Israel

The US military struck the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq overnight, hitting an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) position, according to Iranian reports. The strike reportedly killed two personnel and wounded 11 others as part of the twelfth consecutive night of US air operations against Iranian strategic infrastructure.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed early Thursday that American forces have launched a 12th consecutive night of strikes against military targets in Iran. The official acknowledgment follows reports from security sources earlier tonight indicating that the focus of the current wave is centered on southern Iran, continuing a sustained air campaign that has significantly escalated regional tensions.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $95 billion budget package early Thursday morning in a narrow 216-214 vote, with all Democratic members opposing the measure. The legislation includes a critical $60 billion allocation for the Pentagon to fund ongoing military operations against Iran, marking a significant escalation in the domestic political debate over the conflict's financing.

Israel has significantly increased its military readiness for a potential direct confrontation with Iran, following reports that the United States is preparing to escalate its air campaign using heavy bunker-busting munitions and strategic bombers. Security assessments tonight indicate that as President Donald Trump's ultimatum to the regime approaches, the likelihood of Iranian retaliatory fire toward Israeli territory has grown, potentially drawing the IDF directly into the conflict.

The Israel Defense Forces officially confirmed on Wednesday night that air defense forces have been placed on peak alert following intelligence reports of an imminent, unusually large-scale United States military campaign against Iran. The broader military alert level has been raised to its highest point since Operation Roaring Lion in February 2026, as security officials warn of a credible risk of surprise Iranian retaliation against the Israeli home front.

The United States has informed Israel of its intention to escalate offensive operations against Iran in the coming days, utilizing heavy strategic bombers for the first time in the current cycle of escalation. Military correspondent Itai Blumenthal reports that the two allies are coordinating closely as the U.S. prepares to expand its kinetic campaign, with Mount Hamakosh identified as a primary potential target.

Iran is the Islamic Republic currently engaged in a direct kinetic confrontation with the United States and Israel. Following the collapse of the 'Islamabad' memorandum in 2026, the regime has faced sustained U.S. air campaigns against strategic infrastructure while simultaneously attempting to advance its nuclear program at the fortified Mount Makosh facility.

Tel Aviv is Israel's economic, cultural, and technological hub, serving as the center of the country's most populous metropolitan area. As a symbol of modern Zionist achievement, it is a frequent focal point for national protests, security incidents, and strategic threats from regional adversaries.

Yair Goldblatt is an Israeli security analyst and commentator specializing in the Arab world and regional intelligence. He is a prominent figure in the Israeli digital intelligence landscape, frequently cited for his reporting on Iranian military movements, regional kinetic activity, and U.S.-Iran diplomatic friction.

The Iranian regime is a theocratic revolutionary government that seeks regional hegemony and the destruction of Israel. In 2026, it transitioned from proxy warfare to direct military confrontation with Israel and the United States, leading to sustained kinetic exchanges and significant degradation of its strategic infrastructure.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is a leading American business-focused international daily newspaper. In the context of Middle Eastern security, it serves as a primary conduit for high-level leaks regarding U.S. diplomatic strategy, internal White House deliberations, and the technical frameworks of emerging regional agreements.

Israel Katz is Israel's Minister of Defense and a senior Likud statesman currently directing the IDF's strategic posture, including the maintenance of security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, and the oversight of direct military operations against the Iranian regime.