Iran reportedly launched a large-scale missile exercise today across several Iranian cities, days after Israeli leaders warned that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps missile test could act as cover for a surprise strike on Israel.
The drill comes after IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir met with the head of U.S. Central Command over the weekend to convey Israel's growing concerns about Iran's missile production.
"Nobody is willing to take the risk and just say it is only an exercise," an Israeli official told Axios.
Israeli intelligence has monitored the Iranian regime moving quickly to rebuild its ballistic missile program after it was degraded in June.
“We are aware that Iran is conducting military exercises,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today. “We are monitoring this and making the necessary preparations. I want to make it clear to Iran - any action against Israel will be met with a very harsh response.”
Iran launched over 500 ballistic missiles at Israeli cities from June 13-24. Israel's remarkable defense systems shot down the vast majority of missiles, yet around 30 evaded interception and caused massive damage, killing 28 Israelis.
While Israel's Operation Rising Lion succeeded in destroying much of Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, Israel estimates that some 1,500 missiles remain out of the 3,000 Iran had previously.
The ballistic missile threat from Iran will be on the agenda when Prime Minister Netanyahu travels to Florida on Sunday and meets with President Trump Monday at Mar-a-Lago.
In Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham warns: We cannot allow Iran to build ballistic missiles
Senator Lindsey Graham traveled to Israel over the weekend for meetings with high-level Israeli officials, including the prime minister.
Meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Graham said, "My impression is that Hamas is not disarming; they're rearming. It's my impression that they're trying to consolidate power, not give it up, in Gaza. It's also my impression that Hezbollah is trying to make more weapons. That's an unacceptable outcome."
In an interview with Israeli press, the senator was asked about American leaders paying less attention to the ballistic missile threat than to the nuclear project.
"We are elevating the [discussions about the] risk that ballistic missiles present to Israel, and eventually, to the region," Graham said.
"We need to replenish [Israel's] supply of air defense capabilities. But we cannot allow Iran to get back into the ballistic missile production business that could overwhelm Iron Dome."
Netanyahu holds trilateral meeting with Greek, Cypriot leaders
Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts in Jerusalem today, concluding a trilateral summit between the leaders.
Greece and Cyprus are key allies working with Israel and the United States to advance shared security, energy, and economic interests in the region.
The countries are reportedly examining the creation of a joint rapid-response military force in the region amid growing concern in Athens over Turkey’s expanding challenges.
Israel, Greece and Cyprus have also been working on an energy deal that would link their electrical grids.
In an implicit message to Turkish President Erdogan, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "To those who fantasize about restoring their empires—this is not going to happen."
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Witkoff meets mediators to press phase 2 of Trump Gaza plan
Representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey met in Miami on Friday to review implementation of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and advance preparations for the second stage, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed over the weekend.
“In our discussions regarding phase two, we emphasized enabling a governing body in Gaza under a unified Gazan authority to protect civilians and maintain public order,” Witkoff said.
Witkoff said the mediators reaffirmed their “full commitment” to implementing President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and called on “all parties to uphold their obligations, exercise restraint and cooperate with monitoring arrangements.”
Hamas is still holding the body of slain Israeli Ran Gvili in Gaza, in blatant violation of the agreement.
In a press conference on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the urgent need to disarm Hamas for a better future in Gaza.
"Everyone wants peace," he said. "If Hamas is ever in a position in the future that they can threaten or attack Israel, you're not gonna have peace. You're not gonna convince anyone to invest money in Gaza if they believe another war is going to happen in 2-3 years."
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