting the Red Sea to the [08:09] Gulf of Aden. [08:11] The move comes after the Houthis [08:13] declared a naval blockade against Saudi [08:15] Arabia, and it could turn Iran's [08:17] maritime terrorism into a permanent [08:20] economic tool. [08:21] All the details coming up. And today, if [08:25] you stay with us until the end, we will [08:27] bring you the story of the successor to [08:31] Fordow, [08:32] the secret facility at the mountain of [08:35] the pickaxe that is deeply concerning [08:37] the Israeli intelligence agencies. [08:40] While the world focused on Fordow and [08:42] Natanz, Iran built a deeper and more [08:45] fortified underground facility south of [08:47] Natanz, and according to the [08:49] assessments, the facility may contain [08:51] thousands of centrifuges and a stockpile [08:54] of enriched uranium. [08:56] IAEA inspectors have never visited it. [08:59] So, stay with us. We have a lot ahead of [09:02] us. Let's dive into the details. I'm [09:04] Amir Pinto, and with me today is Ashley [09:07] Alex, [09:09] and we're boots on the ground. We are [09:11] here to give you all the truth about [09:12] what's happening in this region, in this [09:15] war against the Revolutionary Guards of [09:16] Iran, [09:17] and we call on you to pray for the [09:20] situation and for the peace of [09:21] Jerusalem. And 1 second before we begin, [09:24] I also want to call on you to help us [09:25] share the truth. So, you can do that by [09:27] hitting the subscribe button on YouTube. [09:30] It's here. And also by uh sharing this [09:34] video, clicking the like, and leaving us [09:37] a comment. [09:38] Okay, you can also look us up on our [09:39] social media accounts, Yair Pinto and [09:41] also Matti Shoshani on social media. You [09:44] can see in the description everything [09:47] that you need to know to find us. And [09:49] during this ongoing conflict, [09:53] Magen David Adom is as life-saving first [09:56] responders [09:58] have been at the forefront [10:00] providing critical emergency medical [10:02] services under unprecedented [10:06] conditions. [10:07] On October 7, 2023, [10:09] as hostilities escalated, [10:12] Magen David Adom mobilized over 10,000 [10:15] first responders who bravely [10:17] administered life-saving care amidst [10:22] many, many circumstances [10:24] under fire and not. And in response to [10:27] these challenges, Magen David Adom [10:30] launched the Magen Teams project [10:32] training thousands of community members, [10:35] municipal workers, and security [10:37] personnel to deliver immediate medical [10:40] assistance in their own communities. [10:42] This initiative ensures rapid response [10:45] even when professional medical teams [10:47] face delays due to the ongoing threats. [10:51] However, sustaining and expanding such [10:53] vital services requires continuous [10:56] support. So, your contributions enable [10:59] Magen David Adom to equip their teams [11:01] with the tools and the resources that [11:03] they need to respond effectively to [11:06] emergencies all across the country. [11:09] Together, we can make a difference. [11:11] Together, we can save lives in Israel. [11:13] And this is the time to support them [11:15] when the missiles are not falling so [11:17] that they'll be ready when they do start [11:19] falling. [11:20] Okay? So, if you want to help save lives [11:23] in Israel, go to savelifeisrael.com. [11:26] Again, that's savelifeisrael.com [11:29] and support Magen David Adom in this [11:31] country, [11:32] they're doing great job. [11:35] The first point to understand is that [11:36] the Iranian missile launched towards [11:38] Jordan was not an isolated exchange. It [11:41] was the opening move in a [11:43] connected sequence that reached Iraq, [11:47] Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and the [11:49] two most important shipping corridors in [11:52] the Middle East. [11:53] Five ballistic missiles were launched [11:55] towards the Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in [11:57] Jordan, where American forces are [12:00] operating. [12:01] Jordanian and also American defenses [12:03] intercepted all five. [12:05] No casualties were reported. Iran said [12:07] that the strikes were based on [12:09] intelligence concerning the recent [12:11] deployment of A-10 attack aircraft and [12:14] F-15 fighters at the base. [12:17] That explanation matters. Tehran was not [12:20] merely claiming retaliation. It was [12:22] telling Washington that American [12:24] aircraft movements are being watched, [12:26] mapped, and placed inside an Iranian [12:29] target bank. [12:31] The response followed within hours. [12:33] American and also Saudi aircraft struck [12:36] militia logistics and also weapons [12:38] depots in eastern Iraq. [12:41] The targets were selected to disrupt the [12:44] network that had launched more than 30 [12:46] drone attacks during the previous 72 [12:49] hours against the American forces and [12:51] against Saudi energy infrastructure. [12:56] The [12:57] casualty picture remains disputed. The [13:00] Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces [13:02] reported at least 20 figures, 20 [13:05] fighters that were killed and 32 [13:07] wounded. [13:09] Other accounts said that Iranian [13:10] advisers and also technical specialists [13:13] were present at the targeted compounds. [13:16] One update count identified six Iranian [13:19] advisers amongst the dead, while [13:22] separate regional reports placed the [13:23] Iranian toll much higher. [13:26] What is clear is that the sites were [13:28] chosen because Iranian personnel were [13:31] helping the militias operate missiles, [13:33] drones, communications, and weapon [13:35] storage. [13:37] This was also a major Saudi decision. [13:40] Riyadh has spent years trying to limit [13:42] direct confrontation with Iran. [13:45] This time, Saudi aircraft joined the [13:47] operation and the kingdom publicly [13:49] acknowledged its role. [13:52] The message was precise. Attacks on oil [13:54] facilities, ports, and civilian [13:57] infrastructure will no longer be treated [13:59] as [14:00] someone else's problem. [14:02] Iran's Iraqi network had already tested [14:04] that boundary. [14:06] Drone attacks were directed towards [14:08] Saudi oil facilities in Yanbu and Jizan. [14:11] While additional strikes and maritime [14:13] incidents increased the pressure on the [14:15] energy traffic. [14:17] Tehran wanted to demonstrate that any [14:19] effort to weaken its control [14:22] around the Strait of Hormuz could [14:24] produce a political cost through higher [14:26] fuel prices and also damaged [14:28] infrastructure. [14:30] The Iraqi government is caught in the [14:32] middle. [14:33] Washington has demanded action against [14:35] armed groups operating from Iraqi [14:37] territory. Tehran is demanding the [14:39] opposite. [14:40] A planned visit by Iraq's Prime Minister [14:43] to Saudi Arabia was canceled as the [14:45] crisis intensified, exposing how militia [14:48] activity can disrupt not only the [14:50] security but also the diplomacy and the [14:53] trade. [14:54] There are six major Shiite militia [14:56] formations at the center of the Iraqi [14:59] struggle. [15:00] Three have reportedly shown some [15:02] willingness to discuss disarmament. [15:05] Three others remain closely connected to [15:07] Tehran [15:08] and have continued operating under the [15:10] Iranian direction. [15:12] The deadline at the end of September [15:15] when American forces are expected to [15:17] complete another phase of withdrawal and [15:19] the militias are supposed to lay down [15:21] their weapons, now looks increasingly [15:24] unrealistic. [15:25] For Iran, [15:26] these groups are more than just proxies. [15:29] They are the defensive belt around [15:32] Iran's borders. [15:34] Militia leaders have indicated that if [15:37] the United States launches a ground [15:39] operation inside Iran, fighters from [15:41] Iraq could cross the border and [15:44] reinforce the Revolutionary Guards. [15:46] And that gives Tehran an additional [15:48] manpower pool. [15:51] But it also gives Washington and it [15:52] prepares targets that can be struck [15:55] within without immediately entering the [15:57] Iranian airspace. [15:59] This is why the overnight operation [16:01] should be read as a warning before a [16:03] larger decision. [16:05] President Trump said that the United [16:07] States would strike Iran very hard and [16:09] added that Tehran knows a response is [16:12] coming. [16:13] And at the same time, he left diplomatic [16:15] talks open. That combination is [16:18] deliberate. The administration wants [16:20] Iran to negotiate while believing that [16:22] another military blow is possible at any [16:24] moment. [16:26] American naval pressure is continuing as [16:28] well. United States Central Command says [16:30] that its forces have already turned back [16:33] 20 commercial vessels, disabled two [16:36] others, and boarded two more while [16:38] enforcing the maritime blockade. [16:41] That's not a symbolic patrol. [16:44] That is sustained operation designed to [16:46] restrict Iranian movement, inspect [16:49] suspicious traffic, and demonstrate that [16:51] Washington can impose costs at sea [16:53] without immediately launching another [16:55] bombing campaign. [16:58] The military debate inside the United [16:59] States now concerns [17:02] the scale of the attack because one [17:04] account says that the head of the [17:05] Central Command advises that the [17:08] existing strike pattern around Hormuz [17:10] had reached the limit of its usefulness [17:13] unless Washington was prepared to return [17:15] with a broader operation. [17:17] Continuing the limited strikes may [17:19] destroy additional depots and launchers, [17:21] but it may not change Tehran's strategic [17:23] behavior. [17:25] A larger campaign would require a new [17:27] target set, a wider air defense [17:29] suppression effort, and a clear [17:32] political objective. [17:35] Is the goal to punish the Revolutionary [17:36] Guards, reopen the Strait, destroy the [17:39] nuclear fallback, or [17:41] create conditions for a change inside [17:44] Iran? [17:45] Those are different missions, and each [17:48] demands a different level of force. [17:53] So, before we continue, [17:55] I want to call on you to help us. Help [17:56] us share the truth from Israel. [17:59] Like this report, share it, subscribe, [18:01] leave us a [18:02] a super thank you [18:04] a donation on these live on YouTube, and [18:09] the best thing to do is pray for the [18:10] situation. Also, know that what you see [18:13] here on YouTube is just only part of the [18:15] story. You can get a closer, first-hand [18:18] report, behind-the-scene moments, and [18:20] also stories of faith, resilience, and [18:22] hope from Israel [18:24] by going to tbn.org/journeys/boots. [18:28] Again, that's tbn.org/journeys/boots, [18:32] and you can also text the word boots to [18:34] 316316 [18:36] to receive updates from TBN Israel with [18:39] Matti Shoshani and me, Amir Pinto, [18:41] reporting to you [18:43] from the ground, so that you'll see [18:45] what's happening through our eyes and [18:47] not through third-party reports. Okay? [18:52] So, Ashley, the Iranian strategy is no [18:55] longer limited to one American base or [18:58] one group of militias. It's now reaching [19:00] energy facilities, ports, and shipping [19:02] lanes all across the region. [19:04] So, take us through that expanding [19:06] front. [19:07] >> Yeah, [19:08] the clearest example is Saudi Arabia. [19:11] Within 72 hours, the Iranian network [19:14] carried out more than 30 drone attacks [19:16] against American forces and Saudi [19:18] targets. Many were connected to the [19:21] kingdom's energy infrastructure, and the [19:23] campaign was reinforced by Houthi [19:25] pressure from Yemen. [19:27] Tehran is using two directions at once. [19:30] From Iraq, drones can approach Saudi [19:32] territory from the north and northeast. [19:35] From Yemen, the Houthis can threaten the [19:37] kingdom from the south and target [19:39] shipping near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. [19:42] Saudi defenses are therefore being [19:44] forced to watch several approaches while [19:46] protecting oil facilities spread across [19:48] an enormous area. [19:51] This is not simply an attempt to cause [19:53] physical damage. Iran is trying to [19:55] impose a strategic tax on Saudi policy. [19:59] Riyadh opposes exclusive Iranian control [20:02] over navigation through Hormuz. It has [20:05] also struck Houthi military [20:06] infrastructure in Yemen, including the [20:09] airport in Sanaa. [20:11] Tehran's response is the raise to is to [20:14] raise the cost of both positions. The [20:16] attack in Damietta, Egypt, shows how far [20:19] this method may spread. [20:21] A floating gas storage facility under [20:23] American ownership and carrying the flag [20:25] of the Marshall Islands was hit by at [20:27] least one drone while gas cargo was [20:30] being unloaded at the Mediterranean [20:32] port. [20:33] Egyptian authorities said the situation [20:35] was brought under control, and the [20:37] vessels involved were moved safely away [20:39] from the immediate area. [20:41] A floating storage vessel is not simply [20:44] another ship passing through open water. [20:46] It can become a fixed energy node [20:48] connected to port operations, unloading [20:51] schedules, and nearby infrastructure. [20:54] That makes the incident especially [20:56] serious, even if the physical damage [20:59] proves limited. [21:00] The attacker did not need to sink the [21:02] vessel to interrupt activity, raise [21:04] insurance concerns, and force [21:06] authorities to secure the entire port [21:09] zone. [21:10] There is still no public proof that Iran [21:11] carried out that attack, and Tehran has [21:14] not claimed responsibility. [21:16] The suspicion exists because Iranian [21:19] officials had threatened retaliation in [21:21] the region following a Ukrainian strike [21:23] on an Iranian-linked vessel in the [21:25] Caspian Sea. [21:26] But, suspicion is not evidence. At this [21:29] stage, the responsible party, the launch [21:31] point, and the full extent of the damage [21:34] remain under investigation. [21:36] Even without confirmed attribution, [21:38] Damietta is strategically important. [21:42] Egypt is not located on the Persian [21:43] Gulf, and the port sits on the [21:45] Mediterranean. An attack there [21:48] demonstrates how commercial energy [21:50] infrastructure far from Hormuz can still [21:53] become part of the same pressure [21:54] campaign. [21:56] The maritime contest is also changing in [21:58] the Red Sea. [22:00] The Houthis are reportedly studying a [22:01] plan to impose transit fees on [22:04] commercial vessels passing through Bab [22:06] al-Mandab. [22:07] The proposal includes a dedicated [22:09] authority that would supervise payments [22:11] and navigation, with Iranian advisers [22:14] helping establish the mechanism. [22:16] The plan has not yet become an accepted [22:18] international system, and it would have [22:20] no recognized legal authority. [22:23] Still, the idea reveals the objective. [22:26] The Houthis do not want to rely only on [22:28] missiles, drones, and boarding [22:31] operations. They want shipping companies [22:33] to begin treating them as permanent [22:35] gatekeeper. [22:37] The mechanism would also change the [22:38] operational challenge. A missile attack [22:41] is a clear hostile act. A demand for [22:44] registration, payment, or advanced [22:46] coordination creates a gray zone. [22:49] Ship owners may comply quietly to [22:51] protect crews and cargo, even while [22:53] governments reject the arrangement. [22:56] Iran and the Houthis could claim then [22:58] that that commercial behavior has [23:00] already recognized their authority. [23:03] Reports also indicate that Chinese [23:05] vessels could receive an exemption after [23:07] direct contacts intended to guarantee [23:09] safe passage. [23:11] That would create a selective system in [23:13] which friendly countries move freely [23:16] while others pay, reroute, or accept [23:18] greater risk. [23:20] It would also give Tehran and the [23:21] Houthis political leverage over [23:23] governments whose economies depend on [23:26] interrupted shipping. [23:28] Bab al-Mandab becomes even more [23:30] important when Hormuz is unstable. [23:33] Saudi Arabia can move some energy [23:34] exports westward toward the Red Sea, but [23:37] those routes still depend on safe [23:40] passage through the southern gateway. [23:42] Pressure at both straits would force [23:45] companies to take longer routes around [23:47] Africa, increasing time, insurance [23:50] costs, and fuel consumption. [23:53] Oman is trying to prevent exactly that [23:55] outcome. [23:56] Its proposal from Hormuz would create a [23:59] regional framework for navigation, [24:01] search and rescue, environmental [24:03] protection, and voluntary service [24:05] payments. [24:06] The concept is partly inspired by [24:09] cooperative arrangements used around the [24:11] Strait of Malacca. [24:13] Iran has rejected the central balance of [24:15] that proposal. [24:16] Tehran says the pre-war system will not [24:19] return and insists that vessels [24:21] coordinate with Iranian authorities. [24:24] It wants influence over routes and [24:25] security procedures, and it has [24:27] threatened ships connected to countries [24:29] or companies that receive compensation [24:32] from frozen Iranian assets. [24:34] The United States and the Gulf states [24:36] oppose any arrangement that grants Iran [24:39] exclusive authority over an [24:41] international waterway. [24:43] Their concern is larger than the amount [24:46] of any fee. [24:47] Once the world accepts that military [24:49] pressure can produce a permanent right [24:51] to approve passage, the same method may [24:54] be repeated elsewhere. [24:56] That's why the Houthi plan matters. [24:59] It appears to copy the Iranian approach, [25:01] create insecurity, offer selective [25:03] protection, and then demand recognition [25:06] of a new authority. [25:08] The military campaign becomes a tool for [25:10] changing commercial behavior. [25:12] Saudi Arabia is now moving closer to the [25:15] United States because of that pressure. [25:17] Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman [25:20] met Vice President J.D. Vance in [25:22] Washington and carried a personal [25:24] message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin [25:26] Salman. [25:27] The discussion included the joint [25:29] strikes, attacks on Saudi [25:30] infrastructure, and the kingdom's view [25:33] of the continuing war. [25:35] Saudi officials believe Iran will keep [25:37] using militias and the Houthis to create [25:40] leverage while avoiding responsibility [25:42] for every individual attack. [25:45] The Saudi response is designed to warn [25:47] those organizations that civilian [25:49] infrastructure is a red line and that [25:52] participation in Iran's war can bring [25:55] direct consequences. [25:57] Iraq's legal and military structure make [26:00] this difficult. The Popular Mobilization [26:02] Forces are formally connected to the [26:05] Iraqi state, but several component [26:08] militias maintain their own commanders, [26:10] weapons, and relationships with Tehran. [26:14] When those group launch attacks, Baghdad [26:16] faces pressure to control forces that [26:19] are officially inside its security [26:21] system, but do not always follow its [26:23] political direction. [26:26] At the same time, Riyadh is still trying [26:28] to avoid an uncontrolled regional [26:30] conflict. [26:31] That explains the combination of [26:33] military action and diplomacy. [26:35] A Saudi political source says [26:37] normalization with Israel has not been [26:39] removed from consideration. [26:41] The timing depends heavily on the [26:43] Iranian campaign, but the strategic [26:45] logic is becoming clearer. [26:47] Iran's pressure is encouraging a more [26:49] organized regional security partnership. [26:52] A future Saudi civilian nuclear projects [26:54] with the United States is also being [26:56] discussed as a separate track. [26:58] Saudi officials argue that such a [27:00] project does not contradict [27:02] normalization. [27:03] For Israel, the challenge will be [27:05] ensuring strict safeguards while [27:07] building a coalition that can resist [27:09] Iran without creating a new nuclear [27:11] competition. [27:13] The Iranian network is applying pressure [27:15] north of Israel as well. [27:16] In southern Lebanon, an IDF engineering [27:19] vehicle was struck by a Hezbollah [27:21] explosive drone during a patrol near the [27:23] Ali Taher Ridge. [27:25] There were no casualties, but the attack [27:27] violated the ceasefire and created [27:30] immediate pressure for an Israeli [27:32] response. [27:33] The tunnel system in that area is one [27:35] possible target. Dozens of Hezbollah [27:37] terrorists have reportedly remained [27:40] trapped or isolated in underground [27:41] positions around the ridge. Destroying [27:44] those tunnels could remove a direct [27:46] threat, but it could also reopen [27:48] intensive fighting in Lebanon. IDF Chief [27:51] of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir [27:53] visited southern Lebanon and told the [27:56] troops that the campaign across the [27:57] different arenas is not over. [28:00] He said the military is prepared for [28:02] rapid changes and can deepen its [28:04] achievements against Iran if required. [28:07] That statement connects Lebanon to the [28:09] larger confrontation. Hezbollah's [28:11] decision to test the ceasefire may [28:13] affect calculations far beyond one [28:16] ridge. [28:17] For Israel, the response must also be [28:19] calibrated. Ignoring an explosive drone [28:23] invites additional testing. A major [28:25] strike on the tunnel network could [28:27] trigger rockets, drones, and renewed [28:29] ground fighting. [28:31] The decision, therefore, concerns both [28:33] deterrence and timing, especially when [28:36] Israel and the United States are [28:37] preparing for a possible Iranian [28:39] response. [28:41] There is another pressure point on [28:42] Iran's northern border. [28:44] Azerbaijan has banned the activity of [28:46] two Iranian media organizations after [28:49] Iran prohibited an Azerbaijani state [28:51] channel. [28:53] Baku accused the Iranian outlets of [28:54] propaganda against its sovereignty, [28:57] constitutional order, territorial [28:59] integrity, and national security. [29:02] This dispute has a security background. [29:05] During the war, Israeli special units [29:07] were reportedly deployed at several [29:09] sites in southern Azerbaijan, close to [29:11] Iran's northern frontier. [29:13] Some positions were approximately 96 km, [29:16] which is about 60 mi, from Tabriz. [29:20] Reports said the units supported [29:21] intelligence collection and drone [29:23] operations. [29:24] Neither side has publicly publicly [29:26] disclosed that full scope of that [29:28] cooperation, but the geography explains [29:30] Iranian concern. [29:32] Azerbaijan can provide observation and [29:34] access in the northern Iran, while [29:36] Israel offers Baku advanced security and [29:39] technological capabilities. [29:41] The media confrontation is therefore [29:43] another sign of deteriorating trust [29:46] around Iran's borders. [29:48] Iran is now facing pressure in a wide [29:51] arc. American and Saudi strikes in Iraq, [29:54] Israeli readiness in Lebanon, maritime [29:57] enforcement in Hormuz, Houthi activity [30:00] that could trigger a broader response in [30:02] the Red Sea, and worsening relations [30:04] with Azerbaijan. [30:06] Yet, Tehran is still trying to prove [30:08] that it can set the pace. [30:10] That is the contradiction at the center [30:12] of the current crisis. [30:14] Iran has been weakened, but its New York [30:16] his its network remains capable of [30:19] creating many smaller emergencies at the [30:21] same time. [30:22] Each incident may appear limited. [30:25] Together, they force several governments [30:27] to divide attention, aircraft, air [30:29] defense systems, intelligence assets, [30:32] and political energy. [30:34] Yeah, this brings us back to the [30:36] decision being discussed in Washington [30:38] and Jerusalem. [30:39] The proxy network can be struck [30:40] repeatedly, but the nuclear question and [30:43] the fortified complex at Pickaxe [30:45] Mountain may determine whether this [30:47] campaign ends or enters a more dangerous [30:49] state. [30:51] Back to you, Yair. [30:52] >> Thank you very much, Ashley. [30:54] That's exactly where the military and [30:56] the diplomatic track are meeting. [30:59] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's [31:01] discussions in Washington focused mainly [31:04] on Iran. [31:05] Israeli officials described three broad [31:07] options now before President Trump. [31:10] Pressure on new agreement, intensify the [31:12] economic blockade and [31:15] the sanctions as well, or return to a [31:17] larger military campaign. [31:20] The most likely immediate course of [31:22] action appears to be stronger economic [31:24] pressure combined with continued [31:26] attrition and strikes. [31:29] That approach gives Washington time, [31:31] avoids an immediate full-scale [31:34] regional war, [31:35] and increases the stress on an Iranian [31:38] economy already suffering [31:40] from fuel shortages, natural gas [31:43] problems, inflation, and growing public [31:46] frustration. [31:47] But time also gives Iran an opportunity [31:49] to rebuild. [31:51] Israeli assessments present the [31:53] presented during the talks [31:55] that Tehran may still possess between [31:57] 1,500 [31:59] and 1,600 ballistic missiles. [32:02] Its production capacity has been [32:03] damaged. Scientists and military [32:05] personnel have been terminated, and also [32:07] major facilities have been struck. [32:10] The surviving arsenal is nevertheless [32:12] large enough to threaten Israel, also [32:14] American bases, and also the Gulf [32:16] infrastructure. [32:17] The same briefing also rejects rumors [32:19] concerning Mojtaba Khamenei's death and [32:21] stated that he is alive, and a detail [32:25] that matters because his influence [32:28] inside the regime is big. [32:30] So, the nuclear issue is even more [32:32] sensitive because the latest accounts [32:34] are not fully consistent. Israeli [32:36] officials agreed that centrifuges are [32:39] located inside Picacho Mountain. [32:42] One account said that enrichment is [32:44] continuing there. [32:46] Another account from the same political [32:47] environment said that centrifuges [32:50] are present, but active enrichment has [32:52] not been confirmed. [32:54] The responsible conclusion is that the [32:57] equipment is there. The site remains [32:59] outside the effective inspection, and [33:02] the operational status is still [33:03] disputed. [33:05] Picacho Mountain lies roughly 2 km south [33:08] of the Natanz enrichment complex. [33:10] The underground halls are assessed to be [33:13] between 80 and 140 m beneath the [33:15] mountain, making parts of the site [33:17] deeper than Fordow. [33:20] Satellite imagery and also intelligence [33:22] analysts indicate two underground [33:24] projects with three tunnel entrances. [33:28] Excavation began as early as 2007 and [33:32] was clearly visible by 2011. [33:35] Iran sealed one entrance with concrete [33:37] in 2015, [33:39] reopened it in 2019, and then [33:41] accelerated the project after the 2020 [33:44] explosion at the Natanz centrifuge [33:47] assembly plant. [33:48] Expansion has continued since 2022. [33:52] Inspectors from the International Atomic [33:54] Energy Agency have never received full [33:56] access to the tunnels. [33:58] The international community, therefore, [34:00] cannot independently determine how many [34:02] centrifuges are installed, whether they [34:05] are operating, or whether enriched [34:07] uranium has been moved there. [34:09] The distinction is critical. [34:11] Stored centrifuges presents a future [34:14] capability. [34:16] Installed and operating centrifuges [34:18] represent an active enrichment plant. A [34:21] stockpile of enriched uranium inside the [34:23] mountain would create an additional [34:25] challenge because striking the tunnels [34:28] could disperse materials, bury it, or [34:30] make recovery extremely difficult. [34:33] Israel's position remains that it will [34:36] act again if Iran rebuilds either its [34:39] nuclear program or its ballistic missile [34:41] production. [34:43] Reaching the mountain is only one part [34:45] of this mission. [34:47] Aircraft would need to suppress the air [34:49] defenses, identify the underground [34:52] holes, damage the entrances, the power, [34:54] and the ventilation, and continue [34:56] surveillance to prevent rapid repairs. [34:59] A conventional strike can destroy the [35:01] surface infrastructure. Reaching deep [35:04] chambers may require repeated penetrator [35:07] attacks and a broader campaign against [35:10] the command centers and the missile [35:12] forces. [35:13] That's why Peacock's Mountain cannot be [35:15] separated from the debate over whether [35:18] limited American strikes have reached [35:20] the end of their usefulness. [35:23] American and also Israeli forces are [35:25] already sharing intelligence, air [35:27] defense data, operational lessons, and [35:30] weapons developed, and also methods that [35:33] are needed. [35:35] The Iranian threat is pushing that [35:36] cooperation from financial assistance [35:39] towards joint capabilities. [35:41] After meeting Netanyahu, Defense [35:43] Secretary Pete Buttigieg was quoted as [35:45] saying that some countries have the will [35:48] to fight besides the United States, but [35:50] lack the capability, while others have [35:53] capability, but lack the will. In [35:55] Israel, he said, Washington sees both. [35:58] The question now is whether military [36:00] pressure can be converted into a stable [36:03] regional order. [36:05] Saudi normalization remains possible. [36:08] Oman is still trying to protect the [36:10] freedom of navigation. Iraq is being [36:12] pressed to control its militias. [36:14] Azerbaijan is resisting the Iranian [36:16] pressure. Israel is preparing to respond [36:19] to Lebanon and to strike again in Iran. [36:23] Yet, every one of those tracks can be [36:26] disrupted by a single missile that was [36:28] launched, a drone hitting a tanker, or [36:32] evidence that centrifuges inside Picacho [36:35] Mountain have begun operating. [36:37] The region has entered a state in which [36:39] a temporary pause can conceal [36:42] preparations for a much larger [36:44] confrontation. [36:45] Will diplomacy close Iran's remaining [36:47] path to a nuclear weapon, or [36:50] will the next decision be made by [36:52] aircraft that are already preparing for [36:55] another mission? [36:56] What do you think about that? Let me [36:58] know in the comments. Thank you for [36:59] watching this live report. Keep [37:01] spreading the truth. Hit the subscribe [37:03] button. Yeah, that's how you help us. [37:05] Make sure that you're subscribed because [37:07] many of you are watching every day, but [37:09] you're not subscribers yet. [37:11] And check us out on our social media [37:13] accounts, Yaacov Pinto and Mati [37:15] Tuchfeld, Shani, and let's pray for the [37:17] situation. When you pray, please pray [37:20] for wisdom to our leaders. They need it. [37:22] Pray for the service men and women that [37:24] are fighting, [37:25] leaving their families, risking their [37:27] lives. They deserve your prayers, all of [37:29] our prayers. [37:31] Pray for the children to have a future, [37:33] and keep praying for the peace of [37:34] Jerusalem.
