Iran

Iran launches wave of drone attacks at Israel: report Iran has launched an attack against Israel using dozens of drones. Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced restrictions on civilian activities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, saying the country was preparing for a direct attack.

Video shows raid on ship near Strait of Hormuz that a Mideast official says was carried out by Iran. Incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West. Iran did not immediately acknowledge seizing any vessel, nor was there any report carried by state media.

White House ripped over sanctions waiver that critics say put billions of dollars in Irans hands. Last month, the White House extended the waiver, a move that unlocked up to $10 billion more in frozen funds by enabling Iraq to pay the Iranian government for electricity services. This past weekend, Iran launched 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for an airstrike in Damascus earlier this month. The State Department has long insisted such waivers are necessary while Iraq weans itself off Iranian energy imports.

Iran vows response after strike blamed on Israel destroyed Iran's Consulate in Syria and killed 12. Four Syrian citizens were also killed in the strike, a Syrian official said Tuesday. Iran provides money and weapons to Hezbollah, as well as Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza. Hezbollah also pledged punishment and revenge on Israel.

Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian German dual citizen and opposition figure, is accused of masterminding a deadly 2008 bombing of a mosque in Shiraz. His family strongly denies the charges. Cruz said the Biden administration should cancel any engagement with Tehran.

Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson break down the most important news stories of the day and reveal what they mean for you. Cruz: Prohibit the Biden administration from issuing waivers giving Iran access to escrowed accounts, including a $10 billion account related to Iraqi electricity.

U.S. issues waiver for banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar. As part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers last week. Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday, according to a congressional notification.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) called for the Senate to pass a bill that provides aid to our ally in the Middle East. Marshall reminded how "it's been almost 200 days since Iranian-backed Hamas Terrorists invaded Israel and brutally killed innocent civilians, women, senior citizens, and children" Since October, Marshall has called for aid to Israel with no strings attached four times. Democrats have objected six times to the legislation, including twice on Monday night.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on the Senate floor last Thursday for calling for new elections in Israel. Cruz: "Democrats view Netanyahu as the Israeli equivalent of Donald Trump, and they hate him with a comparable fury" Cruz also pointed out the Democratic leader doesn't do this for enemies of America, Russia or Iran.

For some American Jews, the months since Oct. 7 have felt like a horror movie, as they watch, with increasing alarm, as our president-for whom many voted, and in whom many placed inviolable trust-seemed to throw Israel under the bus. Biden has gone from framing Hamas as pure, unadulterated evil to putting immense pressure on Israel to stand down.