JC Israel Briefing Day 621: Trump ‘considering Iran strikes’

He posted “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” online and warned Iran’s Supreme Leader “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding… Our patience is wearing thin.” Vice President Vance defended the policy, saying Trump “may decide he needs to take further action” to stop uranium enrichment.

Israeli jets hammered Tehran’s centrifuge production hub and missile factories in an attack aimed at crippling Iran’s rocket supply lines and air defences. More than 50 warplanes struck deep in the capital and surrounding military zones overnight, hitting a site the IDF called “designed to enable the Iranian regime to expand the scale and speed of its uranium enrichment to develop nuclear weapons.” Other targets made raw materials and parts for missiles “which the Iranian regime has fired and continues to fire toward the State of Israel.”

A senior Israeli commander has been quoted saying that damage to Iran’s missile and drone launchers is now severe enough to sharply reduce the scale of future attacks on Israeli cities. The IDF claimed more than 200 missile sites and at least 70 air defence batteries have been destroyed since the first wave of strikes last Thursday. Intelligence units said fresh satellite passes show most launch pads have been either bombed or abandoned under fear of follow-up raids. Iran has not commented on precise losses.

Meanwhile, Iran has launched at least 25 missiles and three drones at Israel — all intercepted, but falling debris sparked fires and pushed thousands into shelters from the Dead Sea to the Galilee. Medics treated 94 people for shock, cuts and injuries while running for cover. The IDF says Iran’s arms production is “badly damaged” but fresh rocket fire is expected as Tehran threatens revenge for the raids.

Ayatollah Khamenei posted a threat against Israel in Hebrew. He wrote: “We will not be merciful toward the Zionists,” repeating vows already issued in Farsi and English. A Revolutionary Guard spokesman bragged that Iran now has “complete control over the skies” above Israel, despite waves of missile and drone interceptions by the IDF.

Tehran’s military insisted the latest barrages “proved Israeli cities are defenceless” — a claim Israel dismissed as propaganda. State TV showed rallies backing the strikes while security services arrested more suspected Mossad collaborators and urged citizens to report “strangers in masks or sunglasses.”

In Herzliya, there is a huge crater in the bus depot after rocket debris hit the site. This strike yesterday wounded five people across central Israel. Rescue crews said an empty bus terminal took a direct hit, setting parked vehicles ablaze but causing no deaths. Bat Yam municipal teams continued searching rubble from Sunday’s earlier attack that killed eight people; one woman remains missing.

Israel is reportedly pursuing a hidden war aim — to weaken or topple Iran’s leadership. According to Axios, Trump demanded total surrender and signalled envoys may follow. Israeli officials told allies privately the core goal is not just degrading launch sites but forcing cracks inside Iran’s ruling system.

Axios reported the White House assured Gulf partners it would stay out of direct fighting unless Americans are hit. Also yesterday, Donald Trump rejected a ceasefire and repeated calls for unconditional surrender, hinting Vice President Vance or envoy Witkoff may be sent if Tehran resists talks.

Israeli-linked hackers crashed Iran’s Bank Sepah payment system yesterday, froze ATMs and disrupted fuel cards in a deepening cyber offensive. Iranian state media reported cash machines across major cities failed repeatedly while thousands queued for petrol after smart pump cards glitched. The cyber breach reportedly exploited weak internal firewalls. To contain leaks, Iranian ministers were ordered off unsecured phones and laptops. Local ISPs throttled foreign sites for hours after the attack.

Jordan’s King Abdullah said yesterday that Israel’s assault on Iran risks expanding into wider regional chaos if Tehran retaliates through proxies. In a European Parliament speech, the king said the boundaries of this battleground could vanish overnight and drag the region deeper into conflict. He urged Europe to press both sides for strict de-escalation and warned Iran’s allies in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon might widen the front at any moment.

Israel’s credit rating could slip if the Iran war drags on, S&P warned yesterday. It says that pessimistic scenarios include more borrowing to fix civilian damage and replenish defences.

Analysts flagged that the surge in defence spending plus hits to airports and business hubs may push the state budget far above plan. If so, borrowing costs would rise just as Israel tries to calm investors spooked by Middle East instability. The finance ministry said the debt ratio remains manageable but admitted spending might peak if operations widen.

Iran’s leadership, terrified of Israeli intelligence, has ramped up Mossad spy arrests and urged citizens to watch for strangers in masks, hats and sunglasses. CNN reported that Tehran police detained 28 alleged spies in the capital and another 60 in Isfahan after Israeli sabotage teams struck last week. Posters warn residents to check suspicious house sounds or frequent package drop-offs. Activists said social media was flooded with hotline numbers to report neighbours anonymously.

The Iran escalation is stalling hostage talks and chances of a Gaza ceasefire, Qatar claims. Officials in Doha said backchannel progress made last week froze when Tehran vowed revenge for the airstrikes. Israel has not confirmed any new breakthrough but insists the hostage deal remains on the table. Families of captives protested outside the Knesset on Tuesday, demanding immediate cabinet action to finalise terms.

Israel’s military intelligence chief pledged deeper covert hits in Iran if Tehran keeps supplying missiles to proxies. Major General Shlomi Binder said Israel would break ground in new areas after claiming success inside Tehran last week. His briefing hinted special forces could push cyber and physical sabotage further west of Isfahan. Iranian state TV showed funerals for slain officers as hardliners vowed payback but provided no clear timeline for fresh launches.

The IDF said it expects to finish its main campaign inside Iran within about a week if no major escalation unfolds. Senior officers told Israeli broadcasters that most top targets have been hit and that clearing remaining sites could wrap up in days, but warned that destroying Iran’s missile supply lines fully could take longer. The military said air force units remain on maximum alert for fresh rocket or drone retaliation.

Finally, the US military moved additional fighter jets to the Middle East and extended deployments of warplanes to protect regional bases and sea lanes as the Israeli-Iran conflict threatens wider spillover. Pentagon officials told Reuters the move was a precaution after Iran threatened to activate proxy militias if strikes continue. Carrier groups in the Gulf are also keeping aircraft on standby for rapid interceptions. Washington stressed it would not enter direct combat unless American forces are attacked.

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