Trump: I wouldn’t say I waved off Israeli plan to attack Iran, but I’m not in a rush

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was in no rush to greenlight strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the day after a New York Times storyrevealed he had quashed an Israeli proposal for a joint attack next month. Trump’s partial confirmation of the Times report came as Iranian and allied officials prepared for a second round of talks with the US on Saturday aimed at reaching a diplomatic agreement surrounding the Iranian nuclear program. Oman confirmed on Thursday that the talks would take place in Rome, putting to bed earlier Iranian claims that the talks would again be held in Muscat.

Asked about the report that he had “waved off” an Israeli plan to attack the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites next month, Trump said, “I wouldn’t say ‘waved off.’” But then he added, “I’m not in a rush to do it,” indicating a degree of confirmation of the report. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump said, “Iran has a chance to have a great country, and to live happily without death, and I’d like to see that. That’s my first option.”

“If there’s a second option,” he went on, “I think it would be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran is wanting to talk. I hope they’re wanting to talk. It’s going to be very good for them if they do. Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s pretty simple.” The Islamic Republic, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction, insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, but it enriches uranium to levels far beyond any civilian use and obstructs inspectors from visiting its nuclear sites.  (Read more)

White House slams Hamas for rejecting ceasefire: Release the hostages or face hell

White House condemns Hamas for rejecting Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release deal, reaffirming Trump’s demands that it release the hostages or face consequences. The White House criticized Hamas on Thursday, following its rejection of the latest Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, reiterating that President Donald Trump’s position on the issue has not changed. “Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said US National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt.

“The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell,” he added. The comment came hours after Khalil al-Hayya, who oversees the negotiations on behalf of Hamas, claimed that "Netanyahu set impossible conditions for a deal that does not lead to the end of the war or full withdrawal. He and his government violated the agreement before its first phase ended." 

"We are prepared to immediately hold true negotiations for the release of the captives that we hold in return for an agreed-upon number of prisoners being held by the occupation. The occupation in return must totally stop the war and totally withdraw from the Gaza Strip," he demanded. (Read More)

Hamas rejects Israeli ceasefire terms, demands full withdrawal and prisoner exchange

Terror group negotiator labels proposal as ‘unrealistic’; Smotrich urges Gaza escalation, calls on Netanyahu to ‘open the gates of hell’; 'Mr. Prime Minister, go ahead — give the order!' Hamas on Thursday rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “unrealistic” and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using partial deals to advance his political agenda.

Khalil al-Hayya, who heads Hamas’ negotiating team and leads the terrorist group’s Gaza operations, said Hamas is ready to immediately negotiate a comprehensive deal that includes the release of all hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the start of reconstruction efforts. “We will not be part of Netanyahu’s political cover for continuing the war,” he said. 

He added that the group’s weapons and armed resistance “are a natural right” tied to the existence of occupation, rejecting the possibility of disarmament. The Hamas statement followed Israel’s submission of a proposal to Egyptian and Qatari mediators earlier this week. According to al-Hayya, Hamas had agreed to a mediator-backed plan at the end of Ramadan, but Netanyahu was intent on prolonging the war to serve his political future. In response, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — who also serves as an additional minister in the Defense Ministry — called for a full military escalation in Gaza. “Israel will not surrender to Hamas and will not end the war without total victory,” he said in a statement. (Read More)

IDF intercepts missile from Yemen, sirens sound in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem area

The IDF intercepted a missile that had been launched from Yemen at Israeli territory, the military said early Friday morning. At  6:32 a.m., the IDF announced a missile launch had been detected from Yemen, and advised to follow Home Front Command guidelines. 

Shortly after, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, across central Israel, the Jerusalem area, and the West Bank. Magen David Adom said in a statement that no injuries have been reported thus far. Later on Friday, Israel Police said it had operated since the morning to extinguish a fire that had erupted near the area of the Avshalom Cave situated in the Judean Hills due to interceptor shrapnel impacting in the area. 

Police added that visitors in the area were evacuated and the blaze was put out. This comes after Houthi media reported that some 33 people had died in what it called US strikes on the port city of Ras Isa. Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV said the strikes, which the US military said were carried out to cut off a source of fuel for the Houthi terrorist group, also wounded 80 people.  (Source)

Turkey in Syria: Israel Concerned Erdogan Seeks to Re-Form Ottoman Empire

JERUSALEM, Israel – Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking more influence in the Middle East by increasing his presence in Syria. Experts believe Erdogan will continue his desire for control as part of a much broader vision, and that could be a major issue for Israel. The concern is that the Turkish president may have aspirations that are even greater than Iran's. “If we are talking about the influence in Syria, (Erdogan) already took the place of Russia and Iran but I think, given the Ottoman glorious past, I think his ambitions are far more bigger then Iran's,” said Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, Middle East Expert at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies as well as at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. Born and raised in Turkey, Yanarocak says one shouldn't underestimate Erdogan when he insists the borders of Turkey are larger than they are now.

“We do see the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire. So, as much as Belgrade, he's talking about Jerusalem, as much as Athens, he's talking about, you know, other cities like Cairo and other cities inside the Middle East,” Yanarocak told CBN News. “So, I don't think that it only can be limited within the boundaries of the Middle East.”The Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, began more than 700 years ago, eventually controlling Southeast Europe as well as parts of West Asia, North Africa and the Middle East up to the early 20th century.

After World War I, the Allied powers partitioned the Ottoman Empire, including what the British then called Palestine. Yanarocak says, December's fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad opened the door for Erdogan to implement his goal of reviving an empire beginning with Syria. “We all witnessed that since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, the Turkish president provided everything he has (provided) to the Syrian opposition. And he is turning, the current Syrian administration as his core ally. By providing some civilian services like paving the roads, railways, providing radars, and repairing airports and other facilities, Turkey is creating here a very important dependency from the Syrian side,” Yanarocak explained.   (Read More)

Made from snails and fit for kings: First biblical-era dye factory found on Israel’s coast

A celebrated royal purple dye popular among ancient kings and priests was already produced on an industrial scale in the Land of Israel in biblical times, new research has shown. The special dye is mentioned multiple times in the Hebrew Bible and other historical sources as sought after by elites across the Mediterranean, in two variations: purple (argaman in Hebrew) or blue (tchelet).

Now, a group of researchers has documented how the material was produced for hundreds of years on Israel’s Carmel Coast, at the site of Tel Shiqmona, a new paper published in the prestigious PLOS ONE journal on Wednesday has revealed. There, for the first time, the scholars have also identified the tools used for production.

“Findings of purple dye from the Iron Age [1200-586 BCE] are extremely rare,” Dr. Golan Shalvi from the University of Haifa, the lead author of the paper, told The Times of Israel over the phone. “Tel Shiqmona stands out because it yielded roughly twice as many artifacts directly connected to the industry as all other known sites combined.” A small archaeological mound situated on the outskirts of the modern city of Haifa, Tel Shiqmona has been excavated multiple times since the 1960s, revealing remains spanning from the Late Bronze Age (1500-1150 BCE) to the Byzantine period (4th-7th century CE). However, the findings from the most ancient periods were never properly published.  (Read more)

Trump said to have called off planned Israeli strike on Iran

Israel intended to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities as early as May, a plan that would have required American assistance. But U.S. President Donald Trump decided against an attack in favor of negotiations, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Trump’s decision came “after months of internal debate” about whether to pursue a military or diplomatic option. Even hawkish members of Trump’s cabinet expressed skepticism that a military strike could destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions, resulting in a “rough consensus” that for the time being negotiation was the better option, the Times reported.

The Times said it had spoken to multiple officials who had been briefed on Israel’s plans. Most were interviewed on condition of anonymity. Israel, which has long been preparing for an attack on Iran, with or without U.S. help, sees the current situation as favorable to a strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. Israel’s air force has already eliminated most of Iran’s air defenses, and has severely damaged Iran’s proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December eliminated a key Iranian ally that acted as a conduit for Iranian arms to Hezbollah.

According to the Times, senior Israeli officials pitched a plan to their American counterparts that would have combined an Israeli commando raid on underground Iranian nuclear sites with a bombing effort that would have involved aircraft. The goal was to set back Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more. (Ed note: Believe the New York Times, I don't know about that. I'll wait and see what Trump does.)   (Read More)

Iran shifts tune on nuclear deal, downplaying optimism - analysis

After a week of optimism, Iran appears to be slightly less optimistic about a possible deal with the US. It’s unclear if this is in reaction to US envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent statements or an attempt to downplay the second round of talks expected to take place soon.

Iran cannot afford to wait for a deal with Washington, the country’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said. What she means is that Iran has economic needs, and if a deal does not happen soon, the door might close, apparently. “Mohajerani said the government’s position aligns with that of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who said national problems should not be tied to negotiations,” the Iranian state media report said. She downplayed a deal and noted that it would take a while for the benefits of a potential agreement to trickle down to the public. Clearly, Iran doesn’t want the people to get their hopes up.

Meanwhile, “Ayatollah Khamenei said on Tuesday that none of Iran’s industrial, economic, construction-related, or cultural affairs are in any way dependent on the talks with the US,” IRNA noted.During a meeting with top government officials, Khamenei said that the talks that began in Oman “may or may not yield results.” Iran must continue on its path either way. Iran, thus, is not putting all its eggs in this basket. Iran is “neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic,” the leader said. “Of course, we are very skeptical of the other party but confident in our own capabilities,” he added. (Read More)

Iran’s FM says uranium enrichment ‘non-negotiable,’ after US says it cannot continue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran’s uranium enrichment as part of its nuclear program was “non-negotiable,” after US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff said the processing program must be dismantled as part of any deal between the sides.

“Iran’s enrichment is a real, accepted matter. We are ready to build confidence in response to possible concerns, but the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable,” Araghchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Witkoff’s comments Tuesday were themselves a reversal of those he made a day earlier, contrary to Israel’s position, that Washington would be satisfied with a cap on Iranian nuclear enrichment and would not require the dismantling of its nuclear facilities. Araghchi and Witkoff are due to meet again in Oman on Saturday, a week after they held the highest-level talks between the longtime foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear deal in 2018. Trump reimposed sweeping sanctions in a policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran, which he has reinstated since returning to office in January.   (Read More)

International Atomic Energy Agency Chief: 'Iran not far from possessing nuclear weapons'

Rafael Grossi told a French newspaper that while they still have a long way to go, the world has to recognize that Iran is 'not far' from obtaining nuclear weapons. Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), conveyed a stern warning amid talks between the US and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program. In an interview with the French Le Monde, Grossi warned that Iran is "not far" from possessing nuclear weapons.

Grossi compared the issue to a puzzle: "You have the pieces, and they could, in the end, put them together. They still have a long way to go, but they're not far; we have to recognize this."Talks between the US and Iran in an attempt to reach a nuclear deal kicked off on Saturday in Oman. On Sunday, President Donald Trump commented on the Iranian issue, saying:"We've got a problem with Iran, but I'll solve that problem, that's almost an easy one."

He added, "Iran wants to deal with us, but they don't know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled for next Saturday. I said that's a long time [between meetings]. I think they're tapping us along because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country."he President threatened: "They gotta go fast because they're fairly close to having one. And they are not going to have one, and if we have to do something very harsh, we're going to do it. I'm not doing it for US, I'm doing it for the world."   (Source)

Renewal of operations: IDF divides up Gaza Strip, seizes 30% of territory

1,200 terror targets have been struck from the air by 350 fighter jets and aircraft. Approximately 30% of the Gaza Strip’s territory is now designated as an Operational Security Perimeter.
Less than a month after renewing combat in the Gaza Strip, the IDF and Shin Bet published a list of achievements, including the elimination of senior terrorists, strikes on command centers and infrastructure, and seizure of territory in the Gaza Strip. The operation in the Gaza Strip was renewed on March 18, 2025. Since then, senior officials and mid-level commanders of the Hamas terror organization have been targeted.

The opening strike was based on extensive intelligence gathering and in-depth research, carried out in close cooperation between the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the ISA. At this stage, based on information held by the IDF and the ISA, it can be stated with high probability that 8 senior officials of the Hamas terror organization’s political bureau were eliminated in the opening strike.

In addition, several mid-level terrorists were neutralized across various units, including the General Security Apparatus, the Internal Security Apparatus, and units that operated in and significantly supported the production and military buildup efforts of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations. Since the beginning of the war, the Israeli security forces have been working to eliminate senior officials from Hamas’ political bureau in the Gaza Strip and beyond. As part of the renewed operation in the Gaza Strip," 11 senior officials from Hamas’ political bureau have been eliminated.  (Read More)

Report: Gaza has 1 month's supply of food left

Israel estimates that stopping the transfer of humanitarian aid will result in the Gaza Strip running out of food within a month, which would increase pressure on Hamas to end the war on Israel's terms.
Israeli intelligence estimates that there is enough food in the Gaza Strip to last for another month after Israel halted the entry of aid into the enclave at the end of the January ceasefire, Kan News reported this evening (Wednesday).

Humanitarian aid was allowed to enter Gaza throughout the first 15 months of the war initiated by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7, 2023 and during the January ceasefire. Much of that aid was stolen by Hamas and sold to the local population at exorbitant prices or hoarded.

It is hoped that the dwindling supplies will increase the pressure on Hamas to agree to Israel's demands to release the remaining hostages and disarm. However, this may also be the reason for Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement this morning that Israel would soon resume the flow of aid into Gaza. According to the report, discussions are underway at the top of the IDF on how to bring in humanitarian aid without it reaching Hamas. Israeli officials state that stopping the entry of food, water, and fuel trucks into the Gaza Strip will help put pressure on Hamas, and that without the release of hostages, the situation in Gaza will worsen.   (Read More)

Hundreds of Hezbollah commanders flee Lebanon for South America

Saudi reports indicate that Hezbollah has instructed its field commanders to leave Lebanon over fears they may be pursued if the organization's military infrastructure is dismantled. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that 2025 would be the year in which all weapons in the country are placed exclusively under state control. The destination countries: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. 

Approximately 400 Hezbollah field commanders are slated to leave Lebanon for various South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, according to a report on Wednesday by a Latin American diplomatic source to the Saudi news outlet Al Hadath. The report comes amid growing discourse in Lebanon surrounding the possible disarmament of the Shiite terrorist organization, following its defeat in the war with Israel. According to the source, 200 commanders have already reached South America, with the rest expected to depart Lebanon in due course.

The diplomatic source said Hezbollah ordered its commanders to leave Lebanon fearing that they could be targeted if and when the organization's military infrastructure is dismantled. It is worth noting that Hezbollah already has an established terrorist network in South America, and in Lebanon, it maintains a force of several tens of thousands of terrorists. On Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that 2025 would mark the exclusive centralization of weapons in state hands. He asserted that Hezbollah's disarmament would be achieved "through dialogue" and emphasized his efforts to prevent a civil war. According to Aoun, communication with the organization is "good and direct," and "the results are evident on the ground."   (Read More)

Iran Talks Hit Impasse as Regime Says Nuclear Enrichment ‘Non-Negotiable’

The first direct talks between the U.S. and Iran have hit a snag, as the Iranian regime declared Wednesday that its nuclear enrichment is “non-negotiable,” even as the Trump administration demanded an end to it. Iran has enriched uranium far beyond levels needed for any civilian purpose; the only reason to continue enriching uranium would be to build a stockpile of fissile material that could be used for nuclear weapons. 

 Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters: “Iran’s enrichment is a real, accepted matter. We are ready to build confidence in response to possible concerns, but the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable. ”Direct talks began earlier this month, with President Donald Trump hinting at military action against Iran if the regime refused to dismantle its nuclear program. Trump wants a tougher deal than the one negotiated by President Barack Obama in 2015, which allowed Iran to emerge as a nuclear power after about a decade, and which did not stop Iran from funding terrorism abroad, threatening Israel, or developing ballistic missiles. 

Iran’s air defenses have largely been destroyed by Israel, thanks to Iranian missile attacks on Israel last year that prompted limited, but effective, strikes against Russian-made surface-to-air missiles and other defenses.   (Source)

Could Mossad kill IRGC air force chief to open up striking Iran nuke program?

Sources: Simply destroying Iran’s Fordow nuke facility 'worthless,' diluting uranium gains limited time. With Israel concerned that the Trump administration may cut a weak new nuclear deal with Iran, one way out of such a scenario could be a theoretical Mossad operation that kills the key Iranian official who ordered 400 ballistic missiles fired on Israel in 2024, think-tank sources conjectured to The Jerusalem Post.

The purpose of this theoretical scenario would be to provoke the Islamic Republic into a new direct attack on the Jewish state, which could then be used as a basis for a wide strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities even after a new nuclear deal would have been cut with US President Donald Trump.

Brig.-Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps air force chief, publicly declared his role in trying to harm Israel in multiple rounds of attacking it with around 400 ballistic missiles in 2024. A number of Israeli and American officials even discussed assassinating him in last October as a potential response to Tehran’s second direct attack – though in the end, Jerusalem sufficed with destroying Iranian air defense and ballistic missile production capabilities.   (Read More)

Netanyahu to Khamenei: Israel won't be eliminated, Iran's axis of terror must be

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's promise that Israel will be eliminated, calls it 'brazen' for Iran to say such things while supposedly negotiating for peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening responded to Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's promise that Israel will be eliminated from the Middle East. "Today, the dictator of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted this," Netanyahu began, holding up a paper. "The title is, 'Why must the Zionist regime (that's Israel) be eliminated from the region.'"

"So here you have the ruler of Iran openly declaring - again - that his goal is to destroy the State of Israel. And the most brazen thing about this is that he issues this while he's negotiating - supposedly negotiating - peace with the United States. "Well, Israel will NOT be eliminated. What must be eliminated is Iran's axis of terror and its nuclear weapons program. Not only for the sake of Israel, but for the sake of our entire region, and for the sake of peace in our world," he concluded.   (Source)

Why Trump nuke deal could be ‘better’ than Obama’s, yet be still more dangerous - analysis

What the Trump administration is looking for in a new nuclear deal with Iran is still hazy, but based on envoy Steve Witkoff’s interview with Fox News, it seems that the focuses are limiting uranium enrichment and broader IAEA verification.It is possible that this broader verification could include first-time access to the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile arsenal. If Trump can achieve these two goals, they would potentially be sizable wins, and in some ways could be improvements on the O bama-era 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.

At the same time, they would likely fall far short of ending the nuclear threat from Tehran. More than that, given the progress that Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made with his nuclear program since 2018, they might still leave a far more dangerous Iranian nuclear threat than what existed after Obama’s deal. The bedrock of the JCPOA was that Iran:

1) cut its centrifuge use for enriching uranium by about 75% from close to 20,000 old centrifuges to close to 5,000; 2) ship out its 20% and above-5% enriched uranium stock to Russia (at the time potentially enough for 10 nuclear weapons); 3) commit to staying at less than one third of a nuclear weapon’s worth of low enriched uranium for 10-15 years (depending on how its calculated); and 4) allow the IAEA extensive access to its declared nuclear facilities.

Centrifuges: If Iran’s uranium enrichment would be limited to the same levels this time, it would require greater concessions from Tehran because they now possess 13,355 advanced centrifuges of which 1,660 are IR-6 ones installed at Fordow.  (Read More)

Iran must stop and eliminate enrichment, weaponization program, Witkoff says

Iran needs to end its uranium enrichment and abolish its weapons programs if it wants to achieve a diplomatic agreement, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Tuesday. "Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East - meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program," Witkoff wrote in an X/Twitter post. He emphasized that the agreement with Iran would only be possible if it were conducted by President Trump.  

 

Witkoff also noted that the creation of a deal would be beneficial on a global scale. "It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do," his statement concluded. Witkoff further detailed the diplomatic agreement with Iran.  

"This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program, and then ultimately verification on weaponization. That includes missiles, the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for a bomb," Witkoff said in an interview on Fox News's Hannity show. Witkoff, who serves as the US representative in nuclear talks with Iran’s foreign minister, told Fox News, “Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, and it should not enrich uranium beyond 3.67%.” This is a significant statement, as it is considerably more lenient than the Israeli demand – publicly voiced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – which calls for the “Libyan model,” meaning the complete physical dismantling of Iran’s military nuclear facilities.  (Read More)

Hamas has rejected Israel's latest ceasefire offer, BBC reports

Despite heavy military pressure and halt of humanitarian aid, a senior Palestinian official said the terror group is rejecting the offer that would see the release of 10 live hostages and 16 dead hostages in exchange for a 6-week ceasefire: 'Israel is not committing to ending the war'. 

The BBC reported Tuesday evening, citing a senior Palestinian official, that Hamas has rejected Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, which included a six-week truce during which 10 living hostages and the remains of 16 killed hostages would be released. Israel has yet to issue an official response. 

According to the Palestinian source, Hamas dismissed the plan because it did not guarantee a permanent end to the war or a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza—both of which are central demands for the group.n recent weeks, Israel has intensified military operations in Gaza, seizing additional territory and targeting Hamas infrastructure in an effort to pressure the group into releasing more hostages without committing to ending the conflict. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with the United Nations warning that conditions are now among the worst since the war began 18 months ago.​ (Read More)

The “Monster Earthquake” That Just Hit California Is Another Reminder That A Cataclysmic Event Will Dramatically Alter The Geography Of The West Coast

A lot sooner than most people think, an absolutely cataclysmic earthquake will permanently alter the geography of the California coast.  Land on the western side of the fault line that is shaken by that great quake will suddenly sink by several feet, and that will allow the Pacific Ocean to come pouring in.  The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that just hit southern California is yet another reminder that this cataclysmic event is coming.  I will continue to sound the alarm about this cataclysmic event until the day that it happens.

In fact, this cataclysmic event is one of the things that I discuss in the secret new project that I have been working on.  There was a Hollywood blockbuster about a cataclysmic earthquake along the San Andreas fault that came out ten years ago.  What the region will eventually experience will be far, far worse than anything in that film.  So please help me sound the alarm, because those that get out in time will literally be saving their lives. In recent months, the California coastline has been shaken over and over again by sizable quakes.  

The magnitude 5.2 earthquake that just shook the San Diego area is the latest exampleOriginally, it was being reported that this earthquake was much larger. So we should be thankful that we dodged a bullet. But it still really shook people up.  The following comes from a Daily Mail article entitled “San Diego rocked by monster earthquake”… (Ed note: The 'Elsinore Fault' is a part of the 'San Andreas Fault', which troubles California, the Northwest has to watch out for the 'Cascadia Subduction Zone'.)  (Read More)

First day of Passover sees 43% rise in Jewish visits to Temple Mount

Four hundred ninety-four Jewish worshippers ascended the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, the first day of Passover, a 43% increase over 2024, when 345 visited Judaism’s holiest site. Hundreds of Jews took part in morning and afternoon services, as well as the festive Hallel and Musaf prayers, according to Beyadenu, a religious activist group that monitors Jewish visits to the Mount.

A spokesperson for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the Israel Police, told Israel National News on Monday that the rise was a “direct outcome of the policy of the national security minister, which is very different from the policies that were pursued in past years.

“The policy is to allow free worship for Jews everywhere, including on the Temple Mount,” they said, adding, “The Temple Mount is sovereign territory in the capital of the State of Israel. There is no law permitting discrimination against Jews on the Temple Mount or anywhere else in Israel, and that is the path Minister Ben-Gvir is charting for the police.”In the last Hebrew year, the number of Jewish visitors to the Mount surpassed all previous years since Jerusalem was liberated in 1967. In the month of Shevat, which roughly coincides with February, more than 3,000 Jews prayed at Judaism’s holiest site for the first time since the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E.  (Read More)

Trump: 'Iran can't have nuclear weapons; if we have to do something harsh, we'll do it'

The US President spoke about the talks between Iran and the US and claimed that Iran wants a deal but does not know how to get one 'because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country.'
President Donald Trump spoke to the press on Monday during a meeting with El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele and discussed the talks between his administration and the Iranian regime, which began on Saturday.

At the start of his remarks, Trump stated: "We've got a problem with Iran, but I'll solve that problem, that's almost an easy one. "Later, he added, "Iran wants to deal with us, but they don't know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled for next Saturday. I said that's a long time [between meetings]."I think they're tapping us along because they were so used to dealing with stupid people in this country," the President alleged. He reiterated: "Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon, they can not have a nuclear weapon.

Nobody can have a nuclear weapon, we can't have anybody having nuclear weapons, Trump repeated his claim that if he had been elected in 2020, Iran would not have been a problem, they would not have attacked, and the October 7th Massacre would not have occurred. "Iran was stone-cold broke when I was President, and I don't want that. I want them to be a rich nation. The only thing is, it's simple - they can not have a nuclear weapon. "The President threatened: "They gotta go fast because they're fairly close to having one. And they are not going to have one, and if we have to do something very harsh, we're going to do it. I'm not doing it for US, I'm doing it for the world." Asked if that would include US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump answered in the affirmative."  (Source)

‘Israel must put its own military option on the table’

Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which began in Oman on Saturday, have raised questions about the risk of Tehran’s exploiting the diplomatic track to gain time and legitimacy for its nuclear program. The first round of indirect talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, concluded in Oman after a little more than two-and-a-half hours, according to international media reports. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held in Oman on April 19.

According to an April 12 Wall Street Journal report, Iran’s demands include rapid sanctions relief, access to billions in frozen assets, and an end to U.S. pressure on Chinese oil buyers. In return, Iran might offer to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% but is unlikely to reverse existing nuclear progress.

Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, vice president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, told JNS in recent days that in his assessment, “at least in Trump’s mind and in [special United States Middle Envoy Steve] Witkoff’s mandate, it is clear that the move [negotiations] must block Iran’s path to nuclear weapons so that the North Korean nightmare is not repeated.” An Iranian nuclear breakout would collapse the regional and global order and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, warned Lerman, adding that preventing this from happening must occur “within a limited time.”   (Read More)

Israel expands Gaza buffer zone amid Passover offensive

Israel has expanded its buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip as part of a broader military campaign aimed at pressuring Hamas into releasing hostages. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that “hundreds of thousands of [Palestinian] residents have already evacuated,” and “tens of percent of Gaza’s territory have become part of Israel’s security areas.

“The main goal is to exert heavy pressure on Hamas for it to return to the framework of a hostage release,” Katz added. “As long as Hamas persists in its refusal, the IDF activity will intensify.” Over the weekend and into Monday, the Israel Defense Forces carried out extensive strikes across Gaza, attacking more than 90 targets. These included Hamas command centers, rocket launch sites, weapons storage facilities and armed cells.

In Rafah and along the Morag Corridor, IDF ground forces killed several terrorists and destroyed tunnel shafts and weapons caches. In the Tel al-Sultan and al-Shaboura neighborhoods of Rafah, troops uncovered additional Hamas infrastructure, including underground passageways used for transporting fighters and supplies. In one operation in the Shaboura area, troops dismantled a 20-meter-deep and several-hundred-meter-long tunnel used as a gathering point for Hamas operatives. The tunnel connected to other tunnel routes in the area.  (Read More)

Hamas rejects Egyptian ceasefire proposal, refuses to discuss disarming

A senior official of the Hamas terrorist organization told the Qatari television station Al Jazeera that the proposal that Egypt made for a ceasefire and hostage deal included the disarming of Hamas. "Egypt informed us that there will be no agreement to end the war without negotiations on disarming the organization," he noted.  He added, "We reiterated that the only way to any agreement is [for Israel] to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and end the war, not the issue of weapons."

According to him, the proposal that Egypt submitted includes the release of half of the hostages in the first week of the agreement and the handover of the living and dead hostages by the end of the 45-day truce. Kan News reported that Hamas is signaling that it has agreed to increase the number of hostages to be released - but insists on ending the war on its terms. Hamas's response to the Egyptian proposal has not yet been officially submitted.  

A source involved in the issue claimed that Israel is ready for 'certain' compromises, but not at the cost of preventing the destruction of Hamas. Experts have expressed less optimism in recent days about the possibility of reaching an agreement in the near future. However, they emphasized that Israel must strive for an agreement because the hostages' time is running out. (Source)

US approves major weapons shipment to Israel as IDF prepares for Gaza offensive, eyes Iran

Israel set to receive over 3,000 US munitions to boost Air Force readiness for a major Gaza operation, with attention also on Iran; additional 10,000 munitions, frozen under Biden, released after Trump returned to White House. The IDF is set to receive a major arms shipment from the United States in the coming weeks, including more than 3,000 munitions for the Israeli Air Force, as part of its preparations for continued operations in the Gaza Strip and a potential strike on Iran, Israeli officials said Monday. 

The shipment, recently approved by the U.S. administration, is intended to boost the Air Force’s readiness for a large-scale campaign planned by the IDF Southern Command in the Gaza Strip. The delivery comes in addition to more than 10,000 aerial munitions expected to replenish Israeli stockpiles after 18 months of prolonged, multi-front fighting.

The shipment complements a previous deal for heavy munitions that Israel purchased from the U.S. last year. The Biden administration had initially frozen the transfer, but U.S. President Donald Trump reversed the freeze in recent weeks. In February, the U.S. government confirmed the approval of a major arms deal with Israel valued at $7.41 billion, which includes guided munitions, bombs and related equipment. The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress that the deal is intended to preserve Israel’s ability to defend itself.  (Ed note: note the fact that Israel had already paid the US last year for those munitions.)   (Read More) 

China's $760 Billion Economic Bomb: What Happens If They Pull the Pin?

Imagine waking up to headlines that China just dumped hundreds of billions of U.S. Treasury bonds overnight. The markets are in free fall, mortgage rates spike by breakfast, and your 401(k) just lost 20%. Far-fetched? Maybe. But if Beijing ever decides to weaponize its $760 billion in U.S. debt, this hypothetical becomes a very real economic earthquake. And in a time when America is already on shaky ground — after years of runaway spending, record inflation, and foreign policy confusion under the former Biden administration — the idea of China pulling the financial trigger isn’t just a thought experiment. It’s a warning shot.

 Let’s back up. For years, the U.S. has relied on countries like China to buy its debt. Right now, Beijing holds roughly $760 billion in U.S. Treasuries — second only to Japan. That massive stake gives them not just influence, but leverage. Think of it like this: China isn’t just holding our IOUs — they’re holding a financial weapon. And if they ever decide to unload it, the repercussions would be felt not on Wall Street first, but right where it hurts — on Main Street.   

Let’s say China doesn’t go nuclear. Instead, it slowly sells off Treasuries month by month. Investors notice. Interest rates creep higher. Suddenly, a 30-year mortgage doesn’t cost you 6.5% — it’s 8%. Auto loans? Credit cards? All up. Businesses cut back. Growth slows. It’s death by a thousand cuts — and you won’t read about it on page one. But you’ll feel it every time you check your bank balance or swipe your card.Now imagine the worst-case: China fires the big gun and dumps a huge portion of its Treasuries overnight. Markets panic. Bond yields spike. The dollar drops like a stone. The Fed scrambles to contain the fallout, but it’s too late. Interest rates skyrocket. Inflation goes from bad to unbearable. The government — already buried under $34 trillion in debt — has to pay more just to stay afloat. (Ed note: This article says that China has $760 billion, its been as high as $1.3 trillion!)  (Read More) 

A Wave Of Panic Buying Has Suddenly Erupted At Retailers All Over America

Do you remember the panic buying that we witnessed during the early days of the pandemic?  It’s back, and I have a feeling that it is only going to intensify in the days ahead.  As more Americans begin to realize that products made in China will soon more than double in price and that some may no longer be available at all, there will be a feverish rush to purchase Chinese-made goods.  Ironically, this may actually give a short-term boost to the U.S. economy, and the economic numbers for the first half of this year may end up looking better than they otherwise would have .Before I get too deep into this article, there are a couple of things that I want to clarify.  

 First of all, I do not think that the U.S. should have ever begun trading with communist China at all, because communist China has always been an incredibly evil regime. Secondly, it was a catastrophic error for the U.S. to become so deeply dependent on imports from China.  This is something that I have been writing about for years.  Our stores are now teeming with products that were made in China, and thousands of our supply chains simply cannot function without equipment, parts or products that come from China. 

  But our leaders refused to listen to those of us that were sounding the alarm, and now we have a real mess on our hands. Because we have become so deeply dependent on China, the trade war that has now begun is really going to hurt, and everyone should be able to see that. On Thursday, the White House confirmed that the total tariff rate on Chinese imports has now risen to 145 percent…   (Read More)

Trump says he expects to make a decision on Iran’s nuclear program ‘very quickly’

Asked about US talks with Iran on its nuclear program, US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he expects a decision to be made soon, ahead of a second round of talks set to take place this Saturday in Rome. “We’ll be making a decision on Iran very quickly,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way from Florida back to the White House.  

His comments came a day after talks in Oman, which included a conversation between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the highest-level Iran-US negotiations since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear accord. According to the Axios news site, Witkoff and Araghchi spoke for around 45 minutes on Saturday, with a source saying that the conversation between the two was “substantive, serious and excellent.” Iran and the US separately described Saturday’s discussions as “constructive.”   

Axios also reported that Witkoff briefed Trump on the discussions Sunday and that the change in venue for the negotiations from Muscat to Rome was suggested by the Trump administration. The meeting in Rome is set for Saturday, April 19. Iran’s foreign ministry said Monday that Araghchi is set to visit Moscow this week to further discuss the negotiations, adding that the trip was “pre-planned” and would be “an opportunity to discuss the latest developments related to the Muscat talks.”Russia — a close ally of Tehran — and China have held discussions with Iran in recent weeks over its nuclear program. place only once (Ed note:  What type of serious negotiations take place only once a week?)   (Read More)

IDF encircles Rafah

The troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Yunis, and entered the area of Daraj Tufah in the Gaza city. IDF troops also began operating in the area of Daraj Tuffah in Gaza City. According to the IDF, the activity is intended to enhance the security control in the area, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and expand the security zone. So far, the troops have eliminated dozens of terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure and observation posts.

On Sunday, the troops continued to operate in the area of Rafah and on the "Morag" Corridor. As part of the operation, the troops eliminated terrorists and struck Hamas terrorist infrastructure. In the areas of Tel Al-Sultan and al-Shaboura, IDF troops located and dismantled weapons, terrorist infrastructure, and tunnel shafts.

In northern Gaza, IDF troops struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure and tunnel shafts, and eliminated during an airstrike several terrorists who attempted to plant an explosive device in the ground. (Source)

IDF strikes Hamas terror sites amid expanded Gaza ops

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday attacked a Hamas command-and-control center in the area of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, where numerous terrorists were planning to carry out attacks, according to the military. Steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

Hours earlier, the IDF attacked a Hamas command center in Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. The compound was used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and troops, said the army. Ahead of the operation, the IDF issued warnings in the area to prevent collateral damage.

“The Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law while using civilian infrastructure, brutally exploiting the civilian population as a human shield for its terrorist activities,” the army said. “The IDF has repeatedly stated that military activity within medical facilities in Gaza must cease,” it added. On Saturday night, as the Jewish people ushered in Passover, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a rocket fired by terrorists in Gaza. No injuries were reported. (Read More)

IDF dismantles nearly 1-mile-long underground tunnel in northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the destruction of a significant underground tunnel route in northern Gaza, stretching approximately 1.2 kilometers long and reaching a depth of about 20 meters. The operation was carried out by the Northern Brigade’s combat team under the command of the IDF’s 252nd Division. 

 As part of ongoing military operations in the region, combat engineers from the elite Yahalom unit located and neutralized the tunnel, which posed a potential threat to Israeli forces operating in the area. Near the tunnel, soldiers discovered a weapons cache containing around 20 explosive devices, an anti-tank missile launcher, and additional weaponry believed to have been prepared for use against IDF troops.

During the mission, an IDF drone identified several militants planting an explosive device near Israeli forces. In a rapid response, an Israeli Air Force aircraft conducted a targeted strike, eliminating the threat. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit says that the Israeli military continues to carry out operations across the Gaza Strip aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and preventing future attacks on Israeli territory.   (Source)