Jacob Jaffa

Jacob Jaffa is the JC's Digital News Editor. His specialist topics include UK and US politics, the far-right and antisemitism in Europe. You can reach him on jjaffa@thejc.com

Latest from Jacob Jaffa

Iran

Trump claims Iranian air defences ‘gone’ as dogfights erupt over Tehran

The US is now openly running bombing raids on the Islamic Republic, having previously used undetectable stealth bombers

1 min read

Smoke rises after a strike on the Iranian capital Tehran, on March 3, 2026 (Getty Images)

Mojtaba Khamenei (C), the son of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, participates in the annual Quds Day rally in Tehran, on May 31, 2019 (Getty Images)

Iran reportedly selects Khamenei’s son as new supreme leader

1 min read

Exterior view of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on October 08, 2025 (Flash90)

Tel Aviv stock exchange closes at record high following outbreak of Iran War

1 min read

US President Trump speaks during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2, 2026 (Getty Images)

Trump claims Iran War ‘ahead of schedule’ but could last four weeks

2 min read

Iran had enough enriched uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs, claims Witkoff

The US special envoy told the media that Iranian negotiators had boasted openly of the Islamic Republic’s atomic capabilities during crunch talks in Geneva

1 min read

March 3, 2026 11:17

US special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner (L) hold a meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi (R) in Geneva amid indirect talks with Iranian officials (Getty Images)

IDF advancing into Lebanon to prevent ‘direct fire’ on Israel

Hezbollah has been launching rocket attacks on northern Israel in retaliation for Israel’s strikes on Iran

1 min read

March 3, 2026 10:53

Israeli soldiers are seen along the border with Lebanon in northern Israel on March 2, 2026 (Flash90)

Ten in hospital after Iranian missile hits Beersheba

The strike follows fatal attacks in Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh after Israel and the US launched a joint operation against the Islamic Republic

1 min read

March 2, 2026 12:05

An Iranian missile hits a residential area in Beersheba, southern Israel on March 2, 2026 (X/TehranObserver)

IDF begins ‘offensive campaign’ in Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket attacks

The terror group’s strikes appeared to spell the end of a ceasefire that has been in place since November 2024

1 min read

March 2, 2026 11:26

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese area of Deir Seryan on March 2, 2026 (Getty Images)

Watch: Israel’s Iron Beam laser defence system intercepts Hezbollah rockets

The IDF has opened an ‘offensive campaign’ in Lebanon following the terror group’s attacks

1 min read

March 2, 2026 10:20

A Hezbollah rocket is intercepted by the Iron Beam laser defence system on March 1, 2026 (X/Visegrad24)

RAF base hit by drone strike in Cyprus

The attack came just hours after the prime minister gave the US permission to launch attacks on Iran from British bases

1 min read

March 2, 2026 09:14

An RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to berth at RAF Akrotiri following a strike mission on January 12, 2024 (Getty Images)

Shin Bet chief denies claims intelligence officers ‘collaborated’ with Hamas to carry out October 7 attacks

The conspiracy theories have found popularity among far-right supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu looking to direct blame away from the Israeli leader

2 min read

February 27, 2026 12:50

Shin Bet director David Zini at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city on August 6, 2025 (Flash90)

Third round of US-Iran talks ends with no deal

Both sides appeared more optimistic after holding indirect meetings in Geneva, with more now scheduled for next week

1 min read

February 27, 2026 12:11

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner (L), hold a meeting with Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi (R), in Geneva on February 26, 2026, amid indirect talks with Iran (Getty Images)

Knesset bill giving Orthodox rabbinate full control over Western Wall passes first reading

Progressive groups reacted angrily to the bill, which could see non-Orthodox worship at the site classified as ‘desecration’, calling it ‘patronising and antisemitic’

2 min read

February 26, 2026 14:46

A Charedi man walks near the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on June 23, 2025 (Getty Images)

Iran and US kick off third round of talks as scrutiny falls on ballistic missile programme

The Islamic Republic has insisted it will not accept limitations on its armaments, but that it is willing to commit to not developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of sanctions

1 min read

February 26, 2026 11:32