You Don't Threaten Trump's Life and Get Away With It

Trump's iron fist slammed down on Maduro's mocking dance and it's about to do the same with Iran's execution spree, threats to his life ignite a massive U.S. military surge. Regimes teeter on the brink as the Abraham Lincoln steams into battle: freedom's hammer falls! In the annals of history, there comes a moment when the absurd becomes the catalyst for the inevitable. For Nicolás Maduro, that moment was his grotesque little dance, a mockery of freedom, a jig on the graves of Venezuela's starving masses. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, the final insult that sealed his fate.

But Maduro's folly pales in comparison to the barbaric abyss that is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Day after day, the mullahs' regime executes protesters with medieval savagery, hanging them from cranes like trophies of terror. The reports pouring out are a litany of horrors: torture chambers run by the IRGC and their Basij goons, where innocents are beaten, raped, and broken for daring to whisper "freedom." These are not isolated incidents; they are systematic crimes against humanity, a genocide in slow motion against Iran's own youth. Women stripped of their hijabs in defiance, only to be met with acid attacks and firing squads. Men dragged from streets, their bodies dumped like refuse.

The world knows the truth now—leaked videos, survivor testimonies, satellite images of mass graves. Iran's leaders aren't governing; they're slaughtering. And the UN? The so-called human rights watchdogs? They're complicit in their silence, too busy sipping tea in Geneva to condemn this axis of evil. Then came their fatal blunder: threatening the life of Donald Trump. (Read More)

WSJ publishes Iran FM's most direct threat to Trump that dismisses violent protest crackdown

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued the Islamic Republic's most direct threat to the United States in an opinion piece published by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

"Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack. This isn’t a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war," Araghchi wrote. The foreign minister went on to repeatedly blame a potential military conflict with the US on Israel.

"An all-out confrontation will certainly be ferocious and drag on far, far longer than the fantasy timelines that Israel and its proxies are trying to peddle to the White House," he wrote. "It will certainly engulf the wider region and have an impact on ordinary people around the globe. I will do anything in my power to prevent that scenario from materializing."

He also alleged that the US and Iran were "very close to a middle-way solution during negotiations in Oman last May," but that the deal ultimately did not pan out. "Why? Because of Israel’s proxies in the White House, who couldn’t possibly care less about American interests." (Read More)

BREAKING: US Carrier Goes Dark - Stealth Mode Signals Imminent Iran Strike

The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has switched to stealth mode by turning off its radars, sending a strong deterrence signal to Iran, while Israel maintains maximum readiness for a possible Iranian response and Prime Minister Netanyahu convenes a security discussion.

The United States appears to be approaching a point of decision on military action against Iran, with Israeli security officials noting an accelerated buildup of American forces in the Middle East expected to reach full operational capacity within days. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has shifted to a classified operational mode by deactivating its radar systems, a move interpreted as a clear message of heightened readiness and retained surprise capability directed at Tehran amid escalating regional tensions.

In Israel the IDF and broader defense establishment continue to maintain an exceptionally high state of alert, operating on the assumption that all options remain on the table and that developments in the coming days could prove decisive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to convene a limited security discussion tomorrow with select ministers and top defense officials to review potential scenarios and coordinate national posture.

Israeli assessments indicate that once American air and naval reinforcements are complete, President Trump may authorize a broad offensive operation in Iran. While Israel is not expected to participate directly in any US-led strike, preparations encompass both defensive and offensive measures to counter a likely Iranian retaliation. The arrival of three additional F-35I Adir stealth fighters at Nevatim Airbase in recent days brings Israel's fleet to 48 aircraft, enhancing its ability to penetrate defended airspace and conduct precision strikes if required. (Read More)

Jared Kushner unveils $25 billion plan to transform Gaza into economic hub by 2035

The Board of Peace estimates that more than $25 billion will be needed to develop modern utilities and public services.

A detailed blueprint for the reconstruction and economic transformation of the Gaza Strip was presented on Thursday in Davos, outlining a multi-phase master plan designed to turn the enclave into a regional economic hub by 2035. The proposal was introduced by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and special envoy, during the signing of the Board of Peace charter.

The initiative sets ambitious targets for the next decade. It aims to raise Gaza’s GDP to more than $10 billion and increase average annual household income to over $13,000. The plan is structured around a six-phase development timeline that begins in the south and advances northward. Phase I focuses on Rafah and Khan Yunis. Phase II involves expanding Khan Younis. Phase III targets development in the central refugee camps, while Phase IIII centers on the reconstruction of Gaza City.

A major section of the coastline has been designated for coastal tourism, with plans to construct 180 mixed-use towers. The interior of the Strip is zoned for residential neighborhoods and industrial zones covering more than 25 square kilometers, intended to accommodate data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities. The infrastructure proposal includes a new port and airport, a trilateral crossing at Rafah, a freight rail line with a backport logistics corridor, and a network of ring and main roads to connect Gaza’s urban centers. (Read More)

Turkey deploys advanced radar at Damascus airport, raising Israeli concerns

Turkey recently deployed an advanced radar system at Damascus International Airport in a move that could limit Israel’s freedom of action in Syrian airspace. The HTRS-100 air traffic control radar system, produced by the Turkish defense company ASELSAN, was described by Turkey’s Ambassador to Syria Nuh Yilmaz as a deployment that “represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for the main aviation hub of Syria’s capital.”

The system provides “precise detection and tracking of all aerial targets surrounding airports, integrating the most advanced technologies to ensure maximum reliability and performance,” a Turkish expert said. The radar operates at ranges of approximately 150-200 km., and is described as a tool that “delivers accurate detection and tracking of all airborne targets in the vicinity of the airport.” The Jerusalem Post reported in December that Turkey was working to deploy radar systems across Syrian territory, in a move that, according to Western intelligence sources, could significantly reduce Israel’s aerial freedom of action over the country.

Over the past year, Israel has operated freely in Syria and has also used Syrian airspace to reach targets in other countries, such as Iran. About a year ago, shortly after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel carried out a series of strikes against military bases in Syria, including Syrian Air Force installations. These strikes were conducted amid concerns that Turkey might establish permanent bases on Syrian soil and deploy drones there. (Read More)

8 Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, accept invite to join Board of Peace

Eight prominent Muslim countries jointly announced their decisions to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Wednesday, as Trump acknowledged some countries may have difficulties joining without parliamentary approval. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will each appoint a representative to sit on the panel of world leaders, their foreign ministers announced in a joint statement.

While Egypt, Pakistan, and the UAE had already announced plans to join the Board of Peace, the other five countries had been mulling the decision. Trump badly wanted Saudi Arabia to join, publicly urging its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, to do so, but Riyadh was mum until now. The Board of Peace was given a UN Security Council mandate to oversee the postwar management of Gaza until the end of 2027, though the US is aiming to use the panel for conflict resolution around the globe. The proposed board would be chaired for life by Trump, with member countries required to pay a $1 billion fee each to earn permanent membership.

It is only expected to meet a handful of times each year, and the panel more involved in decision-making regarding Gaza will be the Gaza Executive Board, unveiled on Friday. That body also includes representatives from Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and the US. In the Muslim countries’ statement announcing their decision to join the Board of Peace, they reiterated their support for “advancing a just and lasting peace grounded in the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way for security and stability for all countries and peoples of the region.” (Ed note: Wow. This is beginning to look like the starting line-up for the war in the prophecy of Psalm 83.) (Read More)

"Send Them to Hell": Fury in Gaza Over Hamas Leaders' Exit Rumors

As reports emerge that remaining Hamas leaders are negotiating a permanent escape to foreign soil, the people of Gaza are breaking their silence to condemn the corrupt officials who left them to face total ruin.

Reports from the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat suggesting that senior Hamas leaders are preparing to flee the Gaza Strip have sparked a wave of intense anger and desperate hope among local residents. For the civilians who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and relatives during the war against the terrorist organization, the prospect of an official exit for their leaders represents a bitter end to a decade of oppression. In exclusive conversations with N12, residents of the Gaza Strip described the Hamas leadership as a corrupt group of criminals who traded the blood of the Palestinian people for personal survival. While some residents pray for the terrorists to leave through a safe corridor to prevent further bloodshed, others are calling for their immediate imprisonment for the systematic theft of public funds and the destruction they brought upon the region.

Khaled, a Gaza resident known for his opposition to the terrorist regime, expressed profound skepticism regarding the true intentions of the group but argued that their departure is the only way to ensure the war does not return. "I know they are thieves, corrupt, and criminals," Khaled stated. "Their exit is the best solution at this stage because as long as they are inside Gaza, there is a possibility that the war will return because of their presence." He noted that the leadership serves no purpose for the people and only exists to call for more death. Khaled lamented that the international community failed to support local opposition groups, leaving Gaza in the hands of radicalized violent men. "The best and safest solution is for them to leave the Strip so the world calms down and we take away the excuses for renewed fighting," he added.

Another resident, Juma'a, did not hold back his fury, using even harsher language to describe his feelings toward the Islamic movement. "By the grace of God, let them go to hell, them and this Islamic current," he told N12. "They are the ones who did all this, and now they want to run away. May God take them. Let a disaster fall on them and their children." This sentiment of abandonment is common among those who feel that the leadership is seeking a "safe exit" only after the infrastructure of the region has been decimated. (Read More)

Hezbollah liaison officer eliminated after arms smuggling scheme

The IDF on Wednesday struck and eliminated the terrorist Abu Ali Salameh, who served as a Hezbollah liaison officer in the village of Yanouh in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, as part of his role, the terrorist managed Hezbollah’s activities in the village of Yanouh, with the aim of enabling Hezbollah to operate within the civilian environment and private properties in the village, and to embed terrorist infrastructure within the heart of the population, through the deliberate and cynical exploitation of residents to advance the objectives of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

On December 13, 2025, the IDF submitted a request to the enforcement mechanism to enforce action against a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in the village of Yanouh in southern Lebanon. In his role as the village’s liaison officer, the terrorist Salameh received the report from the Lebanese Armed Forces and passed it on to additional Hezbollah operatives. Upon the arrival of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah terrorists prevented them from dismantling the infrastructure by creating a gathering that enabled Hezbollah to move the weapons out of the property.

When the incident concluded, the terrorist coordinated with the Lebanese Armed Forces to document the property without the weapons, thereby claiming that the site was empty. During the Lebanese Armed Forces’ activity, several suspicious boxes were removed from the rear door of the property. The IDF stressed that the actions of the terrorist Abu Ali Salameh constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. (Ed note: The village of Yanouh in southern Lebanon is located in the Tyre District.)   (Source)

Trump says Hamas must give up weapons in next few weeks or be 'blown away'

"If they don't do it, they'll be blown away very quickly. They'll be blown away," Trump said at an aside during Davos.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said it should be known within three weeks whether Hamas will agree to give up its weapons, and threatened action if the group does not.

"That's what they agreed to. They've got to do it. And we're going to know ... over the next two or three days - certainly over the next three weeks - whether or not they're going to do it," Trump said in a question and answer session following his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "If they don't do it, they'll be blown away very quickly. They'll be blown away." (Source)

Iran expert, Dr. Thamar E. Gindin: 'Iranians immensely disappointed by Trump's promises'

Dr. Thamar E. Gindin: 'The Iranian people went to the streets to protest and risked their lives because of Trump's promises. Even if he bombs Iran now, it's too late for thousands of families.'

Amid deep disappointment in Iran over the decision by US President Donald Trump to freeze assistance to protesters and halt military action against the Iranian regime, Arutz Sheva spoke with Dr. Thamar Eilam-Gindin, an expert on Iran from the Ezri Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at the University of Haifa.

At the outset of the interview, Dr. Eilam-Gindin questioned what practical benefit a belated US strike would bring. For the estimated 12,000 to 30,000 Iranians killed by regime forces, and for their families-many of whom do not even know where their loved ones are buried-such a move, she said, would come far too late to make a difference.

To illustrate her argument, Dr. Eilam-Gindin traced the sequence of events and highlighted the close connection between President Trump’s statements and the willingness of Iranian citizens to take to the streets and pay a heavy price. “The protests began on December 28. On the Friday of that week, Trump said he would not repeat what he described as Obama’s historic mistake, when protesters relied on US support that never came and 200 people were killed. He said he would not repeat that mistake, that he supported the protesters, and that if the regime began killing, he would intervene. The next morning, he demonstrated that he was capable of acting. With that tailwind, the Iranian people went out into the streets." (Read More)

Iran Executes 13 Prisoners As U.S. Carrier Hurries into Position

No, President Trump. The hangings haven't stopped and neither have the regime's trumped up charges against protesters.

Human rights organization Hengaw reported today that Iranian authorities executed 13 prisoners today across prisons in Sari (Mazandaran Province), Tabriz (East Azerbaijan), Isfahan, Qom, and Shiraz (Fars Province). The individuals were convicted on charges including premeditated murder, rape, and drug-related offenses. Identified victims include: 

* Sari: Mostafa Hemmati (47, drug charges) and Abbas Sharifi (42, drug charges).
*Tabriz: Mohammad Attari and Moharram Sarchami (murder charges).
*Isfahan: Khodadad Mozaffari and Ali Bahman (murder charges).
*Qom: Hamid Jahangiri and Khosrow Alishahi (murder and rape charges).

Estimates of protest-related deaths range from 3,000 to over 20,000, with fears of mass executions looming for detainees. President Trump promised that help was on the way and called off at least one massive operation against the regime last week. Many believe that the op was not canceled, it was just potsponed. But for thousands of Iranians, it's already too late. Israel remains in a state of high vigilance regarding the possibility of an American military strike in Iran, according to a report by Gili Cohen on Kan 11 News.

Top-level security discussions and situation assessments have continued in Jerusalem over the last few days, as the United States actively increases its military presence in the region and notably takes steps to ensure these maneuvers are highly visible to the regime. American officials view the ongoing internet blackout imposed by Tehran as a clear indication of the regime's panic in the face of internal unrest.

A US official clarified the administration's strategy, stating that the "maximum pressure" campaign is targeted strictly at the Iranian regime, not the Iranian public. The official emphasized that the US will "continue to support internet access for the Iranian people," describing it as a vital tool to "expose the truth about what is happening in Iran." (Source)

Trump warns US will ‘wipe Iran off the face of this earth’ if it assassinates him

US President Donald Trump says the United States will ‘wipe’ out Iran if the country assassinates him.
“The whole country is going to get blown up,” Trump says in an interview on NewsNation’s “Katie Pavlich Tonight.”

“I have very firm instructions — anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth,” he adds. Iran on Tuesday warned Trump not to take any action against the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, days after the US president called for an end to Khamenei’s nearly 40-year reign.

“Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world,” said Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces.
Trump has previously said he’s given his advisers instructions to obliterate Iran if the country is behind an assassination of him. (Source)

Fate of Iran's protest revolution rests on Trump and US military aid - analysis

What Trump will do if he decides to attack is far from clear, and whether he would succeed in toppling the regime is also a big question.

The protests in Iran came to a head between January 8 and January 19, when over a million people joined the demonstrations. But the regime’s subsequent crackdown, likely killing at least 5,000 protesters and arresting and wounding tens of thousands more, has likely capped the capability of the demonstrations to topple Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei unless US President Donald Trump orders an attack.

Even for the notoriously spontaneous-acting and whimsical US president, his policy zigzags on the Islamic Republic over the last month have been dizzying. When the protests started in Iran, Trump took his standard stand-offish, classic “America first” position of staying out of foreign conflicts. However, he started to shift gears after some days of protests, toying with the idea of getting involved, and then, after the successful January 3 American abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, he got more confidence and showed even more interest.

Still, during the critical January 8-9 days, Trump was not ready to get involved. Only as reports of the mass killings grew within the media did Trump accelerate his potential intervention, until on Wednesday, January 14, he posted, “Help is on the way,” almost ordering a series of strikes. Eventually, Trump called off the attack. There were murmurous reasons as to why, such as he was not sure enough about what to attack, America was not fully ready to defend its Middle East bases, although it had carried out some rushed evacuations, and the US military lacked its full resources, like the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. (Read More)

Senior Hamas officials planning 'safe exit' from Gaza Strip, Saudi media outlet reports

Senior Hamas figures are reportedly weighing a coordinated departure from Gaza following the rollout of Phase II of Donald Trump’s plan, according to sources cited by Asharq al-Awsat.

Senior leaders of the Hamas terror group are preparing a "safe exit" from the Gaza Strip, sources within the terror group revealed to Saudi outlet Asharq al-Awsat on Tuesday. This comes after the US announced the start of Phase II of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, which calls for establishing a technocratic government to administer the Strip.

Several "prominent political and military leaders who survived the war" are preparing to leave, three Hamas sources told the outlet. One of the sources claimed that the departure would be "voluntary and carried out under specific arrangements, with full coordination with Hamas leadership abroad," the outlet reported. Another stated that other leadership, particularly "military figures, categorically reject leaving Gaza under any circumstances."

This reaffirms previous statements by terror leader Khaled Mashaal, who stated in December that the terror group will not disarm, give up administrative control in the Strip, or permit the International Stabilization Force to take military oversight of the area. The same sources also claimed that several of the Hamas prisoners released in exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Schalit in 2011, and who now oversee "key portfolios" within the terror group, are expected to travel to Turkey. However, the outlet spoke to a "senior Hamas leader based outside Gaza" who denied these reports. (Read More)

Ministers reportedly decide to keep Rafah Crossing shut, bucking US pressure amid anger over Board of Peace

A small group of senior cabinet ministers on Sunday decided against reopening the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, bucking US demands that the gate resume operating as envisioned by President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, the Ynet news site reports.

The decision came amid Israeli frustration over the inclusion of senior officials from Turkey and Qatar in the Board of Peace’s Gaza Executive Board, which will be overseeing the postwar management of Gaza.

Israel has also argued that it shouldn’t reopen Rafah in both directions before Hamas agrees to disarm and returns the body of the final Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili. (Source)

Trump appoints Hamas patrons to Gaza board, raising alarm in Israel

Israel responded sharply to the Jan. 16 White House announcement that Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan would take part in the running of the Gaza Strip, leading to a rare breakdown in usually strong communication between America and Israel. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office seemed caught off guard by the move, which came as part of a broader announcement about the formation of various bodies to implement Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict.

On Jan. 17, the PMO said that “the composition of the Gaza Executive Board … was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy.” Observers told JNS that Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan being members of a committee was one thing, but having them put troops on the ground was quite another. Netanyahu stressed this in a Knesset speech on Monday, saying Israel would not accept Turkish and Qatari soldiers as part of the Gaza International Stabilization Force (ISF), the multinational peacekeeping group outlined in the Trump plan. “Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers will not be in the Strip,” the prime minister said. Israel has ruled out Pakistani troop participation as well.

...“The problem is that Turkey and Qatar are patrons of Hamas: financial, ideological, military patrons of a terrorist organization. They are, in other words, state sponsors of terrorism,” Schanzer told JNS.

...“They are responsible for the war that erupted. They are responsible for not bringing that war to an end sooner. They are responsible for not reining in their terrorist proxy. And as a result, if you ask me, they should never have had a role to play.” (Read More)

The Big One is Coming: Minister Katz Orders Emergency Plan as Tremors Shake Israel

Following a series of tremors that shook the entire country this week, Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency readiness to prepare the civilian front for a major earthquake.

Israel is officially entering a heightened state of disaster preparedness following a series of earthquakes that rattled the country over the past week, stretching from the southern desert to the northern Galilee. These tremors, which serve as a stark reminder of Israel’s precarious position along the Syrian-African Rift, have prompted the government to accelerate its national defense and civil readiness strategies. On Monday, Defense Minister Israel Katz convened the Ministerial Committee for Civilian Readiness to address the vulnerabilities exposed by these recent geological events. During the session, Katz formally designated 2026 and 2027 as "critical readiness years," signaling a shift in national priorities toward ensuring the country can survive a large scale seismic catastrophe.

The emergency meeting included high ranking officials such as Justice Minister Yariv Levin and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, alongside top commanders from the police and security establishment. Minister Katzissued a direct mandate to the Home Front Command and the National Emergency Management Authority to produce a comprehensive, multi year operational plan within the next 60 days. This plan is designed to close the significant gaps identified in recent professional reviews and will focus on the rapid upgrading of early warning systems and the reinforcement of critical strategic infrastructure.

A major component of this new initiative is the clarification of administrative powers. To prevent confusion during a real time crisis, the committee established clear boundaries between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of National Security, ensuring there is no management vacuum when immediate life saving decisions are required. The government is also looking to lessons learned from the ongoing war and previous military exercises like "Am Kalavi" to refine how the civilian sector handles extreme emergencies. (Read More)

‘The dollar is losing credibility’: why central banks are scrambling for gold

Fifteen minutes after takeoff, the call came for Serbia’s central bank governor: millions of dollars’ worth of gold bars, destined for a high-security Belgrade vault, had been left on the runway of a Swiss airport.In air freight – despite the extraordinary value of bullion – fresh flowers, food and other perishables still take priority. “We learned this the hard way,” Jorgovanka Tabaković told a conference late last year. 

Serbia’s is among a growing number of central banks to hastily amass vast stockpiles of gold, upending decades of conventional economic logic and fuelling an increase in the gold price amid mounting geopolitical tensions. As Washington challenges the US Federal Reserve’s independence, sending jitters through financial markets, the price soared to a record $4,643 (£3,463) an ounce this week, and analysts have tipped it to break $5,000 this year. 

As Donald Trump shatters the global rules-based order, official institutions (and private investors) are scrambling to buy gold: the share of the asset in central banks’ reserves has doubled in the past decade to more than a quarter, the highest level in almost 30 years. Although this partly reflects the soaring bullion price, experts say central banks are also stuffing their vaults as an insurance policy in a volatile world. Many are also rushing to repatriate gold stockpiles held overseas, and slashing their exposure to the US dollar. 

“We have moved from Pax Americana to global discord, geopolitically. It is the law of the jungle when we see what the US are doing,” says Raphaël Gallardo, the chief economist at the asset manager Carmignac.“Investors – private and sovereign – believe their strategic reserves are no longer safe in dollar terms, as they can be confiscated overnight. The dollar is losing the credibility as the nominal anchor of the global monetary system because the Fed is losing credibility, and US Congress is losing its credibility.” (Read More)

Netanyahu: There won't be Turkish or Qatari soldiers in Gaza, amid 'dispute’ with US

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Monday that no Turkish or Qatari soldiers would be present in Gaza, stating that Israel has a “certain dispute” with the United States over the issue. Netanyahu made the remarks during a heated 40-signature debate in the Knesset plenum and following US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of the formation of the Gaza Board of Peace, which includes Turkish and Qatari representation. “Turkish or Qatari soldiers will not be in the Strip,” the prime minister asserted.

“We have a certain dispute with our friends in the United States regarding the composition of the advisory council that will accompany the processes in Gaza,” he told the plenum Netanyahu said Israel was approaching “Phase B” of the Trump plan, though Israel is still awaiting the return of slain hostage Ran Gvili’s remains, as stipulated in the first stage of the agreement. “Phase B means one simple thing: Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized,” he said. “We are committed to these goals, and they will be achieved, either the hard way or the easy way,” the prime minister added.

Netanyahu also warned Tehran against attacking Israel. “If Iran makes a mistake and attacks us, we will respond with a force it has never known,” he said. Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) sharply criticized Netanyahu following his remarks, accusing him of being sidelined by Trump. “President Trump announced, over your head, the composition of the governing committee of Gaza,” Lapid said. “The hosts of Hamas in Istanbul and Doha, Hamas’s ideological partners, were invited to run Gaza.” He also criticized the formation of a technocrats’ committee tasked with managing daily life in Gaza. (Read More)

Iran Threatens to ‘Pursue, Punish’ President Trump for Terror‑Linked ‘Crimes’ of Fomenting Regime Unrest

Iran’s judiciary declared it will “pursue” and “punish” President Donald Trump and leaders of the “Zionist regime” for “crimes” linked to fomenting protests, according to the Islamic Republic’s judiciary chief who accused Washington and Jerusalem of backing “terrorists." On Monday, Iran’s top judicial authority Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i posted a fiery declaration accusing American and Israeli leaders of direct complicity in recent “crimes,” referring to Iran’s nationwide protests and strikes that have challenged the Islamic theocracy’s grip on power.

The post, written in Persian and shared on the judiciary’s official X account, claimed Iran would pursue prosecution both domestically and “through international channels.” “The President of the United States, the leaders of the accursed Zionist regime, and other supporters and providers of military and propaganda support to the criminals and terrorists involved in recent events are among the offenders who, in accordance with the extent and scale of their crimes, will be pursued, tried, and punished,” the statement read. “We will not abandon the pursuit and prosecution of the perpetrators of the recent crimes in domestic courts and through international channels,” he added.

The threat comes after nearly three weeks of unrest inside Iran and a wave of anti-American rhetoric from top officials. On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States for Iran’s crises, accusing Washington of imposing “inhumane” sanctions while warning that any challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would amount to an “all-out war” against the Iranian nation. The statement reflects Tehran’s growing effort to rally domestic support around the Supreme Leader while shifting blame for Iran’s internal conflict onto foreign adversaries — particularly the United States. (Ed note: Now that's real smart. Put some mouth on Trumps ego, and see what happens to you.) (Read More)

Davos ban sparks war of words with Iranian FM

The President's Office and the Iranian Foreign Minister traded barbs online following the decision to bar Iran from the World Economic Forum.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted today about the decision to remove Iran from this year's World Economic Forum. The decision was made as a protest against the killing of demonstrators by the regime forces. "WEF cancelled my appearance in Davos on the basis of lies and political pressure from Israel and its U.S.-based proxies and apologists. There is one fundamental truth to the recent violence in Iran: We had to defend our people against armed terrorists and ISIS-style killings openly backed by Mossad," Araghchi wrote after the ban was announced.

"The sad irony: Israel's genocide of Palestinians and mass slaughter of 71,000 innocent people have not compelled WEF to cancel any invitation extended to Israeli officials whatsoever. In fact, Herzog even did a victory lap in Davos as early as January 2024, even as he faced criminal charges in Switzerland for the unfolding Genocide in Gaza. If WEF wants to feign a supposedly "moral" stance, that is its prerogative. But it should at least be consistent about it. The current blatant double standard only conveys moral depravity and intellectual bankruptcy."

"People have the right to know the truth and judge for themselves. Shame is solely reserved for those who think otherwise," he concluded. The tweet came with a video claiming to show the link between Israel and ISIS and the Iranian demonstrators, as well as graphic videos of the bodies of some of the demonstrators. (Read More)

Netanyahu: Iran will face unprecedented force if it attacks Israel

"No one can predict what tomorrow will bring in Iran, but one thing is clear: no matter what happens—Iran will not return to being what it was," said the Israeli premier.

If the Islamic Republic attacks Israel, Jerusalem “will act with might that Iran has not seen before,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday. “We are closely following what is happening in Iran,” Netanyahu told the Knesset, speaking at a 40-signature debate, which the opposition can call once a month and which the prime minister is obliged to attend.

“We are all looking with a sense of wonder at the heroic struggle of Iran’s citizens to achieve liberty, welfare and justice. We see the atrocities of the massacre ordered by the rulers of Iran,” the premier continued. According to Netanyahu, “No one can predict what tomorrow will bring in Iran, but one thing is clear: no matter what happens—Iran will not return to being what it was.” The largest protest movement since 1979 has spread across Iran, with demonstrators filling the streets of Tehran, Mashhad and other cities across all 31 provinces.

The unrest was triggered by inflation and the collapse of the rial, which has plunged to about 1.46 million to the dollar. However, what began as anger over prices and a sinking currency has widened into calls to end clerical rule, with strikes shuttering businesses in commercial hubs. (Read More)

NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN IN IRAN

 (Ed note: Don't be without your copy of this book. Get yours today.)  (CLICK HERE)

Iran-US crisis over Tehran’s protest crackdown carries nuclear risks, experts warn

Regime could lose ability to protect nuclear assets, which may be diverted to covert program or stolen by faction of government or military that wants to retain weaponization option.

VIENNA (AP) — In the wake of spiraling tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s violent crackdown on protests, analysts warn that the internal upheaval affecting the Iranian theocracy could carry nuclear proliferation risks. While in recent days, US President Donald Trump seemed to have backed away from a military strike on Iran, he called Saturday for an end to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s nearly 40-year reign in Iran. Trump’s comments came in response to Khamenei branding Trump a “criminal” for supporting protesters in Iran and blaming demonstrators for causing thousands of deaths.

Meanwhile, a US aircraft carrier, which days earlier had been in the South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca — putting it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East. With those dangers, analysts warn Iran’s nuclear material could be at risk as well. David Albright, a former nuclear weapons inspector in Iraq and founder of the nonprofit Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, said that in a scenario of internal chaos in Iran, the government could “lose the ability to protect its nuclear assets.” He said that Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile “would be the most worrisome,” adding that there is a possibility that someone could steal some of this material. 

 
...Nuclear power reactor could be a target:
In the case of internal chaos, Iran’s nuclear power reactor in Bushehr — Iran’s only commercial nuclear power plant some 750 kilometers (465 miles) south of Tehran — could also get sabotaged or targeted with the aim of causing havoc or making a political point, Albright said. Bushehr is fueled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran. (Ed note: The picture above is of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran,) (Read More)

How Pakistan Is Opening Doors for US Attack in Iran

Iran warns Trump: Any attack on Khamenei is 'full-scale war'

Iran warns that any attack on Khamenei would mean war, as the US weighs military action amid escalating tensions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Sunday that any attempt to target the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would amount to a declaration of war. His comments, quoted by The Guardian, came amid speculation that US President Donald Trump is considering an effort to assassinate or remove Khamenei. In a post on X, Pezeshkian wrote: “An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation."

The Iranian President also accused the United States of fueling the mass protests that have swept Iran over the past two weeks, resulting in thousands of deaths among demonstrators. “If there are hardship and constraints in the lives of the dear people of Iran, one of the main causes is the longstanding hostility and inhumane sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies," he said.

The comments come a day after Trump, speaking to Politico on Saturday, called for an end to Khamenei’s nearly four decades in power, describing him as “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people". The latest wave of unrest erupted on December 28, driven by public anger over soaring inflation, a collapsing currency and severe economic hardship. Demonstrations quickly expanded from economic grievances to widespread anti-government protests demanding regime change. (Read More)

Khamenei's gamble: Iran admits to the slaughter and counts on the world to look away - editorial

Khamenei himself bears the responsibility for this bloodshed.

Iran’s supreme leader has now openly acknowledged what the Islamic Republic has spent weeks trying to obscure from the world. In remarks carried by Iranian state media on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admitted that “several thousand deaths” had occurred during Iran’s latest wave of nationwide protests, while blaming the United States and Israel for the bloodshed.

Protesters, he declared, were “criminals,” “mercenaries,” and mohareb (enemies of God) – a charge that carries the death penalty under Iranian law. For over four decades, the Islamic Republic has relied on a familiar formula for survival. It begins with repression at home, then blames foreign intervention, and waits for the world to hesitate. When Iranians protest corruption or inflation, the regime’s response is lethal force. And when the death toll mounts, Tehran redirects responsibility outward, confident that international outrage will stop short of any consequential acts. This is one way the regime has firmly held on to power.

The current unrest represents the most serious challenge to the regime since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, and arguably since the Islamic Republic’s inception in 1979. Human rights organizations estimate that more than 16,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands arrested – the official death rate is currently at 5,000. Internet access has been repeatedly cut to prevent coordination between protesters and to obscure the scale of the crackdown. (Read More)

As Iran threat looms: Three new F-35 jets arrive in Israel

Three F-35i “Adir" fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, landed today (Sunday) at the Nevatim Air Base. The aircraft will be assigned to the 116th Squadron and the 140th Squadron. The Israeli Air Force insignia has been emblazoned on the aircraft.

Since the outbreak of the war, the “Adir" fleet has been operating continuously across a wide range of defensive and offensive missions in all arenas of combat.

The IDF noted that the arrival of the new aircraft marks a further enhancement of the “Adir" fleet and contributes to the Israeli Air Force’s operational capabilities. Israel recognizes the importance of its defense partnership with the United States, stemming from a commitment to strengthening stability in the Middle East. (Source)

Israel said worried Hamas is emboldened by Trump’s Gaza plan, is looking to rebuild

Security officials have reportedly warned that the inclusion of Turkey, Qatar on Gaza Executive Board motivates Hamas to model itself after Hezbollah and hold onto its weapons.

Israel’s defense establishment believes that Hamas is increasingly motivated to rebuild and recover from the heavy losses inflicted upon it throughout the last two years of war, encouraged in part by US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, Hebrew language media reported Sunday, citing unnamed security sources. At the same time as it rebuilds, the Palestinian terror group will be looking to attack Israel Defense Forces soldiers on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line, the reports said. The assessment, reportedly delivered in closed-door briefings to Israel’s political echelon, came days after the Trump administration announced the start of phase two of its plan for ending the Gaza war, which envisions the establishment of a series of panels tasked with governing the Strip in place of Hamas.

Rather than seeing Washington’s plans as a threat to its future, Hamas has “welcomed” them, the security sources said, as the terror group is hoping to model Gaza after Lebanon, where the Hezbollah terror group wields significant power, and the government is weak and unable to bring it in line. A November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon mandated that Hezbollah be disarmed, but the Iran-backed group has insisted that it will not agree to do so, and Israel has accused it of attempting to rebuild in southern Lebanon.

The current assessment in Israel is that Hamas, like Hezbollah, will continue to stall for time and delay giving up its weapons, and that, although disarmament is a key term of the US-brokered ceasefire, the delay will not prevent the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip from moving ahead. Hamas, according to officials quoted by Channel 12, “will do everything it can to drag out the process and exhaust all parties, while reconstruction on the ground begins in practice.” (Read More)

Hezbollah leader says Israeli strikes ‘cannot continue’

“We will not surrender; we will not accept the continuation of attacks in the country without doing anything—there must be a limit to everything,” said Naim Qassem.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the Iranian-backed terrorist group will not disarm, that “the aggression against Lebanon cannot continue” and “we have the right to defend ourselves.” His comments, made during a televised address broadcast on Iranian media, come against the backdrop of continued Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon nearly 14 months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon ended more than a year of cross-border fighting.

Israeli troops from the Israel Defense Forces’ Multi-Dimensional Unit have wrapped up a two-month mission in Southern Lebanon aimed at preventing Hezbollah from entrenching along the border. Operating under the 91st Division, the unit gathered intelligence, located enemy infrastructure and directed fire, helping ground and air forces dismantle Hezbollah positions and kill or capture operatives, the military said on Sunday.

The terror leader claimed that Hezbollah’s weapons are intended to defend the Lebanese people. “We will not surrender; we will not accept the continuation of attacks in the country without doing anything—there must be a limit to everything,” said Qassem. (Read More)

Israel's cabinet members blame Jared Kushner for Turkish, Qatari presence on Gaza board

Ministers said Kushner “derailed” Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders.

Several ministers in Israel’s small security cabinet blamed Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for the composition of the Executive Board for the Board of Peace, which includes Turkish and Qatarirepresentation that Israel firmly opposes. According to remarks made during a closed discussion on Sunday, participants alleged that Kushner was “taking revenge” on Israel for its refusal to reopen the Rafah Crossing, and that his ties in the region were shaping the plan’s structure.

Ministers said Kushner “derailed” Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders. Israeli officials stressed they work routinely and effectively with the American administration. In a past cabinet session, one participant claimed Kushner has “fantasies about world peace” that do not always align with Israeli interests.

The cabinet said the Prime Minister’s Office directive for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to contact the US Secretary of State was not a bid to shift responsibility, as some media suggested, but an effort to manage the crisis methodically. (Read More)

Israeli Fury Erupts Over Trump's Jewish Son-in-Law Jared Kushner

The post-Trump Gaza plan drama just got a concerning dose of family intrigue. Israeli officials are seething, pointing the blame straight at Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's Jewish son-in-law, for the U.S. announcement of a new national committee to manage the Gaza Strip. The accusation? Pure revenge against Israel for slamming the door on reopening the Rafah crossing. This political finger-pointing comes hot on the heels of Trump's big reveal, and it's stirring up a storm in Jerusalem's tight-knit cabinet circles.

Senior Israeli sources, as reported today (Sunday) by Yehuda Schlesinger in Walla, aren't mincing words. During a closed-door meeting of the narrowed-down security cabinet, attendees outright accused Kushner of orchestrating the committee's formation, one that includes Turkey and Qatar, much to Israel's chagrin.Why the vendetta? Insiders claim it's payback for Israel's steadfast refusal to reopen the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza. Unlike other key Trump administration figures, such as Secretary of State Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Kushner reportedly views the regional dynamics through a lens that's worlds apart from Israel's perspective.

Last night, Kushner took to social media to hail the launch of Gaza's executive committee, declaring that "the hard work is just beginning." He quoted from the committee's mission statement: "We are committed to establishing security, restoring essential services that form the foundation of human dignity such as electricity, water, health services, and education, and fostering a society rooted in peace, democracy, and justice. The NCAG, operating to the highest standards of integrity and transparency, will create a productive economy capable of replacing unemployment with opportunities for all." (Read More)

Jared Kushner is back – and so are big questions about his financial ties

Kushner’s investment firm is backed by three Arab petrostates critical to the Gaza agreement. And the deals keep coming.

In Donald Trump’s first term, his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner was omnipresent. He worked on criminal justice reform, Covid-19 vaccine development and modernizing technology across federal agencies. His portfolio extended to foreign policy, as he brokered a new North American trade agreement and negotiated peace deals in the Middle East. But when Trump returned to the White House in January, Kushner stayed out of the limelight and declined to take a formal role in the administration.

A few weeks ago, Kushner re-emerged as a central player behind Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which so far has achieved a ceasefire, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Kushner took a victory lap, as Trump and others in the US administration gave him significant credit for helping negotiate a ceasefire after two years of Israel’s brutal war on Gaza. Kushner is being hailed as the consummate deal-maker, a private citizen whose business acumen succeeded where career diplomats failed.

But as in Trump’s first term, Kushner’s diplomatic work often overlapped with his business dealings, raising questions about financial conflicts. In fact, his potential conflicts are even more conspicuous today. Kushner’s key role in brokering the Gaza deal, which includes a framework for the territory’s postwar redevelopment, cannot be separated from the investment firm he owns, Affinity Partners, which is overwhelmingly financed by the very Arab petrostates critical to the agreement and potential reconstruction – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Together, these three states provided crucial support to Kushner after he left the White House in January 2021, investing billions of dollars that allowed him to launch and expand his private equity firm.

Six months after the end of the first Trump administration, Kushner’s newly created company secured a $2bn investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. It was an unusually large stake, considering that Kushner and his firm had little experience or track record in private equity. In fact, the kingdom’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, overruled a group of advisers who had objected to investing in Kushner’s new project. The advisers warned that due diligence conducted on behalf of the Saudi Public Investment Fund had found the firm’s early operations “unsatisfactory in all aspects”. But leaked internal documents published by the New York Times showed that Prince Mohammed dismissed those concerns, and he was more focused on using the infusion of Saudi cash to cultivate a “strategic relationship” with Kushner. Ed note: This article was published in Oct 29, 2025, and is still timely today.)  (Read More)

.

Trump did not notify Netanyahu about Qatari, Turkish participation in Gaza's BoP - N12

"We did not tell Netanyahu in advance about the composition of the executive committee. Gaza is now our show, not his show," officials told N12.

Israel was not notified in advance about the presence of Qatari and Turkish officials among the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) announced by US President Donald Trump, US officials told N12 on Saturday.

"We did not tell Netanyahu in advance about the composition of the executive committee. He did not expect there to be representatives from Turkey and Qatar, but Gaza is now our show, not his show," the officials told N12.

"If he [Netanyahu] wants the Trump administration to deal with Gaza - we will do it our way," they added. In a separate statement, the technocratic administration expected to take over Gaza said that it "embrace[s] peace, through which we strive to secure the path to real Palestinian rights and self-determination." The revelation came as Israeli officials raised concerns over the makeup of the BoP, saying that it contradicts Israeli policy and was not brought up with Israeli authorities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to take the matter up with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Prime Minister's Office stated following the announcement. Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum slammed the announcement of the BoP members in various statements on Saturday. Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) called the announcement on the Gaza Board of Peace a "diplomatic failure for Israel." (Read More)

Coalition partners back Netanyahu on opposition to Gaza Executive Board members

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition partners on Saturday rallied behind the premier after he voiced opposition to the composition of President Donald Trump’s Gaza Executive Board. “The countries that resuscitated Hamas cannot be the ones that replace it. Those that support it and continue to host it even now will not be given a foothold in Gaza. Period,” tweeted Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, referring to the inclusion of Qatar and Turkey.

“Our brave fighters did not risk their lives in a tremendous national mobilization just to swap one problem for another,” Smotrich wrote. “The prime minister must insist on this, even if it requires managing a dispute with our great friend and with President Trump’s envoys.” The Gaza Executive Board, led by the United States and composed of officials from countries such as Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, “runs contrary to [Israel’s] policy,” Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday evening. The announcement of its establishment “was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy,” Jerusalem’s statement continued.

...Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted that he “supports the prime minister regarding his important statement.” “Gaza doesn’t need any ‘executive board’ to oversee its ‘reconstruction,'” he wrote. “It must be cleared of Hamas terrorists, who must be destroyed, alongside encouraging large-scale voluntary emigration in line with President Trump’s original plan.”

...Amichai Chikli, Israel’s diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism minister and a member of Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party, said Jerusalem “cannot and will not accept” Turkish influence on its southern border, tweeting: “Erdoğan’s Turkey is Hamas.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has turned his country “into a regional aggressor responsible for unprecedented massacres and brutal repression, from the Kurds in Afrin, Aleppo, and Deir Hafir, to Alawites and Druze,” wrote Chikli. (Read More)

Trump's Board of Peace announcement contradicts Israeli policy, PMO says

The makeup of the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP)contradicts Israeli policy and was not brought up with Israeli authorities, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a Saturday statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to take the matter up with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the release added. Trump announced the members of the governing body of Gaza on Friday. Notably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was invited to sit on the board, which Israel deems a red line. 

 
Israel had already asked the Trump administration to exclude Erdogan from the BoP. The issue was raised during talks held in recent weeks between senior Israeli officials and senior Trump administration officials, which focused on the continued implementation of the Trump plan for Gaza.

Israel had already vetoed the presence of Turkish troops in Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force that is to be deployed in the next phase of the Trump plan. The White House announced on Friday that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair will be among the founding members of the BoP, which will be responsible for rebuilding the enclave and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas. Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Peace Council. Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post, “It appears that Trump is building an organization here that will deal not only with Gaza, perhaps ‘a kind of Mini-UN.’” (Read More)