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Dear A.,
On Saturday, Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy vessels patrolling in the region. "A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks," U.S. Central Command
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said .
In response, U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers. "Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost—taking out three of yours," CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper
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said .
Meanwhile, today, the Treasury Department
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issued sweeping sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector, further increasing the economic pressure on the regime as part of Operation Economic Outcast.
The sanctions are intended to interfere with Iran's ability to "to move weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo" and "obtain U.S.-origin aircraft and sensitive technology."
"Let this be a warning to anyone doing business with Iran’s remaining airlines, all of which we sanctioned today: You are at risk of being cut off from the global financial system," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The U.S. blockade on Iran also remains in effect, with U.S. forces having redirected or stopped over
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94 commercial vessels as of yesterday.
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No Iranian crude oil has crossed the blockade since the U.S. reimposed it in mid-July, cutting off the illicit oil export revenue Iran uses to fund its malign behavior.
As a result of these efforts, Iran is facing growing economic challenges, with the regime announcing a
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hike in prices on government-subsidized gasoline. The damage caused to Iran's refining capacity as a result of U.S. and Israeli operations, combined with the ongoing blockade, has created fuel shortages.
Year-over-year inflation in Iran is
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estimated to be at more than 80%, while the International Monetary Fund is forecasting a 5.4% economic contraction this year, the country's worst since the 1980s.
Below are more key news updates. Continue to follow our
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social media channels to stay informed in real-time.
Jake Freedman, AIPAC
VW facility in Germany to produce Israeli air defense systems
Volkswagen has signed a
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preliminary agreement to repurpose its 125-year-old production facility in Germany to produce air defense systems designed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which produces Iron Dome.
"We are taking an important step towards opening up a new industrial future for the site," Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said.
"We are building a long-term industrial relationship with our German partners with the idea that the technology will be fully produced in Germany, to protect Germany and Europe," Rafael Chief Executive Officer Yoav Tourgeman said.
Israeli FM responds to UK sanctions package
Today, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a new sanctions package targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, along with criticism of the Israeli government's policies.
Britain will impose an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, sanction companies and individuals that facilitate settlement expansion, and refuse licenses for arms and other exports deemed to materially support Israel’s "occupation," Milliband
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said .
In response, the Board of Deputies of British Jews
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said , "Before the Jewish New Year festival of Rosh Hashanah, with concerns for communal security at their highest levels, this will be felt particularly acutely by British Jews... the deteriorating relationship between the UK and Israel has the potential to negatively impact the two countries’ security and their economies, and further inflame community tensions here too."
In a press conference today, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar
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announced that in response to Britain's decision, Israeli will close the British Consulate in Jerusalem and bar 12 British elected officials and citizens "involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity," along with other measures.
Other notable headlines
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WSJ:
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Yemen's Houthi Militants Attack Saudi Energy Infrastructure
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JPost: Syria Still Committed To Diplomatic Option With Israel, FM Shaibani Tells Arab League
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ToI: Secret Syrian nuclear reactor bombed by Israel in 2007 was almost complete, IAEA says
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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