'I think we'll keep it': Trump says US controls Hormuz, IDF believes blockade is 'highly effective'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States is in control of the Strait of Hormuz. "The USA has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, their remaining soldiers are unpaid, the IRGC is decimated and fleeing, and their 'Leadership' is uncertain, at best!"

Trump continued. "They have No Money - Their country is “shot.” All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer." "Praise be to Allah!" Trump concluded.

Israel is highly satisfied with the continued US maritime blockade of Iran, assessing that it is having a dramatic impact on the Iranian economy. Two Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post that during a Security Cabinet meeting about a week ago, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told ministers: “The blockade of Iran is highly effective. The economic crisis there is getting worse.”

One of the blockade’s most significant effects has been on Iran’s ports and maritime trade routes. Because the Iranian economy depends heavily on those routes to import and export goods, raw materials, fuel, and other essential products, the blockade has caused sustained disruptions to port operations and supply chains. (Read More)

Pakistan to Trump: Tone Down Iran Rhetoric

Mediators between Washington and Tehran say progress is possible but will take time, as Iran feels it holds leverage in negotiations. Behind the scenes, diplomatic efforts to broker an understanding between Washington and Tehran are continuing, with regional Arab and Muslim nations serving as intermediaries. Pakistan has emerged as the lead mediator in these efforts.

Pakistan's defense minister traveled to Tehran earlier today for another round of discussions. After the meetings, he returned to Pakistan and briefed the prime minister on the talks' outcomes. According to subsequent reports, Pakistani officials conveyed a message to Trump expressing "optimism" that an agreement can be reached, but emphasized that it will require additional time because Iran believes it is negotiating from a position of strength.

The Pakistani mediators also sent messages to the White House recommending that the initial ceasefire framework be extended beyond the 60-day period. Additionally, Arab media outlets reported that intermediaries conveyed to both sides that the verbal confrontations between Washington and Tehran "are not helpful to the process" and should be toned down. Given the pressure President Trump is exerting to close the deal quickly, combined with the patience Iran is attempting to project, the process is expected to take considerable time. (Ed note: But didn't Asif just last week call Israel “evil and a curse for humanity,” and a “cancerous and illegitimate state,” and now he tells Trump "to shut up" and Asif wants to give Iran once again, more time?)   (Source)

Iran could prolong war to outlast Trump, IRGC adviser says

A senior adviser to the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tehran could deliberately prolong the war until US President Donald Trump leaves office to wear down its adversaries and deter future attacks. "One way is to prolong this war until we get to the next term of the presidency and cause attrition, so that if anyone else wants to attack Iran, they will know there is a cost," Mohammad Reza Naghdi told PBS NewsHour on Tuesday. Naghdi made the comment after being asked directly whether Iran's objective was to drag out the war and wait until Trump was out of office. He said Iran needed to establish enough deterrence to prevent future attacks. "We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security," he said.

Civilian ships in Strait of Hormuz

Naghdi also defended attacks by Iranian forces on non-military vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Asked why Iran had attacked civilian ships on at least two occasions this week, Naghdi said Tehran needed to control shipping routes during wartime. "When we are at war, vessels need to pass through a region we can control," he said. "When they leave an area that we control, it could be that they're transporting supplies for the enemy." Asked whether attacking civilian vessels violated international law, Naghdi said Iran had the right to control routes it viewed as a threat during a war. "When you're in a state of war, any thoroughfare deemed to be a threat, we can control it," he said.
His comments came as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the conflict and attacks on commercial vessels.

Khamenei absence due to security, Naghdi says

Naghdi was also asked why Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had not appeared publicly during the war. "Naturally, it is due to security," Naghdi said when asked whether his absence was for security reasons. "Certainly, there is no other reason." Asked whether he had personally seen Khamenei, Naghdi declined to answer. "Let's leave this matter alone," he said. PBS said it asked the White House for a response to Naghdi's remarks. "It would be wise for Iran to agree to a deal," the White House said in a statement cited by PBS, adding: "Otherwise they know what will happen." (Source)

US rejects Katz’s announcement of long-term troops in southern Lebanon

The US criticizes Defense Minister Katz’s call for a long-term presence in southern Lebanon, urging adherence to the agreed security framework.   

The United States administration voiced sharp disapproval on Wednesday regarding Defense Minister Israel Katz’s public statements about retaining an Israeli military footprint in southern Lebanon. According to a State Department official cited by Axios, Katz's declarations run counter to the obligations Jerusalem accepted as part of the framework agreement reached with Washington and Beirut. "The United States expects all parties to act in a manner consistent with the Framework they agreed to, and Israel clearly stated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon. A permanent military presence in South Lebanon is not consistent with the commitments made in the Framework, or the long-term peace and security of both states," the official stated.   

Emphasizing Washington's commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, the official added, "The Framework clearly includes a conditions-based path for progressive redeployment tied to verified disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of their infrastructure. The Lebanese Armed Forces are implementing the first pilot zones, and the United States will continue to support full implementation of that process."    

Washington's pushback follows remarks made by Katz while visiting troops stationed in Lebanese border villages. During the visit, he directed the military to get ready operationally and logistically for an extended deployment, ensuring the    territory is stripped of subterranean and terrorist infrastructure. "We see here the Beaufort Ridge after the tunnels there were destroyed. The IDF conducted a maneuver here through the Litani in a heroic operation and, with great skill, defeated Hezbollah and took the Beaufort, which defends Metula and the communities of the north and on IDF soldiers and threatens all Hezbollah areas on the horizon," Katz stated.   (Read More)

Nations Approved to Disarm Hezbollah

Under U.S. supervision, Israel and Lebanon have reached agreement on which countries will deploy forces to southern Lebanon as part of efforts to disarm the militant group. Israel, Lebanon's government, and the United States have reached what international sources are calling breakthrough understandings in negotiations toward a trilateral agreement that would include the disarmament of Hezbollah. According to multiple reports, the parties have now agreed on which nations will be permitted to deploy forces to assist in the disarmament process.

Senior officials speaking to international media outlets said that in recent rounds of talks supervised by American mediators, Israel and Lebanon developed a mutually acceptable list of allied nations that both sides are willing to have participate in dismantling Hezbollah's military capabilities.

The agreed-upon list reportedly includes forces from Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia. These troops would likely operate under an international mandate that will be incorporated into future agreements between the countries, according to the reports.    (Source)

IDF strikes Hamas terror cell, resuming preemptive strikes despite Trump's Gaza deal

After curbing its operations in line with US instructions since the July deal took effect, the IDF is confident on removing ongoing threats in Gaza, military sources said.

The Israeli Air Force on Thursday attacked a Gazan terror cell in Khan Yunis, the second "attack of choice" in two days after a pause in such attacks since a new US-Hamas deal in late July. IDF sources told The Jerusalem Post that the cell was not extremely senior, but was in the process of planning and shortly carrying out an operation against the IDF. According to those sources, since the US-Hamas deal, the IDF has halted attacks on Hamas members who were involved in the October 7 invasion and on other strategic Hamas assets or leaders, but it is still carrying out attacks against operatives who it knows are moving toward an attack.

This means that the IDF is even willing to attack such terrorists midstream and before the attack is imminent so as not to incidentally miss the ability to thwart the attack. Unlike the West Bank, where the IDF and Shin Bet tend to arrest such terror plotters, due to the IDF's current inability to go in and out of areas controlled by Hamas in Gaza, airstrikes will still be the preferred tool.

In addition, the IDF continues to shoot and kill Hamas fighters who approach the yellow line dividing the Israeli-controlled portion of Gaza from the Hamas-controlledportion. IDF not restricting soldiers from defending themselves; US offers tacit approval until Hamas takes action The IDF rejects allegations that it is holding its soldiers back from defending themselves. Although it was not explicit, the implication was that the US is on board with this current IDF approach, at least until Hamas starts to actively partially disarm, which it has not yet started to do. (Read More)

Erdogan accuses Israel of trying to 'erase' Palestinian issue

Turkish President Erdogan meets PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara, accusing Israel of exploiting regional turmoil and pledging support for Palestinian statehood.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Wednesday, claiming Israel is attempting to push the Palestinian Arab issue off the global stage, AFP reported. “The aim of the Netanyahu government is to remove Palestine from the common agenda of humanity by profiting from chaos and new conflicts in the region," Erdogan alleged during a joint press briefing alongside Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Vowing that Ankara would continue advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state, Erdogan added, “No matter what they do, they will not succeed. The Palestinian cause will continue to grow in people’s hearts as they try to destroy it." The Turkish leader has maintained a vocal anti-Israel stance, frequently attacking Netanyahu's government with accusations of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip and expansionist policies across Judea and Samaria, Lebanon, Syria, and surrounding areas.

While Ankara and Jerusalem were nearing a diplomatic reconciliation prior to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist massacre in southern Israel, relations collapsed rapidly afterward, with Turkish officials repeatedly lambasting the Jewish state.In March of last year, Erdogan labeled Israel a "terror state" following preemptive strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. Months later, he claimed Netanyahu's government posed the single greatest threat to Middle Eastern stability. Abbas arrived in Ankara on Tuesday leading a delegation that included senior official Ziad Abu Amr, intelligence chief Majed Faraj, and diplomatic advisor Majdi Khalidi. (Ed note: But isn't President Erdogan of Turkey, President Trump's best friend. and doesn't Erdogan hate both PM Netanyahu and Israel? (Read More)

Gush Etzion: Dozens of Palestinian Arabs riot, nine arrested

Judea and Samaria District Police arrest nine Palestinian Arabs after dozens attack Jews at Mikneh Avraham Farm.

Nine Palestinian Arabs were arrested on Thursday night by Judea and Samaria District Police during clashes between Jews and Palestinian Arabs near the Mikneh Avraham Farm in Gush Etzion. Four people were lightly injured in the incident, two of them Jews. They were evacuated to a hospital for treatment. According to information obtained by Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, the incident began following a dispute over an illegal building near the farm. According to the Jewish residents, Bedouins had taken over the structure and cut off the water supply to the site.

The confrontation between the sides subsequently escalated. According to eyewitness accounts from the scene, the Bedouins summoned more than 30 Palestinian Arab rioters from the nearby village of Al-Maniya, and the confrontation widened.

The security coordinator of a nearby farm, who arrived at the scene to assist, fired into the air to disperse the rioters. He was questioned during the night and released. His weapon is also expected to be returned to him during the morning. IDF forces, Israel Police, and Border Police units called to the scene worked to separate the sides and arrested nine Palestinian Arabs. (Source)

Iran digs in on demands over Hormuz as mediators assert progress made toward deal

An Iranian official vowed Tuesday not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the US gives in to all of its demands, while key mediators Qatar and Pakistan indicated that “some sort of a deal” was nevertheless close to being reached. Mohsen Rezaei, the head of Iran’s National Security Council, said Tuesday that the US must end the war — including in Gaza and Lebanon — release frozen Iranian assets, and meet the rest of Iran’s conditions, according to the semi-official Tasnim outlet. A potential agreement on the strait between Iran and Oman will not guarantee the opening of the strait, he added.

And Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on his Telegram channel Tuesday that he reiterated similar demands in a phone call with his German counterpart a day earlier. Araghchi wrote that in a call with Germany’s Johann Wadephul late Monday, he had “emphasized that making the Strait of Hormuz secure requires an end to the United States’s aggressive actions and unlawful interventions, including the naval blockade and other violations of US obligations.”

Wadephul said on X that he had emphasized “the Strait of Hormuz needs to be opened unconditionally ensuring free and safe navigation for all.” Meanwhile, Araghchi asserted to reporters that Iran has “astonished the whole world” in the war against the United States and Israel, proving “that it is a tough and invincible power.” But Doha and Islamabad — key mediators between Washington and Tehran — appeared to express optimism on Tuesday that a deal could be close to finalized. (Read More)

Trump warns Iran of severe consequences

US president claims total control of Strait of Hormuz and says Tehran has lost regional dominance. He also addressed reports of being smuggled out of Turkey in a catering truck due to Iranian threats on his life. US President Donald Trump spoke sharply about Iran during an overnight conversation with White House reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from Ohio. "The Iranian situation is going excellently, just absolutely excellently," the president declared.

Trump made clear he has no faith in the Iranian regime. "I'm the last person who would trust Iran. They've lied to me constantly," he said. The president emphasized American dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which roughly one-third of the world's seaborne oil passes. "We have absolute control of the Strait of Hormuz right now — they have no control, we have complete control. The strait is in our hands," Trump stated. Trump's remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the region. Just a day earlier, American forces struck a vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade on Iranian ports, with a US helicopter damaging the ship's steering mechanism. This marked the first American strike in the strait following a week of relative restraint.

The president went beyond assertions of maritime control. "At some point, maybe they'll do something, and then we'll wipe them out," Trump said, keeping all options available. According to the president, Iran has lost its regional standing. "Right now we're in a very good position. We're dealing with a country that was the bully of the Middle East for 50 years. Today they're no longer the bully of the Middle East," he said. Trump also addressed the Washington Post's revelation about a dramatic extraction operation conducted last month as he departed Turkey. According to reports, the president was secretly transferred via a catering truck to an alternative military aircraft, while Air Force One served as a decoy to mislead an Iranian threat.

"It depends entirely on the Secret Service," Trump explained. "I simply do what they want, so I follow the instructions of the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to fly on a different plane — so I did it. I do what they tell me." The president acknowledged some threat existed but declined to elaborate. "I assume there was some threat there. I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats — there are many threats against me that you don't even know about," he said. (Read More)

Smotrich to Netanyahu: Don't let Abbas return to Ramallah

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bar Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas from returning to Judea and Samaria following visit abroad. 'Palestinian Terrorist Authority must be dismantled.'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on him to prevent Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas from returning to Ramallah. Calling Abbas by his nickname, Smotrich said, "Abu Mazen's pilgrimage to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, who openly declares his antisemitic aspiration to destroy the State of Israel, once again reveals the true face of Abu Mazen: an enemy who heads a terrorist authority that encourages and finances terrorism against the State of Israel."

"I call on the Prime Minister to seize this opportunity and prevent him from reentering Israel and Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Terrorist Authority must be dismantled."Last year, despite signing a decree ordering an end to the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) policy of paying stipends to terrorists who murdered Israelis - also known as "pay-to-slay." Abbas told the Fatah Revolutionary Council that the PA would continue its payments to terrorists even if it only had a single penny left. The PA chairman stated that the prisoners and "martyrs" are the "most dear" to Palestinian Arabs, and he would not allow payments to them to be reduced.

That same year,Wafa reported that the Palestinian Authority's General Intelligence Service had transferred financial aid to the families of terrorists. Adnan Abu Ayash, director of general intelligence in the Jenin district, said that the move was being carried out in accordance with Mahmoud Abbas' declaration that "even if there is not a penny left, it will be given to the families of the shahids and prisoners. A report by i24NEWS states that in 2025 the Palestinian Authority transferred approximately half a billion shekels in payments to terrorists and their families. Details presented during a cabinet meeting revealed that 395 million shekels were allocated to terrorists currently imprisoned, while 92 million shekels were paid to families of terrorists killed while carrying out attacks. Terrorists released during the recent hostage agreements were also granted a special payment. (Ed note: That's right. Abbas is still handing out money to the families of terrorists after they kill Jews.) (Read More)

IDF tightens siege on Hezbollah terrorists trapped in underground Lebanon complex

Lebanese reports say Israeli forces cut water lines and block drone resupply attempts at the strategic Ali Taher ridge, where dozens of Hezbollah operatives remain holed up in underground tunnels. 

IDF forces are tightening pressure on dozens of Hezbollah terrorists believed to be trapped inside an underground complex in southern Lebanon’s strategic Ali Taher ridge, cutting water supply lines and seeking to prevent supplies from reaching them, according to Lebanese reports Tuesday.

The Hezbollah operatives remain barricaded inside the underground infrastructure and have not been defeated or forced to surrender, the reports said. They have reportedly attempted to bring equipment and supplies into the complex using drones as Israeli forces work to isolate the site. The military has not publicly commented on the operation and has referred questions about it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. 

Israeli forces are seeking to block attempts to smuggle supplies into the complex as they maintain surveillance and fire control over large parts of the area, according to information about the operation. In some sections, Israel is exercising control through observation and the ability to strike targets rather than through the physical presence of ground troops. That allows the military to use airstrikes against parts of the complex while limiting the exposure of IDF soldiers operating on the ground. (Ed note: The Ali al-Taher Ridge is located in southern Lebanon, situated north of the Litani River between the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit. The Ridge is located about 18 miles east of the coastal city of Tyre.)  (Read More)

Hamas sniper targets IDF as postwar plan gains momentum

Violating ceasefire, Hamas sniper targets IDF troops, forcing response and highlighting danger in IDF withdrawal.

IDF troops on Tuesday eliminated a Hamas sniper who violated the ceasefire and posed an immediate threat to troops. "A short while ago, IDF troops identified a sniper from the Hamas terrorist organization who posed an immediate threat near the Yellow Line area, where IDF troops are operating in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF confirmed.

"Shortly after the identification, IDF troops fired toward the terrorist in order to remove the threat. A hit was identified. "IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat." Hamas' violation of the ceasefire follows reports that the IDF is already implementing a 15-point plan to reconstruct Gaza, despite the terror group's failure to disarm.

Earlier on Tuesday, Channel 12 News reported that the proposed multinational force is not expected to begin deploying in Gaza before October, with a real possibility that its arrival will be delayed until after Israel's elections. On Monday, senior officials in Gaza's "Board of Peace" told Ynet that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration rejecting the 15-point Gaza plan is in contradiction to the facts on the ground. "We look at actions in practice, and less at words and declarations," the sources told Ynet. "In practice, Israel has halted targeted killings and is observing the ceasefire." (Read More)

House lawmakers push US backing for Israel-Greece-Cyprus power link

U.S. lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to support a planned high-voltage power link connecting the electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus and Greece. Led by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), a bipartisan group of House members urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation CEO Benjamin Black on Tuesday to back the Great Sea Interconnector. The planned undersea cable would run about 751 miles across the Mediterranean Sea, connecting Israel and Cyprus and then Cyprus and Greece. The project is estimated to cost more than $2 billion. The European Union considers it a project of common interest and has allocated 657 million euros in funding.

In a letter to Rubio and Black, the lawmakers said the project would strengthen U.S. partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean and help establish the region as a strategic gateway between India, the Middle East and Europe. “The Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a central hub for energy and infrastructure connecting Europe, the Middle East and India,” the lawmakers wrote, requesting a briefing to discuss the project. “The United States has a clear interest in ensuring that this transformation strengthens our partners, diversifies energy routes, deepens regional integration and advances a transparent alternative to infrastructure dominated by strategic competitors,” they wrote.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Craig Goldman (R-Texas) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.). The Great Sea Interconnector is intended to end Cyprus’ isolation from the European electricity grid and allow the three countries to share electricity, including power generated from renewable sources. The project has faced delays and questions over its economic viability, but the European Commission continues to describe it as strategically important. (Ed note: This is very interesting because Israel has also thought about running a oil/gas pipe from Haifa to Cyprus to Greece. Running the pipe line that route avoids the state of Turkey and gets directly into Europe.) (Source)

‘We are not going anywhere’: Danon defends Jewish communities in West Bank at UN meeting

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, reaffirmed that Jewish communities in the West Bank would remain and continue to grow, rejecting claims that they are obstacles to peace during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the West Bank on Tuesday. “The Security Council must understand a simple truth: We are not going anywhere. Jewish communities will stay in Judea and Samaria,” Danon said in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Jewish communities are not temporary outposts, nor obstacles to peace,” he continued. “They are permanent homes, thriving neighborhoods where families live. Judea and Samaria is where our people’s eternal connection to the Land of Israel began." Danon also accused the Security Council of applying a double standard by focusing on Israeli “settler violence” while, he argued, failing to give similar attention to hundreds of Palestinian terrorist attacks.

“When Israelis are involved, this body uses a collective label, ‘settler violence.’ But when Palestinian radicals carry out attacks, you refer only to the ones responsible,” Danon told the council.Danon also invoked the Jewish people’s historical and biblical connection to the West Bank in defending their right to live in the territory. “Our right to live in our land is based on our historical connection to it. It is described in the Torah,” Danon said. “Judea and Samaria is where our story in the Land of Israel began. It is where it will continue.” “We are not going anywhere,” he concluded. (Source)

Israel is seizing Judea and Samaria (West Bank)

Iran Appoints Hardline Military Leadership

Mojtaba Khamenei installs Interpol-wanted commanders and missile architects in key security posts as Tehran restructures its military command.

Iran's newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has announced a sweeping reorganization of the Islamic Republic's security leadership, according to regime-affiliated channels. The appointments represent more than routine personnel changes—they signal the construction of what observers are calling a "war cabinet" composed of the most experienced and hardline commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The restructuring appears designed to ensure regime survival and escalate confrontation with the West. Ali Abdollahi has been named Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Abdollahi is a familiar figure in Iran's military establishment, having previously commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, the body responsible for coordinating wartime operations.

Abdollahi is considered the architect behind Iran's ballistic missile program and the strategic use of the Strait of Hormuz as military leverage. Khamenei has also ordered him to merge the General Staff with the Supreme Operations Command, indicating a shift toward a more centralized and aggressive command structure. Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Guards and promoted to the rank of Major General. Vahidi, who is wanted by Interpol, fills the position left vacant by Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed early in the current conflict. Vahidi will be joined by Mostafa Izadi as his deputy, an officer who previously led the Cyber Warfare Command and emerging threats division.

The most concerning appointment for Western intelligence agencies is the return of Hossein Taeb to an operational role as commander of the Basij, the paramilitary force responsible for internal suppression. Taeb headed the IRGC's Intelligence Organization for a decade before being dismissed in 2022 following a series of security failures attributed to Israeli operations. His return to a central position signals Khamenei's concern not only about external attacks but also about the possibility of popular uprising. Mohsen Rezaei, one of the most extreme and veteran figures in the Iranian establishment, has been appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei, who commanded the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War, is known for his hawkish positions against any negotiation with the United States. He has previously stated that an American invasion would be "wonderful" because it would allow Iran to take thousands of hostages and demand billions in ransom. (Ed note: Another very informative article from Gila Isaacson.) (Read More)

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Dr. Bill Salus says, ironically, this is not exactly the regime change Trump boasted about. His repeated breaks in military actions have led to this recent development. The Saudis requested US deescalation in the war and Trump immediately capitulated. Then, rather than reward Trump by joining the Abraham Accords, the Saudis signed a pact with Turkey and Pakistan. This played to Iran's favor. 

Trump rejects Iran's war reparations demand, makes his own

Trump rejects Iran's compensation demands and orders US negotiators to seek payments for Americans killed or wounded in conflicts with Tehran.

President Donald Trump on Monday responded to Iran's latest demands for compensation from the US, saying that he is likewise seeking compensation from Tehran for Americans killed and wounded in conflicts involving Iran. "I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump said he had instructed his representatives to include his demand for compensation in “any, and all, future negotiations." The Iranian demands were presented Saturday by Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as discussions continue over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, Zolghadr said the US must lift its naval embargo on Iranian ports, end economic sanctions and provide war reparations.

He also demanded that American military forces withdraw from the region and that the US cease military actions against Tehran’s regional allies. “The Supreme National Security Council will never give up, whether in war or in negotiations," Zolghadr said. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime passage handling a substantial share of global crude oil shipments, has experienced near-total traffic halts following a series of Iranian strikes in the Persian Gulf. Iran and Oman remain in active dialogue regarding the waterway’s status Trump rejected Iran’s demand for compensation and outlined his own claims against Tehran. (Read More)

Netanyahu spokesman to JNS: Hamas must disarm before Gaza pullout

Israel will unequivocally reject any Gaza Strip ceasefire framework that fails to require the total disarmament of Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new international spokesperson said on Monday, warning that the terrorist group must be completely stripped of its arsenal before Israel considers withdrawing it troops. “The prime minister is not going to do anything that is going to put the Israeli people at risk,” Doron Spielman told JNS, emphasizing that Netanyahu is “aware of Hamas’s intentions” and that the group is “just as committed to terrorism today” as it was when it led the Palestinian massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. “The only thing they’re lacking is the ability” to carry out another atrocity, he added.

Netanyahu insists the terrorist group must “truly disarm” before any agreement moves forward, the spokesperson said. “By truly disarming, I mean all of their weapons are going to be handed over and removed from the area, from Gaza,” Spielman said the premier told him.Netanyahu on Sunday announced that Jerusalem rejects the roadmap on Hamas disarmament announced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on July 30. If all of the weapons are not removed, it “would enable Hamas to reconstitute itself,” Spielman, appointed to the position on July 1, said in a phone interview from Ma’ale Adumim. “And therefore the 15-point plan is not accepted by Israel because it removes the teeth from the 20-point plan, which is that Hamas has to disarm before anything moves forward.”

Trump introduced the 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in September of last year, requiring Hamas to lay down its arms, and Jerusalem accepted the framework. The recent 15-point plan was reached with Hamas terrorists through Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, and Jerusalem is not a party to it.
 However, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for the Strip, told Channel 12 on Sunday that the 15-point roadmap does not require an IDF pullback from the Yellow Line until Hamas’s disarmament is verified “sector by sector” under American-led oversight. Stressing that the framework relies on proof rather than trust, Mladenov said that weapons—including personal firearms—would be collected and tunnels systematically destroyed before military withdrawals occur, adding that the plan’s goal is “to make sure that Gaza is never again a threat to Israeli security.” (Read more)

Danon: Hamas weapons must be removed entirely from Gaza

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Sunday that any plan for Gaza must ensure Hamas is fully disarmed, rejecting proposals that would merely relocate its weapons. In an X post that included a video excerpt from an earlier interview with CNN‘s Wolf Blitzer, Danny Danon said “disarmament is not transferring weapons from one warehouse to another,” stressing that arms must be removed entirely from the Gaza Strip so Hamas cannot “use them or even touch them.”

Israel supports the current plan, said Danon, noting the Israeli Cabinet last week approved the entry of an International Stabilization Force into Gaza as part of the agreement. He added that implementation must be judged “by what is happening on the ground, not what Hamas is saying. You know, no one trusts a terrorist organization. You have to verify what they are doing, not what they are saying.” U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the Board of Peace, which he chairs, reached an agreement with Hamas for the complete disarmament ‌of the terrorist groups that rule and control the Gaza Strip.

It was a “major milestone in the implementation” of his 20-point plan to bring an end to the Israel-Hamas war and begin the recovery process in the enclave, he said. The pact will be implemented in phases, as the Israel Defense Forces withdraws as disarmament progresses, according to Trump. An International Stabilization Force under the auspices of the Board of Peace is to work in tandem with a newly built Palestinian police force to provide security. (Source)

Hamas’s waiting game buys terror group time as Israel rejects Gaza plan, Palestinian analysts claim

"Hamas was hoping for Israeli rejection to delay disarmament," a Palestinian source claims; "Netanyahu's government is not a partner for peace, but only for war," PA official tells the 'Post.'

Several Palestinian analysts affiliated with Hamas dismissed Israel's official rejection of the Board of Peace's recent 15-point Gaza plan, arguing that Israel will be compelled to accept the terms of the agreement due to American and international pressure. They welcomed Hamas's public apparent commitment to move forward with the roadmap despite Israeli opposition to the proposal, which conditions withdrawal on the full disarmament of Hamas, and claimed that Hamas's stance demonstrates that the Palestinian side is not the obstacle to progressing to the next phase of the agreement.

Fayez Abu Shamala, a Gaza-based prominent analyst associated with Hamas, described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public statement as "election rhetoric with no connection to reality." "The enemy will be forced, against its wishes, to stop targeting people in Gaza and will expand work at the border crossings in the coming days." Abu Shamala wrote on social media. "The enemy has lost the war in Gaza; the matter is settled," his post read.

“Israel rejects the 15-point Gaza document proposed by the Board of Peace,” Netanyahu said on Sunday, adding, “The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.”In response to Netanyahu's public statement, Hamas said it affirms its adherence to what was agreed upon with the mediators and the Board of Peace. "We will continue to engage positively and responsibly with efforts aimed at completing the implementation of the roadmap, in a manner that guarantees an end to the suffering of our people and projects their rights and national interests," the terror organization said.

Ibrahim al-Madhoun, another Palestinian analyst affiliated with Hamas, said that "Israel's rejection of the plan confirms that the problem does not lie solely with the Palestinian side." He added that "the current situation raises real concerns that Israel's goal is to empty Gaza of its residents," and emphasized that this moment "demands Palestinian unity more than ever before." (Ed note: Aren't these Palestinian analysts interesting, and not one word about disarming Hamas, or the evil that group has done? It's "why won't the IDF just go away?") (Read More)

Lebanon: Israel Gets No Territory

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a defiant statement amid the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, providing an update on trilateral talks between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States. Responding to domestic critics who oppose engaging in negotiations with Israel, Aoun defended the diplomatic process.

"The negotiations are advancing, and in any case the outcome will be better than the consequences of a destructive war for Lebanon. Since the framework agreement was signed, the scope of Israeli attacks on Lebanon has decreased," the president explained.

In his most forceful declaration yet, Aoun drew a hard line on territorial sovereignty, stating: "We will not allow Israel to remain even one centimeter on our land." (Ed note: Have you ever noticed how these people twist details? Hey Aoun, how about you don't allow Hezbollah "to remain even one centimeter on our land" then maybe Israel can go home.) (Source)

Israel identifies: Syrian Air Force is rebuilding

Israel's defense establishment has recently identified an acceleration in Syria's efforts to rebuild its air force, Kan 11 News reported Monday evening. These developments come roughly a year and eight months after the IDF declared the Syrian Air Force destroyed following the collapse of the Assad regime. According to the report, Israeli intelligence observed that the Syrians have begun recruiting new pilots and conducting training exercises using trainer aircraft and helicopters. Over the past 24 hours, a first military exercise involving Sukhoi fighter jets was carried out in northern Syria.

The rehabilitation efforts are taking place under the rule of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with Syria receiving backing from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia, France, and other regional powers. The defense establishment continues to monitor the process closely, alongside ongoing discussions regarding a potential future security agreement between Israel and Syria.

Israel is particularly focused on how these moves might affect the IDF's freedom of aerial operation over Syrian skies. The primary concern within the defense establishment pertains to a possible Turkish military footprint in the neighboring country, which could include the deployment of air defense systems. Commenting on the developments, a security official stated, "We are monitoring the developments in Syria closely and sharing our concerns with the United States."  (Ed note: Always keep one eye on the state of Syria.)   (Source)

IAEA set to remove nuclear material from Syrian site in US brokered deal - report

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to remove nuclear material from a clandestine Syrian site following an agreement made by the US, Syria, and Israel, Axios reported on Monday, citing Israeli and US officials. The Trump administration and IAEA scrambled to reach the agreement that would secure the material and prevent a potential escalation between Israel, Syria, and Turkey, said Axios, adding that the site in question is sensitive. The agreement validates US President Donald Trump’s approach towards Syria and shows that his administration is utilizing close relations with Syria to neutralize a possible crisis, according to the report.

An exchange of threats and diplomatic correspondence occured throughout months until a resolution was reached a few weeks ago, said Axios. The efforts had since been kept secret and unreported. According to Axios, the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had developed the secret nuclear program around the Al-Kibar reactor, a plutonium production facility built with the help of North Korea in the Dayr Az Zawr region of northeastern Syria.

Following Assad’s fall, the IAEA signed an agreement with the country’s newly installed government to visit the reactor and several other nuclear sites, the report said. Axios said Israel has been closely monitoring Syria’s nuclear facilities, particularly a site called “Site 99,” which US officials claim held residue from al-Kibar.

The US and Israel have been discussing for more than a year the best way to deal with the site, Axios cited a US official as saying. An Israeli official said that Jerusalem made it clear it wouldn’t allow nuclear material to remain at the site, with Israel even threatening to bomb the facility again if the material was not removed or if Syria showed signs it was trying to access it. 

The US and Israel eventually agreed that the best approach would be to “buy in” from the Syrian government to remove the material, said Axios. However, Syrian officials denied having knowledge of nuclear material at the site, sources said. A US official said that “very few people in the US, Israel, and Syria were aware of this” and added that the new Syrian government was a “good partner” in the newly established relationship, the report said. (Source)

Trump says US ‘low-keying’ Iran conflict, giving economic pressure time to work

Washington is ‘just watching Iran with its huge inflation,’ insufficient funds to pay troops, US president tells reporter; Khamenei’s office claims he met Pezeshkian.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington was “low-keying” its approach to Iran and only “semi-negotiating” with the Islamic Republic, as it suffers in dire economic straits.

The remarks, made in a brief phone interview with Barak Ravid of Channel 12 and Axios, signaled Trump was forgoing a military strike on Iran and instead preparing to let the mounting economic pressure take its toll.

Trump’s comments came after Iran on Saturday laid out drastic new conditions for lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about one-fifth of the world’s commercial oil shipments until the US and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28. (Read More)

Trump may declare ‘victory’ in Iran without nuclear deal if Hormuz reopens – report

Tehran doubles down on new conditions for opening waterway, denies negotiating with US; Houthis hit Saudi oil facility, Yemen’s Aden-based government.

US President Donald Trump is focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and has been “laying the groundwork to declare victory” on Iran, possibly even without a nuclear deal, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing US officials. The report came as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps doubled down on new conditions for reopening the key waterway, which the IRGC called a “theater of war.”

Trump had previously insisted that any deal to end the war include measures to ensure Iran cannot revive its nuclear program. But he has also told top advisers that he believes Tehran would struggle to restart its nuclear program after the US bombed Iran’s three main nuclear sites during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025, according to The Journal. In recent meetings, the report said, Trump has insisted that Iran could not attempt to revive its program or build a bomb without US intelligence finding out. He reportedly believes the threat of US military action has deterred Iran from even trying to go nuclear. In private conversations with senior aides, Trump has even been “floating the idea… that he’s willing to walk away without a nuclear deal,” the report said.

One White House official cited in the report said Washington has achieved all its military objectives against Iran, and is focused on opening the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, which before the war began five and a half months ago carried about one-fifth of the world’s commercial oil shipments. If there is no discernible advance in Iran’s nuclear program, and the strait reopens, Trump is likely to keep the current ceasefire going and lift the US naval blockade on Iran, US officials were cited as saying. (Ed note: "walk away without a nuclear deal?" Watch out Israel, it's almost under the bus time!) (Read More)

'A paper tiger': Iran sees Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan defense pact as a major win, expert tells 'Post'

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is likely to be viewed by Tehran as a major success resulting from its aerial attacks on Gulf states, regardless of how strong the new pact proves to be, experts told The Jerusalem Post late Monday. Emirati researcher and foreign policy expert Huda Albadi told The Post that the pact was ineffectual, describing it as a “paper tiger,” but warned that it was a sign of a concerning regional mentality emerging that would see Israel cast as the destabilizing power, not Iran.

Though the countries announced in their joint statement on Friday that an attack on any of the trio, Pakistan, Turkey or Saudi Arabia, would be seen as an attack on them all, Iranian deputy energy minister Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi said on Sunday that arrangements had been made for Iran to import 450 megawatts of electricity from. The announcement came the same day that the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist organization attacked a Saudi Arabian oil refinery and after months of attacks from Iran and its proxies in Iraq.

“Saudi Arabia has not taken any action against any of the aggressors attacking its territory, meaning Iran, the Houthis and the militias in Iraq. They have not done anything about it, ” she said. “However, they are looking at Israel as if it is the enemy. It is delusional at this point because you are being attacked on a daily basis by other aggressors, but you are focusing on a country that is not interested in you and has nothing to do with you.” 

For Ankara, Albadi said the pact was part of its aspirations to return to the days of the powerful and expansive Ottoman Empire. “They try to meddle in every country they can, and it is not surprising coming from a government that is literally the Muslim Brotherhood. That is what they do. But I don’t think they are going to get anything out of it,” she said. (Ed note: No, it is not "delusional" as all of the peoples of the Middle East will fight amongst themselves until it is time to come together and kill the Jew, then they are brothers.)  (Read More)

Iran: No Real Intent to Reach Deal with US

Senior figures in Tehran say the regime plans to drag out negotiations through Trump's term without making concessions. A senior Iranian official has publicly articulated what appears to be the regime's actual strategy toward negotiations with President Donald Trump: Tehran has no genuine intention of reaching an agreement, even over the next two years.

An adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's parliament and one of the most powerful figures in the regime, laid out the approach bluntly. "Trump will not succeed in reaching a deal with us," the adviser explained. "We will simply accompany him until the end of his term."

Separately, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) echoed this strategic direction. "We have achieved the advantage," he stated. "Our missiles are what determine the trajectory now, and we will change it as we see fit." (Ed note: This sucks! What happened to the great "Deal Maker?" What say you?)  (Source)

Iran’s Top Diplomat Refuses to Directly Engage with U.S. Until Tehran’s Demands Are Met

There will be no direct talks between Iran and the U.S. as long as Washington continues to ignore Tehran’s demands for solving the Strait of Hormuz dispute, Foreign Minister ⁠Abbas Araqchi said on ​Sunday. Reuters reports the Islamic state’s top diplomat added messages are ​being exchanged via intermediaries – not directly between the two parties. Araqchi repeated Iran’s position that an agreement on ​the Strait of ​Hormuz between Tehran and Muscat was ‌in ⁠the “final stages” but would not reopen the strategic waterway. In comments reported by ​Mehr ​news agency and seen by Reuters, ⁠Araqchi said the agreement would set ​out the new shipping ​lanes ⁠to be used once the U.S. fulfils other ⁠conditions ​and the strait ​is reopened to traffic.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards maintain the Strait of Hormuz closure remains “until the enemy accepts all our conditions… the strait is now actually a theatre of war for us and not just a waterway”. Araqchi spoke just hours after Iran’s top national security official told the United States it must “correct its behavior,” issuing a sweeping list of demands as Vice President JD Vance said Washington remains in the “middle of the game” and is continuing to apply diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Tehran, as Breitbart News reported.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former senior IRGC commander, demanded the United States end military action, vacate all military assets from the region and drop threats against Iran and its regional allies. He also stipulated Washington must lift its naval blockade, compensate Tehran for war damages, lift sanctions, and unconditionally release frozen Iranian assets. “Until America corrects its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened,” Zolghadr said in a statement carried by Iranian state media. (Source)

IDF report details daily Hamas violations of Trump's Gaza Plan

The IDF compiles a daily report documenting Hamas violations and sends it to Washington as Israel demands that roadmap not move forward. 14 violations were recorded from Aug. 8-9, including transfers of weapons and planting of explosive device. A week ago, the Board of Peace announced the start of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as a preliminary step toward disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israel Defense Forces troops. But according to daily monitoring conducted by IDF forces on the ground since the announcement, Hamas has not stopped its activities for a moment.

Israel Hayom has learned that, at the request of Israel's political leadership, the IDF prepares a daily report detailing all Hamas violations recorded during the preceding 24 hours. Israel sends the report to Washington to demonstrate the gap between Hamas' public commitment to the agreement and its actions on the ground, where the terrorist organization continues its daily operations in the Strip while Israel is being asked to hold its fire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Cabinet on Sunday that Israel was not bound by the document because of the repeated violations. Netanyahu was apparently relying on IDF reports from inside the Gaza Strip, which are also being shared with US officials to build support for Israel's demand not to move ahead with implementation of the roadmap.Israel Hayom has obtained the latest of such a report prepared by the IDF. While it does not contain classified intelligence, it serves as a "daily monitoring mechanism for Hamas violations in the Gaza Strip." According to the report, Hamas is systematically and continuously violating US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza Plan, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025).

...The document paints a picture in which, according to the IDF's monitoring mechanism, Hamas continues to retain its military capabilities and work to preserve them during the ceasefire announced a week ago. These activities include retaining and smuggling weapons, rebuilding military infrastructure, recruitment and training, armed activity, intelligence gathering and preparing explosive devices. On a daily level, the report documented 14 incidents within a single 24-hour period, the overwhelming majority of which were classified as developing threats to IDF forces. (Read more)

Israel Gets Advanced Submarine From Germany

The INS Drakon, the most sophisticated and expensive submarine ever delivered to the Israeli Navy, arrived ahead of schedule and is expected to enhance Israel's strategic deterrence capabilities. The Israeli Navy has taken delivery of the INS Drakon, the most advanced and costly submarine ever transferred to Israel's fleet. Built at ThyssenKrupp shipyards in Germany, the vessel arrived in late July, earlier than the originally planned 2025 delivery date.

Measuring over 70 meters in length and weighing more than 2,000 tons, the Drakon is the sixth submarine in Israel's Dolphin-class fleet and the third of the upgraded Dolphin II variant. The submarine carries an estimated price tag of approximately $634 million. According to defense analysts, the vessel is expected to significantly strengthen Israel's intelligence-gathering and deterrence capabilities, particularly the ability to maintain a strategic response option even in the event of severe damage to Israel's mainland military infrastructure.

National security expert Dr. Ehud Eiran explained that the submarines enable Israel to maintain a continuous underwater presence, ensuring that in the event of a major attack on Israeli territory, submarines at sea would remain operational and capable of responding. The submarine was named "Drakon" after a mythological sea creature symbolizing power and strength. The name also commemorates the INS Dakar, a submarine lost at sea, and its crew members. (Source)

Israel's secret test on its Arrow system reveals growing concern over Iran - analysis

Under normal circumstances, Arrow tests are a national event, with tens of thousands of residents in central Israel can see them when the missile is launched from the IAF's test unit at Palmachim.

Last week, Israel’s defense establishment conducted another test of the Arrow system, the country’s primary air defense system against ballistic missiles from Iran and Yemen. Arrow is a veteran weapons system whose development at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) began in the 1980s. Its capabilities were ahead of much of the rest of the world, and it entered operational service more than 25 years ago. The system has successfully intercepted hundreds of missiles from Iran and Yemen over the past two years, and it is finally securing its place in the national consciousness as Iron Dome’s “big sister.”

It is tasked with confronting far more lethal threats, as Israelis learned from the few cases in which Arrow failed to intercept its target. Unlike weapons systems that may only be mentioned with the prefix “according to foreign sources,” Arrow is not classified. It was developed with US funding, the Pentagon closely follows its development, and American companies participated in its serial production.

The Arrow system was also sold to Germany in two deals worth a combined $6.5 billion. Components of the system, including its radar, have also been sold separately to other countries, such as India and South Korea. Under normal circumstances, Arrow tests are a national event. Tens of thousands of residents in central Israel can see them when the missile is launched from the IAF’stest unit at Palmachim, with its trail visible from great distances. The launch is usually followed by breaking news alerts, reports, interviews with senior Defense Ministry officials, officials from the Israel Missile Defense Organization and IAI, along with expressions of thanks to the American partners. Graphics and explanations are released detailing the system’s new capabilities, technological breakthroughs, and unique technology. (Read more)

Israel officially rejects BoP 15-point plan for Gaza's reconstruction, Netanyahu announces

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, PM says IDF 'will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed' • Netanyahu: Iran knows Israel will deal 'powerful blow' if it strikes

Israel rejected the 15-point plan for the Gaza Strip proposed by the Board of Peace, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday afternoon. “Israel rejects the 15-point Gaza document proposed by the Board of Peace," Netanyahu said. "The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.”

Netanyahu also reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"As for the Gaza Strip, first of all, I want to make the main point clear: as long as I am prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria. Neither 'Fatahstan' nor 'Hamastan,'" he said. Netanyahu added that Israel was currently in talks with the US about the disarmament of Hamas, but emphasized that it would need to be "genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament." "When I say Hamas is disarmed, that means the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons, all the weapons," he said.

Israel would stand its ground on which US proposals it finds unacceptable, Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu also addressed rumors regarding Israel's activity in Lebanon. "In recent days Israel has acted forcefully in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including in the Ali Taher Ridge," Netanyahu said, although he added that he could not elaborate on the matter, just saying Israel was conducting "very important activity." (Read More)