'Bibi's hair was on fire:' Inside the call between Trump, Netanyahu on Iran ceasefire talks - Axios

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had a difficult conversation on Tuesday about ceasefire talks, Axios reported on Wednesday. Trump reportedly called Netanyahu on Tuesday to inform him that mediators were working on a "letter of intent" to end the war and launch a month-long period of negotiations, which would include matters such as Iran's nuclear program and opening the Strait of Hormuz. Two Israeli sources stated that the two leaders were in clear disagreement about how to deal with Iran moving forward. One US source briefed on the call told Axios that "Bibi's hair was on fire after the call."

It is worth noting that Netanyahu has reportedly been worried during previous phases of negotiations. "Bibi is always concerned," one source told Axios. The Axios report came as the US sent a new proposal to Iran through Pakistani mediators. Sources close to Iran's negotiating team told the Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim that Tehran's mediators were reviewing the document, but nothing had been finalized yet.

Also on Wednesday, Trump told reporters that Iran and the US are "right on the borderline," between restarting the war and making a deal."If we don't get the right answer, it could happen very quickly. We have not got the right answer. It will have to be 100% good answers”, Trump said, adding that he would give a “few days” for talks. The report also mentioned that Qatar and Pakistan had drafted a revised peace memo to bridge the gaps between the US and Iran. Tehran said on Wednesday that talks were ongoing and that Pakistan's interior minister is in Tehran for his second visit in a week to help bridge the gaps.

According to an Arab official who spoke to Axios, the goal of the letter of intent is to try to get Iran to provide more tangible benchmarks from Iran regarding its nuclear program and clearer information from the US on how frozen Iranian funds will be released. "As stated previously, Qatar has been and continues to support the Pakistan led mediation efforts, we have been consistently advocating for de-escalation for the sake of the region and its people," a Qatari diplomat told Axios. (Read More)

Trump says Netanyahu will ‘do whatever I want’ on Iran after pair said to hold tense call

Revolutionary Guard says its ‘devastating blows will crush’ its ‘American-Zionist enemy’ if Trump resumes strikes, as Pakistani interior minister back in Iran for talks.

US President Donald Trump asserted Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will do “whatever I want” when it comes to a potential military strike on Iran, in remarks made a day after the pair reportedly held a tense call on the subject. Trump was asked by reporters about his Tuesday phone call with the Israeli premier. “He’s a very good man, he’ll do whatever I want him to do. And he’s a great guy… Don’t forget he was a wartime prime minister,” Trump responded. Netanyahu has touted his close relationship with Trump, crediting it for a long list of pro-Israel decisions made by the US president. But it has also exposed Netanyahu to criticism that he is unable to push back on Trump as he has become so indebted to him.

Asked by The Times of Israel in March whether he alone would decide when the war with Iran ends or if Netanyahu would also have a say, Trump claimed that it would be a “mutual” decision,” but when a ceasefire was announced several weeks later, Jerusalem was reportedly caught off guard. Trump has still been careful not to criticize Netanyahu and has even lobbied for him to be pardoned by President Isaac Herzog in the ongoing corruption trial that the premier is facing.

Netanyahu is seen as supportive of resuming the war against Iran, as he has argued that war aims pertaining to Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, along with its support for proxies, are still unmet. The premier has said he would accept those issues being address diplomatically but has expressed skepticism over whether Tehran is willing to negotiate in good faith. Axios reported that during their Tuesday phone call, Trump updated Netanyahu on new mediation efforts by several Arab and Muslim states to reach a deal between the US and Iran. (Read More)

Supreme Leader says enriched uranium must stay in Iran, Iranian sources say

Iran's Supreme Leader has issued a directive that the country's near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad, two senior Iranian sources said, hardening Tehran's stance on one of the main US demands at peace talks. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's order could further frustrate US President Donald Trump and complicate talks on ending the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israeli officials have told Reuters that Trump has assured Israel that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, needed to make an atomic weapon, will be sent out of Iran and that any peace deal must include a clause on this.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not consider the war over until enriched uranium is removed from Iran, Tehran ends its support for proxy militias, and its ballistic missile capabilities are eliminated. "The Supreme Leader’s directive, and the consensus within the establishment, is that the stockpile of enriched uranium should not leave the country,” said one of the two Iranian sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Iran's top officials, the sources said, believe that sending the material abroad would leave the country more vulnerable to future attacks by the United States and Israel. Khamenei has the last say on the most important state matters. The White House and Iran's foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. A shaky ceasefire is in place in the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, after which Iran fired at Gulf states hosting US military bases and fighting broke out between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. (Ed note: Remember, with Iran, the matter of the uranium and the annihilation of the Jewish nation is not a political matter, it's a religious matter.) (Read More)

Iran said recovering military abilities faster than expected, producing drones again

Iran is rebuilding its military capabilities faster than expected, including by restarting its production of drones, CNN reported Thursday, as Tehran said it was “reviewing” the latest US proposal to end the war. One US official was cited by CNN as saying that Iran could fully restore its pre-war capabilities in as little as six months, saying Tehran has “exceeded all timelines the IC [intelligence community] had for reconstitution.” The shortened timeline is due in part to assistance that Iran has received from Russia and China, the sources told CNN, alleging that Beijing has been supplying the Islamic Republic with missile components since war broke out on February 28.

China’s foreign ministry denied this, claiming the CNN report is “not based on facts.” The accelerated pace at which Iran is moving to restore its arsenal and capabilities suggests that it would still be a formidable foe, able to wreak havoc on the region should the US make good on repeated threats to begin its military campaign anew, the sources said. US Central Command declined to comment on the report, and a Pentagon spokesman insisted that the US military “has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the president’s choosing.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Islamic Republic was examining Washington’s latest offer for a deal to end the war, while repeating Tehran’s demands for the release of its assets frozen abroad and an end to a US naval blockade, imposed amid the ceasefire in response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The army chief of mediator Pakistan was due in Iran on Thursday for “talks and consultations” with Iranian authorities, according to Iranian media. (Read More)

Female soldier seriously wounded by explosive drone in southern Lebanon

An Israel Defense Forces female soldier was seriously wounded today (Wednesday), while a combat officer and two additional soldiers were moderately wounded as a result of an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon. Another combat officer and two additional soldiers were lightly wounded in the same incident. The injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families were notified.

Earlier today, the commander of the 401st Armored Brigade, Colonel Meir Biderman, was seriously wounded, and a reserve combat officer was moderately wounded after another explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon. A reserve IDF soldier was also lightly wounded in that incident. Following the incident, Colonel (res.) H., who currently serves as the brigade’s chief of staff, will temporarily fill Biderman’s position. In October 2024, after the death of 401st Brigade commander Colonel Ahsan Daqsa in battle in Jabaliya, Meir Biderman was appointed commander of the brigade.

He assumed the role during an especially difficult period amid intense fighting and led brigade forces in offensive operations in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Biderman took command during challenging moments, when operational realities demanded steady leadership and a frontline presence. The IDF noted that since assuming command, he has consistently remained alongside the soldiers in the field, closely leading combat operations and strengthening the brigade’s fighting spirit even under fire. (Ed note: This incident occurred near the Lebanese towns of Hadatha and Debel. Both towns are located in the Bint Jbeil District of southern Lebanon, situated just north of the Israeli border.)   (Source)

Strategic Shield: Israel Air Force Secretly Deploys Elite All Female Commando Squad to Protect Air Bases

The Israel Air Force has quietly established an elite, all-female ground commando unit named Arad to serve as a rapid-response intervention force against base infiltrations and terror raids.

The Israel Air Force has officially introduced a groundbreaking, all-female special commando unit designed to operate as a rapid-response intervention force for strategic military installations. Named Arad, the dedicated combat unit was formed as a direct result of critical operational lessons compiled following the October 7th massacre and the subsequent war. Senior defense officials recognized an urgent necessity for a highly specialized ground force capable of immediately neutralizing complex infiltration attempts, raids, and terror incidents directly within and around high-value airbases.

The tactical significance of the unit became apparent during comprehensive post-attack investigations, which revealed that elite Hamas Nukhba terrorists had meticulously planned coordinated assaults on major airbases, including Hatzerim and Tel Nof. Intelligence teams discovered detailed maps of these exact military installations on the bodies of eliminated terrorist cells, proving that the facilities were primary targets. Because these bases function as critical strategic assets, ensuring their absolute operational continuity during a multi-front war is considered a top priority for national survival.

Operating under the prestigious 7th Wing, which commands the air force’s special forces assets like the 669 airborne rescue squad and the Shaldag commando unit, Arad is engineered to function as a primary first-response team. The specialized doctrine dictates that these combatants will be the very first to arrive at an active breach, isolate the perimeter, engage the immediate threat, and stabilize the chaotic environment until heavier reinforcement units can deploy to the scene. This marking a major shift from traditional security models to a highly offensive posture.

The creation of an all-women unit represents a fundamental transformation in the traditional mindset of military leadership regarding the utilization of female combatants in complex scenarios. Following the recent war, human resource departments documented a historic surge in the number of female recruits highly motivated to enlist in maximum-intensity combat roles. Air force planners emphasized that Arad was built strictly to establish a professional, high-quality force capable of delivering definitive operational impact, completely rejecting any notion that the unit serves as a mere symbolic measure. (Read More)

Report: Iran Sends U.S. Revamped ‘Peace Proposal’ Demanding Reparations, No Nuclear Limits

Iran recently sent an updated peace proposal to America via Pakistani mediators, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday, which reportedly includes demands for “reparations” and no meaningful concessions on the country’s illicit nuclear activity.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency, which is believed to be close to the Islamist regime, first reported the existence of an undated proposal to end the current conflict delivered to the United States. According to Tasnim’s “source close to the Iranian negotiating team,” Tehran’s proposed deal would require America to pay unspecified “reparations” for the destruction caused by its bombing during “Operation Epic Fury.” The new proposal also reportedly demands the lifting of all sanctions on the Iranian regime, placed in response to both the illicit nuclear program and Iran’s long history of human rights atrocities and sponsorship of terrorism. Iran is also reportedly demanding that America unfreeze Iranian assets seized in response to its terrorist activities.

“Iran, in line with the recent practice of exchanging messages, has once again submitted its text in 14 points through the Pakistani mediator after making amendments,” the anonymous source told Tasnim. In a separate article, the anonymous source told Tasnim that Iran was “very serious in its determination to take compensation from the American side” for assets destroyed by the U.S. military and “will not give up its decisive and principled stances on the issue of ending the (recent US-Israeli) war and realizing the rights of the Iranian people.” The regime typically describes high levels of uranium enrichment incompatible with any known civilian use as a “right” of the “Iranian people.”

The source also suggested that the new 14-point proposal did not address the nuclear issue, dismissing concerns from the administration of President Donald Trump that the regime is working towards building a nuclear weapon as unreasonable. “It is against logic and Iran will not agree with it. The Americans must understand that Iran will not agree to end the war in return for nuclear commitments,” the source was quoted as saying, calling nuclear concerns “an excuse and deception by the Americans.” (Read More)

Iran will not 'surrender,' Pezeshkian says after Trump claims Iran-US dialogue progress

Iran does not intend to "surrender" as it enters into diplomatic dialogue with the Unietd States, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a Twitter/X post on Monday. "Dialogue does not mean surrender," Pezeshkian said. "The Islamic Republic of Iran enters into dialogue with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation's rights, and under no circumstances will it retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country."

This comes as a response to US President Donald Trump, who said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a "very good chance" of reaching a deal limiting Iran's nuclear program.

After Iran sent the US a new peace proposal, Trump said he had instructed the US military that "we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached." No such attack had previously been announced, and Reuters could not determine whether preparations had been made for strikes that would mark a renewal of the war Trump started in late February. (Read More)

Why did Gulf states ask Trump to hold off on Iran strikes? - analysis

According to regional analysts, Gulf leaders fear that even a limited American strike on Iranian energy or military infrastructure could provoke retaliatory attacks targeting vital infrastructure.

Fears over a broader regional war and attacks on Gulf infrastructure led the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to intensify efforts to persuade US President Donald Trump to delay any potential strike on Iran. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Monday that he originally planned to strike Iran on Tuesday.

“I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place,” the president tweeted.

He added that “in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States.” According to regional analysts, Gulf leaders fear that even a limited American strike on Iranian energy or military infrastructure could provoke retaliatory attacks targeting desalination facilities, electrical grids, oil infrastructure, and shipping lanes throughout the Gulf.

“Saudi Arabia is worried that if Trump strikes the energy and electricity infrastructure in Iran, the Iranians still have the capability of striking back and destroying desalination plants, electricity generation plants - the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia - which cannot be fully defended,” Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told The Jerusalem Post.  (Ed note: The Arabs don't trust Trump, and they fear Iran's "attacks targeting desalination facilities, electrical grids, oil infrastructure, and shipping lanes throughout the Gulf.")   (Read More)

Fear Over Firepower: The Real Reason Arab Monarchies Forced Trump to Call Off the Attack

A deep-seated distrust in Washington’s long-term military commitment has prompted Gulf Arab monarchies to successfully freeze an impending United States aerial campaign, prioritizing their multi-billion-dollar energy infrastructure over an incomplete victory.

United States President Donald Trump’s dramatic choice to halt a massive, pre-planned aerial assault against the Iranian regime has exposed deep strategic fault lines among western allies across the Persian Gulf. While initial public interpretations viewed the sudden cancellation as either a sign of Washington’s hesitation or a diplomatic victory for Tehran, the reality centers on a complex web of regional self-preservation. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates do not share a unified regional vision, but they collectively forced a freeze on the operation because they completely distrust Washington’s willingness to sustain a long-term war.

None of the Gulf monarchies harbor any sympathy for the Iranian regime, with many quietly desiring total regime change to neutralize the revolutionary, subversive threat to regional stability. However, their stance shifted rapidly from supporting an American victory to aggressive damage control the moment the specter of total war crept close to critical shipping lanes, refineries, and energy hubs.

The turning point for the United Arab Emirates occurred when Tehran explicitly threatened to target the Barakah nuclear power plant in Al-Dhafra, signaling that the federation’s high-tech, post-oil economic future was in direct crosshairs. This localized panic stems from a deep-seated memory of previous regional crises, particularly the 2019 drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq processing facilities, which temporarily halved Saudi oil exports without triggering a direct American military retaliation.  (Ed note: AGAIN: The Arabs don't trust Trump, and they fear Iran's "attacks targeting desalination facilities, electrical grids, oil infrastructure, and shipping lanes throughout the Gulf.")  (Read More)

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Threaten Europe

Iran's IRGC warned Wednesday that any renewed military aggression would trigger an escalation "beyond the region," a direct threat to Europe from a force already known to have transferred drones and weapons to the continent. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stark threat Wednesday, warning that any renewed military aggression against Iran would trigger an escalation that would spread the conflict beyond the Middle East, a statement widely understood as a direct threat to European capitals.

"If the aggression against Iran repeats itself, the guaranteed regional war will this time be transferred beyond the region," the IRGC declared in a statement Wednesday morning, adding that they had not yet used their full capabilities against the United States and Israel. The threat was explicit: Iran has demonstrated during the current war that it possesses ballistic missiles capable of striking targets far beyond the Middle East, distances comparable to the range required to reach Paris or Berlin.

The statement is the latest in a series of increasingly aggressive IRGC warnings as the war, now in its third month, grinds toward an uncertain ceasefire. Earlier in the conflict, the IRGC urged civilians across the Middle East to evacuate areas near US forces, while simultaneously threatening to target hotels housing American soldiers across the region. Iran has also shifted its overall war posture from a strategy of "regional defense" to increased aggression, a change that included intensified strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure, missile barrages toward Israel's Dimona nuclear facility, and a long-range strike targeting the US base on Diego Garcia, roughly 4,000 kilometers away. The IRGC has repeatedly declared that it will "determine the end of the war" and that "the equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces." (Read More)

"Friday, Saturday, or Sunday": White House Declares Extremely Short Window Before Strikes Resume

United States President Donald Trump has placed a strict weekend deadline on diplomatic efforts with Tehran, warning that the military remains prepared to launch a massive aerial campaign if a total breakthrough is not reached immediately. United States President Donald Trump has established an exceptionally narrow time limit for ongoing diplomatic negotiations with the Iranian regime, warning that military action could resume within days. Speaking directly to reporters during an intimate press briefing, Trump revealed that the United States military was on the absolute brink of launching a massive aerial campaign, coming within an hour of authorizing the strikes.

The President made it clear that the machinery of war remains fully prepared to move forward if diplomatic progress stalls over the next few days. Trump established a firm weekend deadline for the highly sensitive talks, stating that he would give the process two or three days, specifically highlighting Friday, Saturday, or Sunday as the absolute limit for a resolution.

The administration emphasized that Washington is operating under intense time constraints due to the existential threat posed by Tehran's atomic ambitions. Trump insisted that the White House cannot allow the regime to acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances, warning that an armed Iran would present a catastrophic danger to the entire international community.

The President painted a dark picture of the potential fallout if the current pressure campaign fails, arguing that a nuclear-armed regime would instantly target Israel for destruction. He added that Tehran would then move aggressively against regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, resulting in a total nuclear holocaust. (Read More)

Fact Or Fiction: Is There Going To Be A Motor Oil Shortage In The United States?

There have been persistent rumors that industry insiders are bracing for a widespread shortage of motor oil. Are these rumors accurate? I decided that I was going to investigate this and discover the truth. Unfortunately, I have very bad news. Multiple sources within the industry are confirming that we are facing much higher prices and physical shortages of certain products if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon. I realize that what I have just shared is not welcome news, but it isn't going to do any good to stick our heads in the sand. According to Axios, supply chains for lighter-viscosity synthetic oils are particularly vulnerable, and one industry insider is warning that "actual shortages are starting to appear"...

Industry groups and analysts say lighter-viscosity synthetic oils -- including 0W-8, 0W-16 and certain 0W-20 grades commonly used in newer vehicles -- are most vulnerable to disruption. "Actual shortages are starting to appear" for some synthetic oil products, Amanda Hay, global lead for base oils at ICIS, told Axios, adding that "security of supply is the chief concern for industry players."

What we are experiencing now is the leading edge of this crisis. An internal memo that was apparently meant for AutoZone stores in the Southeast region got leaked to the public, and it is causing a great deal of concern...

Over the past week, reports about looming motor oil shortages have started popping up from multiple directions. The most pointed of them surfaced today, when a person posted what looks like an internal memo to the Southeast region of AutoZone stores.

In the memo, the writer says, "Realistic, middle-of-the-road estimates are for our average available supply in this product category [lubricating fluids] to drop by 40%." That figure continues to pop up, and it basically means one thing. Oil changes, transmission fluid changes, really anything that lubricates your car is about to get more expensive. We reached out to AutoZone for comment, but haven't received a reply at the time of writing. So far, AutoZone has not confirmed or denied that the memo is real or not. (Read More)

'Delusional hope': Senior Iranian official mocks Trump for postponing strike

Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and a high-ranking adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, on Monday mocked US President Donald Trump after Trump announced he had put off a planned strike on Iran in order to allow for further negotiations with the Islamic Republic. “He sets a deadline for a military strike and then cancels it himself! All with the delusional hope of making the Iranian nation and officials surrender!" Rezaei wrote in a post on social media.

He further threatened, “The iron fist of the powerful Armed Forces and the great nation of Iran will force them to retreat and surrender." The Iranian official’s comments came hours after Trump revealed in a post on Truth Social that the US was planning on striking Iran on Tuesday, but postponed the attack because of what he referred to as "serious negotiations" were being held. Speaking to reporters later on Tuesday, Trump said, “We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I've put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we've had very big discussions with Iran, and we'll see what they amount to."

Trump added, “I was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and some others if we could put it off for two or three days, a short period of time, because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal. And if we can do that, where there's no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran, I think, and if they're satisfied, we will be probably satisfied also." He stressed that the US informed Israel of the decision to hold off on the attack as well as “other people in the Middle East that have been involved with us." (Read More)

Iran says its new proposal demands reparations, US troop withdrawal, end to Lebanon war

DUBAI — Tehran’s latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the US-Israeli war, state media reported on Tuesday. In Tehran’s first comments on the proposal, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran also sought the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen funds and an end to the US marine blockade on the country, according to IRNA news agency.

The terms as described in the Iranian reports appeared little changed from Iran’s previous offer, which US President Donald Trump rejected last week as “garbage.” Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned resumption of attacks on Iran after Tehran sent a new peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a “very good chance” of reaching a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Reuters could not determine whether preparations had been made for strikes that would mark a renewal of the war Trump started in late February.

Under pressure to reach an accord that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a key supply route for global supplies of oil and other commodities — Trump has previously expressed hope that a deal was close on ending the conflict, and similarly threatened heavy strikes on Iran if Tehran did not reach a deal. In a social media post, Trump said the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had requested that he hold off on the attack because “a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.” (Read More)

Trump claims Gulf leaders requested he hold off on striking Iran, originally 'planned' for Tuesday

The heads of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia called Trump, asking him not to strike Iran, the president said.

US President Donald Trump said that leaders of Gulf states requested that he hold off on striking Iran in a Truth Social post on Monday. Trump was originally planning to carry out the strikes on Tuesday, he wrote. The leaders mentioned in the post were Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and UAE President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"Based on my respect for the above-mentioned leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and the United States Military that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow," Trump said.

"Serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond," he wrote. "This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!" he added. Trump has "further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached," he added.  (Source)

Failed Objectives? Top Nuclear Experts Admit Iran's Atomic Core Escaped the Air Blitz

A comprehensive strategic audit reveals that despite weeks of flawless aerial supremacy by western air forces, Iran's core nuclear capabilities remain fully intact while the regime has successfully hardened into a ruthless military dictatorship. An exhaustive assessment of the ongoing war against the Iranian regime reveals a deeply complicated reality that challenges the triumphant narratives coming out of Washington. When the military campaign was launched, the overarching strategic objectives were clear, force an immediate regime change, permanently dismantle the nuclear infrastructure, and neutralize Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.

While the combined forces of the United States air force and regional partners executed a technically flawless campaign, hitting tens of thousands of targets across a massive logistics grid, the long term strategic returns are proving to be remarkably limited. Instead of collapsing from within, the ruling apparatus in Tehran has successfully adapted to the massive pressure. The state has mutated from a traditional religious fundamentalist state into a hardened, hyper violent military dictatorship completely dominated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The assumption that heavy external bombardment would automatically trigger a popular uprising has proven to be a severe miscalculation by western intelligence agencies.

Security analysts point out that the current regime maintains a fiercely loyal base comprising roughly fifteen to twenty percent of the population, giving them direct control over a two million strong internal security apparatus known as the Basij. Unlike past historical collapses where leaders chose to step aside rather than massacre their own citizens, the military elite in Tehran have actively studied global revolutions.

They have chosen to implement total domestic terror to preserve their survival. The internal security forces understand that a regime collapse means their own literal destruction, creating a powerful incentive to ruthlessly suppress any domestic dissent with maximum lethal force. The situation on the nuclear front is equally alarming, with top atomic experts admitting that the core of Iran's enrichment project was entirely missed.

Iran still possesses an estimated 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to sixty percent, alongside a vast network of underground centrifuges and deep facilities that remain entirely impervious to standard air strikes. Even Prime Minister Netanyahu recently acknowledged the limitations of the campaign, conceding that the regime retains the fundamental capability to manufacture a nuclear device. (Source)

Minister Cohen to Arutz Sheva: If Iran rejects US dictates, a strike will happen

Cabinet member Minister Eli Cohen speaks to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about the campaign against Iran and Hezbollah, as well as sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen is convinced that the campaign against the Iranian axis of evil is at a critical turning point. In an interview in the Arutz Sheva-Israel National Newsstudio, he stated, "The equation is very simple - if Iran does not accept the dictates of the United States, there will undoubtedly be a military strike. Iran is no longer in a position to keep dragging its feet. We are seeing Trump’s actions regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which are leading to an economic collapse. Iran has been hit very hard militarily, and Trump is determined to achieve the war’s objectives - either diplomatically or through military action."

When the minister was asked about the potential price the Israeli home front might pay in the event of such a direct confrontation, he replied, "The State of Israel has already proven that it knows how to defend itself, and furthermore, how to strike back with precision and lethality." At the beginning of the war, questions were raised regarding the readiness of the electricity and energy sectors for blackout scenarios or massive strikes on critical infrastructure. Minister Cohen, who is responsible for these systems, dismissed the claims, highlighting a successful risk management strategy that proved itself in the moments of truth.

"We made sure to increase stockpiles, we ensured diversification, we ensured fortification, and emergency teams were ready. We did sustain hits, yet despite this the citizens of Israel lacked for nothing, not even for a single second. Not electricity, not gas, not water, and not fuel," he stressed. For Cohen, Israeli strength is reflected not only in the fortification of infrastructure but also in the weakness of the enemy."We assess that the regime in Iran is standing on shaking ground. They talk a big game, but their leader is hiding for fear of being assassinated. I think there is no doubt today as to who the strongest power in the Middle East is. I expect the regime in Iran to collapse. The only question is when it will happen." (Read More)

The Atomic Threat: Chilling Drone Assault on Abu Dhabi Reactor Shatters Gulf Unity

A series of sophisticated drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure has exposed severe political divisions and mistrust among the Gulf states, weakening their unified front against Iran. Recent drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have exposed deep strategic divisions between the neighboring Gulf monarchies, playing directly into Iran's hands. A senior source within the Saudi royal family has raised the alarm over a dangerous escalation by the Iranian regime and its network of proxy groups in Iraq.

The warning follows a series of coordinated drone strikes, one of which directly targeted the civilian Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, as well as the Al Dhafra base. The Saudi official emphasized that the strike on a nuclear facility represents a profound threat to the safety of millions of residents across the region, including Western personnel stationed at nearby military installations. Experts note that any successful breach leading to a radioactive leak at the facility would devastate major metropolitan hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while also contaminating parts of Qatar, Bahrain, and the oil producing eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia. Despite the shared danger, the political response from the Gulf states has been deeply fractured.

Regional analysts point out that the Gulf Cooperation Council is not operating as a unified bloc due to historic rivalries, economic competition, and a profound lack of mutual trust. Prior to the outbreak of the war, relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi had already soured over disagreements regarding the exit strategy in Yemen. Security experts believe that Tehran is deliberately exploiting these fractures by concentrating its military pressure unevenly, launching far more aggressive attacks against the United Arab Emirates while attempting to keep Saudi Arabia on the sidelines.

This calculated strategy has successfully sowed suspicion between the two largest economies in the Arab world. While both nations have quietly conducted retaliatory actions against Iranian targets behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia has consistently tried to distance itself publicly from the more aggressive, hawkish stance adopted by the Emirates. At the same time, Qatar is actively trying to maintain its position as a neutral diplomatic mediator to avoid being dragged into the direct line of fire, while Oman continues to maintain its traditional distance from the war. This lack of a cohesive defensive alliance allows the Iranian regime extensive room to maneuver, ensuring that a unified regional front remains impossible to achieve. (Ed note: The Arab will fight amongst themselves until it is time to attack the Jew. The Arabs instead of attacking Iran first, are showing fear of Iran.) (Source)

IDF Arabic spokesperson issues evacuation warning for residents in the Tyre region

The IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson has called on residents in the Al-Maachouq area, located in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon, to evacuate their homes.

According to the announcement, following Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire, the IDF is expected to operate against the organization's targets in the area. Residents staying near Hezbollah targets were requested to evacuate immediately and maintain a distance of at least 300 meters. (Source)

Another warning? Trump posts map covered by US flag and arrows pointing at Iran

Trump posts a map showing the Middle East covered by a US flag with arrows targeting Iran, in what appears to be another warning to the Islamic Republic.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday posted what looked like another warning to Iran to his Truth Social platform. Trump’s post featured a map of the Middle East and Central Asia, with the entire region overlaid with the pattern of the United States flag. The country of Iran is highlighted at the center of the map with a dozen red arrows pointing directly at the Islamic Republic. The post came just hours after Trump warned Iran in an earlier post that “the clock is ticking".

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! President DJT," he wrote in the earlier post. On Saturday, Trump posted a cryptic message about Iran to his Truth Social account. The post featured an AI-generated graphic of him and a US Navy admiral in front of stormy waters with several ships, including one flying the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, amid reports the war could potentially resume soon.

The text above the graphic read, “It was calm before the storm." These posts come amid speculations that Trump is preparing to order a resumption of strikes on Iran. Trump indicated on Friday that he would be willing to accept a 20-year moratorium on Iran’s nuclear program, but stressed that he would require “a real guarantee" from the Islamic Republic in order to reach a deal to end the war. (Ed note: It seems that President Trump has discovered the world of AI-art and AI-generated images.)  (Read More)

Netanyahu speaks with Trump amid reports Israel, US preparing Iran strikes

PM to convene limited security cabinet; drone strikes UAE nuclear station; Iran media says US offered no concrete concessions, demands shutdown of all but one nuclear facility.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump Sunday evening about the war with Iran, Netanyahu’s office confirmed to The Times of Israel. The leaders discussed the possibility of renewing the war with Iran as well as Trump’s recent trip to China, according to Hebrew media reports. Netanyahu was then set to convene top aides and ministers for a security discussion in his office in Jerusalem. Such discussions in the Prime Minister’s Office, often termed the “small security cabinet,” usually include Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri. 

Last week, it was reported that Israel and the United States were carrying out intense preparations to renew attacks on Iran, possibly as soon as this week. Sunday’s discussions come after a drone struck a nuclear power plant in the UAE, which, along with Israel, sustained the most blows from Iran during the war. Trump is expected to hold his own Situation Room meeting on Tuesday with his top national security advisers to discuss the options for military action regarding Iran, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

While negotiations have stalled between the US and the Islamic Republic since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8, Trump is said to believe that Iran still wants to make a deal. But he threatened consequences for Iran if its leaders do not act quickly. “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” he wrote in a social media post.

In his weekly cabinet meeting prior to his conversation with Trump, Netanyahu said, “Our eyes are open regarding Iran.” Referring to the US president, he added, “I will certainly hear impressions from his trip to China, perhaps other things as well. Certainly, there are many possibilities, and we are prepared for every scenario.”  (Read More)

Drone attack that damaged UAE's Barakah plant designed to 'send message' to UAE, sources tell Post

The drone attack on the civilian Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies electricity to the United Arab Emirates, was intended to “send a message” to the Emiratis, two sources familiar with the details of the strike told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. According to one of the sources, the drone deliberately targeted one of the facility’s energy suppliers in order to convey the message: “We can also strike the nuclear reactor itself and trigger a nuclear incident.”

The UAE, at this point, is not directly blaming Iran for the attack and is investigating whether Tehran or the Houthis in Yemen are behind the incident. “In any case, it’s Iran who ordered the attack,” the two sources told the Post. Anwar Gargash, senior adviser to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wrote on X/Twitter that the attack on the nuclear facility – “whether carried out directly by those responsible or through one of their proxies – represents a dangerous escalation and a dark development that violates all international laws and norms.”

Gargash said that the attack demonstrated disregard for the lives of civilians in the UAE and across the wider region. “This prohibited escalation once again highlights the nature of the challenges facing the region in confronting the forces of evil, chaos, and destruction. No one will bend the will of the United Arab Emirates.” (Read More)

Hezbollah may return to political assassinations as control over Lebanon weakens, expert says

Hezbollah may resort to assassinating political rivals in Lebanon as its grip on the country weakens, according to a Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC)-affiliated expert who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. In recent months, Hezbollah has faced growing restrictions on its power, including new legislation limiting its ability to legally possess weapons and conduct military activity, as well as Beirut’s participation in talks with Jerusalem in Washington.

The measures were introduced after Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into another war by launching attacks following the February 28 assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to a recent ITIC assessment, Hezbollah is acutely aware of Beirut’s fears of a potential civil war and has repeatedly hinted at or directly threatened such a scenario.

The report noted that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned in August that civil war “could happen,” while recent weeks have seen the group intensify its rhetoric against Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. In April, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chairman of Hezbollah’s political council, declared that once the group concluded its campaign against Israel, a “popular tsunami will sweep away this government, its political sins, and its policies.”

Hezbollah supporters have also circulated online imagery portraying Aoun and Salam as Zionist collaborators. On May 3, the Hezbollah-affiliated “Hezbollah Field” Telegram channel published images depicting Aoun dressed in religious Jewish garb alongside the caption: “A prime minister who is a loyal servant of Zionism and a hostage to Zionist agendas.” (Read More)

IDF issues evacuation warnings for three villages in south Lebanon

The IDF issues evacuation warnings for three villages in southern Lebanon ahead of airstrikes targeting the Hezbollah terror group.

Residents of Harouf, Burj al-Shamali and Debaal are instructed to evacuate at least a kilometer away.

“In light of the Hezbollah terror organization’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is forced to act against it with force and does not intend to harm you,” warns army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee. (Ed note: the village of Burj al-Shamali is a direct suburb and the site of a major Palestine refugee camp very close to the city of Tyre. The other two villages are about 13 to 18 miles away from Tyre.)  (JPost)

Motor Oil Could Be the Next Thing Drivers Start Panic-Buying — Toyota and Nissan Are Already Warning Dealers

Remember when everyone was rushing to buy 24-packs of two-ply toilet paper? Well, get ready, because I think we’re all going to be stocking up on motor oils very soon .Apparently, Mobil and Shell informed Costco and Walmart earlier this month that they have no packaged product left to send them. “Expect bare shelves in the motor oil section in a few weeks,” they warned. Then, Toyota recently sent a bulletin to its service departments warning of an oil shortage (for certain oil weights). The announcement, shared on X, said that ExxonMobil is anticipating a shortage of 0W-8 and 0W-16. The memo has been confirmed to be genuine by multiple sources, although not by Toyota itself. 

The announcement read:  

Toyota and our supplier ExxonMobil may experience challenges in fulfilling demand for Genuine Toyota Motor Oil (GTMO) 0W-8 and 0W-16 oils due to production and logistics constraints within the global petrochemical supply chain. While Toyota and ExxonMobil continue to work diligently to maintain supply, the following substitution guidelines are recommended for dealers to help manage the demand for the affected products. These measures may allow ExxonMobil to maintain a consistent service-level fill for dealers and help provide continued support for our guests. 

TMNA recommends dealers follow these substitution guidelines one day per week for 0W-8 and one day every other week for 0W-16 or use the substitution percentages set forth below until further written notice. This approach is intended to temporarily reduce demand for both oil weights and support continued national supply. Nissan followed. Earlier today, insiders received a similar bulletin from Nissan that claimed it was already experiencing a motor oil shortage — and was going to start charging more for oil changes. 

The document read:

Due to ongoing global supply constraints impacting key raw materials and refining inputs due to the Middle East Conflict, we have been advised of reduced production capacity for most lubricant products. As a result, Nissan will be implementing the following adjustments, effective May 1, 2026.”

So...What should you do if the motor oil you need runs out? The above bulletin states that vehicles with impacted motor oil should substitute with heavier oil. Is this actually safe? Yeah, for a little while. Using a heavier weight oil will increase drag between engine components, reducing efficiency and dropping your vehicle’s mileage. However, going lighter won’t lubricate your engine enough, which can lead to harsh metal-to-metal contact, increasing friction and accelerating wear. Various engine parts could fail. The heavier weight oil is the lesser evil. (Read More)

'Some people are literally living in their trucks': Trucker drivers feel the squeeze of high diesel prices

WISCONSIN — The sharp increase of diesel prices is straining America’s transportation backbone and driving up costs for both businesses and consumers. Trucks, trains, planes, barges and farming equipment all rely on diesel fuel. The higher transportation costs trickle down, leading to increased prices for nearly everything. The higher the price of diesel goes, the more truck companies have to adjust their margins or cut back. For truck driver Andrew Sawyer of Swift Transportation, that means the raise he was hoping for isn’t coming anytime soon.   

“Most of us are paid by piecemeal. We’re paid by the mile if you work for a major company,” said Sawyer. “So, some of these drivers are out here making $0.40 a mile.” Sawyer acknowledged that doesn’t go far for truckers who are also facing higher prices for everything while out on the road. He is currently on a four-week job, making multiple stops throughout the Midwest. 

“Most people are putting all their money into food and their cell phone bill, and they’re broke in there. Some people are literally living in their trucks,” he added. Randall Olsen, a driver from West Allis who recently returned from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, echoed those concerns. “So, it’s basically us paying for it in the long run,” he said, noting that professional drivers are bearing the brunt of higher fuel surcharges both at work and in their personal lives.  (Ed note: At the pump above, diesel costing $957.76 divided by 145.34 gallons will be $6.59 per gallon. Diesel in California is about $7.40 per gallon.)   (Source)

'Calm before the storm': Trump shares cryptic post on Iran

US President Donald Trump posted a cryptic message about Iran to his Truth Social account on Saturday. The post featured an AI-generated graphic of him and a US Navy admiral in front of stormy waters with several ships, including one flying the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, amid reports the war could potentially resume soon. The text above the graphic read, “It was calm before the storm." The post came amid speculations that Trump may order the resumption of strikes on Iran. The New York Times reported on Saturday that the United States and Israel are making intensive preparations for the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran as early as next week. According to the report, this is the largest military buildup since the ceasefire went into effect. Trump indicated on Friday that he would be willing to accept a 20-year moratorium on Iran’s nuclear program, but stressed that he would require “a real guarantee" from the Islamic Republic in order to reach a deal to end the war.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he was returning from his trip to China, Trump was asked if he had rejected the latest proposal from Iran. “Well, I looked at it, and if I don't like the first sentence, I just throw it away," the President replied, explaining that the first sentence of the Iranian proposal was “an unacceptable sentence because they fully agree, no nuclear, and if they have any nuclear of any form, I don't read the rest of their letter.

Trump was then asked if 20 years is not enough for him for a moratorium, to which he replied, “No, 20 years is enough, but the level of guarantee from them is not enough. In other words, it's got to be a real 20 years, not a fake 20."On Thursday, Trump warned in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News that he is not going to be patient with Iran much longer. “I’m not going to be much more patient. No, I'm not. They should make a deal. Any sane person would make a deal, but they might be crazy," Trump clarified. The interview aired hours after Trump hinted that the war against Iran is not yet over and the military decimation of the Islamic Republic could continue. The comment was made as part of a longer post on Truth Social following Trump’s visit to China. (Source)

Trump: Iran can’t have nuclear weapons because ‘they’re crazy’

Tehran’s erratic conduct in negotiations with Washington demonstrates why the Islamic Republic cannot possess nuclear weapons, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News aired on Friday. “We really had the confines of a deal; no nuclear, they were going to give us the nuclear dust ..., everything we wanted—and every time they’d make a deal, the next day it’s like we didn’t have that conversation. ... And that’s taken place about five times. There’s something wrong with them. Actually, they’re crazy, and you know what? Because of that, they cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

Asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier whether Washington had underestimated Iran’s “pain tolerance,” Trump replied, “I didn’t underestimate anything. We hit them unbelievably hard. Look. We left their bridges. We left their electric capacity. We can knock that all out in two days. Two days, everything. We left Kharg Island [the site of the Islamic Republic’s main oil export facilities] other than …, we hit it except for the valves, where the oil comes out. Because when you hit that means you’re gonna lose a little oil.”

\The Iranian regime is “afraid to make a deal” since it has never been in such a position before, Trump said. “I’m going to do what’s right. I have to do what’s right,” he said. “The Strait [of Hormuz] will be opened, they will not have a nuclear weapon, and the world will go on, ” Trump continued, adding that energy prices will drop when the conflict comes to a conclusion, “and I think it’s going to end fast.”Aboard Air Force One on his return from a trip to China, Trump told reporters that he would agree to a 20-year freeze of Iran’s nuclear program. “Twenty years is enough, but the level of guarantee from them—it’s gotta be a real 20 years,” he said.

The president further said that he was told directly that the Iranians lack the technological means to remove the enriched uranium material, reportedly buried deep in the ground after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, and that only the U.S. or China could do it. “With that said, I want to get it. And they agreed to it but then they took it back, but they’ll agree to it eventually,” he added. Speaking about Tehran’s counter-proposal to end the conflict, Trump disclosed that he rejected it after reading the first sentence. It was “an unacceptable sentence,” he said. (Source)

'Future belongs to Global South': Iran appoints Ghalibaf to oversee ties with China - What it could mean for the US

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday (May 17). Ghalibaf was the chief negotiator in talks with the United States that resulted in a ceasefire after Israel and the US launched airstrikes on Iran in Feb. It was not immediately clear who appointed Ghalibaf to the role, but Tasnim said he would “coordinate various sectors of relations between Iran and China.” After his appointment, Ghalibaf backed Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of historic global transformations, stating that "the future belongs to the Global South." Incidentally, the development comes right after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his China visit. There are also reports that suggested that China might have played a back channel role in convincing Iran to come to the negotiation table with the US amid raging war.

"Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special representative of the Islamic republic of Iran for China affairs," Tasnim news agency reported, citing "informed sources". Ghalibaf said that the world was witnessing an accelerated global transformation, declaring that the international arena is “at the cusp of a new order.” He said that Iran's ongoing resistance has accelerated this geopolitical shift, In a post on X, he emphasised that Iran's recent "70-day resistance" against US and Israeli military and economic pressures has acted as a primary catalyst, shortening the timeline for this global paradigm shift. "The world stands at the cusp of a new order. As President Xi said 'The transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the globe,' and I emphasise that the Iranian nation's 70-day resistance has accelerated this transformation. The future belongs to the Global South," Ghalibaf wrote on X.

Iran depends heavily on China as its biggest trading partner and primary buyer of Iranian oil, with Beijing purchasing the vast majority of Tehran’s crude exports despite Western sanctions. China has also provided Iran with a crucial economic lifeline through financial networks, intermediary companies, and shipping arrangements that help Tehran bypass sanctions. In 2021, the two countries signed a 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement promising major Chinese investments in Iran’s energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors, though much of the anticipated funding has yet to materialise. While both countries share opposition to US influence and cooperate through joint naval drills and technology ties, Beijing continues to balance its regional interests by maintaining strong relations with Gulf Arab states and avoiding deeper entanglement that could trigger Western sanctions. (Read More)

Drone strike hits UAE nuclear power plant

( May 17, 2026 / JNS )  A drone strike sparked a fire outside the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, according to UAE authorities. It was the first time the nation’s only nuclear plant was targeted. No one as yet has taken responsibility for the strike.

There were no reports of injuries and or impact on radiological safety levels, the Associated Press reported. (Source)

IDF infantry platoon commander killed by Hezbollah drone in southern Lebanon

An IDF officer was killed in a Hezbollah explosive drone attack in southern Lebanon on Friday, the military announced Saturday evening, as limited fighting continued with the Iran-backed terror group despite a newly extended ceasefire. The slain officer was named as Cpt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, from Itamar. Recanati was set to marry his fiancée, Rani, in a month, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We all embrace her and his loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement read.

He was the seventh IDF soldier to be killed in southern Lebanon since the start of the ceasefire, and the 20th since hostilities escalated amid the Iran war. A civilian contractor has also been killed in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the IDF said Saturday that it shot down several Hezbollah drones that were flying in areas of southern Lebanon where Israeli troops are operating. The drones triggered sirens in several border communities in the Western Galilee.

...For its part, the IDF said Saturday evening that it had struck some 100 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon over the weekend. According to the military, the targets included surveillance posts, weapon depots, and other infrastructure used by the terror group to advance attacks.

...The strikes were carried out across southern Lebanon, including in the Tyre area. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on more than two dozen villages on Saturday, including one more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the border. It also reported a new exodus of residents toward the southern city of Sidon and the capital Beirut. Hezbollah has, meanwhile, also targeted Israeli forces who have created a deep buffer zone in southern Lebanon, which Jerusalem says is designed to prevent Hezbollah attacks on communities across the border. Hezbollah has also continued to fire drones and rockets at northern Israel. (Ed note: Along with the bad news, isn't it interesting how the biblical cities keep coming into focus, Tyre and Sidon?)   (Read More)