The Young Turks
The Young Turks
June 20, 2026

BREAKING: Strait of Hormuz Closed Again! What Did Israel Do Now?

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Quick Read

The host argues that Israel deliberately sabotaged peace efforts by escalating military actions in Lebanon, leading Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, while US media and politicians act as complicit propagandists.
Israel launched a major bombing campaign and advanced troops into Lebanon, violating peace agreements and ceasefires.
Iran responded to Israel's aggression by closing the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global shipping.
US mainstream media and politicians are accused of complicity, spreading pro-Israel propaganda and suppressing truth to maintain a pro-war agenda.

Summary

The host asserts that Israel actively undermined a peace process by launching a major bombing campaign in Lebanon, killing dozens, and then violating a ceasefire by advancing troops further into Lebanese territory. These actions, framed by Israel as 'self-defense' and amplified by what the host calls 'lying' American media, provoked Hezbollah's counterattacks. In response to Israel's continued aggression in Lebanon, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, fulfilling a prior warning. The host heavily criticizes US mainstream media and politicians, including former Obama officials, for allegedly acting as Israeli 'assets' and 'co-conspirators' by promoting pro-war narratives, suppressing facts, and defending Israel's expansionist goals, which he attributes to a 'fascist imperial empire' driven by religious fundamentalism and the 'Greater Israel' project.
This analysis challenges mainstream narratives about the Middle East conflict, suggesting that US foreign policy is manipulated by external interests and domestic donor classes, leading to perpetual war and media distortion. It highlights a critical view of the geopolitical dynamics that could escalate regional tensions and impact global energy routes, while also questioning the integrity of information sources for the American public.

Takeaways

  • Israel initiated a major bombing campaign in Lebanon, killing 45-47 people, immediately after a memorandum of understanding for peace was announced, aiming to derail the peace deal.
  • Despite a declared ceasefire, Israel advanced tanks and infantry further into Lebanon, provoking Hezbollah's defensive actions, which US media then framed as 'terrorist attacks'.
  • Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in direct response to Israel's continued attacks and territorial expansion in Lebanon, fulfilling a prior commitment.
  • The host alleges that US mainstream media (CNN, New York Times, Fox News) and politicians from both parties (e.g., former Obama official Joel Rubin) function as 'propagandists' for Israel and defense contractors, pushing for war and distorting facts.
  • A significant percentage of Israelis are believed to be 'religious fundamentalists' who adhere to the 'Greater Israel' project, believing God promised them the entire Middle East, justifying land theft and violence.
  • The AIPAC pledge requires US politicians to unconditionally support Israel and its funding, making them subservient to a foreign government's interests, which is allegedly hidden by mainstream media.

Insights

1Israel's Deliberate Sabotage of Peace Talks

Following the announcement of a memorandum of understanding for peace, Israel launched a major bombing campaign in Lebanon, killing 45-47 people. This was a direct attempt to 'burn this peace deal to the ground' and provoke a counter-response, which then led to the cancellation/delay of peace talks in Switzerland.

Host's assertion that Israel's actions were 'the exact opposite' of peace, leading to 45-47 deaths on Friday and the initial cancellation of Swiss peace talks.

2Breach of Ceasefire and Territorial Expansion

After a 'hilarious ceasefire' was signed, Israel moved tanks and infantry further into Lebanon on Saturday, attempting to seize more territory. When Hezbollah responded to defend their homes, American media dutifully reported it as 'Hezbollah attacked us!', ignoring Israel's aggressive advancement.

Israel signed a ceasefire, then 'moved their tanks and infantries further into Lebanon' on Saturday. Hezbollah fired on 'incoming tanks that was trying to seize more territory'.

3Iran's Response: Strait of Hormuz Closure

In direct response to Israel's renewed attacks and territorial expansion in Lebanon, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. This action was a fulfillment of Iran's prior warning that it would close the strait if Israel attacked Lebanon again.

Iran 'closed the Strait of Hormuz' because 'Israel just attacked Lebanon' and 'tried to take more territory inside Lebanon'. US Central Command reports indicate reduced ship traffic and ships avoiding detection, confirming the closure's impact.

4US Media as Israeli Propaganda Arm

The host argues that US mainstream media outlets like the New York Times, CNN, and Fox News act as 'disgusting liars' and 'co-conspirators' for Israel. They bury facts about Israeli aggression while framing Israeli actions as self-defense and Lebanese/Palestinian resistance as terrorism, serving the interests of the 'donor class' and 'defense contractors'.

Media 'dutifully report' Hezbollah as instigating, despite 'burying' facts that 'Israel advanced further into Lebanon'. They 'refuse to tell you that yes, a giant percentage of the Israelis are religious lunatics'.

5Political Subservience to Israeli Lobby

US politicians, particularly those funded by the Israeli lobby (AIPAC), are accused of being 'assets' who receive 'marching orders' from Israeli leaders like Netanyahu. They actively work to destroy peace deals and ensure unconditional US financial and military support for Israel, even against American interests.

Netanyahu 'called up all the pro-Israeli senators, and all the pro-Israeli people in media' to 'destroy this peace deal'. The AIPAC pledge mandates 'unconditional' support for Israel.

Bottom Line

The host claims that Israel's actions are driven by a 'fascist imperial empire' ideology, fueled by religious fundamentalists who believe in a 'Greater Israel' promised by God, justifying the systematic killing and displacement of non-Jewish populations.

So What?

This reframes the conflict not as a defensive struggle but as an expansionist, religiously motivated conquest, suggesting that peace is impossible as long as this ideology holds sway and is supported externally.

Impact

Understanding this alleged underlying motivation could lead to more effective counter-narratives or policy approaches that address the ideological roots of the conflict rather than just its symptoms, potentially by challenging the religious fundamentalist claims directly.

American mainstream media is portrayed as a 'Goebbels-like character' defending 'genocide after genocide' by implicitly asserting that 'only Israeli lives matter' and actively suppressing facts that contradict this narrative.

So What?

This suggests a profound crisis of journalistic integrity and a systemic failure to inform the public, leading to a misinformed populace that supports policies against its own interests and global stability.

Impact

This creates a massive opportunity for independent media to gain traction by providing factual, unbiased reporting and analysis, directly challenging the 'poison' of mainstream narratives and 'freeing people's minds' from what the host calls the 'matrix'.

Key Concepts

Propaganda Machine

The host describes mainstream media as a 'propaganda machine' that serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful (e.g., defense contractors, Israel), shaping public perception of reality to maintain the status quo and push specific agendas, such as war.

Donor Class Influence

This model posits that political decisions and media narratives are heavily influenced by 'donor classes' and lobbyists (e.g., the Israeli lobby), who fund politicians and media outlets to ensure their interests (like continued war or unconditional support for certain nations) are prioritized over public interest.

Settler Colonialism Driven by Religious Fundamentalism

The host frames Israel as a 'settler colony' where a significant portion of the population, including leaders, are 'religious fundamentalists' who believe in a 'Greater Israel' promised by God, justifying the expansion of territory through displacement and violence against indigenous populations.

Lessons

  • Unplug from mainstream television news and seek out alternative online media sources to get a more factual and less propagandized view of global events.
  • Engage with family members or friends who consume mainstream media, encouraging them to sample independent online shows and compare narratives to 'free their minds'.
  • Support independent media organizations financially (e.g., by joining or donating) to counter the influence of wealthy donor classes and defense contractors on information dissemination.

Quotes

"

"We don't care about our allies. We I think they borderline hate us. They I think they have nothing but contempt for America. And they're like, 'Shut up and go back into the war we ordered.'"

Host
"

"You're disgusting liars, and media say. So, and in and in our government."

Host
"

"The job of the so-called news media in our country is not to give you news. It's to give you the version of reality that the wealthiest, most powerful people want you to see."

Host
"

"Israel went back to trying to take more territory in Lebanon. Uh they uh went back to bombing Lebanon. And so, Iran then closed the Strait of Hormuz."

Host
"

"They're in a very dark fascist fundamentalist cult-like place. They're not I hope they're not going to stay there forever, but that's where Israel is right now."

Host

Q&A

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