Iran frees US citizen after almost two years of imprisonment
Thu 16 Jul 2026 at 11:20am
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Newest first · UTC+11:00US launches new Iran strikes as Trump threatens wider attacks
TEHRAN, Iran — The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday to curb its ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump warned he could widen attacks unless the Islamic republic returned to talks.
· Agence France-Presse
CNBC Daily Open: Big Tech rally drowns out Iran war fears — Buffett urges caution
Hello, this is Anniek Bao writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.
· Anniek Bao
Seoul shares open sharply lower on tech losses amid Middle East tensions
Seoul shares opened sharply lower as investors took profits in technology stocks amid concerns over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
· Yonhap
House rejects bill to strip Israel aid despite over 100 Democrats voting to cut funding
The US House of Representatives defeated an amendment to cut off aid to Israel on Wednesday, despite nearly half of Democrats supporting it, reflecting a growing rupture between US progressives and Israel over the war in Gaza.
· REUTERS
(LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply lower on tech losses amid Middle East tensions
(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 2-3, 8-12; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -...
· Choi Kyong-ae
Iran warns of ‘existential war’ as US strikes again
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· Herbie G
Trump says US 'appreciates' Iran for releasing American citizen
Donald Trump said that the US "appreciates" Iran after it allowed an American who was "wrongfully detained" in 2024 to leave the country.
· Middleeasteye
Govt. to closely monitor job market amid renewed Middle East tensions
South Korea will closely monitor sectors with sluggish employment, including manufacturing, amid growing concerns that renewed tensions in the Middle East could weigh on the job market, the finance ministry said Thursday.
· Yonhap
Knesset approves gender-segregated graduate degree programs in late-night vote
The Knesset voted 52-43 to approve an amendment to the Student Rights Law allowing higher education institutions to offer gender-segregated graduate degree programs, in a vote held in the early hours of Thursday morning.
· NAHUM PERRY
Israeli gov't approves plan to move over half a billion shekels from Arab sector to Shin Bet
The Israeli government approved a plan on Wednesday to allocate approximately NIS 497 million toward integrating Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) agents into the Israeli Police, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
· MAYA ZANGER-NADIS, ANNA BARSKY
Seoul shares open sharply lower on tech losses amid Middle East tensions
SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares opened sharply lower as investors took profits in technology stocks amid concerns over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
· Choi Kyong-ae
(URGENT) Seoul shares open sharply lower on tech losses amid Middle East tensions
U.S. calls on S. Korea not to impose 'disproportionate' burdens on U.S. firms under revised network act
· Choi Kyong-ae
Trump says Iran has freed a detained US woman
The American citizen had been held since December 2024
· Agence France-Presse
Trump says Iran has freed a detained US woman
The American citizen had been held since December 2024
· Agence France-Presse
Gov't to closely monitor job market amid renewed Middle East tensions
SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will closely monitor sectors with sluggish employment, including manufacturing, amid growing concerns that renewed tensions in the Middle East could weigh on the job market, the finance ministry said Thursday.
· Kang Yoon-seung
State Department approves US military sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait | The National
The US State Department on Wednesday said that it has approved potential military sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
· The National
JD Vance tells Joe Rogan Israel wants to keep Iran war going ‘indefinitely,’ Trump admin ‘screwed up’ on Epstein files
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· Victor Nava
Anti-Israel Ro Khanna just woke up from his 2028 dream to live a nightmare
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· Isaac Schorr
A UN leader at last tells the truth about Hamas’ war on the people of Gaza
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· Post Editorial Board
More than half of House Democrats vote to cut Israel aid
The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Washington Monument, Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
· Lisa Mascaro
Iran says peace deal voided, fighting ‘existential war’ after US attacks
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, has declared that the country’s armed forces have “complete freedom of action” against the “enemy’s aggression”, after a day of attacks by the United States killed seven Iranian troops.
· Al Jazeera Staff
US: Democrats stall crucial defence budget in protest against Trump policies
In rare pushback against a must-pass annual defence budget bill, Democrats in the US Senate on Tuesday collectively voted not to advance the legislation, largely in protest against the Trump administration's approaches to Iran and Israel.
· Middleeasteye
Huge plume of smoke rises over Iran's Chabahar port after strike.
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US launches another wave of strikes as Trump says Iran 'will be defeated soon'
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· Sbsaustralia
Human rights groups sue over Trump administration's sanctions on ICC for investigations into Israel
WASHINGTON — Two human rights groups say Trump administration sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court over its investigations of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza have illegally impeded their ability to advocate for Palestinians.
· Associated Press
Over 100 House Democrats vote to end military aid to Israel in rebuke to US ally
Backing by 103 Democrats underscores how sentiment in party towards Israel and Netanyahu government has soured
· Chris Stein
Foreign influence, including from Israel, does not dictate US's Iran policy, Vance tells Joe Rogan
US Vice President JD Vance downplayed Israel's alleged political influence on US policies in the Iran war while talking to Joe Rogan on the latter's podcast, broadcast on Wednesday.
· JAMES GENN
Australia News LIVE: US strikes Iran again; Optometrists put patients before sales
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· Clare Sibthorpe
Why lessons learned on October 7 prevent Israeli withdrawal from Syria - analysis
When Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa swept into power and ousted Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel quickly implemented policies born of the lessons learned from October 7.
· HERB KEINON
Trump says Iran 'wants to settle' as he boasts of new strikes
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran "wants to settle", adding that he would decide whether or not to take that step.
· Middleeasteye
Who are the most influential young Zionists of 2026?
Shaped by the aftermath of October 7, global antisemitism, and renewed debates about Zionism, a new generation of young Zionist leaders is coming of age. Who are the 25 most influential young Zionists of 2026?
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF, IN COLLABORATION WITH JNF-USA
US strikes Iran again as Tehran warns of ‘existential war’
Cairo/Dubai: The US has launched another wave of strikes on Iran’s coastal defences and missile sites after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran has threatened to shut off more regional energy exports, saying it is engaged in an “existential war” with America.
· Enas Alashray, Tala Ramadan, Yomna Ehab
Apesar da transição, Hamas ainda é autoridade em Gaza
Apesar de o grupo radical Hamas ter anunciado na semana passada que dissolveria seu governo na Faixa de Gaza, como parte do acordo de paz com Israel, moradores do território palestino dizem que quase nada mudou no dia a dia.
· Tania Krämer
'Textbook infringement': Palestine advocacy groups sue for immediate halt to Trump's ICC sanctions
Advocates for Palestinian rights in the US filed a lawsuit in a New York City federal court on Wednesday, seeking an injunction to stop the Trump administration's enforcement of sanctions against groups or individuals liaising with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
· Middleeasteye
Líbano e Israel avanzan hacia un acuerdo de retirada, dicen autoridades de EEUU
Una caravana de autos llega a la embajada de Estados Unidos en Roma, Italia, donde se prevé la realización de conversaciones en el nivel de embajadores entre Israel y Líbano, el martes 14 de julio de 2026. (AP Foto/Alessandra Tarantino)
· Abby Sewell
Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi's visit to US, meeting with Trump strengthens US-Iraq ties - analysis
The US and Iraq have had their ups and downs. In the 1980s, the US had to get involved in the Gulf due to the Iran-Iraq War, and in 1991 America led an alliance to eject Iraq from Kuwait. In 2003, America invaded the country and took over Baghdad, and now it looks like the US and Iraq are turning over a new leaf again.
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
MK Dan Illouz announces departure from Likud, says party has been 'hijacked'
MK Dan Illouz announced that he will not run for reelection with Likud in the upcoming election in a video statement released on X/Twitter on Wednesday.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US strikes degrading Iran’s threat to Hormuz shipping, CENTCOM tells 'Post'
US Central Command's Wednesday wave of strikes against Iran, the first daytime strikes since the ceasefire was signed, demonstrates Washington's continued readiness to act against the threat to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM Spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told The Jerusalem Post later on Wedne…
· AMICHAI STEIN
Benjamin Netanyahu sends warning to Iran against attacking Israel: ‘We will respond with power’
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· Jewish News Syndicate
Hegseth wants to test troops for low testosterone
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
· Konstantin Toropin
Lebanon and Israel end sixth round of US-brokered talks
Lebanese and Israeli officials have ended another round of US-mediated talks, focusing on a plan to establish “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon from which Israeli forces would begin withdrawing.
· Al Jazeera Staff
US Gasoline Prices Could Top $4 Per Gallon Within Days
After several weeks of reprieve for drivers, the US national average price of gasoline could top $4 per gallon within a week, as crude oil prices rallied by about 12% in the three days since Friday amid the all-but-collapsed U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
· Tyler Durden
Knesset passes law to weaken role of Israel's attorney-general
The Knesset plenum passed into law on Wednesday the contentious bill that seeks to significantly weaken the attorney-general’s power to influence and oversee the government.
· KESHET NEEV, SARAH BEN-NUN
Syrian President replaces intelligence chief to solve internal power struggle | The National
Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara has appointed a savvy commander in his former rebel group as his chief of intelligence to smooth over rivalries in the system, sources revealed on Wednesday.
· Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is visually stunning but emotionally adrift - review
At the Jerusalem Film Festival this week, I had several conversations about why serious movies have gotten so long lately, and here comes the movie event of the summer, perhaps of the year: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which just opened in theaters worldwide, clocking in at a solid three hours.
· HANNAH BROWN
US rewards UAE's military aid in Iran war with expanded access to AI chips - report
The United States granted the United Arab Emirates increased access to AI chips and servers, in recognition of the UAE’s support in advancing national security interests, including Operation Epic Fury, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced on Friday.
· DANYA SAPERSTEIN
FM Sa'ar names MK Michel Buskila as new deputy foreign minister after Haskel resigns
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar decided to appoint Knesset Deputy Speaker MK Michel Buskila (New Hope-United Right) as Deputy Foreign Minister on Wednesday, with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
· ANNA BARSKY, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Former deputy FM Haskel announces launch of new Israel First political party
Former deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel announced on Wednesday that she is launching a new right-wing political party called Israel First.
· GOLDIE KATZ