CNN’s Scott Jennings Stuck in Israel Amid MidEast Bombings
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
CNN contributor Scott Jennings remained in Israel on Friday as Iranian missile strikes and Israeli counterattacks escalated fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Jennings, a Republican strategist and frequent CNN panelist, was available for interviews and posted firsthand updates on X throughout Thursday and Friday.
Documenting what he described as a rapidly evolving security situation, he had been in the country on a personal trip when Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel overnight. The bombings were triggered by Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets a day earlier.
“There have been a few surprises that I didn’t anticipate during my trip to Israel, to say the least,” Jennings wrote early Friday. “Here’s what I’ve witnessed on the ground as Israel takes the fight to the evil Iranian regime.”
Jennings also posted a video of Iron Dome interceptors streaking through the night sky above the Sea of Galilee, captioning it, “Just recorded this over my hotel on Sea of Galilee in Israel – and then a minute later heard a BOOM. this is looking south. Hearing booms in distance. Iran missile attacks I presume.”
In a separate post featuring footage of bomb damage in Israel, Jennings added, “President Trump told Iran they had 60 days to make a deal. They didn’t listen. Now they’re paying the price.”
He praised U.S. and Israeli preparedness, writing, “They didn’t listen. Now they’re paying the price. What’s incredible is that the U.S. and Israel actively planned for this scenario of non-compliance. What they pulled off is miraculous.”
Later Friday, Jennings acknowledged the difficulty of leaving the country amid the ongoing conflict.
“Quick update: not much has happened since my last updates,” he wrote. “Skies are quiet & we are waiting to see if Iranian drones actually reach Israel. Don’t think I am getting out of Israel today! But will continue to report on what I see and hear.”
Airports across Israel remained operational but on high alert, with limited departures.
