Arlene Kushner | July 12, 2026
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham speaking with attendees at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s 2023 Annual Leadership Summit. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America – Lindsey Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikipedia
Before I begin my thoughts for today’s posting, I mark with sadness the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, who apparently he died of cardiac arrest. He was a true friend of Israel.
A Republican, he served as the senior Senator from S. Carolina for over 20 years.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/430008
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The Insanity: The off-again, on-again threat of renewed war between the US and Iran.
This past week, after Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz that had proceeded without Iranian clearance, Trump had declared the ceasefire with Iran – which he had extended indefinitely – to be over.
IRGC attack on Vessels Defying Iranian Tariffs on Strait of Hormuz. Screenshot via X
He said, however, that negotiations were to continue. His statement implied that this was thanks to the urging of that sterling team of often clueless negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump had indicated that if it were up to him, there would be no more negotiations, but if they wanted to talk…
For three days, shelling ensued – the US hitting Iranian missile sites and command centers, and Iran shelling American bases located in the Gulf states.
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The situation was further inflamed when Israel passed intelligence concerning a new concrete Iranian assassination plan to President Trump.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/429992
Trump responded on Truth Social yesterday (Saturday), writing with customary but justifiable hyperbole: “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat…to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME! Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one-year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran…”
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116899176820572671
At the very same time, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (pictured) swore that the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – whose five-day funeral had just been completed – would be avenged, and soon.
Mojtaba Khamenei. By Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/429980
A hit list was then released by Iran; it was headed by Netanyahu and Trump but included a number of Israeli and American officials.
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In the midst of all of this, yesterday it was announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi (pictured) had met to discuss a new Omani proposal for naval passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. By IAEA Imagebank – Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi (01012140), CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia
Whether this will result in an Iranian willingness to pull back on its demands to fully control the Strait and instead share control with Oman remains to be seen. It seems unlikely, as Iran continues to insist it has the right to maintain full control – a position the US is insisting cannot be permitted.
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And so… we are witnessing a fluctuation: one moment it appears that the US and Iran are on the cusp of full renewed war, and the next, it seems that matters might be worked out so that the imminent danger of war diminishes. Trump is still saying that the US negotiators actually will be meeting with the Iranians. To what end is not clear. The odds of genuine movement towards a peace agreement are at best infinitesimal, but neither side is particularly eager to head in the direction of a full war.
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Trump is reluctant to move to war because this will displease the electorate before the mid-term elections and have a deleterious effect on fiscal matters.
The Iranians, for their part, are masters at stalling and dragging out negotiations – thus buying time to advance their nefarious plans. (Are the US negotiators sufficiently factoring in this reality when they push for further talks?)
It is not beyond the realm of possibility that this whole issue regarding the Strait has been manufactured by Iran as a distraction. For while the US goes head-to-head with Iran over control of the Strait, satellite imagery shows signs that Iran is repairing and reinforcing nuclear weapons development facilities in the Parchin military complex.
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And here I leave you today, my friends. There are no simple answers, and my crystal ball has not been working for some time. What I have provided here is an overview of the situation with which Israel must contend. But it hardly represents the full reality.
When next I write, I hope to segue to a different sort of reality, regarding Israel’s considerable strengths.
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I ask, as I always do, that you please pray. Pray for our leaders, both political and military, and for all of Am Israel. Pray as well for the future of America, and the wisdom and strength of its political leaders.
©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
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