Iran's Nuclear Chief Skips Vienna as Netanyahu's Likud Moves to Ban Arab Parties; Trump Shrugs Off China-Iran Intel Report; Mon. Sep 14, 2026

Iranian pressure, the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks, Israel's political tensions, Fauda's depiction of October 7, and a powerful Rosh Hashanah story from a freed hostage. On today's episode of the Israel Daily News Podcast, Shanna Fuld brings you the latest developments across Israel and the Middle East. Iran is accusing the United States and Austria of blocking its nuclear delegation from attending the International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna, as the diplomatic relationship between Washington and Tehran remains deeply strained. We also look at reports of Chinese intelligence sharing with Iran ahead of an Iranian missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan, as President Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. In Gaza, President Trump says Hamas is willing to give up its weapons, while Israel continues to insist that Hamas must disarm. The ceasefire remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas offering competing accounts of the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi forces continue attacking Saudi Arabia. With the Houthis controlling key territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dramatically reduced, the security of regional energy and shipping routes remains a major concern. We also examine the Israeli political debate over whether Arab-majority parties Ra'am and the Joint List should be barred from running in the upcoming October 27 election, including the legal history surrounding previous attempts to disqualify political parties. Then, a major cultural story: the fifth season of Fauda has drawn international attention for its dramatization of the October 7 massacre. The episodes have sparked strong reactions from viewers around the world, while the series' Israeli cast and production team have personal connections to the war. And we end with a powerful Rosh Hashanah story. Israel has reached its first Rosh Hashanah since October 7, 2023 without a hostage remaining in Gaza. Freed hostage Matan Angrest, who spent 738 days in Hamas captivity, returned home from a five-month trip through South America so he could celebrate the holiday with his family. His story is a reminder of what freedom means after years of captivity—and why being together with family during the holidays can carry a significance that is difficult to put into words. In this episode: Iran's dispute with the IAEA and Austria U.S.-Iran tensions and China's alleged intelligence connection Trump's Gaza ceasefire efforts Israel's position on Hamas disarmament Ra'am, the Joint List and Israel's upcoming election Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia The Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis Israel's political debate over party disqualifications Fauda's October 7 episodes Rosh Hashanah and the return of freed hostage Matan Angrest Subscribe to Israel Daily News for independent reporting and analysis from Israel. 📩 Sign up for the Israel Weekly News: israeldailynews.org ❤️ Support independent journalism: Your contributions help keep Israel Daily News reporting independently from Israel. Israel Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.org YouTube: https://youtube.com/@israeldailynews Israel Daily News Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuld Support our Wartime News Coverage: https://israeldailynews.org/donation-box/ Links to all things IDN: https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews Timestamps 00:00 Iran Blocked From IAEA Conference Amid U.S. Pressure 01:00 Trump, China & the Upcoming Xi Jinping Summit 02:00 Trump Says Hamas May Give Up Its Weapons 03:00 Israel, Hamas & the Gaza Ceasefire 04:00 Could Ra'am and the Joint List Be Banned? 05:00 Israel's High Court & Political Party Bans 06:00 Houthi Attacks Target Saudi Arabia 07:00 Houthis Take Control of Yemen's Red Sea Coast 08:00 Strait of Hormuz Shipping Collapses 09:00 Controversial Gaza Film Sparks Israeli Backlash 10:00 IDF Rejects Allegations in the Film 11:00 Fauda Season 5 Depicts October 7 12:00 How Fauda Portrays the October 7 Massacre 13:00 Israel's First Rosh Hashanah Without Hostages in Gaza 14:00 Freed Hostage Matan Angrest Returns Home for Rosh Hashanah 15:00 Israel Daily News Weekly Newsletter & Sign-Off Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.