OVERNIGHT ISRAEL: Iran Rejects U.S. Deal, Goes Fully Nuclear, Will Israel Strike?

Iran Rejects Deal, Raising Fears of Israeli Strike

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has firmly rejected a proposed U.S. deal that would halt Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. Calling the agreement an attack on Iran’s sovereignty, Khamenei declared, “Who are you to tell us if we need nukes or not?” This ends months of diplomatic negotiations.

Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. Iranian leaders have long called for the destruction of the Jewish state, prompting fears that Israel may now prepare a pre-emptive strike. Reports last week suggested Israel was ready to bomb Iranian nuclear sites within seven hours but held back due to ongoing talks. With diplomacy now dead, military action may be imminent.

If Israel proceeds, it would likely target Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Natanz and Fordow, as well as strategic infrastructure like oil fields, the Bandar Abbas port, and power plants. Iran, in turn, could mobilize proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Syria, and Houthi rebels in Yemen, escalating the conflict across the region.

Iran’s nuclear ambitions date back to the 1950s, intensified after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and were temporarily curbed by a 2015 international agreement. Since the U.S. exited that deal in 2018, Iran has ramped up uranium enrichment to 60%—just shy of weapons-grade.

Israel has previously struck nuclear targets in Iraq (1981) and Syria (2007), reinforcing its willingness to act alone. A full-scale confrontation now could cause oil prices to spike and destabilize Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Watch for military movements and Tehran’s next steps.

Religious Parties Threaten Netanyahu's Coalition

Ultra-Orthodox leaders have urged their political party, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), to exit Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government over a failure to pass legislation allowing yeshiva students to skip military service. Senior rabbis Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Dov Lando issued the directive after a tense meeting with government official Yuli Edelstein.

One influential figure, Mordechai Blau, condemned Netanyahu’s party: “Do they want to ruin the country?” Meanwhile, centrist and opposition parties—including Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, and Labor—are pushing for a vote to dissolve the government and call new elections.

UTJ controls seven seats in the 120-member Knesset. While that’s not enough to topple the coalition alone, if another religious party like Shas joins the exit, Netanyahu’s fragile 68-seat majority could collapse.

The draft exemption dispute is a long-standing point of contention in Israeli politics. Most Israelis support mandatory military service for all, while religious parties seek continued exemptions for Torah study. Similar disputes have toppled past governments, including in 2018. With war underway, the debate is more charged than ever. Watch for shifts in Shas’ position and the outcome of the scheduled parliamentary vote.

Hostage Families Ask Court to Halt Gaza Offensive

Families of the 58 remaining hostages in Gaza have petitioned Israel’s High Court to reconsider the military campaign, arguing that continued airstrikes endanger their loved ones. It’s the first legal action from these families.

Citing harrowing testimonies from released hostages, the petition claims the government is prioritizing military objectives over human lives. "It’s all politics, and the hostages are paying the price,” said Ruhama Buchbut, whose son Elkana remains captive.

This legal move follows a meeting with Trump administration officials at the White House, where families sought U.S. support to renew stalled negotiations with Hamas.

The hostages were taken on October 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led assault. Some have since been released, but 58 remain. The ongoing war has hampered hostage deal prospects. The High Court, which has previously ruled on military practices including a 1999 ban on torture, could now influence Israel’s combat strategy. Monitor both court developments and any movement in talks with Hamas.

Netanyahu Grilled in Court Over Lavish Gifts

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to court for a second day of testimony in "Case 1000," where he is accused of accepting luxury gifts—cigars and champagne—from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in exchange for political favors.

Netanyahu defended the gifts, saying Milchan had sent him cigars since 1999 and also gifted champagne to his wife Sara during meetings in Israel and Paris. Prosecutor Jonathan Tadmor challenged Netanyahu’s claim that he was politically irrelevant in 2007, citing a poll showing him as a top contender for prime minister.

The trial, expected to last a year, adds pressure to Netanyahu’s embattled leadership as he juggles a fragile coalition and multiple security crises. Case 1000 is one of three corruption probes against him, all alleging abuse of office. With public trust eroding, the legal proceedings could further destabilize Israel’s political landscape.

IDF Strikes Syria, Hezbollah Accuses Kidnapping

Israel’s air force launched strikes on weapons depots in southern Syria following two rockets fired toward the Golan Heights. The IDF blamed the Assad regime and warned of future retaliation if attacks persist. Syrian officials called the strikes deadly and accused Israel of deliberate escalation.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed that Israeli naval forces abducted a Lebanese fisherman after four Israeli vessels allegedly crossed into Lebanese waters. The incident occurred shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem in Beirut.

The rocket attacks are believed to be from rebels unaffiliated with the Syrian government, highlighting ongoing instability. Israel’s response underscores its readiness to retaliate regardless of who’s responsible. The alleged abduction could inflame tensions with Hezbollah, a key Iranian ally active along Israel’s northern border.

As Iran continues to back both Hezbollah and Syrian militias, the risk of multi-front escalation remains high. Keep an eye on regional military actions and any official responses from Lebanon or Syria.

CATCH YOU NEXT TIME :)