Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

News editor Ben Sales joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As the US closes in on a deal with Iran based on talks that didn't include Israel or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sales discusses the war that began with Israel and the US standing shoulder to shoulder, and that appears to be ending with Israel's leader watching from the sidelines, and what that means for the country.

While many Israelis are relishing the ability to live without the day-to-day threat of rocket fire from Iran or its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, Sales examines the unprecedented period and its psychological effect on the country and its residents.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Israel began the Iran war as a partner of the US — and is ending it on the sidelines

Ceasefire nation: Caught between war and peace, can Israelis move forward?

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.

IMAGE: News editor Ben Sales joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing. (ToI)