LiveLive Updates July 29, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJuly 29, 2026Updates26 minutes agoNetanyahu: Strait of Hormuz will lose energy market leverage after Iran conflict endsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicted Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz will lose its strategic leverage over the global energy market after the conflict with Iran ends."I don't think the straits are going to be that powerful a leverage because people will move the energy pipelines out of the straits to the Red Sea, from there to Israel in the Mediterranean," Netanyahu said in an interview with ABC News. "We can unblock this chokehold, and we will."Netanyahu described Israel's relationship with the U.S. as a partnership between unequal allies. "The truth is, we're partners. We're allies. He's the senior partner. It's the United States of America, let's not forget. And I'm a junior partner," Netanyahu said. "But I'm the prime minister of Israel, and when I have to stand up for the interest of my country and the security of my country, I do so."The prime minister also rejected comments by Vice President JD Vance that certain Israeli figures want to prolong the conflict indefinitely."Well, we're not actually," Netanyahu said. "I had a very good conversation with the vice president this morning, and I think we straightened that out because we're not. That's not our policy."Netanyahu blamed social media and foreign bot farms for a decline in American support for Israel."I think there's been a change because of the proliferation of social media, and the fact that sovereign countries have manipulated with bot farms and other things," Netanyahu said."And we can see a direct relationship between the proliferation of social media and the decline in support for Israel. Does it concern me? Yes, yes, it does. And I want bipartisan support for Israel because I think that's a fundament of our national security."Convicted assailant of author Salman Rushdie found guilty of supporting HezbollahHadi Matar, 24, who stabbed repeatedly Salman Rushdie at a lecture in Chautauqua, arrives for his arraignment in 2022. Credit: Gene J. Puskar /AP Hadi Matar, 24, who stabbed repeatedly Salman Rushdie at a lecture in Chautauqua, arrives for his arraignment in 2022. Credit: Gene J. Puskar /AP The man who stabbed and partially blinded author Salman Rushdie on stage at a New York arts institute in 2022 was found guilty on Wednesday of federal terrorism charges stemming from the attack.Hadi Matar, 28, was convicted of attempting to provide material support to Lebanon's Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, as well as engaging in transnational terrorism and providing material support to terrorists.A U.S. District Court jury in Buffalo, New York, returned its guilty verdict on all charges after deliberations of just two hours, capping a trial that began last Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for federal prosecutors.Matar, a U.S. citizen from Fairview, New Jersey, was found guilty of attempted murder in New York state court in 2025, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.His conviction on federal terrorism charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for November 3.U.S. carries out fresh Iran strikes, CENTCOM saysThe United States is conducting air strikes in Iran, the U.S. Central Command said on Wednesday.The strikes started at 8 P.M. EDT (0000 GMT), it said."The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East," CENTCOM said.RECAP: Unidentified drone strikes U.S. gas facility in Egyptian port, security sources sayHere are Wednesday's latest updates:■ An unidentified drone struck a U.S.-owned and operated gas storage facility in Egypt's Damietta Port, two security sources and the Ambrey security company said.■ The Israeli military shelled two Syrian villages near the Golan Heights, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen channel reported.■ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, Netanyahu's office said.■ The Iraqi pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah said retaliation for the joint U.S. and Saudi strikes on its forces is "inevitable," giving the Baghdad government a week to respond.■ A senior Israeli official, speaking on background one day after the Trump-Netanyahu White House summit, insisted that the two leaders shared a "genuine consultation" on the list of options at their disposal concerning Iran, rejecting any claims that the meeting was anything but positive and substantive.■ Canada condemned worsening settler ‌violence ⁠in the ⁠West Bank and demanded a halt to the expansion of Israeli settlements there.■ The municipality of the Lebanese town of Houla, which is located in the IDF-occupied buffer zone in southern Lebanon, said Israeli forces stored approximately four metric tons (about 8,800 pounds) of explosive material in a building on its outskirts.6 hours agoReport: IDF artillery shells Syrian villages near Israeli-occupied areaThe Syrian villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya, near the Golan Heights and the former UN buffer zone (between the hatched lines).The Syrian villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya, near the Golan Heights and the former UN buffer zone (between the hatched lines).The Israeli military shelled two Syrian villages near the Golan Heights, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen channel reported.According to the channel, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, the IDF fired shells at the villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya that lie east of the former UN buffer zone, which the IDF has occupied since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.Locals in the Yarmouk River basin have blocked roads leading into IDF-occupied territory on several occasions in the past months in an attempt to thwart further incursions.On Sunday, the IDF recently scattered leaflets in the area, ordering locals to "immediately cease public order violations against the Israeli army." At the time, an Israeli drone reportedly dropped a stun grenade, and IDF gunfire hit water tanks on the roofs of several houses.Unidentified drone strikes U.S. gas facility in Egyptian port, security sources sayEgypt's Damietta Port.Egypt's Damietta Port.An unidentified drone struck a U.S.-owned and operated gas storage facility in Egypt's Damietta Port, two security sources and the Ambrey security company said.The drones struck floating gas tankers operated by the United States and flying a Marshall Islands flag. No casualties have been reported as of yet, and no party has claimed responsibility.The port is located in northern Egypt, about 57 km (35 miles) west of the Suez Canal.Netanyahu meets with Hegseth in Washington, office saysPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) at Blair House, Washington, Wednesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) at Blair House, Washington, Wednesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington's Blair House, also known as the president's guest house, Netanyahu's office said.Iraqi pro-Iran militia vows response to U.S. strikes, gives Baghdad one weekThe Iraqi pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah said retaliation for the joint U.S. and Saudi strikes on its forces is "inevitable," giving the Baghdad government a week to respond.The group said a response to the strikes could target U.S. assets in Saudi Arabia, setting August 6 as the deadline for Baghdad to "show it can defend Iraq's sovereignty."10 hours agoTrump and Netanyahu discussed Iran options, economic backlash, Israeli official saysIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Tuesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Tuesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOA senior Israeli official, speaking on background one day after the Trump-Netanyahu White House summit, insisted that the two leaders shared a "genuine consultation" on the list of options at their disposal concerning Iran, rejecting any claims that the meeting was anything but positive and substantive."Trump has three options: reach an agreement, not reach an agreement, or intensify the strikes," the senior official noted. "We discussed each option honestly and extensively," the official added, describing the 90-minute meeting as a "genuine consultation."The official added that the conversation revolved around possible options, rather than proposals personally advanced by Netanyahu."The relevant question is balancing the sensitivity of the global economy against the ability to maintain economic pressure on Iran," the senior official said, noting Iran's greatest concerns at the moment relate to economic hardship and resulting political unrest. "We discussed additional economic pressure – through kinetic and non-kinetic means."The senior official added that Netanyahu did not state Israel's preferred option, and that ultimately the final decision rests with Trump unless Iran attacks first."They're asking themselves why they should do so now, because they know we'd launch a massive response," the official said, adding that "so far they haven't attacked us, and that says something."The senior Israeli official noted that "sometimes Trump develops certain assumptions. If you don't find a way to change them, they become fixed. 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