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☆ What do we know about Israeli killing of Hamas mastermind and what happens next?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Israeli military previously surrounded Sinwar’s house and carried out an intensive assault on his hometown of Khan Younis, but could not find him. The troops returned fire with a tank, then flew a drone into the heavily damaged building, according to the Israeli military. Sinwar had been trying to escape to the north when he was killed, said another Israeli military spokesperson on Thursday. The talks involved senior figures from Israel, Hamas, the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Mohammed Sinwar recently took over as Hamas’ military commander, a senior Israeli official told CNN last month.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sinwar’s, Khan Younis, Sinwar, biometrics, Mohammed Salem, Majdal –, ”, Israel, ’, it’s, Mohammed Deif, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Mohammed Sinwar, Mohammed, Hassan Nasrallah, “ Sinwar, Mumen Khalili Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Sinwar, REUTERS, US Department of State, European Union Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Hamas, Iran, Gaza, Rafah, Jerusalem's Al, Gaza City, Al, Ashkelon –, United Kingdom, France, bunkering, United States, Qatar, Egypt

☆ Khashayar Javanmardi documents environmental decay on Caspian Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Zoe Whitfield | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Moving from Tehran to the more northerly lakeside city of Rasht aged 13, Khashayar Javanmardi’s youth was punctuated by weekends and extended holidays on the Iranian coastline of the Caspian Sea. “As an artist, I’ve always wanted to be an honest witness.”Locals call it the lake "Mother Caspian." Khashayar Javanmardi 2024 courtesy Loose JointsThe book oscillates between landscapes, portraits and the quiet scenes that fit somewhere in the middle. Khashayar Javanmardi 2024 courtesy Loose Joints“A question that I asked people was, ‘what is the role of the Caspian in your life?’,” said Javanmardi, who began working on the project at Iran’s Anzali Lagoon. Khashayar Javanmardi 2024 courtesy Loose JointsDespite the recklessness of higher political powers, during his travels Javanmardi found a sense of community in the people he met.

Persons: Khashayar, reminisced, Javanmardi, ”, I’ve, Nathalie Herschdorfer, Caspian, ‘, ’, “, ” Javanmardi, “ I’ve, — Organizations: CNN, UN, Elysée Museum, Environment Department Locations: Tehran, Rasht, Europe, Asia, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Lausanne, Switzerland, Ukraine, Kiashahr Port

How to strike a hostage and ceasefire deal, and with whom, is now a matter of uncertainty for American officials, who spent the hours after Sinwar’s death trying to determine if he had a successor. But US officials stopped short of saying Thursday that his death will result in a deal overnight. For long stretches, American officials couldn’t even say definitively whether he was alive or dead. “By all accounts, Sinwar has been the biggest obstacle within Hamas to a ceasefire-hostage release deal in Gaza. Depending on who would take his place, Sinwar’s death could revive hope for an agreement to end the war.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, Hamas —, ”, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Kamala Harris ’, Harris, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sinwar, “, Jonathan Panikoff, ” Panikoff, Aaron David Miller, Miller, ’ ” Sinwar, couldn’t, Andrew Miller, ” Biden, Lloyd Austin Organizations: CNN, Hamas, US, Sinwar, State Department, “, Michigan Locations: Gaza, Israel, Sinwar, fatalistic, Palestinian, Lebanon

☆ In the twilight of his term, Biden greets global audience weary of war and wary of US politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“I think it would be a big mistake to underestimate the president,” Scholz told PBS ahead of NATO’s 50th anniversary summit in Washington. Biden has instead opted for “minilateralism,” what foreign policy experts have come to term his strategy for dealing with smaller coalitions of like-minded nations. “Ironically, it is precisely Biden’s caution that has encouraged continued Russian, Chinese, North Korean, and Iranian misbehavior,” Kempe writes. According to Pew Research Center polling on views of Biden across 34 countries, 63% of German respondents expressed confidence in Biden. In Poland – another country where aides have considered having Biden visit to tout Ukraine support – 70% of respondents express confidence in Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, he’s, Olaf Scholz, Scholz, “, ” Scholz, Biden, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Hurricane Milton, Volodymyr Zelensky, Fred Kempe, Biden didn’t, ” Kempe, Biden’s, ”, Richard Wike, Trump, Ukraine that’s, Zelensky, Barack Obama, Alexis Tsipras, Obama, ’ ” Obama Organizations: CNN, American, Hurricane, Biden, Russia, China, Atlantic Council, Pew Research, –, Global, Research, Trump, Greek Locations: Russia, Ukraine, NATO’s, Washington, Berlin, France, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, Ukrainian, East, Iran, United States, Africa, Asia, North Korean, Poland, Kenya, Philippines, Greece, Athens

• Israel’s plan to respond to Iran’s October 1 attack is ready, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. • Israel is opposed to a “unilateral ceasefire” in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu said. Hezbollah has called on Israelis to accept a ceasefire or face “pain,” suggesting it would ramp up attacks further south in Israel. • Israel has struck Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time in several days. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah weapons in an underground storage facility.

Persons: •, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, UN Locations: Lebanon, Israel, • Israel, Gaza

☆ US officials expect Israel’s counterattack on Iran will come before US Election Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The timeline and parameters of Israel’s retaliation against Iran have been subject to intense debate inside Israel’s government and are not directly related to the timing of the US election, the sources said. President Joe Biden, and by extension Vice President Kamala Harris, have faced pressure from progressives for their handling of the situation. In a telephone conversation last week, Biden and Netanyahu held a “direct” conversation about the plans for responding to Iran, according to the White House. American officials were extraordinarily tight-tipped about the two leaders’ conversation. Some American officials have privately speculated the Israeli leader is looking to boost Trump in the weeks ahead of November’s election.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu —, —, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Israel, Harris, Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, Austin, wasn’t, ” Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Michigan, Biden, White, US, Trump Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, United States

Ukraine CNN —The spluttering roar of a propeller punctuates the perfect silence. Serge said he had personally overseen more than 500 long-range drone attacks into Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. CNN spent two days traveling across the country with the drone unit as it prepared to launch more than 100 drones overnight into September 29 on a mission into Russia. Sources told CNN in September that Tehran had recently completed the delivery of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. In September, the unit’s drones hit a Russian ammunition depot between Moscow and St. Petersburg, in Tver region.

Persons: “, Serge, GUR, Abbas Araghchi, Vladimir Putin, Vector, it’s, “ We’re, Putin, ” Serge, Sebastian Shukla, Daria Tarasova, CNN “, …, ” Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN CNN, UAV Unit, CNN, Iran’s, Maxar Technologies, Maxar, Ukraine, Vector, Pilots, Russian Telegram, Russia –, Technologies Locations: Ukraine, GUR, Russia, Tehran, Iran, Kotluban, Volgograd, Russian, Moscow, St, Petersburg, Tver region, Toropets, United, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Russia – Voronezh, Yesk, Rostov, Voronezh

CNN —The US carried out a round of strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday evening, according to three US defense officials, targeting weapons storage facilities, including underground facilities. The strikes were carried out by B-2 Spirit bombers, according to one of the officials, marking the first time the US has used the strategic stealth bomber to attack the Houthis in Yemen since the beginning of the US campaign. Over the past year, the US has repeatedly struck or intercepted Houthi drones and missiles in an effort to protect ships and degrade the Houthi arsenal. In September, the Houthis claimed to have launched approximately two dozen ballistic and cruise missiles and drones against three US destroyers. The Israeli military said on the latter attack, Israel had intercepted a surface-to-air missile fired from Yemen toward central Israel.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, “, ” Singh, ”, ” CENTCOM, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Yemen, Iran, Aden, Israel, Lebanon, Hamas, Gaza

☆ U.S. crude prices fall more than 4% as Israel is not expected to strike Iran’s oil industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Year to date, U.S. crude oil has fallen more than 1%. But Croft warned of a spiral of escalation that could ultimately lead to an oil disruption. Israel could be holding the oil card in reserve until they see how Iran responds to their strike, she said. OPEC also has millions of barrels per day in spare capacity that could jump into the breach if there is a supply disruption. “They will want to see that there is a physical supply disruption before they really jump in front of this.”

Persons: Israel, Helima Croft, CNBC’s, Brent, Croft, ” Croft, “, ” Organizations: Biden, NBC News, RBC Capital Markets, West Texas Intermediate, Natural Gas, Israel, Global, International Energy Agency, IEA, OPEC Locations: Israel, Iran, Americas, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ Israel assures US it plans to target Iran’s military, not oil or nuclear sites, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden, who has conveyed in public his opposition to striking Tehran’s nuclear and oil facilities, discussed Israel’s plans with Netanyahu during a classified phone call last week. In that conversation, Netanyahu relayed to Biden his plan to hit military targets, the person said. The Washington Post first reported that Netanyahu had reassured Biden of his plans to avoid nuclear and oil targets. And hitting Iran’s nuclear facilities could trigger the full-blown regional war that Biden has desperately sought to avoid. American officials have said they expected a measured response from Israel, believing the country did not want an out-of-control conflict with Iran.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, ”, hasn’t, Netanyahu’s Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Israel, White Locations: United States, Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Israel

The United States announced it is sending an advanced anti-missile system and a number of troops to Israel, deepening America's involvement in the spiraling conflict as the region readies for Israeli retaliatory strikes against Iran. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, known as THAAD, usually requires about 100 troops to operate, and has six truck mounted launchers, with eight interceptors on each launcher, as well as a powerful radar. Retired Brigadier General Zvika Haimovich, former head of the Israeli Air Defense, said Israel expected even an bigger barrage of missiles from Iran in "the next phase," after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on Oct 1. But the presence of U.S. equipment and troops inside Israel would deepen the nation's involvement in the crisis. The arrival of THAAD and U.S. support might ease the burden on Israel's defense system, but Israel's latest reliance on its allies for protection may also speak to the cracks in its often impenetrable armor.

Persons: General Zvika Haimovich, Israel, THAAD, ” Haimovich, Amir Levy, Haimovich, ”, Abbas Araqchi, ” Araqchi, Fawaz, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: United, Iran, Area Defense, Israeli Air Defense, NBC, London School of Economics, NBC News Locations: United States, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Israeli, U.S, THAAD

• Israel: A Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli army base killed four soldiers and injured more than 60 people in one of the bloodiest attacks on Israel since the war began last October. Israel’s military said it will look into how the drone entered Israel without triggering an alert. • Lebanon: UN peacekeepers said Israeli soldiers breached one of its posts in southern Lebanon in violation of international law. The Israeli military later said one of its tanks backed into the post as it was evacuating wounded soldiers. A string of Israeli military actions have wounded peacekeepers in Lebanon in recent days, drawing global condemnation.

Persons: • Organizations: UN Locations: • Israel, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Tehran, • Gaza, Gaza

☆ What is THAAD? The powerful US anti-missile defense system is being sent to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The THAAD defense system is one of the US military’s most powerful anti-missile weapons, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles at ranges of 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles) and with a near-perfect success rate in testing. THAAD interceptors are kinetic, meaning they take out incoming targets by colliding with them rather than exploding near the incoming warhead. Those other missile defense systems are more numerous than THAAD, an illustration of the importance the Biden administration is placing on this deployment to Israel. What makes THAAD so accurate is the radar system that supplies its targeting information, the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance radar, or AN/TPY-2. Production models of the THAAD system have never failed to intercept incoming targets in testing, according to the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Persons: Biden, THAAD, Cedric Leighton, ” Leighton, Israel’s RAFAEL, Washington Organizations: CNN, Defense, Congressional Research Service, Pentagon, US Army, US, Patriot, US Air Force, Army Navy, Missile Defense, Missile, Center for Strategic, International, Defense System, Raytheon, Iron Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, United States, China, South Korea, North Korea, Beijing, Guam

☆ US to deploy about 100 troops to operate advanced anti-missile system in Israel amid heightened tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-13 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US will send an advanced anti-missile system — and US troops to operate it — to Israel “to help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1,” the Pentagon said Sunday. But the deployment of additional US troops to Israel is notable amid the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and as the region braces for a potential Israeli attack on Iran that could continue to escalate hostilities. Approximately 100 US troops are deploying to Israel to operate the THAAD battery, according to a US defense official. It is rare for US troops to deploy inside Israel, but this is a typical number of troops to operate the anti-missile defense system. The THAAD system is specifically meant for anti-ballistic missile defense and could help Israel better defend itself against a future Iranian attack if Iran decides to respond to any Israeli strike.

Persons: Israel “, Patrick Ryder, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Defense, Israel, Wednesday, US, Street Journal Locations: Israel, Maj, Iran, Sea, Cyprus

U.S. officials believe Israel has narrowed down what they will target in their response to Iran’s attack, which these officials describe as Iranian military and energy infrastructure. There is no indication that Israel will target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations, but U.S. officials stressed that the Israelis have not made a final decision about how and when to act. U.S. and Israeli officials said a response could come during the Yom Kippur holiday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, last night and they discussed broad strokes about an Israeli response. U.S. officials have continued to urge the Israeli government to make their response proportional, sticking to military targets and avoiding oil, gas and nuclear facilities.

Persons: Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, it’s, Gallant, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu Organizations: U.S, Defense Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Tehran, Beirut, The U.S, U.S, Gaza

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bracing itself for a retaliatory strike for last week’s ballistic missile attack, Iran has been urging its Arab neighbors not to allow Israel to use their airspace as part of any potential attack, two diplomats from Gulf nations told NBC News Friday. Israel has vowed to respond to the strikes and while the nature and timing of the attack remain unclear, Iran warned countries that do help Israel in any way could potentially become part of a war, one of the diplomats said. His death came days after several Hezbollah leaders were killed by exploding pagers and walkie-talkies, an attack which Israel was widely believed to have been behind. Both militant groups are backed by Tehran and Pezeshkian has portrayed Iran as “exercising restraint” because it waited for two months after Haniyeh's death before launching the attack on Israel. NBC News has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment but has not received a response.

Persons: Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian, Abbas Araghchi, Araghchi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian, Vladimir Putin, Sameh Khadr Hassan Al, Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, Haniyeh, Nasrallah, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Biden, Rasoul, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ” Biden, Abu al, Askari, Matthew Savill, wouldn’t, ”, Israel “ Organizations: NBC, Gulf Cooperation Council, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S, European Union, West Bank, Israel, AFP, Getty, Israeli, Iran’s, Hezbollah, Military Sciences, Royal United Services Institute, NBC News, Israel Defense Forces Locations: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel, Jordan, United Arab, Washington, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ashgabat, Russian, United States, Tehran, Syria's, Damascus, Brig, Gen, Fars, Iraq, U.S, London, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, Deir el

☆ Putin hails ‘very close’ links with Iran at landmark first meeting with president, as Middle East tensions soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Iran has supplied thousands of “Shahed” attack drones to Russia, and according to US officials, built a drone factory in Russia. “We are actively working together in the international arena and our assessments of events taking place in the world are often very close,” Putin said during the landmark meeting, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. In a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Tehran last week, the Iranian leader called for accelerating joint projects. Meanwhile, Russia expressed interest in expanding trade and economic cooperation as well as diversifying its bilateral trade with Iran. “But, of course, the situation in the Middle East will not be ignored, it will also be on the agenda.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Masoud, “, ” Putin, ”, Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Bashar al, Assad, Bassiri Tabrizi, Ebrahim Raisi, Mikhail Mishustin, Pezeshkian, Dmitry Peskov, Viktor Bout, Brittney, Bout, ” CNN’s Gianluca Mezzofiore, Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Central, Ukraine, Moscow, Analysts, Russian, TASS, Street, Chatham House Locations: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, “, Moscow, Tehran, Syrian, Russian, Yemen

A major part of the fears is that the US’ influence with Israel has appeared to be steadily waning over the last year. Israel’s security cabinet has not yet reached a decision on how to proceed, an Israeli official told CNN on Friday. As of last week, Israel had not given any assurances that it would not target Iran’s nuclear facilities, CNN reported. Israel has for decades been planning attacks on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and just two years ago simulated striking them in a military exercise. ‘Our strike will be powerful’Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a strong warning to Iran about his country’s response on Wednesday.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Hassan Nasrallah, ”, “, Israel —, Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, Jordan, Abbas Araghchi, Al, Netanyahu “, Araghchi, it’s, Ben Gurion, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, Dania Karni, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: CNN, Israel, Wednesday, United Arab, US, Israel’s, Iran’s, Zionist Locations: Tehran, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Arab, Iran, Damascus, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, France, cyberattacks, Saudi Arabia, Jordanian, backchannels, Washington, Yom, Tel Aviv

Propagandists seeking to influence elections around the globe have tried to use ChatGPT in their operations, according to a report released Wednesday by the technology’s creator, OpenAI. OpenAI said in its report that this year it has stopped people who tried to use ChatGPT to generate content about elections in the U.S., Rwanda, India, and the European Union. They also used ChatGPT to create social media posts in support of those sites, according to the report. They were part of a larger campaign that repeatedly spammed pro-party posts on X, a documented propaganda campaign that posted messages — often the same few messages — more than 650,000 times. According to OpenAI’s report, they also tried to get ChatGPT to tell them the default login credentials for other companies that provide industrial control systems software.

Persons: OpenAI, It’s, it’s, Donald Trump’s, ChatGPT, —, Washington didn’t, Ben Nimmo, ” Nimmo Organizations: European Union, U.S, Patriotic, United Nations, Treasury Department, Embassy Locations: U.S, Rwanda, India, Iran, Russia, China, Israel, Israeli, Jordan, cybersecurity, Washington

☆ Biden held ‘direct,’ 30-minute call with Netanyahu, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Biden has grown frustrated that Netanyahu appears to brush off his advice and recommendations, and to publicly reject his attempts at lowering regional temperatures. Biden last week made clear he expected to speak with Netanyahu ahead of any potential reprisal against Iran for its missile onslaught. Still, she acknowledged the significance of the conversation, the first between Biden and Netanyahu since August 21. Still, Biden was insistent that he speak to Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s next steps, believing it important to convey his views directly. The White House, which has declined to comment on those reports, has insisted the two men maintain a functional relationship.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, “, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden, Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Biden’s, Biden “, ”, unstick, Kamala Harris, Dana Bash, Hurricane Milton, Simon Harris, Still, Bob Woodward, ” Jean, Pierre said Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, ”, Hurricane Locations: Iranian, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Beirut, ”, Gaza, New York, Gaza . Irish, Washington, Ireland, Israel’s

☆ Air France says jet flew over Iraq as Iranian missiles descended on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Christian Edwards | Saskya Vandoorne | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Air France has opened an investigation into how a jet flying from Paris to Dubai went over Iraq as Iranian missiles fired at Israel crossed the same airspace, the airline said Wednesday. The missiles had to pass through Iraq’s airspace to reach Israel. Air France Flight AF662 was flying over Iraq when the Iranian attack began at around 4:45 p.m. UTC (11.45 a.m. “Thanks to the information we gathered we were able to identify a forthcoming attack on Israel by Iran, involving the launch of ballistic missiles,” Air France said. “As a result, and without waiting for instructions from the Iraqi authorities, Air France decided to suspend the overflight of the country’s airspace by its aircraft from 5 p.m. UTC [12 p.m.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, AF662, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN — Air, Israel, Air, CNN, ” Air, “ Air France, Air France Locations: CNN — Air France, Paris, Dubai, Iraq, Iranian, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, ” Air France, Air France, Tehran

☆ Israel has not briefed U.S. military officials on its plans for retaliation against Iran, U.S. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Courtney-Kube-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Courtney Kube | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

After Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last week, U.S. military officials discussed options for joining Israel in its retaliation against Iran, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the discussions. The U.S. has long supported Israel with intelligence and that support could continue during Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran, the two officials said. Senior U.S. military officials have also discussed conducting very limited strikes against Iranian targets, the two officials said. Strikes inside Iran have been discussed, as have strikes on targets outside Iran, though strikes of any kind are less likely than intelligence sharing, the officials said. And U.S. officials say Israel has made it clear that it is not ruling out a response during the Yom Kippur holiday this week.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Israel, Gallant, Austin, Hassan Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington . Austin, Nasrallah, Pat Ryder, ” Ryder, “ We’ve, …, Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla Organizations: Defense, Israeli, U.S, Austin, Israel, Senior U.S, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran, Pentagon, United Nations General Assembly, “, ” Senior U.S, U.S . Central Command Locations: United States, Iran, Washington, Israel, U.S, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Beirut, New York, Washington .

☆ Foreign adversaries will try to cast doubt on election results after Nov. 5, U.S. intel officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Foreign adversaries will try to shake Americans’ confidence in the legitimacy of election results in November by giving voice to false claims or spreading their own disinformation about ballot counting, U.S. intelligence officials said Tuesday. In its latest assessment of foreign threats to the election, intelligence officials said the main foreign powers seeking to shape the outcome of the vote — Russia, China and Iran — also were focusing on meddling in congressional and state races. China’s election influence efforts were focused on “tens” of races, with Beijing denigrating particular candidates with a variety of social media and other online activities, the intelligence official added. Officials also said foreign adversaries are getting more skilled at using Americans to spread their manufactured falsehoods. Intelligence officials reiterated that Russia’s disinformation campaign is directed at undermining Vice President Kamala Harris and her fellow Democrats as Moscow seeks to undercut Western support for Ukraine.

Persons: ”, Iran —, “, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Intelligence, Ukraine, Democratic Locations: Russia, China, Iran, U.S, Cuba, Havana, Ukraine, Kyiv, Beijing, Moscow

☆ There is no evidence Iran has decided to rush toward building a nuclear weapon, CIA director says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Speaking at the Cipher Brief security conference in Sea Island, Georgia, Burns said Iran has advanced its nuclear program by stockpiling uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. CIA Director William Burns during a hearing of the House (Select) Intelligence Committee in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2024. Iran has developed the “means of delivery” for a potential nuclear weapon by building up its missile arsenal, he said. The JCPOA imposed strict limits on Tehran’s nuclear program while easing economic sanctions on the country. Estimates vary as to how much time it would take Iran to build a viable nuclear weapon once it has acquired enough fissile material.

Persons: William Burns, Burns, Anna Moneymaker, ” Burns, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Donald Trump, “, —, ”, Israel Organizations: CIA, Intelligence, Washington , D.C, Iran’s Locations: Iran, U.S, Iranian, Sea Island , Georgia, Washington ,, Tehran “, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, United States, Russia

☆ Strait of Hormuz: A 21-mile-wide channel is key to cheap gas. It’s under threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Global oil prices have spiked in recent days as the conflict in the Middle East has reached fever pitch. They could rise yet further if Israel’s widening war embroils the vital Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s southern coast. About one-fifth of the world’s global oil trade passes through the strait every day, notes Simone Tagliapietra, a senior fellow at Brussels-based think tank Bruegel. It also accounts for about a quarter of the world’s daily trade in liquefied natural gas. But if oil trade through the critical Strait of Hormuz wobbles, prices could soar above $100 a barrel, according to research firm ClearView Energy Partners, sending gasoline prices surging.

Persons: Simone Tagliapietra, Hassan Nasrallah, Yoav Gallant, ” Tagliapietra, Brent, Richard Bronze, “ Organizations: London CNN —, US Energy Information Administration, Israel’s, CNN Sunday, Israel . West Texas Intermediate, ClearView Energy Partners Locations: Hormuz, Brussels, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, United States, China

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