Will Iran Attack Israel After US Launches New Strikes? Israel Daily News Podcast; Thu. June 11th, 2026
The U.S. and Iran are locked in a rapidly escalating cycle of strikes following the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump threatening to take Karg Island—a vital Iranian oil export terminal—potentially ending the fragile ceasefire. Benjamin Mowalim, political analyst, explains that Iran’s recent attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain are not just retaliation but a strategic message: Iran is now directly challenging U.S. dominance in the region, testing whether President Trump will truly escalate. The real danger, Mowalim argues, isn’t nuclear war—no side has nuclear weapons in play—but a conventional war that could repeat the March 2026 conflict, with massive missile barrages and retaliatory airstrikes. What’s unprecedented is Iran’s shift from proxy warfare through Hezbollah to direct attacks on U.S. allies, signaling a collapse of the deterrence model. Meanwhile, Israel remains a key player, not as a passive target but as a potential partner in any U.S. escalation. The IDF is poised to strike Iran, waiting for the green light from Trump. But the real story is Iran’s calculated patience: it knows Trump faces midterm elections, the World Cup, and a U.S. 250th birthday celebration, and is using that to drag out negotiations. The question isn’t just whether war will return—but whether Trump will let Iran’s brinkmanship succeed by refusing to act.
Iran is now directly attacking U.S. bases in the Gulf—not just Israel—to test whether Trump will escalate, signaling a collapse of proxy deterrence.
The U.S. is using economic pressure, not just military strikes, with Trump claiming to have secretly extracted 100 million barrels of oil from the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel is not Iran’s punching bag—its air force can strike 50,000 targets in Iran, but is waiting for Trump’s green light to act.
Lebanon’s Christian and Sunni communities are now calling for Hezbollah’s dismantling—a historic shift that undermines Iran’s regional proxy network.
Iran is betting on Trump’s political calendar—midterms, the World Cup, and the U.S. 250th birthday—to force concessions through delay.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Today's Top Stories
Host Shanna Fold introduces the episode, setting the stage with a brief overview of the day's key developments: U.S. strikes on Iran, Iranian retaliation, and the growing regional tensions involving Israel, Jordan, and Turkey.
U.S. Strikes on Iran & Iranian Retaliation
The U.S. conducts a second night of strikes on Iran targeting surveillance, communication, and air defense systems. Iran responds by attacking U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Jordan’s Role in Regional Defense
Jordan shoots down five Iranian missiles targeting its airbase, demonstrating its growing military role in regional defense and the strength of its peace agreement with Israel.
Hezbollah Breaks Truce with Israel
After a rare direct military meeting between Israeli and Lebanese officials, Hezbollah violates the truce by launching missiles into northern Israel, prompting Israel to strike Hezbollah command centers in Beirut.
Binyamin Mowalim on the Iran-Israel-U.S. Crisis
“Iran is now sending a message: hey remember how we took all those years at Hezbollah that were protecting you? from Israel and now you're no longer buying it. No, we really are. We're going to protect you now from Israel, us, Iran directly.”
“Now if the U S takes Karg Island, that is the end of the ceasefire. Karg Island, of course, is Iran's main export terminal for its oil. Some 90 of Iran's oil exports go through this island.”
“to send them now is like hey remember how we took all those years at Hezbollah that were protecting you? from Israel and now you're no longer buying it. No, we really are. We're going to protect you now from Israel, us, Iran directly by attacking Israel in response to the Israeli attacks on Beirut.”
“For the first time we see a Lebanese government that is calling for Hezbollah to be dismantled. They want Hezbollah out. They don't want the headache that Hezbollah brings upon them, the attack, the destruction. They blame Hezbollah for this.”
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