Trump threatens Iran: No more Mister Nice Guy

US President Donald Trump publishes aggressive social media post, warning Iran to 'get smart soon.' 

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning posted a warning to Iran on social media, promising that there would be "no more Mr. Nice Guy." In the post, Trump wrote, "Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" The post featured an AI picture of Trump himself holding a weapon and was captioned, "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!"

Earlier on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal quoted US officials as saying that Trump has instructed his aides to prepare for an "extended blockade" in the Strait of Hormuz. According to WSJ, Trump believes that walking away from the war or resuming fighting both carry more risk than maintaining the blockade and "squeezing" Iran's economy. Iran, for its part, has insisted that the US choose between its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran.

Ali Safari, a senior official in Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said interview with Al Jazeera, that only negotiations based on mutual respect can advance a solution. Safari added that prior to any diplomatic move, trust must be restored between the sides; to this end, he claimed that "lifting the blockade imposed on Iranian ports" would be considered a positive step toward resolving the disputes. (Ed note: "Yeah Baby, bring it. Step down hard on the loud pedal." You do see what the President is doing, don't you?)     (Israel National News)

Trump warns advisers: Prepare for extended blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Iranian official says ball in US' court, demands 'mutual respect,' removal of blockade.

A senior official in Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Ali Safari, said that Iran and the United States suffer from deep mistrust, and that responsibility for progress in negotiations now lies with Washington. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Safari said the US must choose between continuing its pressure policy or shifting to a diplomatic track.

According to him, only negotiations based on mutual respect can advance a solution. Safari added that prior to any diplomatic move, trust must be restored between the sides; to this end, he claimed that "lifting the blockade imposed on Iranian ports" would be considered a positive step toward resolving the disputes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has instructed his aides to prepare for an "extended blockade" in the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal said, quoting US officials

According to WSJ, Trump believes that walking away from the war or resuming fighting both carry more risk than maintaining the blockade and "squeezing" Iran's economy. The US naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz officially began in mid-April. President Donald Trump announced the blockade after delegations from Iran and the United States held extended negotiations in Islamabad but failed to produce an agreement.  (Ed note: "Mutual respect"? In other words, we must respect Iran's right to build a nuclear bomb and blow up both Israel and the US.)    (Source)

Trump reportedly tells aides to prepare for extended blockade of Iran

US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing US officials.

In recent meetings, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, the report says, adding that he believes that his other options, including resuming bombing or walking away from the conflict, carry more risk than maintaining the blockade. (Source)

US talks trigger unprecedented rift in Iran’s hardline camp

A widening split over how to deal with the United States has reached the deepest layers of Iran’s hardline establishment, surfacing in state-linked media and among factions that have long presented a united front under the banner of revolutionary loyalty. The divide became unusually public this week as several ultraconservative MPs refused to sign a letter backing Iran’s negotiating team. The dispute then spilled into hardline media, triggering an unprecedented public clash between Raja News and the Revolutionary Guards-linked Tasnim News Agency.

The confrontation largely pits supporters of former nuclear negotiator and National Security Council member Saeed Jalili against allies of his longtime rival, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently led Iran’s delegation in talks in Islamabad. On Monday, Iranian media reported that 27 members of parliament—including seven affiliated with Jalili’s ultraconservative camp—refused to sign a letter backing the negotiating team and Ghalibaf’s leadership in the Islamabad talks. One of them, Mahmoud Nabavian, who had traveled to Islamabad with the delegation, later claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei’s “red lines” had been violated. He alleged that negotiators had engaged with the United States on nuclear issues against those guidelines.

In recent days, hardline lawmakers and commentators have increasingly criticized the negotiating team.
Jalili himself appeared to escalate tensions when he called on Mojtaba Khamenei to clarify publicly whether ongoing actions reflected his directives. In a now-deleted post, he wrote that if no such message was issued, “there is one hundred percent a ‘sedition of officials,’ and all these statements are written by the coup plotter himself.” The remark was widely seen as aimed at Ghalibaf.

The feud escalated further after a Tasnim editorial said demanding the United States lift all sanctions or agree to a comprehensive ceasefire with Iran’s armed allies in the region amounted to unrealistic expectations like a “magic beanstalk.” The article also argued that negotiations with the United States should not be seen as a final solution and that “the power of the people in the streets” could serve as Iran’s main leverage. Raja News published a harsh response. (Ed note: The thought being that the Iranian government, under the Ayatollahs, have had their way for almost 47 years with the world at large. Now they are being challenged and are having trouble dealing with it. The chilling thing is this government is willing to slaughter their own people to stay in control, and have done so in the recent past.)  (Read More)

Trump admin sanctions Iranian shadow banking sector

“Illicit funds funneled through this network support the regime’s ongoing terrorist operations, posing a direct threat to U.S. personnel, regional allies and the global economy,” the U.S. Treasury Department stated.

The Trump administration turned up the dial on its “Economic Fury” operation on Tuesday, implementing sanctions on 35 people and entities tied, it said, to Iran’s shadow banking sector. The U.S. Treasury Department said that the designated people and entities helped move the equivalent of tens of billions of dollars in a coordinated effort to evade sanctions, funding Iran’s military capabilities and terror sponsorship. “Iran’s shadow banking system serves as a critical financial lifeline for its armed forces, enabling activities that disrupt global trade and fuel violence across the Middle East,” stated Scott Bessent, the U.S. treasury secretary. 

“Illicit funds funneled through this network support the regime’s ongoing terrorist operations, posing a direct threat to U.S. personnel, regional allies and the global economy,” he stated. “Financial institutions are on notice. Any institution that facilitates or engages with these networks is at risk of severe consequences.” Largely cut off from Western financial systems, Iran turns to private companies to manage payments for imports and exports, facilitated through shell companies. Tuesday’s sanctions hit Farab Soroush Afagh Qeshm Company, which works with Iran’s Shahr Bank to enable Iranian oil sales, the Treasury Department said. Two of the company’s senior executives were also designated.

Other front companies working with Bank Sina and Bank Sepah, affiliated with Iran’s supreme leader and the military respectively, were also sanctioned, as were Nix Energy and Tai Lung Trading, which the department accuses of facilitating the transfer of millions of dollars on behalf of already-sanctioned Iranian individuals. “By dismantling these financial channels, we advance the administration’s policy in the conflict with Iran and underscore our commitment to imposing maximum pressure on Iran,” stated Tommy Pigott, U.S. State Department spokesman.

“While the Iranian regime enriches corrupt elites, ordinary Iranians suffer under a deteriorating economy,” Pigott said. The administration’s sanctions-driven “Economic Fury” campaign is being run in tandem with the military’s operation “Epic Fury,” as messaging continues to be passed between Washington and Tehran on a possible resolution to their two-month-old conflict. (Source)

US condemns Iran’s leadership role at UN nuclear conference as ‘beyond shameful’

The United States, joined by the United Arab Emirates and backed by concerns from key European powers, sharply condemned the United Nations’ decision Monday to grant Iran a leadership post at a major nuclear treaty conference. Iran’s selection as one of dozens of vice presidents at the monthlong review conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty reignited scrutiny over what critics say is a recurring pattern of Iran gaining procedural legitimacy inside international institutions despite longstanding concerns over its nuclear conduct.

The clash erupted as the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty opened at U.N. headquarters in New York, where Iran was selected as one of 34 vice presidents through the Non-Aligned Movement bloc. The conference includes 191 treaty parties and convenes every five years to review implementation of the pact aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. For the administration, the symbolism was immediate and explosive.

"Rather than choosing to use this review conference to defend the integrity of the NPT and call Iran to account, we instead elect Iran a vice president," Christopher Yeaw, U.S. assistant secretary for arms control and nonproliferation, told delegates. "It is beyond shameful and an embarrassment to the credibility of this conference." The UAE and Australia publicly backed the American objection, while Britain, France and Germany also expressed concern, marking a broader coalition than in earlier U.N. disputes where the U.S. often stood largely alone in challenging Iran’s procedural elevation. (Read More)

WATCH: IDF dismantles largest Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon

The IDF on Tuesday announced it has destroyed the largest Hezbollah tunnel city in all of southern Lebanon, built with significant aid from Iran. According to the IDF, the network could have housed and provided weapons, communications, and other operational infrastructure for thousands of Radwan Forces elite terrorists in the area. During its 2024 invasion of Lebanon, the IDF found three tunnel city networks, but this one, near Kantara, was by the largest.

Some 11 kilometers from the border, in southern Lebanon, Kantara sits roughly parallel to the midpoint between Israeli moshavim Margaliyot and Dovev in Upper Galilee. The IDF informed that the tunnel was two kilometers long and 10 km. wide; photos show that it had spread out in several different directions under numerous other villages in the area.

In fact, the tunnel network was even larger than originally described, as its description only included the large western portion of the network. There is an almost parallel eastern tunnel network, which Hezbollah probably intended to connect to the western network at some point. That eastern network is also relatively large and is being destroyed.

Division 36, including the 7th Armored Brigade 7, the 1st “Golani” Brigade, commandos, and the “Yahalom” Special Operations Engineering Unit, were all involved in extended fighting moving from east to west in Lebanon from Rav Talatin (the 30-km. buffer zone established by Israel) to the village of A-Taibah and eventually to Kantara. (Read More)

Lebanon President's Life in Danger Over Israel Talks, Knesset Committee Warned

The Lebanese president's ongoing negotiations with Israel have placed his life in serious jeopardy, according to a classified security briefing delivered Tuesday to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The stark warning emerged during a comprehensive intelligence assessment that also addressed Iran's military capabilities and the evolving situation along Israel's northern border.

Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismut issued an urgent public appeal following the session, calling on Israeli citizens to "remain vigilant in light of expected developments." The warning comes amid escalating tensions with Iran and reflects growing concerns within Israel's security establishment about imminent threats across multiple fronts. A representative from Military Intelligence presented committee members with a detailed security assessment covering both the Lebanese arena and Iranian developments. According to information cleared for publication by military censors, Iran has successfully restored portions of its ballistic missile infrastructure that had been degraded in previous Israeli strikes.

The briefing also confirmed that Mujtaba Khamenei, son of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, remains alive despite previous reports suggesting otherwise. Intelligence officials emphasized that the Iranian regime faces mounting internal pressure as economic conditions deteriorate under international sanctions and the ongoing naval blockade. Committee members received clarification that while strikes within Beirut are not currently on the operational agenda, the IDF maintains authorization to conduct attacks against emerging threats. This policy reflects Israel's determination to respond swiftly to any hostile activity while avoiding unnecessary escalation in Lebanon's capital.

Military officials characterized the complete dismantling of Hezbollah as a long-term strategic objective rather than an immediate tactical goal. The assessment comes as IDF forces continue uncovering extensive underground infrastructurein southern Lebanon, including massive tunnel networks designed to shelter hundreds of operatives. (Ed note: Again, the Lebanese government has neither the ability or will to disarm Hezbollah. The IDF has and will.)   (Read More)

UAE says it will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+, in historic blow to global oil cartel

UAE energy minister says no direct consultations held on leaving cartels, including with Saudis; Gulf oil producers already struggling with exports due to Iran’s Hormuz blockade.

The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it was quitting OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a heavy blow to the oil exporting groups and their de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, at a time when the Iran war has caused a historic energy shock and unsettled the global economy. The loss of the UAE, a longstanding OPEC member, could create disarray and weaken the group, which has usually sought to show a united front despite internal disagreements over a range of issues from geopolitics to production quotas.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters the decision was made after a careful look at the regional power’s energy strategies. Asked whether the UAE had consulted with Saudi Arabia, he said the UAE had not raised the issue with any other country. “This is a policy decision. It has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” said the energy minister.

OPEC Gulf producers have already been struggling to ship exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint between Iran and Oman through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, because of Iranian threats and attacks against vessels. Mazrouei said the move would not have a huge impact on the market because of the situation in the strait. But the UAE exit from OPEC represents a win for US President Donald Trump, who has accused the organization of “ripping off the rest of the world” by inflating oil prices.

Trump has also linked US military support for the Gulf with oil prices, saying that while the US defends OPEC members, they “exploit this by imposing high oil prices.” The move came after the UAE, a regional business hub and one of Washington’s most important allies, criticized fellow Arab states for not doing enough to protect it from numerous Iranian attacks during the war. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser for the UAE president, criticized the Arab and Gulf response to the Iranian attacks in a session at the Gulf Influencers Forum on Monday. (Read More)

The Media Would Like To Dismiss It But End Times Beliefs Have Gone Mainstream

The New York times recently ran a column called "The Apocalypse Goes Mainstream" asking why so many adults believe we are living in the "End Times". They tried to be polite in examining the issue but essentially suggested that those who hold to such beliefs have been brainwashed by books such as "The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsey for the older generation and The Left Behind Series for the more recent generation. About 40 percent of American adults believe that we are living in the "end times," according to polling. The New York Times wants to know where did that idea come from?

Despite beliefs to the contrary explored in the article, belief in the end times did not begin with modern paperbacks or 20th-century theology. It began with Scripture itself--anchored in the words of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles. What we are witnessing today is not the rise of a fringe idea, but the reawakening of an ancient one.

1. The Words of Jesus Demand Watchfulness, Not Dismissal

In the Gospels, Jesus did not speak vaguely about the future--He gave detailed warnings about the conditions preceding His return: global conflict, deception, moral decay, and widespread fear. He described a world marked by "wars and rumors of wars," lawlessness increasing, and truth growing cold.

These are not abstract ideas--they are observable realities. To suggest that modern believers are simply projecting meaning onto current events ignores the fact that Jesus explicitly instructed His followers to watch. Not speculate wildly--but remain alert. If millions today see alignment between His warnings and our present moment, that is not irrational--it is obedience.

2. Biblical Prophecy Has a Track Record of Accuracy

Skeptics often treat prophecy as vague or symbolic guesswork. But history tells a different story. The Bible contains hundreds of fulfilled prophecies--many of them precise, specific, and historically verifiable. From the rise and fall of empires described in the Book of Daniel to the detailed prophecies surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, Scripture has demonstrated a level of predictive consistency unmatched by any other religious text. If past prophecies have been fulfilled with such clarity, why should future ones suddenly be dismissed as fantasy? That's not skepticism--that's selective reasoning.

3. The Modern World Uniquely Mirrors Prophetic Conditions 

One of the most compelling pieces of prophetic evidence is the nation of Israel itself. Scattered for nearly 2,000 years and then reestablished in 1948, Israel stands at the center of global attention--politically, militarily, and spiritually. Biblical prophecy repeatedly places Israel at the heart of end-times events. The fact that this small nation dominates international headlines, shapes foreign policy debates, and remains the focal point of global tension is not coincidence.

It is consistency--with Scripture. To argue for a purely "rational" foreign policy detached from Israel's prophetic significance is to ignore the very forces shaping geopolitical reality. Whether one believes in prophecy or not, leaders across the world clearly recognize that Israel is not just another nation. (Ed note: An excellent article by the staff at Prophecy News Watch, PNW.)  (Read More)

Drowning in Black Gold: Why Iran’s Oil Could Collapse the Regime in Days

With export terminals paralyzed and storage tanks hitting maximum capacity, experts warn that the aging oil infrastructure could face a total, irreversible collapse within 12 to 21 days.

While Tehran continues to project a defiant front, intelligence reports and energy experts warn that the Iranian economy is staring into an abyss. The U.S. naval blockade has not just slashed exports; it has created a catastrophic "logistical nightmare" that could force a total industrial shutdown within weeks.
Experts from firms like Kpler and JPMorgan indicate that Iran is rapidly running out of places to put its own oil. With exports plummeted by 70% since the blockade began in early April, the country is estimated to have only 12 to 22 days of unused crude storage capacity remaining.  

The "No Off-Switch" Problem 

Unlike a factory, a multi-billion-dollar oil field cannot simply be turned off with a flick of a switch.

* Technological Decay: Many of Iran’s wells rely on aging infrastructure. Reducing pressure or halting flow is a high-risk mechanical process that can cause permanent structural damage to the wells.

* The Recovery Gap: Restarting a mothballed well is a "slow mechanical resurrection." Industry benchmarks suggest that if Iran is forced to cap its wells now, it could take six months or more to return to full capacity once the conflict ends.  

* Forced Cuts: Analysts predict that by mid-May, Iran will be forced to slash production by an additional 1.5 million barrels per day simply because there is nowhere left to pump it.

Kharg Island: The Strategic Choke Point

Kharg Island, the terminal responsible for nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, has become a digital and physical battlefield. While the IRGC claims exports are rising, satellite imagery tells a different story: storage tanks are reaching their maximum limits, and the U.S. Navy’s "maximum pressure" blockade has effectively paralyzed the port. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently characterized the situation as "economic wrath," designed to cut off the regime's primary source of income, which accounts for over 80% of its total export revenue. (Read More)

Popular protests may be inevitable, warns Iran's Supreme National Security Council - Iran Intl

Iran’s economy cannot withstand more than six to eight weeks of naval blockade, according to the report presented to the Security Council. The US blockade has now been in place for two weeks.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council held a meeting following a report from intelligence agencies with concerns over popular protests returning to the streets, Iran International reported early Tuesday morning, citing sources familiar with the gathering. Security agencies fear that the economic crisis, widespread unemployment, and rising prices will lead to protests. They also raised the alarm over the possibility of supporters of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi taking to the streets.

Recent actions by the government have drastically increased unemployment, with the internet outageleading to unemployment of about 20 percent of the internet-dependent workforce, security agencies warn. They also cautioned that two million more private sector employees will be unemployed by the end of spring, Iran International reported. 

The report presented to the council described the Iranian economy as critical, Iran Intl wrote, arguing that Iran’s economy cannot withstand more than six to eight weeks of the US- imposed naval blockade, which has now been in place for two weeks. Additionally, Iran International sources shared that the council discussed the closure of industries and production centers in the oil, petrochemical, and steel sectors, which is estimated to take years to rebuild. (Read More)

NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN IN IRAN

Missiles cloud Mideast skies over the Persian Gulf. Iran shuts down the Strait of Hormuz. Arab oil is choked off to world markets. Hezbollah and Hamas launch scores of missiles into Israel. Terror cells initiate cycles of violence in America. Global economies begin to collapse. Radioactivity permeates the skies over Bushehr’s nuclear reactor. Countless Iranian’s hastily seek refuge into neighboring nations. The Arabian Gulf becomes a cesspool of contamination. Desalinization plants can’t process the polluted waters. A humanitarian crisis burgeons out of control. A disaster of epic biblical proportion has finally arrived in the Middle East!

About 2600 years ago the Hebrew prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel issued parallel end times prophecies concerning modern-day Iran. Today the rogue country is becoming a nuclear nation and aggressively advancing its hegemony throughout the greater Middle East. Nuclear Showdown in Iran, The Ancient Prophecy of Elam is a non-fiction thriller taking the reader on a journey of discovery through the eyes of the prophets and the minds of today’s key national players.Can anything good come from the evil that is about to befall us? The ancient prophecy of Elam will reveal what God has ordained, what the prophets saw and what you need to know and do now. (Ed note: This book could not be more timely. Get your copy today.)  (CLICK HERE)

Trump unhappy Iranian proposal does not address nuclear program, US official says

A US official said on Monday that President Donald Trump is unhappy with an Iranian proposal because it did not address Iran's nuclear program. "He doesn't love the proposal," the US official said, referring to Trump. Earlier in the day, Trump discussed the proposal with his top national security aides. The US-Iran conflict remains in a stalemate, with energy supplies from the region reduced.

Iranian sources earlier on Monday said the proposal would set ‌aside discussion of Iran's nuclear programuntil the war has ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved. Washington has said nuclear issues must be dealt with from the outset. Work to bridge gaps between the US and Iran has not halted, sources from mediator Pakistan have said. 

But hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since Trump announced this weekend he had scrapped a visit⁠by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. (Source)

Rubio rejects new Iranian proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, with future of talks in limbo

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a reported recent offerfrom Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions is not acceptable to the United States or other countries. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Rubio said Iran has a different view of the strategic waterway than most of the rest of the world does: “What they mean by opening the straits is, yes, the straits are open, as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission, or we’ll blow you up, and you pay us.”

“That’s not opening the straits,” the top US diplomat said. “Those are international waterways. They cannot normalize, nor can we tolerate them trying to normalize, a system in which the Iranians decide who gets to use them.” Rubio’s statement came after Axios reported that Iran had proposed an agreement on reopening the strait and ending the war, while delaying negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program for a later stage.

Later Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump had discussed a new proposal from Iran with top national security aides, while also indicating that Washington was not fully satisfied with what Tehran was offering. “I wouldn’t say they were considering it,” Leavitt adds, regarding an Iranian suggestion to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the US blockade. “I would say there’s a discussion.”

Separately, Iran insisted it was still in control of the strait, a key pathway for the global oil supply. Negotiations between the sides were meant to take place in Pakistan last week, during an ongoing ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran, but the talks did not come together. According to Axios, Iran’s attempt to kickstart negotiations again by solving the issues centered on the Strait of Hormuz was conveyed to the US by Pakistani mediators. (Ed note: Anyone up for sending our man Marco Rubio in to box FM Araghchi's ears.)   (Read More)

Iran war fertilizer squeeze could spell trouble for next year’s grain harvests

PARIS/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Farmers around the world are facing the second surge in fertilizer prices in four years due to the Iran war. But with grain prices too low to cushion the blow from the deeper supply crunch this time around, many are rethinking planting plans, putting global food production at risk. The Middle East is a leading fertilizer production hub, and much of the global fertilizer trade typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen traffic brought to a standstill by the conflict. Supplies of urea — a nitrogen-based fertilizer — from the world’s largest production facility in Qatar have been halted, and flows of sulphur and ammonia, common inputs for a range of fertilizers, have also been curbed.

With a resolution of the conflict proving elusive, analysts, traders, fertilizer producers and agronomists arelooking back at the last supply crisis, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, worried that this time things could get even worse.“Back in 2022, a lot of the fertilizer was ultimately flowing through,” said Shawn Arita of the Agricultural Risk Policy Center at North Dakota State University. “It’s a much steeper supply crunch that we’re seeing now.”

As fertilizer prices have jumped since the onset of the war in late February, urea has seen the sharpest price spike, reflecting the loss of the roughly one-third of globally traded volumes typically exported from the Gulf. Some are still buying, even at higher prices. India, the world’s largest rice producer and second-biggest wheat grower, has booked record volumes of urea in a single import tender, paying nearly twice as much as it did just two months ago. (Read More)

Lebanese President, Hezbollah leader accuse each other of treason

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defends negotiations with Israel, accusing Hezbollah of dragging the country into war and rejecting claims of treason.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday defended his government’s approach to direct negotiations with Israel, sharply rejecting accusations from Hezbollah and accusing those who led the country into conflict of committing “treason." Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Hasbaya region in southern Lebanon, Aoun said that his objective is to bring an end to the state of war with Israel, referencing the 1949 armistice agreement between the two countries.

“My goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel, similar to the armistice agreement," Aoun said, asking, “Was the armistice agreement a humiliation? I assure you that I will not accept reaching a humiliating agreement." In a response to Hezbollah criticism, Aoun questioned the group’s stance on national consensus, stating: “Those who dragged us into war in Lebanon are now holding us accountable for choosing negotiations under the pretext that there is no national consensus. My question to them is: when you went to war, did you first have national consensus?"

He added, “What we are doing is not treason. Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war in pursuit of external interests." The remarks came after Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem launched a broad attack on Lebanese authorities earlier in the day, accusing them of making concessions to Israel and rejecting any form of direct negotiations.

Qassem described the negotiations as a “serious sin" and warned that such steps could push the country into a “cycle of instability." In a statement, Qassem said, “These direct negotiations and their outcomes are as if they do not exist for us and do not concern us at all," adding, “We will not give up our weapons." The exchange comes amid ongoing efforts to maintain a ceasefire following the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on March 2. (Read More)

Watch: IDF demolishes 14 km of Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza

Northern Brigade and Yahalom troops have so far dismantled approximately 14 km of tunnels consisting of living quarters and a large cache of weapons.

The IDF continues to strengthen its operational control in the northern Gaza Strip, while systematically dismantling what remains of Hamas's tunnel network. In recent months, IDF troops of the Northern Brigade and the Yahalom Unit, under the command of the 252nd Division, have been carrying out a targeted operation to dismantle Hamas's underground terrorist infrastructure across the northern Gaza Strip, particularly in the Beit Hanoun area east of the Yellow Line

As part of the operation, brigade troops, together with troops from the Yahalom Unit, have so far dismantled approximately 14 kilometers of underground tunnel routes. Within the tunnel routes, troops uncovered living quarters and a large cache of weapons. The IDF noted that brigade troops continue operations to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the area. According to the IDF, troops of the Northern Brigade have struck and eliminated approximately 70 terrorists who violated the ceasefire agreement and posed an immediate threat to the troops in recent months. (Source)

Iran Forced to Burn Off Oil Surplus as Blockade Chokes Exports | WATCH

Massive fireballs and thick black smoke have engulfed Iran's Khuzestan province as the regime is forced to flare off excess oil and gas. Itense oil and gas flares lit up Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province on Sunday, sending thick black smoke and heavy pollution into the sky, according to multiple videos and reports. Videos shared by Iran International show towering flames rising from flare stacks amid reports that blocked oil exports have filled storage tanks to near capacity. Under normal operations, associated gas is captured or reinjected. However, the current U.S. naval blockade has effectively severed Iran's export arteries, leading to a catastrophic backlog: 

* Tankers at a Standstill: With the Strait of Hormuz area under a tight blockade, Iranian tankers have nowhere to go. 

 
* Storage at the Brink: Analysts estimate that Iran’s land-based storage facilities have a maximum buffer of only 20-26 days. Multiple sources suggest those tanks are now nearly full.

* Operational Necessity: To prevent high-pressure wells from exploding or suffering permanent structural damage, operators must keep them flowing. With nowhere to store the oil, the excess gas and associated products are being burned off (flared) at record levels.

The scenes in Khuzestan coincide with a recent decree from Tehran halting all petrochemical exports "until further notice."

* The "Shut-In" Risk: If the blockade persists, Iran will be forced to "shut in" its wells, a move that can cause permanent geological damage to the oil fields, making it difficult to resume production in the future.

* The Environmental Toll: Residents of Khuzestan are reporting heavy pollution and "black rain" as the unrefined gas is incinerated in the open air.

The massive flares serve as a visible signal of the mounting economic strain on the Islamic Republic. As the U.S. maintains its maritime pressure, Tehran is burning billions of dollars in potential revenue simply to keep its infrastructure from collapsing under its own weight. (Ed note: Why is this area of Khuzestan important to watch? Modern Khuzestan is considered a core territory of ancient Elam. Historians and archeologists generally equate the lowlands of present-day Khuzestan with the heartland of the Elamite civilization. This area is fundamental to the prophecy of Jeremiah 49: 34-39.) (Source)

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US crackdown on Iran oil trade hits Chinese refinery, ‘shadow fleet’ vessels

The Trump administration sanctioned what it said are a major Chinese oil refinery and dozens of shipping firms and vessels linked to Iran’s “shadow fleet” as part of its efforts to suffocate Tehran’s biggest revenue source. This action cuts revenue streams that fund the regime’s destabilizing activities across the Middle East,” stated Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesman. “The administration’s maximum pressure campaign will hold Tehran accountable for its regional aggression and threats to American interests,” he stated.

One of Iran’s largest purchasers of oil, Hengli Petrochemical, is known as a “teapot” refinery, a designation that suggests independent facilities that specialize in buying discounted crude, including from sanctioned countries. The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that Hengli has received deliveries of Iranian oil since at least 2023 and that “shadow” fleet vessels, which employ deceptive practices such as false flags and doctored bills of lading to obscure their sources, ownership and cargo, have moved that oil. Hengli has also bought oil tied to Iran’s armed forces and sent hundreds of millions of dollars into the regime’s military coffers and those of its regional proxy terror groups, the U.S. government alleges. A Treasury Department statement called the shadow fleet operation a “financial lifeline to Iran’s unstable regime.”

Vessels owned and operated by companies in Hong Kong, the Marshall Islands, Vietnam, the British Virgin Islands, China, Panama, the Cayman Islands, the United Arab Emirates and Liberia were included in the shadow fleet sanctions. “These measures underscore the U.S. commitment to disrupting Iran’s ability to fund terrorism, support proxy forces and threaten regional stability,” Pigott stated. “The administration remains focused on ensuring the Iranian regime cannot use illicit oil revenues to advance its malign agenda while the Iranian people continue to suffer from economic mismanagement and repression,” he added.  (Source)

‘Dangerous norms’ observed as Egyptian drills held near Israel border

Security coordinators and residents along Israel’s border with Egypt voiced concern in recent days following an unusual notice that the Egyptian Army was expected to hold training exercises and live-fire drills about 100 meters (328 feet) from the border. They said the proximity was dangerous and was creating a new and troubling security reality. At the same time, Kibbutz Nahal Oz said that additional security incidents had taken place in recent days near the Gaza Strip border fence. The kibbutz warned of a lack of deterrence and a gap between official statements and the reality on the ground. Sources in the Gaza border communities said the proximity of the Egyptian training exercises to the border is unacceptable.

“It cannot be that the Egyptian Army is allowed to train at such a distance from the fence. This is creating a new reality that could be dangerous,” they said. They added that the move contributed to a growing sense of uncertainty among residents, especially after Egyptian pickup trucks were spotted near the border several weeks ago. The main call now is directed at the political echelon and the defense establishment to stop the training exercises and live-fire drills near the border. “The residents of the Gaza border communities are not the State of Israel’s trial balloon, and they are not a training ground for the Egyptian Army,” the local sources stressed.

The Otef Israel Forum warned against the creation of “dangerous norms” on Israel’s southern border, noting that before the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, unusual movements near the fence were also observed, but were not adequately addressed in real time. “This is a painful reminder of our enemies’ method of preparing and training along the fence,” the forum said. At the same time, Nahal Oz, one of the communities hit hardest on Oct. 7, warned that the security reality in the area was still far from stable. Over the past two weeks, two kites crossed from the Gaza Strip and landed inside the kibbutz. Residents view this incident as a troubling sign of insufficient deterrence and a possible trial run for a resumption of the launch by Gazan terrorists of incendiary kites into Israel, as was done many times in the past. (Ed note: New from JNS. Do keep an eye on this one. Is Egypt working up the nerve to attack Israel once again? Egypt has had a large tank force on the border of Israel for some time now.) (Read More)

‘Excessive demands’: Iran FM Araghchi blames US for Pakistan talks failure ahead of meeting with Putin

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday (Apr 27) blamed the United States for the failure of peace talks in Pakistan. He made the remarks after arriving in Saint Petersburg for the scheduled talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Araghchi also stressed that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important issue as tensions continue to flare in West Asia, with the US and Iran ramping up their blockade in the world’s most strategic waterway.

“The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands,” Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iranian state media. He added that “safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global issue.” While an Iranian delegation arrived in Pakistan earlier to hold high-level Pakistani officials as part of their efforts in ongoing mediation of the war, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that no meeting was planned to take place between Iran and the US.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he had cancelled Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s trip to Pakistan for the peace talks after being unimpressed with Iran’s position. The tensions in West Asia continue to rise amid a fragile ceasefire, with uncertainty looming over peace negotiations. The Iranian foreign minister is set to hold talks with Putin. After arriving in Russia, he noted that Tehran and Moscow have always held consultations on various issues.

“As you see, we have always held close consultations with Russia on a wide range of issues, particularly regional ones, and also held constant bilateral talks,” he said in a video posted on his Telegram channel. Speaking about talks in Pakistan, Araghchi said, “We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan… The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent [meetings] and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on.”

He also mentioned the talks held in Oman, saying that “Oman is a friendly country that is close to us; it has taken a very good stance in the war… We and Oman are the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz so we needed to hold consultations on the matter. The safe passage of ships through the strait is an important global issue and as the two countries that control the strait, we and Oman need to maintain close coordination to ensure our mutual interests.” (Article taken from WION)

Report: Iran submits new Hormuz-focused proposal to US

Iran has transmitted a revised diplomatic proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries, Axios reported on Sunday night. The proposal suggests that negotiations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the current conflict be prioritized, while discussions on its nuclear program are postponed to a later stage, a US official and two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

The proposal is viewed as an attempt to break the current deadlock in talks and manage internal divisions within Iran’s leadership regarding the level of nuclear concessions it is prepared to make in exchange for an agreement with the Trump administration. However, US officials note that addressing the Hormuz issue first, including lifting the American blockade, could significantly reduce Washington’s leverage in future negotiations. Without that leverage, the US would face greater difficulty in pressing Tehran to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile or agree to a long-term halt in enrichment activities.

President Donald Trump has made resolving Iran’s nuclear capabilities a central objective of his administration’s approach to the conflict, whether through diplomacy or military pressure. Trump is expected to convene a Situation Room meeting on Monday with senior national security and foreign policy officials to assess the stalled negotiations and evaluate possible next steps, according to three US officials who spoke to Axios.

...Behind closed doors, sources familiar with the discussions say Araghchi and Pakistani officials explored a new phased approach aimed at bypassing the current impasse over Iran’s nuclear program. One source said Araghchi conveyed to mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar over the weekend that there is no internal consensus within Iran regarding US demands for a prolonged suspension of uranium enrichment and the removal of enriched material from the country. (Ed note: Iran only has one thought: always keep their enriched uranium stockpile to build that nuclear bomb and annihilate the "little Satan" the Jew, then the "infidel", Saudi Arabia, then the US, the "big Satan." This is not a policical war with Iran, this is a religious war.)  (Read More)

Unity or fracture? Tehran battles Trump’s narrative of disarray

Assertions by US President Donald Trump that Iran’s leadership is divided, and Tehran’s increasingly coordinated effort to deny it, have thrust the issue of unity to the center of the standoff between the two countries. Trump has repeatedly cast Iran’s leadership as fractured and disorganized. In one post, he wrote: “Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!” describing “infighting” between “‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all.”

As speculation spread, President Masoud Masoud Pezeshkian sought to set the tone in a social media post declaring: “In Iran there are no ‘hardliners’ or ‘moderates.’ We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” The message was reposted verbatim by senior officials across the political and military establishment, including judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, senior advisers, and the Supreme National Security Council, underscoring the coordinated nature of the response.
Mohseni-Ejei went further in a separate post, directly attacking Trump and calling the labels “hardliner” and “moderate” “fabricated and hollow terms” borrowed from Western political literature.

The messaging blitz from Tehran followed the collapse of negotiations in Islamabad and reports that parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—who led Tehran’s delegation there—may have stepped down from the negotiating team, fueling speculation over internal disagreements about talks with Washington. Reports first circulated by Israel’s Channel 12 claimed Ghalibaf resigned following interference by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Other reports suggested he was reprimanded for trying to include Iran’s nuclear program in discussions with the United States. (Read More)

Trump Sets 3-Day Deadline: Iran's Oil Infrastructure 'Will Explode From Within'

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Sunday that Iran's oil infrastructure is approaching catastrophic failure within approximately 72 hours, revealing unprecedented details about the physical toll of America's naval blockade on the Islamic Republic's petroleum export system.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump described a dire scenario unfolding beneath Iranian soil, where massive pressure buildup in oil pipelines could trigger irreversible damage to the nation's energy infrastructure. "The line explodes from within, both mechanically and in the earth, something happens where it just explodes," the President stated, adding that experts have informed him Tehran has roughly three days before this occurs.

The President clarified that the U.S. maritime blockade has effectively prevented Iran from exporting petroleum, creating what he characterized as a deadly bottleneck in the regime's pipeline systems. "When enormous quantities of oil are flowing and there's nowhere to send it because there are no ships or storage tanks, the pipeline simply explodes from the inside," Trump explained. "Once it explodes, you can never rebuild it the way it was. Even if they reconstruct it, it will only function at 50% capacity." (Ed note: Restarting a "shut-in" oil well is complex and there is not a simple 'on/off' switch' or lever as in your kitchen sink. And President Trump is correct, the experts say that there may be losses in productivity of up to 50% in volume.)  (Read More)

Egyptian Military Drills 100 Meters From Border Spark Outrage in Southern Communities

IDF notifies security officers of unprecedented Egyptian exercises near fence • Residents warn of dangerous precedent reminiscent of pre-October 7 tactics | Growing concerns amid smuggling surge (Israel News) An unusual security notification delivered Sunday morning to security officers in southern Israeli communities has triggered widespread alarm: the Egyptian military is scheduled to conduct training exercises and firing drills this week at a distance of approximately 100 meters from the border fence with Israel.

The unprecedented proximity to the security barrier has raised significant concerns among defense officials and residents throughout the southern region, particularly given the heightened security sensitivity following the October 7 Hamas massacre. The exercises represent an exceptionally close approach to Israeli territory, prompting questions about coordination protocols and security implications.

Residents in communities adjacent to the Egyptian border expressed sharp criticism of the planned exercises. According to local officials, the drills could establish a dangerous precedent and intensify feelings of insecurity among those living near the frontier.

The Otef Yisrael forum issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the development: "It is unacceptable to permit the Egyptian military to conduct training exercises in such close proximity to the fence. This comes after numerous Egyptian vehicles approached the fence just weeks ago. It serves as a painful reminder of our enemies' methodology of conducting drills near the barrier prior to October 7." (Read More)

Hezbollah drone attack sends thousands to shelters in northern Israel

Air-raid sirens blared across the Western Galilee on Monday morning, sending thousands of civilians scrambling for bomb shelters as Iranian-backed Hezbollah launched a drone attack from Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that it fired an interceptor missile toward a “target that was launched from Lebanon,” but said it subsequently lost contact with the UAV. “No injuries were reported,” the military stated, adding that additional missile alerts in the north were activated “due to concerns of falling interception debris.” 

On Sunday, an IDF soldier was killed and six others were wounded by a Hezbollah drone strike in Southern Lebanon. The fallen soldier was identified as Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, from Petach Tikvah. Fooks was the third Israeli soldier to be killed in Southern Lebanon since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect on April 17, and the first to be killed in a direct Hezbollah attack during the truce, according to the IDF.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Hezbollah of “essentially disintegrating the ceasefire” through its incessant attacks. “Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities,” the premier said. “We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well.” The IDF will maintain its freedom “not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but to thwart immediate threats and also to neutralize emerging threats,” he added. The prime minister, in an overnight letter to his Cabinet on Sunday, ordered the cancellation of traditional Lag B’Omer celebrations on Mount Meron in the Upper Galilee, scheduled for May 4–5, due to the Hezbollah threat.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs noted in the missive that “following several security assessments on the matter, and in light of the [IDF] Home Front Command’s updated defensive policy, limiting gatherings to up to 1,500 people, the celebrations of the hilula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai at Meron will not take place this year with large participation, but rather in a symbolic format only, in accordance with the defensive policy, which is not expected to change by the time of the hilula.” The letter cited fears of a mass-casualty event “due to the fragility of the ceasefire with Lebanon, the site’s proximity to the Lebanese border, rocket fire toward the area and the difficulty of conducting large-scale evacuations of participants.” (Ed note: The people of central and northern Israel are sick of Hezbollah firing rockets, missiles and drones into their homes and cities, and demand that PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF stop it.) (Read More)

Defiant Trump Addresses Nation After Surviving Third Assassination Attempt

President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a dramatic late-night press conference at the White House, just hours after surviving the third major assassination attempt against him in less than two years. The incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner at the WashingtonHilton, where gunfire erupted near a security checkpoint around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Opening his remarks, the President expressed gratitude to the security personnel who responded swiftly to neutralize the threat. "This was a very unexpected event, but the Secret Service and law enforcement acted incredibly," Trump stated. "This event was dedicated to free speech and was supposed to bring together friends from both parties along with members of the media. In a sense, it did happen, because the fact is that the event united us — the room was completely united, and that was a beautiful thing to see."

The President provided detailed information about the incident, explaining that authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California. "We saw an individual who rushed a security checkpoint while armed with multiple weapons, and he was subdued quickly by brave members of the Secret Service," Trump noted. He announced that video footage of the incident would be released "for transparency and clarity."

Addressing the condition of the wounded officer, Trump emphasized the critical role of advanced protective equipment. "One officer was shot, but survived thanks to a quality bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close range with a powerful weapon, and the vest did its job," the President clarified. "I spoke with him and he's in good condition and high spirits. He's a proud Secret Service agent and we love and respect him." (Read More)

Trump unharmed after security incident at White House correspondents’ dinner

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was uninjured and other top leaders of the United States were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries, and one law-enforcement official said a shooter had opened fire.

Authorities said the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated. The event was scrapped and will be rescheduled. "We will do this again,” said Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Crrespondents’ Association. Shortly afterward, staff began breaking down table settings and the presidential lectern.

The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. Audible gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening. Hundreds of journalists got on phones to call in information. “Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. From one corner, a “God Bless America” chant began as Trump was escorted off stage. He fell briefly — he apparently tripped — and was helped up by Secret Service agents.

A law enforcement official confirmed there was a shooter. A law enforcement officer was shot in the bullet-resistant vest but is expected to be OK, one law-enforcement officer told The Associated Press. Some in the crowd reported hearing what they believed to be five to eight shots fired. The banquet hall — where hundreds of prominent journalists, celebrities and national leaders were awaiting Trump’s remarks — was immediately evacuated.

Members of the National Guard took up position inside the building as people were allowed to leave but not immediately re-enter. Security outside was also extremely tight. Those in attendance included Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and many other leaders of the Trump administration. (Read More)

Unusual and concerning Egyptian military exercise near Israeli border

Residents of communities near the Israel-Egypt border and security officials in the area received an unusual and concerning message from the Paran Regional Brigade, warning of intense military activity by the Egyptian armed forces close to the border. According to the message, this week, between April 26th and 30th, the Egyptian military will hold live-fire exercises in extensive areas from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The official notice stated: "For your information, between the dates April 26-30, there will be live fire by the 'red side' 100 meters west of the border. The announcement enraged residents, with the Israel Envelope Forum, which brings together communities near the country's borders, issuing a strongly worded statement. The forum claims that this is security negligence reminiscent of the eve of the October 7th attack.

"It can not be that they are allowing the Egyptian military to exercise so close to the fence," the forum stated. "This comes after many Egyptian pickup trucks drove near the fence a few weeks ago. This is a painful reminder of our enemy's methods of exercising near the fence before October 7th." (Source)

Saudi Arabia pushes back on US effort to broker Netanyahu-Aoun meeting

Despite White House efforts to arrange talks between the leaders, the Saudi envoy in Beirut conveyed reservations about the move and recommended making disarmament conditional on an IDF withdrawal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun aligned: "I never intended to speak with Netanyahu."

The Lebanese newspaper Ad-Diyar reported that Saudi envoy to Lebanon Yazid bin Farhan expressed the kingdom's opposition to any direct contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his talks in the country. The report comes against the backdrop of the White House's desireto hold a call or meeting between Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. It was also noted that Aoun may visit Riyadh before his visit to Washington in the coming weeks, where he would meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to Lebanese media, bin Farhan conveyed a series of messages during his meetings in Beirut. At their center was the need to preserve Lebanese consensus and avoid internal division that could lead to violent clashes. In this context, he stressed that negotiations with Israel should be conducted cautiously, without haste, and that all positions should be unified before any move is made. The envoy also recommended maintaining the stability of the Lebanese government and suggested insisting, as a negotiating principle, that the disarmament process be made conditional on an IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Opposition to direct dialogue with Netanyahu is, of course, shared by Amal Hezbollah, alongside a series of parties and politicians who are among Aoun's political allies. They include Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, Christian politicians Gebran Bassil and Suleiman Frangieh, and others. This issue could make it harder for Aoun to hold a meeting or dialogue with Netanyahu, as he tends not to deviate too far from the Lebanese consensus. (Read more)

PM instructs IDF to strike Hezbollah targets ‘with force’ after repeated truce violations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to go after Hezbollah targets “with force” on Saturday, as the terror group and the Israeli military continued to trade fire in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, despite the extension of the tenuous ceasefire between the warring sides by several more weeks. The premier’s order to “strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon by force” was published in a terse statement by his office after two rockets and a drone were launched from Lebanon at northern Israel on Saturday afternoon, activating sirens in several towns.

The Israel Defense Forces said it intercepted the drone and one of the rockets, while a second rocket struck an open area. No injuries were caused. The military also said it intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” over an area of southern Lebanon where Israeli troops are deployed. It said the target was suspected to be a Hezbollah drone. In another incident, Hezbollah launched several explosive-laden drones at Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon. The IDF said the drones exploded near the forces, but did not cause any injuries.

The terror group has made use of small first-person view (FPV) drones in its attacks on Israeli troops. Some of the drones are guided using a spool of fiber optic cable, which mitigates efforts to electronically jam their signal. “The Hezbollah terror organization has again blatantly violated the ceasefire agreement,” the military said in a statement. At the same time, the IDF said it struck and killed several Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon.

...The Israeli Air Force also struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon overnight, the military said. The launchers were struck in the towns of Deir ez-Zahrani, Kfar Reman, andThe Israeli Air Force also struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon overnight, the military said. The launchers were struck in the towns of Deir ez-Zahrani, Kfar Reman, and Sammaaiyeh, all north of the IDF-held security zone. The military said the launchers “posed a real threat to IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”, all north of the IDF-held security zone. The military said the launchers “posed a real threat to IDF troops and Israeli civilians.” (Ed note: The town of Sammaaiyeh is about 7 to 9 miles southeast of the city of TYRE. The town of Deir ez-Zahrani is about 14 miles south of the city of SIDON.)  (Read More)

Trump says he didn’t know about Lebanese law barring contact with Israel, calls for it to be scrapped

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump says Lebanon will have scrap legislation outlawing contact with Israel. Trump is asked about the Lebanese law while taking questions from reporters after presiding over the second round of ambassador-level negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Trump admits he’s never heard of the legislation before.

The US State Department has reportedly been leaning on Lebanon in recent days to annul the law. “I never heard of that, but… I’m pretty sure that’ll be ended very quickly,” Trump says before turning around to seek affirmation from Rubio. “Yup,” the secretary responds.

“I know Lebanon doesn’t want that… That’s crazy,” Trump adds. The Lebanese ambassador standing behind him isn’t given an opportunity to respond. (Ed note: Doesn't our US government realize that this is a "religious war" not a "political war"?) (Source)