US downs two Iranian attack drones 'threatening int'l maritime traffic' in Strait of Hormuz

On Saturday, CENTCOM revealed that the US had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran towards Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones threatening international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a post to X/Twitter early Sunday morning. "American forces remain postured and ready to continue defending against Iranian aggression," CENTCOM wrote. On Saturday, CENTCOM revealed that the US had intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and droneslaunched by Iran towards Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Initial assessments indicated that six of the missiles were intercepted, and a seventh failed before hitting anything.Iran launched the missiles hours after American forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were posing a threat to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

After shooting the drones down, the US struck Iranian military radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island. The strikes follow weeks of negotiations to reach a comprehensive deal between Washington and Tehran that would end the war and reopen the strait to international shipping. (Source)

Iran demands billions of dollars for agreement with USA

Mohsen Rezaei, the senior military adviser to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, told CNN that the release of frozen Iranian assets is a condition for an agreement with the United States.

Mohsen Rezaei, the senior military adviser to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, set out a series of demands on behalf of Iran to end the war with the United States and Israel in an interview with CNN. Among the main demands he presented are the release of frozen Iranian assets and the thawing of billions of dollars held by the United States. Rezaei said that the release of the assets would constitute a significant test for Tehran vis-à-vis the Trump administration. "The release of the funds by the Trump administration will be a new horizon for the future of Iran and the United States. If he wants to reach an agreement with Iran, these $24 billion are a test of trust that Iran wants with Trump."

"This is a test that America must pass. This is our money, not America's money." Rezaei also dismissed the possibility of a meeting between Khamenei and President Trump and said, "That will not happen; at the moment we are in the first stage of negotiations, and Mr. Trump has brought the talks to a standstill." Addressing the possibility of renewed fighting with the United States and Israel, Rezaei warned that Iran will not be content with confrontations only in the Persian Gulf, "We can add another dimension to the war by attacking the other American bases that we have struck so far," he said.

He additionally claimed that Iran is prepared for the possibility of an American invasion of its territory, "The world w does not yet understand Iran's true capabilities. Our land forces are several times greater than our missiles. The possibility of war is low." He also described the current war as Iran's first victory in the 47 years of the Islamic Republic's existence. Rezaei also addressed the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and said that "Iran and Oman have sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will charge maintenance fees because it should not bear alone the costs of managing the strait." (Ed note: "This is a test that America must pass." says Mohsen Rezaei. That's interesting. The US has control of that money, why must it 'pass a test'? Remember, with Iran, "if their lips are moving, they are lying.") (Source)

Revenge in the Air: Revolutionary Guard Leaders Actively Plotting Strikes Against Regional Allies

Senior Israeli defense officials have revealed that Iran is attempting to manipulate international negotiations by playing cards it does not possess, exploiting American desires to avoid escalation. Internal intelligence indicates a massive power struggle is brewing in Tehran between moderate politicians and hardline military commanders seeking vengeance.

Top security officials within the defense establishment have stated that United States President Donald Trump is currently making significant efforts to prevent a renewed outbreak of direct warfare with Iran, despite the persistent delays and calculated negotiation games being played by the Iranian regime. Intelligence assessments indicate that the leadership in Tehran is acting under the assumption that the American administration is highly motivated to avoid a major military confrontation prior to and during upcoming global events like the World Cup, using this window to artificially improve their bargaining position.

American decision-making is also heavily influenced by domestic milestones, as the United States is preparing for its historic 250th independence celebrations on July 4, 2026. The White House places immense strategic and symbolic importance on this upcoming date, which has led Trump to temporarily hold back on expanding military operations. Consequently, the likelihood of a joint, immediate military strike against the Islamic Republic appears to be growing more distant as Washington focuses heavily on diplomatic channels and economic leverage instead.

Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence agencies are tracking extreme internal friction within the highest echelons of the Iranian regime, which is currently split by two competing factions. The supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly finding it difficult to make definitive state decisions, a situation exacerbated by severe physical injuries including facial wounds and an amputated leg. His political authority is facing constant challenges due to the heavy interference of senior ayatollahs and powerful commanders within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This internal rift has created a dangerous deadlock between government officials and military zealots. (Read More)

Reports: U.N. Nuclear Body Has No Idea Where Iran’s Enriched Uranium Is, Demands Access

A report drafted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the status of Iran’s nuclear program reportedly asserts that the U.N. agency has no way of verifying the status or location of the country’s illicit enriched uranium stockpile, multiple news outlets reported on Thursday. The IAEA has a global responsibility to inspect and approve the nuclear activities of countries that are parties to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), such as Iran. The Iranian terror regime has historically obstructed the IAEA’s ability to monitor its activities, however, particularly its high levels of uranium enrichment, which experts agree are not consistent with any known civilian use.

The U.N. agency, in the report, allegedly demanded that Tehran allow immediate access to its nuclear sites for its inspectors to assure that the material is safe and compliant with the NPT. The status of the enriched uranium stockpiles is of particular concern following American military activities in June 2025 targeting the enrichment facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which may have destroyed the enrichment facilities. President Donald Trump announced the decision to conduct airstrikes on those sites after last year’s IAEA report on Iran’s status, which resulted in the agency passing a resolution condemning Iran for violating international law for the first time in two decades.

Reuters, the Associated Press, and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) all reported having seen a copy of the upcoming IAEA update on Iran on Thursday. Their reports widely coincided, sharing that the agency was demanding immediate access to Iranian nuclear sites and had no way of verifying if Iran was abiding by international law. The agency “cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran or whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” the report allegedly stated, citing a “loss of continuity of knowledge over all previously declared nuclear material ​at affected facilities in Iran.” (Read More)

Majority of Israelis say Trump should not determine the nature of IDF operations - poll

This poll comes against the backdrop of the "shouting call" between Trump and Netanyahu, a profanity-laced tirade against the Israeli prime minister, demanding that Israel halt IDF airstrikes.

A majority of Israelis (62%) think that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not allow US President Donald Trump to dictate the nature of Israel's military actions, a poll published by Maariv on Friday found. The breakdown shows that there is general agreement on the issue across the political aisle, with 66% of coalition voters and 62% opposition voters holding the view that Netanyahu should not agree to Trump's demands to halt planned IDF attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, 25% think that Netanyahu has no choice but to concede to Trump's demands, while 13% say they do not know.

This poll comes against the backdrop of the "shouting call" between Trump and Netanyahu, where Trump unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against the Israeli prime minister, demanding that Israel halt planned IDF airstrikes on Beirut. This, as well as the controversy surrounding the vote for the state comptroller position, contributed to the coalition bloc weakening by two seats in this week's poll, dropping to 50 mandates collectively. The opposition bloc strengthened to 60 seats, while the Arab parties continue to maintain stability with 10 seats.

In the opposition bloc, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's Together Party strengthened to 23 seats, and Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu rose by one seat to 10. The Maariv poll further reveals that out of the 23 seats of the Together Party, 16 come from Bennett 2026 voters, 5 from Yesh Atid, and 2 from undecided/other. (Read More)

Hezbollah invasion attempt triggered Lebanon war

Hundreds of Hezbollah commandos from the elite Radwan Force crossed the Litani River in Southern Lebanon in an attempt to invade Israeli communities along the Lebanese border during the first week of “Operation Roaring Lion” in the beginning of March, it became known on Thursday. The intended invasion, identified by the Israeli intelligence community, was blocked by an Israel Defense Forces offensive. Israeli forces repelled the attack and eliminated the terrorists. Channel 14 correspondent Yaki Adamker reported that the raiding attempt was the reason that the war in Lebanon restarted.

Since the beginning of the war, IDF troops have taken control of a stretch of territory that runs along the border into Southern Lebanon. Israel Hayom on Friday cited military officials commenting on the incident. Referring to criticism leveled at the IDF Northern Command’s aggressive response to a barrage of rockets fired into Israel following the targeted killing on Feb. 28 of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a military official who spoke under conditions of anonymity said, “They apparently don’t understand what we saw during the first week of March.

“Hundreds of Radwan Force operatives crossed the Litani River. Why did they come? If there had been even a single raid on a single community, all of us would have had to go home [be dismissed]. What were we supposed to do if not meet them on their own territory and kill them?” On Oct. 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilians invaded Israel’s northwestern Negev, slaughtered some 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 more to the Strip. The massacre triggered Israel’s longest-ever war, seeing the IDF fight on multiple fronts against Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance. (Source)

Israeli strike kills Lebanese army general, two soldiers; IDF says incident under review

The Lebanese army said an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed a senior commander, another officer and a soldier, as the IDF issued fresh evacuation warnings and Hezbollah continued launching drones toward Israeli troops and communities along the northern border. According to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the strike targeted a military vehicle traveling on a road between Kfar Tebnit and Khardali in the Nabatieh area, killing a brigadier general, a captain and a soldier. “The continued, deliberate, and repeated Israeli aggression against Lebanon, its people and its army only strengthens our resolve, faith and determination,” the army said in its statement.

It said Israel’s attacks aim to thwart all efforts “to reach a solution that would restore stability, establish a comprehensive ceasefire and lead to the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories.” The IDF later acknowledged carrying out the strike, saying the vehicle was “moving suspiciously” in an active combat zone where movement requires prior coordination with Israeli forces. The military said troops operating in the area had been on heightened alert due to intelligence warnings of potential Hezbollah attacks and information indicating the terror group was active in the vicinity.

“Following the identification, and due to the warning information and the danger to the forces, the vehicle was struck,” the IDF said. The military confirmed that the vehicle was carrying two Lebanese army officers and a soldier, adding that the incident is under further review. The Lebanese army has largely stayed out of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and has not taken part in the fighting during the current conflict. (Ed note: This was not an 'oops.' The Lebanese general knew better. Was he perhaps spying for Hezbollah? Hezbollah is well mixed into the Lebanese government and its army. The town of Kfar Tebnit is about 21 miles south of SIDON.) (Read More)

Lebanon inaugurates a second international airport amid Israel-Hezbollah war

QLAYAAT, Lebanon — Lebanon launched the rehabilitation of its second airport on Saturday, in preparation for an opening within months, at a time when the country faces constant fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon currently has one international airport, in south Beirut next to Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold that has been subjected to heavy Israeli bombardment during successive wars. The new airport, in the town of Qlayaat in Lebanon’s northernmost province of Akkar, near the border with Syria, has been used as a military base by the Lebanese army for decades.

Lebanese Minister of Transport and Public Works Fayez Rasamny inaugurated the airport on Saturday “after more than fifty years of promises, delays and waiting.” “Today we are moving from promise to execution,” Rasamny said, adding that the goal is for the airport to be “operational in a few weeks” to serve travelers to Mersin, Istanbul and Dubai, adding there are plans to expand the destinations to Saudi Arabia, Cairo and Athens at a later stage.

Lebanon is also in contact with low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair and Pegasus, he said. Rehabilitation is due to begin next week and will take at least three months, going through a pilot phase before the airport is put into full service in November 2026, according to local media. The work is being carried out by the Lebanese company Sky Lounge, which on Saturday posted on its Instagram page a video of a test flight between Beirut airport and Qlayaat airport. (Read More)

Iran's military 'totally destroyed' with around 21% missile capacity remaining, Trump claims

US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s military has been “totally destroyed” and only has around 21% of its missile capacity left after US-Israeli strikes, during an interview with NBC News’s Kristen Welker on Friday.“We know where their drones are, and we know where their drone factories are. Most of the drone factories have been knocked out… and most of the missile manufacturing areas have been knocked out,” Trump asserted. When asked if he knew exactly how many missiles and drones Iran still holds, Trump said he did not want to tell Welker but that he knows “almost to the number” how many of such weapons remain in Tehran’s hands.

“They have some missiles. They have some drones,” Trump stated, adding that percentage-wise, Iran maintains “maybe 21%, 22% of their missiles.” He clarified that the percentage is still “a lot of missiles,” but it is greatly less than what Iran had before US-Israeli strikes began on February 28.  When asked why the US and Iran have not yet reached a peace deal after rounds of negotiations, Trump attributed the prolonged process to Iranian leadership being “proud.” “I think they can't believe they're in the situation where they've been virtually decapitated,” Trump stated. “They're proud. There are things they never thought they'd be doing that they're going to have to do. They've got no choice.”

On Wednesday, Trump claimed to reporters at the White House that negotiations between the US and Iran are "going well." "It might not happen," Trump said in reference to a possible final agreement, before adding that "it could happen over the weekend." He stated that while it would be “very easy” for the US military to renew strikes against Iran, he would rather “get something down in writing which will accomplish the same thing without killing everybody.”  (Source)

US military strikes Iranian radar sites after drones launched toward Strait of Hormuz

The US military says it carried out strikes on Iranian radar sites in what it calls a defensive action after Iran launched four attack drones toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military shot down all of the Iranian drones, saying they “posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.” It says the Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites targeted by the US were located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island.

The incident was the latest in back-and-forth attacks that have strained the tenuous ceasefire in the war and efforts to reach a deal to extend that truce. Earlier this week, Iranian drones heavily damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport, killing one person, wounding dozens and briefly closing the airfield. (Source)

Senior Iranian official: Talks are at a deadlock, the ball is in Trump’s court

Tehran on Friday conditioned a prospective diplomatic accord with Washington on the unfreezing of $24 billion in blocked Iranian assets, according to a high-ranking official who warned that the White House would “enter into a dark corridor" if military hostilities resume.Mohsen. Rezaei, a top military advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, told CNN in an interview on Friday that the diplomatic track has stalled.

Rezaei asserted that “the negotiations are at a deadlock and (US President Donald) Trump must break this deadlock," adding that “the ball is in Trump’s court." The Islamic Republic is reportedly seeking a two-phase payout, demanding $12 billion immediately upon the ratification of an interim truce, followed by the remaining $12 billion at a later date.

Conversely, policymakers in Washington are hesitant to release the capital, fearing that relinquishing the funds would strip the US of critical leverage. Trump has insisted that any new framework must be vastly more stringent than the 2015 nuclear pact signed by the Obama administration. In the CNN interview, Rezaei characterized the asset demand as a baseline barometer for future diplomacy. He argued that unlocking the funds would establish “a new horizon for the future" of bilateral relations.

According to the adviser, “If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump - this is a test that America must pass and the path will be opened," noting that “this is our own money, not America’s money. Should Washington reignite the conflict, Rezaei threatened to “drag the war" well beyond the Persian Gulf, extending retaliatory strikes from the Strait of Hormuz into the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Indian Ocean. (Read More)

Hezbollah leader appears to reject US-brokered Israel-Lebanon truce

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Thursday appeared to reject a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, warning that the Iran-backed terrorist group would continue attacking as long as Israeli operations persist. “We have not given anyone a commitment not to resist aggression and respond to it,” Qassem said in remarks carried by Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar, adding that “as long as the aggression continues, we will confront it with all the strength we possess.”

Qassem said any ceasefire must include a full halt to Israeli military activity across Lebanon and a withdrawal of Israeli forces, alongside the return of displaced residents and reconstruction efforts. He described Lebanese sovereignty as the “primary objective,” calling for “halting Israeli aggression in all its forms—air, land and sea,” and deploying the Lebanese army south of the Litani River, according to Al Manar.

He also denounced U.S.-led diplomacy and any efforts to disarm Hezbollah, calling direct negotiations a “farce” and the so-called Washington Declaration “a roadmap for the extermination of a segment of the Lebanese people.” Qassem warned that “as long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue,” rejecting any arrangement that would limit Hezbollah’s terrorist activity while Israeli strikes continue. (Source)

'It's not your country': Lebanese President Aoun hits out at Hezbollah, Iran in CNN interview

During his interview with Christiane Amanpour, Aoun asked Israelis if they truly want to live in "perpetual war." He then said that negotiations are a "huge opportunity" for both countries.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun slammed Hezbollahand Iran in an interview with CNN on Friday, saying that his country's people "are not [Hezbollah leader] Naim Qassem’s people." Aoun told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that he spoke to a diverse number of Lebanese civilians, who have told him that they are "fed up" with the war between Hezbollah and Israel. “They deserve not seeing their homes destroyed every five to ten years," Aoun said, describing the war as "futile."

Regarding Iran, Aoun accused the Islamic Republic of using Lebanon "for the sake of your [Iran's] own interest." “You are not trying to help us," said Aoun. "The people of Lebanon are paying the price." He then criticized statements by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) connecting Lebanon to a potential US-Iran ceasefire, saying the regime is "using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation." “It’s unacceptable,” he said. “It’s not your country, it’s our country.”

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam concurred with Aoun's assessment of Iran, further accusing the Islamic regime of bringing "destruction and ruin" to Lebanon.On Friday, Salam spoke of Iran's rejection of the recent ceasefire framework, calling it "proof that this is not our war, but one that is being waged on our land and at the expense of our residents." President Aoun also discussed Israel with CNN, emphasizing that he believed that only negotiations would bring safety and security to the region. He directed a question to the Israeli people, asking them if they truly want to live in "perpetual war."

“We are ready, we are willing, we are committed [to negotiations],” he said. "If you [Israel] are not, you will never live in peace, safety, and security.” Aoun claimed that both Lebanese citizens and Israelis are "fed up with war," and added that the negotiations are a "huge opportunity" for both countries. (Ed note: It sounds as if President Aoun may be waking up a little bit, BUT, what is this "we are willing bit?" Lebanon has laws on their books that state they can not even talk to a Jew. Trump couldn't believe it, but it's true.) (Read More)

85 House Dems urge Trump to back up anti-annexation rhetoric with action against E1 settlements

In letter to Rubio obtained by ToI, US lawmakers warn ‘window for meaningful intervention’ against project, which cuts off Palestinian contiguity in the West Bank, is rapidly closing.

Eighty-five Democrats in the US House of Representatives signed onto a letter urging President Donald Trump’s administration to back up its rhetoric against Israeli annexation of the West Bank with action in order to prevent the rapidly approaching construction of the controversial E1 project that would severely undermine Palestinian territorial contiguity beyond the Green Line.

“We write to strongly urge the administration to use every available diplomatic tool to halt the advancement of settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank,” reads the letter, obtained by The Times of Israel, which was organized by progressive Reps. Mark Pocan and Jan Schakowsky, and which was sent to Rubio on Friday. Trump last year declared that he wouldn’t allow Israel to annex the West Bank, the letter recalls. It argues that “construction in E1 is annexation in its clearest form.”

Construction of a settlement in the 12-square-kilometer corridor east of Jerusalem would bisect the West Bank and cut off Palestinian communities in Ramallah from those in Bethlehem, while completing an unbroken band of Israeli-controlled territory from Jerusalem through E1 to the Ma’ale Adumim city settlement. “In doing so, it would cement Israeli sovereignty over the geographic heart of the West Bank,” the letter states. Given that the Democrats don’t currently control Congress or the White House, the letter is likely to be ignored. However, the party could take over at least one body of Congress after the November midterms, giving it more power to influence foreign policy. (Read More)

Iran says it fired warning missiles, drones at US warships in Gulf of Oman

Iran’s navy says it fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, accusing the US Navy of harassing maritime traffic and seizing commercial vessels and oil tankers, Iranian state media reports.

Earlier, the US Indo-Pacific Command said US forces intercepted the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T DAVINA in the Indian Ocean overnight.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions over maritime security around Iran, as Washington enforces sanctions on Iranian oil shipments and Tehran has repeatedly threatened shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. (Source)

Majority of Israelis say Trump should not determine the nature of IDF operations - poll

This poll comes against the backdrop of the "shouting call" between Trump and Netanyahu, a profanity-laced tirade against the Israeli prime minister, demanding that Israel halt IDF airstrikes.

A majority of Israelis (62%) think that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not allow US President Donald Trump to dictate the nature of Israel's military actions, a poll published by Maariv on Friday found. The breakdown shows that there is general agreement on the issue across the political aisle, with 66% of coalition voters and 62% opposition voters holding the view that Netanyahu should not agree to Trump's demands to halt planned IDF attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, 25% think that Netanyahu has no choice but to concede to Trump's demands, while 13% say they do not know. This poll comes against the backdrop of the "shouting call" between Trump and Netanyahu, where Trump unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against the Israeli prime minister, demanding that Israel halt planned IDF airstrikes on Beirut.

This, as well as the controversy surrounding the vote for the state comptroller position, contributed to the coalition bloc weakening by two seats in this week's poll, dropping to 50 mandates collectively. The opposition bloc strengthened to 60 seats, while the Arab parties continue to maintain stability with 10 seats. In the opposition bloc, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid's Together Party strengthened to 23 seats, and Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu rose by one seat to 10. The Maariv poll further reveals that out of the 23 seats of the Together Party, 16 come from Bennett 2026 voters, 5 from Yesh Atid, and 2 from undecided/other. (Read More)

‘Khamenei’ says US, Israel hit by ‘decisive blow’ amid mixed signals on talks, US security alert

A statement attributed to Iran’s supreme leader on Thursday said that the United States and Israel had been dealt a “decisive blow” in their war with the Islamic Republic, as the US sent mixed signals about whether the fighting could resume. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard in public since being wounded in strikes that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28. His message, read out by a prayer leader at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, came amid weeks of talks marked by threats and flare-ups of violence that have so far failed to secure a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global energy flows.

In his message, Khamenei ostensibly said his country’s enemies, after “facing a decisive blow,” were now “experiencing a deeply meaningful and profound humiliation.” Every June 4 since 1989, the elder Khamenei had delivered a speech at the commemoration of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death. This year, however, an empty chair bearing his portrait stood at the mausoleum, according to footage broadcast from the site. The US and Iran have sent divergent messages about the talks, with Tehran insisting on steep conditions for progress, even as US President Donald Trump again voiced optimism, telling reporters on Wednesday that a deal “could happen” over the weekend. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has told aides privately that he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran killed American troops.

On Thursday, according to a report on Channel 12, the US sent a message to Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator, demanding a reply from Iran by the weekend and a signing ceremony in Geneva next week. It was unclear what the consequences would be if Iran failed to abide by those terms.And in an interview with state TV, Khamenei adviser Mohsen Rezaei said the current draft of the memorandum of understanding being negotiated to end the war has ambiguities that have to be clarified. Trump wants to pressure Iran to accept his conditions and keep Tehran’s conditions in a vague state, Rezaei added. (Read More)

Iranian parliamentarians demand Khamenei order intercontinental ballistic missile development

Iranian officials demanded that the Islamic Republic begin developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in a letter addressed to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the reformist Iranian newspaper Asriran reported on Wednesday. A total of 85 officials were reported to have penned the letter, which expressed condolences to Khamenei on his father’s death and cast doubt on the trustworthiness of Washington in ceasefire negotiations, asserted that the parliamentarians would “continue to support our military forces and defense industries until the day comes when the range of our missiles reaches the offices of the killers of the deputy of the Imam of the Age (Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth and final Imam) and the martyred Khamenei.

“We believe that to end the cycle of terror by the so-called ‘Al-Epstein,’ who adhere to no moral, human, or international principles, it is not merely an eye for an eye; rather, the enemy must know that it will be a head for an eye.”

Experts from the Institute for the Study of War interpreted this as a call to develop missiles capable of reaching the United States. The Islamic Regime has often referred to Israel and the United States as the “Epstein Regime” as part of its propaganda campaign to affiliate Jerusalem and Washington with the crimes of the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, a former advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, told The Jerusalem Post that it has long been within the Islamic regime’s goal to develop a missile capable of reaching the US. 

He warned that should Tehran walk away with favorable financial terms in the ongoing ceasefire talks with Washington, the Islamic regime would have the financial capacity and longevity to eventually see this goal through. Iran’s ballistic missile stock was understood to have a maximum range of around 2,000 km, according to the regime’s own claims, with its longest-range systems being the Khorramshahr, Sejjil, and Shahab-3 missiles.  (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. (CLICK HERE)

Hezbollah leader appears to reject US-brokered Israel-Lebanon truce

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Thursday appeared to reject a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, warning that the Iran-backed terrorist group would continue attacking as long as Israeli operations persist. “We have not given anyone a commitment not to resist aggression and respond to it,” Qassem said in remarks carried by Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar, adding that “as long as the aggression continues, we will confront it with all the strength we possess.”

Qassem said any ceasefire must include a full halt to Israeli military activity across Lebanon and a withdrawal of Israeli forces, alongside the return of displaced residents and reconstruction efforts. He described Lebanese sovereignty as the “primary objective,” calling for “halting Israeli aggression in all its forms—air, land and sea,” and deploying the Lebanese army south of the Litani River, according to Al Manar.

He also denounced U.S.-led diplomacy and any efforts to disarm Hezbollah, calling direct negotiations a “farce” and the so-called Washington Declaration “a roadmap for the extermination of a segment of the Lebanese people." Qassem warned that “as long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue,” rejecting any arrangement that would limit Hezbollah’s terrorist activity while Israeli strikes continue. (Ed note: What Qassem is saying is: "We (Hezbollah) are going to attack the state of Israel and the IDF, and if they respond, we will then attack their response.") (Source)

Netanyahu backs GOP plan to phase out US military aid to Israel, Rep. Marlin Stutzman tells 'Post'

The congressman stressed that ending direct military assistance would not weaken the alliance but instead redefine it around shared strategic interests.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana) has introduced a non-binding congressional resolution calling for negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Israel that would gradually end the annual $3.8 billion in American military assistance to Israel and replace it with a broader framework centered on defense cooperation, trade, and joint technological investment. The proposal, filed Wednesday, comes as the current 10-year MoU, signed in 2016 and providing $38 billion in military assistance through 2028, approaches its expiration date. According to Stutzman, the initiative reflects both Israel’s economic transformation and the evolving nature of the alliance between Jerusalem and Washington. 

“The idea is to take the relationship between two great allies, the United States and Israel, to a more mature relationship with a trade agreement, a defense agreement, rather than supplemental aid from the United States to Israel,” Stutzman told The Jerusalem Post in an interview discussing the measure. The Indiana congressman said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had provided him with a letter expressing support for the proposal following a meeting last month in Israel between the two.

“As I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last week, he made mention to me that Israel is now at 10 million people,” Stutzman said. “The economy is approaching a trillion dollars GDP. The country is strong.” According to Stutzman, Netanyahu argued that “it was important to them that they stand on their own two feet and that the relationship between the United States be of mutual interest, independent countries standing together.” (Ed note: You can read the entire article for yourself, but what BiBi is doing is getting the state of Israel from under the thumb of US Presidents who have not always had Israel's best interest at heart. This will be very important to end time prophecy as Israel will then make their own decisions, and fight for themselves.) (Read More)

Shifters: Robots on the frontline

Israeli deep-tech start-up Shifters, which develops AI-native autonomous robotic teams, has raised $10.2 million in seed funding, led by Ace Capital Partners, along with Aurelius Capital Management, Corner Ventures, Arkin Capital, and Fresh Fund. The financing brings the company’s total funding to $15 million as it accelerates development of AI‑native autonomous ground robotics designed to keep troops out of harm’s way on the battlefield.

The Washington‑based company with research and development (R&D) operations in Israel was founded in 2023 by CEO Ofer Ballin and CTO Assaf Chaprak. It is developing supervised autonomous ground robotic systems intended to enter high-risk and contested environments before troops do. “We started the company because we wanted to serve, in our view, the noblest of causes: preserving human life. There is a gap today between what technology can do and what still happens in the physical ground domain, and Shifters fills that gap,” Chaprak told Defense & Techby The Jerusalem Post.

Shifters’ platform is built around supervised autonomy, where robotic teams can operate in complex environments while remaining under human oversight. The company says this approach is essential for real‑world deployment, where unpredictable terrain and mission‑specific constraints require both adaptability and operator trust. (Read More)

US mediates unprecedented Israel-Lebanon deal, introduces exclusive zones - analysis

Israel and Lebanon appear headed toward a complex ceasefire after a new round of talks in the US. The latest agreement is supposed to be “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives,” according to a joint statement reported by Arab News in Saudi Arabia. The key parts of the deal are the ceasefire, the creation of “pilot zones” for the Lebanese army to take control, This is the fourth round of US-backed talks between Israel and Lebanon. In some ways, this is unprecedented because of all these long meetings between Israeli and Lebanese officials.

The US push for this has made it possible. US officials are focused on making this work. US President Donald Trump has personally sought to de-escalate fighting in Lebanon, pressuring Israel not to strike in southern Beirut. How did we get here? Israel’s increased strikes on Hezbollah between September and November 2024 led to a ceasefire deal. Then the Assad regime fell in December, depriving Hezbollah of a key ally. The rise of a new president, Joseph Aoun, and a new prime minister in Lebanon led to a drive to disarm “armed groups” in Lebanon. The government wanted to deal with Hezbollah but has been wary of doing so. The Lebanese Army has not been willing to confront the group. Instead, Beirut disarmed a few Palestinian refugee camps.

Lebanon’s failure to abide by the demands of the ceasefire led to more fighting in March 2026 after the Iran war began. This led to another ceasefire in April, but fighting continued. Israel has begun what some see as a phased approach of limited ground offensives in Lebanon over the years. The goal of the new agreement is to prod Lebanon into doing more about Hezbollah. The agreement discusses the need to prevent “any state or non-state actor” from holding Lebanon’s future hostage. This refers to Iran and Hezbollah without naming them. The lack of naming the problem has always been an issue in these previous ceasefires. If you don’t name Hezbollah, how do you get rid of it? (Ed note: We'll see if this "Dog hunts" Did anyone hear anything about Hezbollah agreeing to any of these negotiations?)  (Read More)

Backlash in Beirut: Lebanese Citizens Turn on Tehran After Hostile Missile Actions in the Gulf

A wave of public anger has erupted across Lebanon as prominent journalists and citizens openly accuse Iran and Hezbollah of hypocrisy for exposing their country to destruction.

A sharp political backlash has erupted within Lebanon following a series ofIranian military actions targeted toward Kuwait and Bahrain, igniting intense domestic debates regarding foreign interference. Opponents of the Hezbollahterrorist organization utilized the regional escalation to launch fierce public criticisms against Tehran and its local proxies. Critics are openly accusing the Iranian regime of deep hypocrisy, arguing that local populations are being systematically sacrificed to advance foreign geopolitical agendas.

The regional military maneuvers are being viewed by local anti-Hezbollah factions as a desperate attempt by Tehran to project strength after failing to secure meaningful tactical victories. Lebanese journalist Tony Boulos publicly admonished the regime, stating that the Iranian government consistently repeats a specific pattern of behavior. Boulos argued that whenever the regime fails to achieve military or political success, it flees toward targeting civilians, economic installations, and neighboring states, noting that Iranian actions at the Kuwait International Airport put civilian lives at immediate risk.

...Further criticism was directed at the narrative surrounding the current border war, with commentator Nael Berry questioning whether any meaningful deterrence has actually been achieved against opposing forces. Berry noted the absurdity of celebrating propaganda victories while targeted strikes and high level assassinations continue unabated in the south. He challenged the pro-Iran political camp to explain why, if their threats are genuinely effective, they have allowed southern border towns to face continuous destruction, occupation, and heavy civilian casualties. (Read More)

Hezbollah threatens to target Tel Aviv, Haifa, if Israel strikes again in Beirut

A prominent Hezbollah official threatened Israel that, if the IDF renews its strikes in Beirut, the terror organization would launch retaliatory fire towards central Israeli cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv. In an interview with Qatari outlet Al Araby, the deputy head of Hezbollah's political council, Mahmoud Kamati, stated that "The equation of Dahiyeh against settlements in the north cannot be accepted in any way." "It is not possible for the firing towards the north to stop in exchange for Dahiyeh not being attacked," he added. "From the start, the campaign is in full swing, and the horizon is open."

Instead, Kamati threatened, the "equation" would be between Dahiyeh and Beirut on the one side, and Haifa and Tel Aviv on the other. Meanwhile, the Yemeni Houthi terror group has also threatened retaliation against Israel if it should continue to attack in Lebanon. In a post on X/Twitter, Mohammed Alfrah, a member of the Houthi's Political Bureau, said that Israel "must realize that any breach will be met with a response and that its soldiers in the south will remain vulnerable to daily killing until the withdrawal."

"What most whetted the appetite of the Israeli enemy is the 15-month period during which it was bombing Lebanon without response, and it is the period of negotiations with the Lebanese authority," Alfrah declared. (Source)

IDF Chief of Staff: There is no ceasefire, we are maximizing our operational freedom

During a visit to the Haifa naval base, IDF Chief Eyal Zamir said Israel is prepared to resume operations against Iran if needed.

IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir visited the Israeli Navy’s Haifa Base today (Wednesday), together with the Commander of the Israeli Navy, MG Eyal Harel, and the Navy’s senior command staff. During the visit, the Chief of the General Staff toured missile boats, conducted a situational assessment, and spoke with commanders about the challenges and operations in the maritime arena. “Upon assuming my position, I directed the strengthening of the Israeli Navy as an additional long-range strategic arm of the IDF. We are now accelerating the implementation of this operational concept, Zamir stated during the visit.

He praised the servicemembers of the Israeli Navy, saying that they work to reinforce the security of the State of Israel across all arenas of combat "in challenging maritime theaters near and far, and in operations that cannot yet be disclosed to the public. They play a significant role in striking our enemies and reshaping the Middle East."

He affirmed that "the IDF, across all of its branches, is prepared to immediately resume combat operations against the Iranian terror regime. The Israeli Navy has a decisive role in our ability to once again strike the terror regime with determination, as we have done in the past. Alongside offensive activity in distant arenas, the foremost mission of the men and women of the Israeli Navy remains unchanged-defending our sovereignty, our maritime border, and the civilians of the State of Israel."

Turning to Lebanon, Zamir added, "We take the initiative, operate, and strike every threat. The Israeli Navy is an active partner in the operation. There is no ceasefire for our troops; we are working to maximize the operational freedom granted to us and will seize every opportunity to remove threats to Israeli civilians and our troops." The Chief of the General Staff expressed his appreciation to the Commander of the Israeli Navy, MG Eyal Harel, and commended the Israeli Navy and its senior leadership forum for their dedicated work and the many achievements of their service throughout the war. (Source)

Iranian FM warns: Strikes on Beirut will trigger 'full-scale resumption' of war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns Israel against attacking Beirut, says any attack will trigger a full-scale resumption of the Middle East war.

The Iranian government on Wednesday issued a stern warning regarding the ongoing regional conflict, declaring that any military strike targeting the Lebanese capital would result in a total reignition of the broader regional warfare, AFP reported. "The fate of the war between Iran and the Zionists (Israel) and Americans is inseparable from the fate of the battle in Lebanon, and these two fronts have been intertwined since day one," Araghchi stated during an interview with the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen TV. The Foreign Minister underscored Tehran's military readiness to enforce this boundary, directly threatening retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory should the red line be crossed.

"Any attack on Beirut will have grave consequences and will lead to a full-scale resumption of the war," he continued, adding Iran's "armed forces are ready to strike Israel if it attacks Beirut".

Throughout the conflict, Tehran has consistently demanded that any diplomatic framework aimed at resolving the wider Middle East war must be contingent upon a total cessation of hostilities inside Lebanon. In his remarks on Wednesday, Araghchi made clear that a cessation of the conflict in Lebanon is entirely dependent on a complete military pullout by Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. "The end of the war in Lebanon also means the end of the occupation. That is, the end of the war must be accompanied by the withdrawal of the Zionist regime's forces from the areas they have occupied," Araghchi told the television station.

The hardline rhetoric coincided with a second day of direct diplomatic talks in Washington between Israeli and Lebanese envoys. The meetings represent the fourth round of negotiations between the sides. Following Wednesday’s meeting, the US, Israel and Lebanon announced in a joint statement that the sides had agreed on a ceasefire "contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector". After the initial April 23 meeting between the sides, which was attended by Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, President Donald Trump expressed hope that peace between Israel and Lebanon would be possible this year.

Trump also said he hopes to host a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington within a few weeks. However, Aoun has made clear that a high-level summit with Netanyahu is currently out of the question, stressing that the cessation of hostilities must be the primary focus before any direct political engagement can be considered. Aoun also recently stressed that Israel’s complete military withdrawal from southern Lebanon is a “non-negotiable" prerequisite for an agreement. (Ed note: The 'Deal Maker' certainly made the opening for that demand from FM Araghchi possible.) (Source)

US forces down Iranian missiles and drones across Gulf region

U.S. Central Command said early on Wednesday that American and partner forces had intercepted multiple Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region overnight, while also conducting retaliatory strikes and enforcing maritime restrictions. According to CENTCOM, Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional targets late Tuesday into early Wednesday. Two missiles aimed at Kuwait failed mid-flight, while three others targeting Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defenses. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed air defenses were actively engaging incoming threats, and Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported warning sirens were activated.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry announced that the Iranian attacks targeting its territory killed one person and injured several others. Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad later reported that at least 63 people were injured and “seven urgent major surgeries have been performed” since the “brutal Iranian attack on the State of Kuwait.” In a statement, Kuwait City condemned the attacks “that once again targeted vital and civilian infrastructure, including Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring others, in addition to causing damage to vital infrastructure including diplomatic missions.”

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority earlier on Wednesday declared a state of emergency at Kuwait International Airport following an Iranian attack involving drones and missiles that caused several injuries and extensive damage, officials said. Flights were suspended or diverted to other airports as authorities assessed the impact of the attack. Hostile drones struck the airport’s main passenger terminal (T1), damaging the building and injuring several individuals, according to a statement by Defense Ministry spokesman Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi.During the overnight hours, residents near Iran’s Qeshm Island reported explosions, according to the Iranian regime-aligned Mehr News Agency. (Read More)

Suspected arson: Large fires rage in three locations in Samaria and Jordan Valley

Firefighters are working to contain wildfires that broke out near Har Bracha and in the Jordan Valley, after fighting a fire near Kochav Hashachar. Authorities suspect arson.

Firefighters and volunteers from the Samaria region worked on Wednesday to contain fires in three locations in the Samaritan neighborhood adjacent to Har Bracha. The fire began on the slopes of Mitzpe Yosef, near a military installation, and spread to nearby fields in various directions. Nine fire crews are operating at the scenes. At one scene, firefighters managed to halt the fire from spreading toward Mitzpe Yosef and the nearby military installation. Meanwhile, at another location, crews set up a fire line near a tahini factory and evacuated vehicles from the area to prevent further damage.

At the third scene, the firefighters operated near residential homes in the Samaritan neighborhood. The Fire and Rescue Service noted that at the moment, there is no threat to the homes after crews made contact with the fire front and are working to contain it. At the same time, six fire crews were dispatched to another fire near the Ein Sukkot spring in the Jordan Valley. According to initial reports, the complex terrain is impeding the firefighting operations.

Earlier in the day, firefighters worked to put out a fire in the pasture areas of the Ma'ale Ahuvya farm near the community of Kochav Hashahar in the Binyamin region. The Fire and Rescue Service stated that the Judea and Samaria District Investigations Department determined that arson is suspected in the fire near Kochav Hashachar and in the fire in the Har Bracha area. The investigation is ongoing. (Source)

Moroccan locust swarms sweep eastern Iran, threatening crops and farms

A swarm of Moroccan locusts is wreaking havoc upon eastern Iran’s agricultural sector, according to Iranian media reports and footage showing large numbers of the insects descending on affected areas. When speaking to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, medical officials assured the public that the insects pose no direct health risk. However, Tasnim News Agency reported that the invasion is threatening the “livelihoods of thousands of households.”

The Moroccan locust, also known as Dociostaurus maroccanus, is capable of rapid reproduction. Females can lay between two and four egg pods during their lifetime, with each pod containing an average of 30 eggs. Primarily feeding on grain crops, date palms, citrus fruits, fruit trees, olives, and figs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has described the species as “one of the most serious pests of many cultivated plants.”

In addition to damaging food crops, the insect can consume large quantities of rangeland vegetation, potentially creating feed shortages for livestock. Authorities have reportedly sprayed large areas with pesticides and urged farmers to refrain from harvesting crops to reduce the risk of chemical contamination. 

 
The sudden proliferation of Moroccan locusts has been attributed to changing weather patterns and drought conditions. Iran has now entered its sixth consecutive year of water shortages, following years of poor water management. After abandoning the country’s ancient qanat aquifer system, authorities constructed dams in an effort to boost agricultural output. That short-term approach contributed to rivers drying up, a phenomenon that has only worsened as global temperatures rose.  Ed note: Anyone remember Exodus 10:12-15, Moses, Pharaoh and the locusts?)    (Read More)

'You are not safe': IDF reveals Hezbollah terrorists are hiding in Tyre's Christian neighborhood

The IDF revealed on Tuesday that the Hezbollah terrorist organization has been embedded inside the Christian neighborhood of the city of Tyre, after fleeing other areas of the southern Lebanese city. The IDF said that it had issued evacuation notices for several areas of Tyre, but didn't include the Christian neighborhood. "In recent days, the IDF has observed activity by dozens of elements affiliated with the Hezbollah terror organization inside the," IDF Arabic Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Ella Waweya explained.

"This is not the first time we have exposed Hezbollah activity from within Christian areas, based on its belief that these areas provide it with a safer haven," she added. She also told the members of the Tyre Christian community that "for your safety and security, demand the removal of the organization's terrorists from your areas."

"And to the elements of the Hezbollah terror organization present in the city of Tyre: You are not safe there. If you continue to stay and operate from inside this area, the IDF will issue instructions to evacuate the Christian neighborhood and will take the necessary measures against you," Waweya warned. Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF said that an attack against Hezbollah terror infrastructure in Tyre on Monday caused damage to a civilian hospital in the area, after reviewing footage from the strike.

"It should be emphasized that the hospital was not targeted and was apparently damaged incidentally as a result of the strikes," the military clarified. Additionally, the IDF pointed out that Hezbollah "systematically embeds itself within civilian infrastructure and population centers," while it had positioned itself near medical facilities in the past, endangering the lives of patients, medical staff, and civilians in the area. The IDF added that "it is operating solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and is taking all feasible measures to minimize harm to civilian infrastructure, as well as medical facilities and personnel."  (Ed note : If Hezbollah has bailed out of the Dahieh suburb of Beirut, where would they go? To TYRE or SIDON, both biblical cities? Stay tuned.)   (Read More)

Israeli defense minister again threatens to strike Beirut in response to Hezbollah launches

Israel’s stance was reflected in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call with U.S. President Donald Trump, said Israel Katz.

Israel held off on major strikes in Beirut at the request of the United States on Monday, but will attack the Lebanese capital if Hezbollah continues firing at the Jewish state, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday. “There will no longer be a situation in which Beirut remains quiet while Israeli communities are under attack,” Katz declared in remarks the Defense Export Conference, according to a readout shared by his office. “Yesterday, the prime minister and I, together with the Israel Defense Forces, led a move to establish the equation that Dahiyeh in Beirut will be treated the same as Israel’s northern communities,” he said, referencing the Lebanese capital’s suburb where Iranian-backed Hezbollah maintains a large presence.

Katz said Jerusalem’s stance was reflected in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday night. “The IDF Spokesperson published an evacuation warning to Dahiyeh’s residents ahead of possible strikes, should attacks on Israeli communities continue,” he noted. “The immediate result was the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents from the district—600,000 out of 950,000 by last night—putting significant pressure on Hezbollah and the Lebanese government.” Katz said the Trump administration “endorsed the principle” set out by Jerusalem and warned the Lebanese government and other parties that the IDF could respond in Beirut.

“If attacks on the communities cease, or if attacks continue and we strike Dahiyeh in Beirut, then this equation will have been established,” he reiterated.Katz also emphasized that “there is no ceasefire” in Southern Lebanon, where IDF ground troops continue to work toward disarming Hezbollah. “IDF soldiers expanded the area of operations up to the Beaufort Castle, which has become a commanding position and part of the security zone, covering approximately 600 square kilometers,” he stated. “By comparison, the entire Gaza Strip is 365 square kilometers.” “As part of the new security doctrine, the IDF stands as a buffer between jihadist enemies and Israel’s borders and communities—in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and wherever else necessary—and acts proactively to remove threats in Iran, Yemen and wherever they may arise,” Katz concluded. (Read More)

Israel-Lebanon talks resume, Hezbollah keeps fighting in violation of agreement with Trump - report

“Our logic is to contain the fighting in Lebanon and not make it an issue in negotiations,” a US administration source said.

During talks between Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday, senior members of the Israeli delegation said that Hezbollah did not stop fighting, despite promising US President Donald Trump to do so on Monday. Delegations from both Lebanon and Israel met at the US State Department on Tuesday to begin a scheduled two-day resumption of negotiations. Members of the Israeli delegation also said that Hezbollah publicly rejected the equation of a ceasefire in southern Lebanon in exchange for a ceasefire in northern Israel.

The US is also forming a plan in which US forces will train their Lebanese counterparts to deal with Hezbollah in Beirut, KAN News reported on Tuesday. “Our logic is to contain the fighting in Lebanon and not make it an issue in negotiations,” a US administration source told KAN. The negotiations come a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a strike on Beirut at the urging of Trump, with Iranian officials warning that military action taken by Israel against Lebanon would cause a halt in communication between Iran and the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while the US is trying to view the Lebanon-Israeli talks as separate and distinct from Iran, Iran wants to “mix it all together.” Iran is currently attempting to interfere with the talks between Lebanon and Israel “so that if an arrangement is reached at some point in the future, they can claim credit for having forced it through leverage,” Rubio said. Rubio also reaffirmed the US’s support for “demilitarizing and defanging Hezbollah, while at the same time strengthening the legitimate government of Lebanon.” (Ed note: Why is the US talking to the Lebanese government when it has no ability or will to control or stop Hezbollah? Isn't Israel at war with the terrorist group known as Hezbollah? Isn't the US talking to the wrong group of people in Lebanon?)   (Source)