Iran Expands Its Uranium Enrichment Capacity at Fordow, Openly Threatens Israel

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Iran Expands Its Uranium Enrichment Capacity at Fordow, Openly Threatens Israel . . . 

Iran has installed half the advanced uranium-enriching machines it said earlier the previous month it would quickly add to its Fordow site but has not yet brought them online, a new report from Friday, June 28, by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says, according to British media. 

Iran informed the IAEA more than two weeks ago it would rapidly expand its enrichment capacity at Fordow by adding eight cascades, or clusters, of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow within three to four weeks. Within two days, the IAEA verified that two cascades had been installed. 

In a confidential report to member states on Friday seen by the British media outlet, the agency said that number had now doubled. “The Agency has verified that Iran has installed four of the aforementioned eight IR-6 cascades in Unit 1 at FFEP (Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant),” the report said, adding that the verification was carried out on Sunday. 

American media further reported that Iran’s “power circles” are discussing whether it is “time to weaponize the nuclear program and build a bomb.” The Fordow facility is buried so deep, the report added, quoting military officials, that it would require “repeated, precise strikes by the United States’ largest “bunker buster” to reach down that deep. 

Meanwhile, the United States announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade on Thursday, saying it was acting in response to “steps (by Iran) to further expand its nuclear program in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose.” (INN /VFI News)  

“Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for protecting us from Iran so far and we ask that You continue being our shield against all the nations wishing to harm our people. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You prevent Iran from further enriching its uranium, from producing nuclear weapons, and from starting another war  in the Middle East.”

The articles included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Vision for Israel. We try to provide accurate reporting on news pertinent to Israel, the Middle East, the diaspora, and Jewish issues around the world—and we hope that you find it both informative and useful for intercessory prayer.

Iran warned Israel of an “obliterating war” if it embarks on a military ground campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah, as regional alarm grows over the prospect of a third Lebanon war. 

“Albeit Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon,” Iran’s mission to the UN wrote in a post on X, “Should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, [including] the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded on Saturday night, June 29, saying, “If Hezbollah does not cease its fire and withdraw from southern Lebanon, we will act against it with full force until security is restored and residents can return to their homes. 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant toured the northern border on Friday after returning from a trip to Washington, where he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 

Washington had hoped that a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal would open the door to a diplomatic resolution, but as that kind of an arrangement has remained elusive, the possibility of a third Lebanon war has grown. “We are not looking for war but we are ready for it,” Gallant told IDF soldiers. (JPost / VFI News)

“Lord, we thank You for gifting us resilient people - leaders and soldiers who are committed to protecting our vulnerable state. We pray that a war with Lebanon does not erupt but that the attacks from Hezbollah stop entirely and that the heated situation is diffused for the sake of all the civilians. In Yeshua’s name, we pray, amen.”

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea last week as the US positions warships to try to keep fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon from escalating into a wider war in the Middle East. 

While the Wasp has the capability to assist in the evacuation of civilians if full-scale war breaks out between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group along the Lebanon border, that is not the primary reason it was rotated in, a US official said. “It’s about deterrence,” the official said. 

A second US official said the rotation is similar to the US sending the USS Bataan assault ship into the waters around Israel shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, with the vessel remaining for months in the eastern Mediterranean to help provide options and try to contain the conflict. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operational details. 

Further, US officials said on Friday, June 28, according to American media, that the pier built by the US military to bring aid to Gaza has been removed again due to weather conditions in order to protect it, and the US is considering not re-installing it unless aid begins flowing out into the population again. (YNet / VFI News)

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24

John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, stated that Israel is being held to “double and triple standards” in the war against Hamas. 

“Israel is being measured by double and triple standards” that “does not exist anywhere in the world,” Spencer said at a Jerusalem Institute for Public and State Affairs (JCPA) briefing. He added, “The IDF uses tactics that no army has ever seen to prevent harm to civilians and still fulfill its mission.” 

Spencer declared the accusations that Israel is engaged in indiscriminate bombing, war crimes, or genocide “all a lie” and that if other Western countries were held to the same standard Israel is being held to, it would be impossible for any country to fight terrorism. 

He noted that the US was not criticized for the tens of thousands of civilians who were killed in the fight against ISIS, despite Israel’s taking further steps to avoid civilian casualties than the US has. 

Spencer used the March IDF operation at the al-Shifa Hospital, which resulted in zero civilian casualties, as an example of the unprecedented lengths Israel goes to avoid harming civilians. “None of this meant anything to Israel’s critics,” he said.

“I've never known an army to take such measures to attend to the enemy’s civilian population, especially while simultaneously combating the enemy in the very same buildings.” (INN / VFI News)

 “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” - Psalm 82:4

Join Barry and Batya in this song of giving thanks to God for His unfailing love and mercy. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." - Psalm 136:1

Likud MK Danny Danon, who previously held the position of Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, is shortly set to begin his second term in this role. 

His appointment comes at a crucial time when he will be required to represent Israel on the international stage during a particularly challenging period. 

“I am proud and honored to return and serve the State of Israel during this critical period,” Danon stated. “As Israel faces numerous fronts, it is imperative for each of us to contribute our best efforts and expertise. This has been my approach in the past, and it will continue to be my approach moving forward.”

“In the face of the resurgence of diplomatic terrorism, I am committed to presenting the truth with confidence for the sake of the people of Israel and our shared future,” he added. (INN / VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we trust that You make every decision for our good, for the good of the people who love You, and that You appoint leaders who will help our people and establish peace and unity in the land You have given us. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You guide our ambassador to the UN and provide him with all the means to negotiate and further our just causes.”   

Turkish officials on Sunday, June 30, allegedly refused to let an Israeli flight evacuate or refuel after it made an emergency landing in Antalya because of a medical crisis onboard, Israeli media reported. 

El Al Flt. LY5102 was flying directly from Warsaw, Poland, to Tel Aviv in Israel in the morning when the airline said the plane had to land at Turkey’s Antalya International Airport after a passenger fell ill, according to Israeli media. 

“After consulting with the doctor who treated the passenger on the plane, it was decided that it should land urgently in order to evacuate the passenger to the hospital as soon as possible,” El Al said in a statement. 

Although the flight crew initially received permission to de-board and refuel, Turkish officials then delayed the decision, claiming permits were required to fuel the plane, an Israeli broadcaster reported. 

After waiting, the flight crew was informed that they would not be allowed to do either, forcing the plane to fly off to Greece’s Rhodes Airport to refuel, according to Israel’s Army Radio. 

Flt. LY5102 then took off from Antalya at 6:18 p.m. local time, arriving in Greece less than 40 minutes later, according to flight tracking site Flight Aware. The status of the ill passenger remained unclear, and officials did not say if the passenger was allowed to get medical treatment while in Turkey. (NYP / VFI News)

 “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” - James 2:13

A Toronto synagogue was pelted with stones, smashing glass panels above the doors, Canadian politicians and Jewish groups said on Sunday, June 30. B’nai Brith Canada said that police were investigating the throwing of stones at the Pride of Israel Synagogue as a potential hate crime. 

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner visited the site, sharing a video in which he condemned the vandalism to the backdrop of the damage. “Any attacks on houses of worship are completely unacceptable. We pride ourselves on our diversity and tolerance,” Kerzner wrote on social media. “Hate has no place in our Ontario!” 

The incident is the latest in a string of attacks on Jewish institutions in Canada and the greater Toronto area in particular. On June 1, a man was arrested for smashing a Toronto synagogue’s window with a rock. He was arrested two days later. The Toronto Kehillat Shaarei Torah synagogue’s windows were smashed on May 17 and April 19, and another in the same area had its signs set on fire on April 26 and April 28. 

Meanwhile, after an investigation started on the incident with the Heathrow staff wearing Palestine flag badges and pulling Jewish passengers with an Israeli flag on their luggage for an extra security check, Heathrow’s passenger customer support department replied: “If a person speaks a language or dialect from a certain region as a secondary/tertiary language, a flag representing the region or country would be present which is provided by Heathrow.” 

Eventually, while staff at the airport weren’t allowed to wear political or religious items, the passengers were told the badge was an exception to this rule. This is because it was used to “indicate an employee speaks a particular language or dialect from a certain region,” according to British media. (JPost / VFI News)

 “Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.” - Psalm 69:14

Five Christian converts have been sentenced to a total of over 25 years in prison by the Iranian judiciary, according to a report from Iranian media. 

According to the human rights group Hengraw, which was created in 2016 to report on the human rights violations against Kurds in Iran, there has been no available information about the specific reason for the charge against the five Christian converts or the details of their accusations. 

The sentences handed down include a 10-year jail term for Christian convert Hamid Afzali, along with five-year jail terms for Nasrollah Mousavi, Bijan Gholizadeh, and Iman Salehi. Zohrab Shahbazi received nine months of jail time. 

The report explained that while Christians are “acknowledged as a religious minority in Iran, authorities impose severe penalties, especially on those who convert from Islam to Christianity.” 

Hengraw noted that Yasin Mousavi was another Christian convert who was arrested. He was “sentenced to 15 years in prison by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” (JPost /VFI News) 

 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.” - Luke 21:12-14

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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