15 July 2026
Iran War
President Trump reversed course on his 20% fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The fee was to be imposed at 2000 GMT, but Trump realized that no one should be able to charge a fee on an international waterway only five hours before the fee was to be introduced. Multiple times, Trump and his administration have denounced Iranian plans to introduce a transit fee. Trump stated that the fee was dropped after Middle Eastern countries agreed to make major new investments in the US.
President Trump reiterated threats against Iranian power plants and bridges and said that they could be hit sometime next week. Trump also did not rule out a ground campaign in Iran while talking to Fox News.
Pakistan-Türkiye
Pakistani Field Marshall Munir met with President Erdogan and the Chief of the Armed Forces. The discussion was about mutual interests and regional security, according to the Pakistani Inter-Services Public Relations. Türkiye has a vested interest in the situation in Libya and has actively defused tensions in Libya through diplomatic and intelligence channels. It is highly likely that Libya was discussed as Pakistan is attempting to mediate reunification efforts.
Israel
Israel’s High Court of Justice froze the implementation of a law passed by Knesset yesterday banning the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. This would have given yeshiva students immunity from arrest until January 2027. Approximately 72,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged between 18 and 24 are currently believed to be eligible for military service, but have not enlisted.
Israeli Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir denounced that legislation in a letter. Zamir wrote that the bill “undermines the legitimacy of and trust among those who serve” and that “such a move would create a deep rift with the serving force, which has borne the burden of the fighting for two and a half years, and would increase inequality.”
Iraq
The United States will withdraw from Iraq entirely by 30 September. There were 2,500 US troops in Iraq, but that number has declined in recent months. Those troops were tasked with carrying out counter-Islamic State operations. Iraq is attempting to disarm Iraqi militias and hopes that by the end of September only government forces will bear arms.
Ukraine
Lockheed Martin stated that it supports granting Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot missiles. The US government has moved from making political statements, and it is expected that the licence would be approved in the coming months. The US, Japan and Germany have licences to produce the missiles.
Lebanon
A senior ISIS leader in Syria lived “semi-permanently” in Lebanon. The Syrian national was responsible for overseeing the group’s security and operational activities in southern and central Syria. Lebanon will coordinate with the relevant Syrian authorities to exchange information on his contacts and determine whether individuals or groups inside Syria were involved in planning any attacks.
Canada
Canada will establish a drone testing ground in Quebec. Aero Montreal will lead a group of 30 organizations from the industry, academia, and the nonprofit sectors. The project will receive nearly $30 million over two years to establish and operate the new defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems.
Social Media Wires
Fire at the Balaklava Thermal plant in Crimea
Ukraine continues its campaign against Russian tankers
Featured Photo: “Haredi mobilization protest” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale and cropping.