Netanyahu Heads to Washington After Iran Strikes End

After a little more than two weeks, strikes between the U.S. and Iran ceased over the weekend. While Iran has said it is not engaged in any new talks with the U.S., Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Israel this morning for Washington, where he will meet with President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing situation. The Times of Israel reports that both sides halted the back-and-forth attacks to prevent a broader escalation.

The lull in US attacks on Iran reportedly followed the advice of Brad Cooper, the US military’s Central Command chief, that the Hormuz bombings had largely reached the limit of their effectiveness and that the US should halt them unless it is prepared to broaden the conflict.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told “Fox News Sunday” that the US remained “locked and loaded” for more attacks on Iran and that “more assets have gone into the region,” but that US President Donald Trump was giving “some space” for peace talks.

“He’s giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said.

Also on Fox News, Netanyahu said Iran’s nuclear program must come to an end “with a deal or without a deal,” and threatened to hit back hard if Iran or its proxies attack Israel.

The Times of Israel also reported that Trump was advised by CENTCOM Chief Brad Cooper to halt the strikes because the designated targets near the Strait of Hormuz had largely been destroyed, significantly reducing Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. Cooper estimated that about 20% of the intended targets remain.

In addition to meeting with Trump tomorrow, Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 12. The meeting will mark the first time the two leaders have met in person since the war with Iran began in late February.

Meanwhile, the IDF continues working toward its withdrawal from Lebanon. Efforts are also underway to reduce violence in the West Bank after an IDF soldier and a Shin Bet officer were killed before the weekend.

The Fellowship and our supporters pray for wisdom and a renewed commitment to shalom, peace as U.S. and Israeli leaders meet. We also pray for the American and Israeli servicemen and women who continue to serve in the field.