Iran/Israel Updates Thur August 13

- US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is actively pushing for renewed US strikes on Iran, together with Israel, saying "the fighting in Iran must be renewed, to attack national infrastructure, including sites in the gas, oil and electricity industries," per Israeli Channel 13.

Cooper also told IDF senior officials "we may very well have no choice but to resume fighting and will need you for joint strikes."

Israel says the Trump administration's demand last week to "close all fronts" with Iran is not the plan anymore.

 - US Treasury Secretary Threatens Iran With Unprecedented Economic Isolation: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would impose measures “never before seen in Iran,” combining unprecedented economic isolation with the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to stop anything entering or leaving Iranian ports. Vice President JD Vance said goal number 1 is to keep oil and gas cheap for Americans, while number 2 is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

- IDF Female observers serving in two different sectors in the Gaza Envelope have warned in recent days that they are identifying Hamas suspects and terrorists who reach the "yellow line" and pose a threat every day, but the forces on the ground are not receiving permission to thwart them. The fighters explained that Hamas is taking advantage of the new reality and is examining the army's responses in a manner reminiscent of the period before October 7.

- US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee a strong supporter of  Israeli settlement of the West Bank condemns settlers besieging Palestinians in the town of Qusra as “Israeli terrorists” Huckabee: “IDF & Israeli Police have gone out at our request” to remove them.

- IDF strikes Hamas cell in Gaza's south, second in two days since Gaza deal pause After curbing its operations in line with US instructions since the July deal took effect, the IDF is confident on removing ongoing threats in Gaza, military sources said.

- Iran rejects Trump’s claim of total control over Strait of Hormuz The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the US had "total control" of the strategic waterway.

- Tensions remain high in the Middle East with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight. Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until its conditions are met, while President Trump says the U.S. has "total control" of the critical waterway.

- William Shakin, a 25-year-old lone soldier from New York who served for months in Gaza with the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion and later died by suicide after struggling with post-traumatic stress, will be brought to Israel for burial after the IDF said an initial review found that his death may be connected to his military service