J Street Responds to Iranian Counterattack on US Base in Qatar, J Street
“We’re relieved that there are no reported casualties from these retaliatory strikes. The safety of US service members and all civilians in the region remains our foremost concern. We are hopeful that this counterstrike – reportedly signaled in advance and coordinated with Qatar – draws a line under this exchange of fire.”
[Policy Center Briefing] What’s Next After the US Strike on Iran, J Street
To understand the implications of the US strikes on Iran and the risks ahead, the J Street Policy Center held a virtual briefing with Iran expert Danny Citronowicz and J Street Policy Fellow Frank Lowenstein.
Dramatic Day of Diplomacy Culminates in Trump Announcing Iran-Israel Ceasefire, CNN
“Diplomatic sources told CNN they were hopeful that Iran’s retaliatory strikes would serve as an off-ramp for Tehran to return to negotiations. The ceasefire is likely to create further space for discussions between the US and Iran to continue.”
Trump Is ‘Not Happy’ With Israel After Saying It and Iran Both Broke a Ceasefire, NPR
“President Trump on Tuesday lashed out at Israel and Iran for possible violations of a ceasefire […] ‘Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, the biggest load that we’ve seen. I’m not happy with Israel,’ Trump said.”
Palestinian Health Authorities Say Israel Kills 25 Waiting on Aid as War Death Toll Exceeds 56,000, AP
“Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, Palestinian witnesses and hospitals said.”
No Casualties Reported After Iran Missile Attack on U.S. Base in Qatar, Axios
“Iran launched multiple missiles against an American military base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation for the U.S. strike on its nuclear facilities this weekend. No casualties were reported, and both Qatar and the Trump administration were made aware of the Iranian attack ahead of the time, sources tell Axios.”
Explosions Ring Out in Tehran Despite Trump’s Order to Israel to Stop, Reuters
“Iranian and Israeli media reported new Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Tuesday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump having said Israel had called them off at his command to preserve an hours-old ceasefire. Two explosions were heard in the capital, the judiciary news outlet Mizan reported.”
Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran, The New York Times
“While the ‘two weeks’ statement bought the president more time for last-minute diplomacy, military officials said that ruse and the head fake with the B-2s also had the effect of cleaning up a mess — the telegraphing of the attack — that was partly of the president’s making.”
Antony Blinken: Trump’s Iran Strike Was a Mistake. I Hope It Succeeds., The New York Times
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken writes, “In 2018, President Trump tore up the [Iran Nuclear Deal] and replaced it with … nothing. In response, Iran accelerated its enrichment, quite likely reducing its breakout time to a matter of days or weeks. Mr. Trump, in essence, is now trying to put out a fire on which he poured gasoline.”
Hesitation to Alignment: How the US Entry Into the Iran War Reshaped Israeli Perceptions – And Validated Netanyahu’s Gamble, J Street
J Street Policy Fellow Yael Patir writes, “In contrast to previous military campaigns that sharply divided Israeli politics, there’s currently a broad sense of unity – even among prominent center-left figures. Yet the nature of their support reveals a dual message: Endorsement of the US action and a renewed call for diplomacy.”
Maybe It is Time for Israel to Mature, The Times of Israel
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Trump’s approach is no longer about unconditional support. If Israel wants the full backing of the U.S., it must be willing to shoulder more of the burden, whether in the form of military investments or of diplomatic concessions.”
Missteps, Confusion and ‘Viral Waste’: The 14 Days That Doomed U.S.A.I.D., The New York Times
Christopher Flavelle, Nicholas Nehamas and Julie Tate write, “Today, the rapid-fire dismantling of the country’s sprawling global aid agency remains one of the most consequential outcomes of the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul the federal government. Not only did it transform U.S. foreign policy, but it also provided a vivid opening display of Mr. Trump’s willingness to tear down institutions as he saw fit, in defiance of Congress and the courts.”