Report: US-Iran talks collapsing after Tehran backs out of agreed framework.

Planned US-Iran talks this week have been thrown into doubt after Tehran backed out of understandings over the location and format of the negotiations, Barak Ravid of Axios and Israel’s Channel 12 reports. Two senior American officials tell Ravid that talks that had been slated for Friday were effectively canceled after Iran sought to alter agreed arrangements. US officials say Turkey had brokered a framework for talks in Istanbul, including a direct US-Iran track focused on Tehran’s nuclear program and a broader regional track addressing Iran’s missile program, support for terror groups and human rights abuses following recent protests inside the Islamic Republic.

The officials say the Iranians then attempted to move the talks to Oman and exclude other participating countries, with Washington suspecting they were attempting to avoid any regional issues and focus only on the nuclear file. The Americans rejected this, telling Tehran it was “all or nothing,” and Tehran saying “Okay, then nothing.” “We didn’t want to be flexible here because if there is a deal, it has to be real. We didn’t want to go back to the old way of doing things,” an official says.

“We want to reach a real deal quickly, or people will look at other options,” one says, in reference to potential US strikes. “There is a good chance the talks won’t happen now at all this week,” another notes. Channel 12 says tensions continue to rise, with another US aircraft carrier said to be on its way as Washington continues its military buildup in the region. The network adds that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, currently in Abu Dhabi, are expected to travel to Qatar to consult with Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani. (Read More)

Iran Draws A Line In The Sand: 'Our Missiles Are Off The Table. Period.'

Iran has just laid down its most defining red line yet. Its ballistic missile program is untouchable, its foreign minister says, no matter what's on the table. As indirect talks with the US resume and tensions threaten to boil over, the stakes have never been higher. An Iranian diplomatic source informed Reuters that Iran's defensive capabilities, particularly its ballistic missile program, are not subject to any negotiations.

This stance comes as indirect talks between Iran and the United States are set to resume in Turkey, amid heightened regional tensions and U.S. demands for curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal. The source emphasized that while Tehran is open to dialogue, it remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the prospects, insisting on readiness for any scenario.

Iranian officials have repeatedly framed the ballistic missiles as essential to national defense, rejecting U.S. preconditions that include limiting the program alongside halting uranium enrichment and reducing support for regional proxies. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed this position, stating unequivocally that Iran's missiles "will never be the subject of any negotiations" and that the country will continue to expand its defensive capabilities as needed.

This aligns with Iran's asymmetric warfare doctrine, relying on missiles, drones, and other assets to deter superior adversaries. The comments follow reports of U.S. President Trump's interest in a broader deal, potentially involving strikes if talks fail, though diplomatic channels remain active. Regional players like Qatar and Turkey are facilitating discussions, with some Gulf states urging restraint to avoid escalation. (Ed note: And the problem of Iran's ballistic missile program is of most importance to Israel.) (Source)

Trump, Iran edge toward nuclear-talks showdown

U.S.-Iran talks shift to Oman as Tehran demands bilateral format, Saudis warn they’ll match any Iranian bomb and Gulf incidents raise war fears.

The upcoming U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are now expected to be held in Oman on Friday, after the Trump administration agreed to Tehran’s request to move the venue from Turkey, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing an Arab source familiar with the discussions. The source told reporter Barak Ravid that there are ongoing negotiations about whether Arab and Muslim regional countries will join the talks in the Gulf state, with the White House declining to comment.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that he had instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to pursue talks proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Axios reported on Monday that White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Araghchi were expected to meet on Friday in Istanbul to discuss a possible nuclear agreement, with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan also expected to take part.

Ravid reported on Tuesday, citing two sources with knowledge of the talks, that the Iranian regime now wants to hold only bilateral talks with the United States, without Arab and Muslim representatives as observers because, according to one source, the Iranians only want to discuss the nuclear file and not other topics such as the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile program and support for Middle Eastern terrorist proxies.

Amid preparations for the talks, a source in the Saudi royal family told Israel’s Channel 12 News that Riyadh views the negotiations as largely a bid to “buy time” and is taking part at Trump’s request. The source said Saudi Arabia has set a clear red line that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, the kingdom will seek a matching capability, while publicly stressing it will remain neutral in any U.S.-Iran military conflict. (Read More)

Nuclear talks moved from Turkey to Oman after Iran threatens pullout - report

Nuclear talks between the US and Iran are expected to take place in Oman on Friday, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on Tuesday, citing an Arab source. President Donald Trump's administration agreed to Iran's request to move the talks from Turkey, and negotiations are still ongoing on whether Arab and Muslim countries in the region will join the talks in Oman, Ravid added, citing the source.

Iran has requested changes to the venue and format of nuclear talks with the United States, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing two sources knowledgeable of the matter. Reuters reported that Iran is seeking to move the talks from Istanbul to Oman. "They want to change the format, they want to change the scope," said the regional diplomat with knowledge of Iran's demands.

"They only want to discuss the nuclear file with the Americans, while the US wants to include other topics such as the (ballistic) missiles and the activities of Iran's proxies in the region." The Iranian Foreign Minister claimed that consultations for the venue of talks with the United States were underway, and confirmed that they would happen later this week. (Read More)

Backtracking in Tehran: Why the Ayatollahs are Running from the Istanbul Summit

Iran has introduced sudden demands to change both the location and format of the planned Friday nuclear negotiations with the United States, raising serious concerns that the talks could collapse before they even begin. Sources warn the new conditions may force President Trump to abandon diplomacy in favor of military pressure already building in the Gulf.

Just days before the highly anticipated nuclear summit was set to begin, the Iranian regime has introduced a series of aggressive new demands that threaten to collapse the diplomatic process before a single word is exchanged. Sources familiar with the negotiations report that Tehran is now backtracking on previous agreements, calling for a total change in the location and the format of the talks originally scheduled for Friday in Istanbul. This sudden shift has placed the Trump administration in a difficult position, as any failure in the diplomatic channel could rapidly accelerate the timeline for a military strike. With a massive American naval force already positioned in the Persian Gulf, the stakes for these logistical hurdles have reached a critical level.

According to senior officials, Iran is now demanding that the summit be moved from Istanbul, Turkey, to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Beyond the change in scenery, the Iranians are also insisting on a strictly bilateral format, meaning they wish to speak exclusively with the United States. This is a significant departure from the original plan, which included several Arab and Muslim nations acting as regional observers to ensure transparency and broad support for any potential deal. By seeking to isolate the U.S. in a room, Tehran appears to be trying to avoid regional pressure and the "red lines" established by its neighbors. (Read More)

Saudi media ramps up anti-Israel rhetoric, dimming normalization hopes - report

“Oh God, deal with the Jews who have seized and occupied, for they cannot escape your power,” Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, said in a recent sermon.

Saudi Arabia’s state-aligned media outlets have been adopting an increasingly anti-Israel tone in recent months, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, calling the phenomenon a sign of the fading chances for normalized relations between the two countries. “Wherever Israel is present, there is ruin and destruction,” an editorial published by the Riyadh Dailysaid early last month. Another Saudi publication, Arab News, criticized Israel last week, accusing it of consistent violations of international law and disregard for state sovereignty.

“Israeli incursions, settlement expansion, arrests and military raids across the Occupied Territories have systematically eroded trust in diplomacy,” the editorial said. “No political process can survive when one side experiences daily dispossession while the other enjoys impunity.”

The increasingly harsh rhetoric is not limited to Saudi newspapers, The Wall Street Journal reported. Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, used a recent sermon to denounce Israel, saying, “Oh God, deal with the Jews who have seized and occupied, for they cannot escape your power.”  (Ed note: Ishmael shows us his true colors.)   (Read More)

Israel fast-tracks next-generation Arrow defenses amid Iran crisis

Defense officials confirm the next generation of air defense will tackle hypersonic threats and decoy warheads.

The Israeli defense establishment and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have significantly accelerated the development of its next-generation missile defense systems, with the Arrow 4 now in advanced stages and the Arrow 5 currently in research and development. These systems are designed to counter the evolving threat from Iran, including targeting hypersonic missiles and decoy warheads.

Brig. Gen. (ret.) Daniel Gold, head of Defense Research and Development at the Israeli Defense Ministry, provided a detailed update on the strategic projects in recent days. Gold confirmed that the Arrow 4 is undergoing “massive development” and is scheduled for its first test flight in the coming months  “Arrow 4 is designed to replace Arrow 2,” Gold stated, noting that the older system was originally based on missile threats with ranges of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers.

While specific altitudes of Arrow 4 remain classified, the new interceptor represents a leap in capability, intended to address the next generation of ballistic threats. Simultaneously, the defense establishment is pushing forward with the Arrow 5. Gold revealed that this system is currently in the research and development phase, with full-scale development expected to commence soon. “Arrow 5 will operate alongside Arrow 3 in space,” Gold said. The Arrow 3 is currently Israel’s primary exo-atmospheric interceptor, designed for intercepting ballistic missiles in space. (Read More)

IDF thwarts Hezbollah's rebuilding efforts in southern Lebanon

IDF Unit 869 eliminates 60 Hezbollah terrorists, dismantles dozens of terror sites in southern Lebanon; new female combat company to join in March.

Troops from IDF's Unit 869, under the command of the 91st Division, are operating in the area of southern Lebanon in order to prevent attempts by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to reestablish its capabilities.

Over the past year, the unit’s troops have eliminated approximately 60 Hezbollah terrorists and dismantled dozens of terrorist structures, weapons storage facilities, and observation posts. In addition, the unit’s observation command centers assisted in directing ground and aerial fire in hundreds of focused operations in the area of southern Lebanon.

As part of the organizational and technological developments within the unit, a new company of female combat troops is scheduled to be established in March, with the aim of enhancing the unit’s operational capabilities and readiness. (Source)

Katz says he and Netanyahu working to legalize 140 West Bank farming outposts

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that he is advancing the legalization of some 140 unauthorized farming outposts in the West Bank, and is being supported in this effort by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Speaking in a video message to a “conference of appreciation” for illegal farming outposts, Katz lauded those involved in those endeavors as “the pioneers of our days” and praised them for their work in “weakening the Palestinians’ efforts to establish themselves in the region.”

Some of these farming outposts have become hotbeds for settler violence that terrorizes nearby Palestinian communities, as far-right activists use the agricultural communes to expand Israel’s grip over West Bank territory. A spokesperson for Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a question about whether the prime minister supports the legalization of the 140 farming outposts. However, he has reportedly expressed support for the move in the past.

Smotrich and Settlements Minister Orit Struck attended the conference, which was held at the illegal farming outpost of Hesed Olam and organized by the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, within whose jurisdiction the outpost lies. The establishment of illegal farming outposts in the West Bank, which usually involved the grazing of sheep, goats, or cattle across large areas of land, has in recent years become a tactic widely used by settler activists, in coordination with regional settlement councils and individual settlements, with the explicit goal of exerting control over large swaths of West Bank land. (Ed note: Remember, the West Bank is really Judea and Samaria.)   (Read More)

California Is Shaking Again - Why The Next Big One Won't Just Stay In California

The West Coast is shaking again. In recent weeks, seismic activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire--particularly along California's coastline and inland fault systems--has intensified. What many hoped would be a brief period of tremors has instead become a steady drumbeat of geological reminders that California sits on borrowed time. In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, hundreds of small earthquakes have been recorded in just days. While most are minor and barely felt, their cumulative effect is unsettling. Earthquakes, unlike hurricanes or wildfires, offer no warning. They arrive without sirens, without forecasts, without mercy. And scientists have been clear for decades: the Big One is not a question of if, but when.

To understand why this matters--far beyond California--we must look honestly at what different earthquake scenarios would actually mean. A magnitude 6.0 to 6.9 earthquake, while considered "strong," would be survivable in many areas due to modern building codes. But survivable does not mean painless. In this scenario, older buildings--particularly unreinforced masonry structures common in historic districts--would suffer severe damage. Power outages could last days. Gas lines would rupture, sparking fires similar to those that devastated San Francisco in 1906. Hospitals would be overwhelmed with injuries. Schools and workplaces would close indefinitely. Economic losses would likely range from $50 to $150 billion, depending on the location. Insurance companies would strain, but the system would hold. Life would resume--but with scars.

A magnitude 7.5 to 7.9 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault is the scenario most seismologists quietly lose sleep over. In this case, entire neighborhoods could be rendered uninhabitable within minutes. Bridges and overpasses would collapse. Major freeways--lifelines for commerce and emergency response--would be severed. Ports in Los Angeles and Oakland, critical arteries for global trade, could be shut down for months. (Ed note: The primary, most dangerous fault line running along the coast of Washington is the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), capable of producing magnitude 9.0+ "megathrust" earthquakes. Other major active faults in the state include the Seattle Fault, Southern Whidbey Island Fault Zone, and the Darrington-Devils Mountain Fault Zone. The Cascadia Subduction Fault could produce a very dangerous tsunami for the state of Washington.) (Read More)

Report: Trump nearly pulled out of Iran talks after Gulf aggression

Wall Street Journal reports that Trump considered abandoning Iran talks after a drone incident and harassment of a US vessel, but negotiations are still expected to proceed later this week.

US President Donald Trump considered pulling out of negotiations with Iran due to what was described as Iran’s “aggressive" behavior in the Persian Gulf, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing several senior US officials. However, the report noted that the talks scheduled for later this week are still expected to take place. It did not provide details on what ultimately persuaded Trump to go ahead with the talks.

The Iranian aggression in question included firing a drone, which was shot down by a US Navy fighter jet as it was approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. That incident occurred only hours after Iranian forces harassed a US-flagged and US-crewed merchant vessel sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Shahed-139 drone was shot down by an F-35C launched from the Lincoln, which was operating about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. No American personnel were harmed and no US equipment was damaged.

Despite the provocation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said talks between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials were still planned. “President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango," she said. “As always, though, of course, the president has a range of options on the table with respect to Iran." (Read More)

BREAKING: U.S. F-35 Shoots Down Iranian Drone Approaching USS Abraham Lincoln

BREAKING: The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln on Tuesday. Amid soaring regional tensions, Washington warns of a "strong blow" if Tehran continues its maritime provocations in the Arabian Sea.

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, marking a significant escalation in a tense maritime standoff between Washington and Tehran. The Iranian Shahed-139 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down by a U.S. F-35 fighter jet as it flew toward the Nimitz-class carrier, according to U.S. officials. No damage to the vessel or injuries to personnel were reported. While the Pentagon has yet to issue a formal statement, the action follows standard defensive protocols for high-value naval assets operating in international waters.

The encounter took place as theAbraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groupmaintains a high-alert posture off the coast of Oman. The carrier arrived in the region on Jan. 26, after a rapid transit from the South China Sea, part of what President Donald Trump has termed a "massive armada" intended to pressure the Iranian regime following its deadly crackdown on domestic anti-government protests.

The shootdown is the latest in a series of "gray zone" provocations by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Earlier Tuesday, three pairs of Iranian gunboats approached and challenged the Stena Imperative, a U.S.-flagged tanker, in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was ordered to stop and prepare for boarding but maintained course and was eventually escorted to safety by a U.S. warship. (Read More)

US fighter jet downs Iranian drone near aircraft carrier, gunboats approach US-flagged tanker

The US military shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, an American official told Reuters on Tuesday. The Iranian Shahed-139 drone was flying towards the carrier and was shot down by a F-35 US fighter jet. "An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board," said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson at the US military's Central Command.

No American service members were harmed during the incident, and no US equipment was damaged, he added. The White House later praised CENTCOM's actions and affirmed that talks scheduled for Friday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were still on. In a separate incident, six Iranian gunboats approached a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to maritime sources and a security consultancy. US officials confirmed that armed Iranian boats attempted to stop the US-flagged ship, which was subsequently escorted to safety.

"Two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker," Hawkins said. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated it is investigating the incident, which occurred in the inbound Traffic Separation Scheme of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian gunboats attempted to contact the tanker via VHF radio, but the ship ignored their requests to stop and continued on its planned route  (Ed note: Do you think it's starting? This is not the US Navy of previous Presidents, these guys will fight.)      (Read More)

Khamenei Mocks U.S. Military Strength, Threatens Trump with Regional War: ‘We Will End U.S. Mischief’

Iran will “put an end to the United States’ mischief,” declared Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who threatened regional war and accused President Donald Trump of inciting violent protests during an online tirade marking the anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. Over the last 36 hours, Ayatollah Khamenei posted a barrage of messages to X in what amounts to Iran’s latest propaganda blitz targeting the United States, Israel, and domestic opposition, intensifying his long‑running narrative against the West and internal unrest.

The Supreme Leader invoked everything from war threats to brutal domestic crackdowns in an attempt to reassert Iran’s power and claim moral victory over what he described as Western-backed dissent. Khamenei issued a direct threat to the U.S., stating that in the event of escalation — “This time it will be a regional war.”

He mocked U.S. military posturing, saying, “That Americans sometimes talk about war — saying we will come with warships and aircrafts — is nothing new. The Iranian nation is not affected by such talk. They shouldn’t try to intimidate the Iranian nation with such things.” He also warned of “a decisive blow” against anyone who threatens Iran.The regime’s leader also pledged to remain on the offensive and “put an end to the United States’ mischief and harassment.” (Read More)

Khamenei's secret message to Putin

Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, delivered a secret message from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting last week in Moscow, the New York Times reports. According to the report, the message said Iran might agree to transfer its enriched uranium to Russia as part of a new nuclear agreement, as it did under the deal signed in 2015.

Regime officials told the paper that Iran is prepared to close or suspend its nuclear program to ease tensions with the United States, but prefers the U.S. proposal put forward several months ago, under which a regional consortium would be established for uranium enrichment. The Wall Street Journal reported that, contrary to statements by Iranian officials, Iran's missile program would also be on the table in talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Friday between special envoy Steve Whitkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to the report, the talks could proceed on two tracks, one addressing the nuclear issue and one addressing the missile program and other disputed matters.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tweeted this morning that the regime in Tehran is preparing for negotiations with the United States. "In light of requests by friendly governments in the region to respond to the U.S. president's offer for negotiations, I have instructed the foreign minister to prepare the ground for fair and just negotiations based on the principles of dignity and wisdom within the framework of the national interest. This will proceed only if an appropriate atmosphere is created, free of threats and unreasonable expectations." (Source)

Khamenei adviser warns: A US strike will pull Israel into the conflict

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani says Tehran is ready for war, warns Israel will be targeted if the US strikes, and insists enriched uranium will stay in Iran.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declared in an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen TV on Monday that “Iran is ready for any war." Shamkhani warned that any American strike on Iran would draw Israel into the conflict. “Israel and America are not two different elements. They are one entity. Our response to Israel is inevitable and is tied to their actions and steps," he said.

The senior adviser addressed the expected talks with Washington and said Tehran is prepared for “practical negotiations with Washington and no one else, as Europe has proven its inability to do anything." He further said the discussions will focus solely on the nuclear issue. He stressed that Iran will not transfer its uranium enriched to 60 percent outside the country. “There is no reason to transfer the stored materials outside Iran. There is no need for all these complicated procedures. Our program is peaceful, our capabilities are domestic, and the 60% enrichment level can be reduced to 20%, but they must pay a cost," he said. 

Shamkhani added that Iran’s position in previous rounds of talks has not changed. “In the previous rounds [of talks], we had three no's: we do not seek a nuclear weapon, we will not go to produce it, and we will not store it, and they must offer a price for that," he said.  (Ed note: Stored uranium? Wait a minute. I had thought that there was no more uranium.)    (Read More)

Iran fears US strike could break Islamic regime's grip on power by reigniting protests, sources say

"People are extremely angry," a former official said, adding a US attack could lead Iranians to rise up again. "The wall of fear has collapsed. There is no fear left."

Iran’s leadership is increasingly worried a US strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back onto the streets, following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, according to six current and former officials. In high-level meetings, officials told Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that public anger over last month's crackdown, the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has reached a point where fear is no longer a deterrent, four current officials briefed on the discussions said.

The officials said Khamenei was told that many Iranians were prepared to confront security forces again and that external pressure, such as a limited US strike, could embolden them and inflict irreparable damage to the political establishment. One of the officials told Reuters that Iran's enemies were seeking more protests so as to bring the Islamic Republic to an end, and "unfortunately," there would be more violence if an uprising took place.

"An attack combined with demonstrations by angry people could lead to a collapse (of the ruling system). That is the main concern among the top officials, and that is what our enemies want," said the official, who, like the other officials contacted for this story, declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. (Read More)

From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space 'surprises' for next conflicts- exclusive

Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities, and now the space industry is moving toward dual-use and commercial roles as well.

Israel is quietly developing new space‑based capabilities designed to give the country an edge in the next war with Iran, Avi Berger, head of the Space Office at the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (MAFAT) told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post. Speaking during Israel’s Space Week, Berger said the lessons of recent conflicts have pushed Israel to accelerate innovation in orbit.

“We knew right away that we had to build and create new surprises for the next war,” he said. “Whatever was deployed in June won’t be enough next time. The IDF now has new capabilities – and we can’t forget that the enemy will be different next time around, too.” Six months after Israel’s Rising Lion and America’s Operation Midnight Hammer, tensions in the Middle East are once again at an all-time high, driven by US military deployments and Iran’s murderous crackdown on protesters. Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities. They are a real “eye in the sky,” keeping a close watch on Israel’s enemies from afar, 24/7.

Israel first forayed into space 45 years ago to retain an early-warning capability along the border with Egypt. Since then, Israel has joined the prestigious space club and is one of only 13 countries with indigenous launching capabilities. For Israel, the launch alone is a great achievement. It is carried out to the west, against the rotation of the Earth, so that its trajectory takes it out over the Mediterranean Sea, thus avoiding enemy territory during the launch period.

The satellite technology, as well as the launcher, which according to some reports launches the Jericho ballistic missile and can place up to 380 kilograms into orbit, is not something Israel wants falling into enemy hands. The electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities is also a feat of engineering, would be a gem of intelligence should it be obtained by countries like Iran. That would, of course, be a disaster for Israel. (Read More)

US pick to govern Gaza called Israel ‘colonialist’ implant

Ali Shaath’s “ideology is taken directly from the Palestinian Authority’s playbook of hate and terror promotion,” says Palestinian Media Watch.

Ali Shaath, who has been tasked to head the Gaza administration reconstruction of the Strip, was praised by the White House last month as “a widely respected technocratic leader.” But an Israeli watchdog group said Shaath shares the radical anti-Israel ideology one would expect from a former Palestinian Authority functionary.

“[H]is ideology is taken directly from the Palestinian Authority’s playbook of hate and terror promotion,” said Palestinian Media Watch in a statement on Sunday. Before U.S. President Donald Trump tapped Shaath to lead the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), Shaath shared his views about Israel and terrorism in an April 2025 podcast, as revealed by PMW. In the YouTube interview, Shaath declared Israel a Western colonial project. “This colonialist [Israel], who was planted by America and Western Europe … , they planted it [Israel] in Palestine since the Balfour Promise [i.e., Declaration].”

During the interview, he wouldn’t refer to Israel by its name, calling it “the occupation,” effectively denying its right to exist. In the P.A. lexicon, PMW pointed out, all of Israel is an “occupation,” and all Israeli cities are “settlements.”Itamar Marcus, founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, told JNS that “the American attempt to create a future for Gazans is completely dependent on the quality of the people who will rule Gaza. (Ed note: Won't Ali Shaath just be a fun guy for Israel to work with. Someone needs to tell Ali that God gave that land to a man named Abram over 4000 years ago. See Genesis 15:18.)  (Read More)

Iran Claims Trump Never Gave Them an Ultimatum

Tehran summons EU ambassadors after Revolutionary Guards designated terror group; foreign minister says talks framework will be finalized within days.

Iran said Monday it would finalize a framework for negotiations with the U.S. within days, while denying President Trump's claim that Washington had issued an ultimatum. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a news conference in Tehran that the government is in final stages of defining the conditions and rules that would guide future talks between the two countries. "We are in the process of formulating a framework that will define how we conduct talks with the American side," Araghchi said. "This framework will be completed and finalized within the coming days." 

The announcement comes as Trump has threatened military action against Iran while also proposing negotiations. When asked by reporters about the ultimatum claim, Trump said, "They're the only ones who know." Iran separately summoned ambassadors from the 27 European Union member states for consultations after the bloc designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Araghchi said the proposed framework would cover not only the nuclear agreement but also broader security and regional issues. "Our goal is to protect Iran's interests while reducing tensions that don't serve any side," he said.

...Despite Washington's overtures, Iranian officials made clear they won't concede on three main demands recently conveyed to the U.S., though the specific demands weren't detailed. Talks are expected to proceed through indirect diplomatic channels, as in recent rounds of contacts between the countries. (Ed note: Iran "won't concede," want "indirect diplomatic negotiations" and already have taken control. Where is the "Deal Maker?") (Read More)

Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Rushes to Israel as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Showdown Looms

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's senior adviser, will travel to Israel on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir, as the U.S. and Iran prepare to hold nuclear negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of negotiations with Washington, a government source told Iranian state media Fars. The talks will include Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Monday, though the location and timing haven't been finalized, as reported by Israel Hayom.

Witkoff, who is managing Iran contacts for the Trump administration, will coordinate positions with Israeli leadership before the talks begin. Iran denied Monday it had received an ultimatum from Trump, after the president said he imposed a deadline for negotiations and threatened military action if Tehran doesn't comply.

"Iran is a country that always acts with honesty and seriousness in diplomatic processes, but we will never tolerate an ultimatum," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters. He said Iran is finalizing details of "the diplomatic process, which we hope to complete in the coming days." (Ed note: These guys are just playing the US for time.)  (Read More)

WATCH: Iranian Lawmakers Don IRGC Uniforms to Threaten U.S. — ‘Death to America!’

Iranian lawmakers chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” while dressed in the uniforms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during a Sunday parliamentary session, according to footage broadcast by state-linked media.

Chants against both the United States and the Jewish state took place during a parliamentary session in Tehran, where Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led legislators in slogans following a vote to designate the armed forces of European Union member states as “terrorist groups” in retaliation for the EU’s decision on Thursday to blacklist the IRGC, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

The coordinated display, broadcast Sunday, marked a unified public allegiance to the IRGC by Iran’s top elected officials. During the session, an IRGC flag was raised and a banner reading “The Revolutionary Guard is the largest ‘anti-terrorism’ organization in the world” was displayed at the Speaker’s podium, as shown in video footage from the chamber.

“I hereby declare that, according to Article 7 of the Retaliatory Action Law, in response to the declaration of the IRGC as a terrorist organization, the armies of European countries are [now] considered terrorist groups and the consequences of this action will be the responsibility of the European Union,” Ghalibaf declared. Ghalibaf accused European governments of acting “through blind obedience to the Americans,” saying they had “once again decided against the interests of their own people” by moving against the IRGC. (Read More)

'The regime has completely closed ranks': Israel and US ready skies for potential Iran confrontation

US reportedly reinforcing air defenses in the Middle East, deploying THAAD and Patriot batteries to better protect allies and force, a strong signal of readiness as IRGC official breaks silence after assassination rumors. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy commander, Ali Reza Tangsiri, issued his first public remarks Sunday after rumors spread that he had been killed following a series of mysterious explosions across the country.

“Enemies are trying to spread despair through media warfare,” Tangsiri was quoted as saying by state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. “Our people must preserve unity and remain consciously present in the arena,” he said. No recent images or video of Tangsiri were released. The statement followed reports Saturday of an explosion in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, after which rumors circulated on social media claiming Tangsiri had been killed. Tasnim denied those reports, later saying a gas leak caused the blast. 

Iranian authorities said one child was killed and 14 people were wounded in the explosion, which occurred in or near an eight-story residential building. Iran’s fire department chief said the cause was a gas leak. Separately, Iranian media reported five additional deaths at a residential complex in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, near the Iraqi border. Details surrounding that incident were not immediately clear.The explosions came amid heightened tensions in Iran over the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump could order military action against the Islamic Republic, and amid speculation that Israel could be involved in any such strike.  (Read More)

Netanyahu reveals vision of ‘great things’ for the North

“We are going to invest billions here in the development of the north. All the communities represented here by the heads of the communities, we are going to make a huge revolution here,” said the Israeli premier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday unveiled a government plan that would direct billions of shekels to three Israeli locales near the border with Lebanon—Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi and Metula. “We are bringing an immediate plan for the rehabilitation, development and growth” of the three areas in the Upper Galilee, Netanyahu said during a speech at the weekly Cabinet meeting. It was held in Kiryat Shmona to signal the government’s commitment to the issue. The new plan will mean “grants for businesses and residents, more resources for housing, industry, medicine, transportation and academic institutions—and that’s only during the first phase,” said Netanyahu.

Roughly a third of Kiryat Shmona’s pre-war population of approximately 26,000 people have not returned since being evacuated in 2023, according to the municipality. Israel evacuated more than 60,000 civilians from the border area in October 2023, when Hezbollah began targeting it in solidarity with Hamas. In September 2024, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, among other commanders, and eliminated many of its capabilities.

Hezbollah agreed in November 2024 to a ceasefire under the terms of which it may not maintain a presence south of the Litani River, formalizing what was widely seen as one of the Shi’ite terror group’s worst defeats. Israel has been enforcing the ceasefire with dozens of strikes in Lebanon, according to the Israeli military targeting attempts to reestablish Hezbollah’s infrastructure. (Ed note: It's not over with Israel, Israel will live on.) (Read More)

No clicks, no revenue: Iran's blackout wipes out online businesses

A sweeping government-imposed internet blackout has slashed sales, frozen online trade and pushed thousands of small businesses to the brink, according to business owners and industry groups, exposing deep vulnerabilities in Iran’s digital economy. Iran is now enduring the country’s longest and most comprehensive internet disruption on record. Its impact has stretched far beyond blocked platforms and loading screens, pushing many businesses to a point of no return.

Economists estimate Iran’s digital economy generates roughly 30 trillion rials (about $42 million) a day. While modest on paper, that figure represents the livelihoods of small and medium-sized enterprises that operate almost entirely online. The Tehran Chamber of Commerce estimates that at least 500,000 Instagram-based shops operate in Iran, supporting around one million jobs whose sales effectively drop to zero without internet access.

Industry data reviewed by trade groups show daily losses running into billions of rials, with the Chamber reporting revenue declines of 50% to 90%. But some analysts say even those figures understate the damage. “Where does this figure even come from?” IT expert Amin Sabeti told Iran International. “These businesses operate on Instagram. When people have no access to Instagram, one hundred percent of their sales are gone.”

Sabeti said the lack of precise data had itself become part of the crisis. “What we do know is that Instagram and WhatsApp are widely used by small businesses, and many have now lost customers completely,” he added. “For some people, their entire livelihood depended on these platforms.” In Iran, platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp function not only as messaging tools but as storefronts, marketing channels and payment gateways. (Read More)

Iran's Defiant Warning: Nuclear Sites Untouchable, US and Israel Will Pay Dearly

Iranian Army Chief Amir Hatami has warned that U.S. strikes would "endanger the Zionist regime," while new reports suggest the regime's recent crackdown left tens of thousands dead.

In a calculated display of stability and defiance, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appeared in public on Saturday for the first time since the country was rocked by weeks of violent anti-government unrest. Visiting the tomb of Ruhollah Khomeini to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Khamenei sought to dispel rumors that he had fled to a fortified underground bunker in anticipation of a U.S. military strike. 

However, the optics of continuity were quickly overshadowed by bellicose rhetoric from Tehran’s military elite, who warned that the "finger is on the trigger" as an American carrier strike group enters the region. While President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to blend domestic conciliation with accusations of foreign sabotage, the true scale of the recent internal bloodshed is only now coming to light, with some estimates suggesting the death toll from the January crackdown has reached staggering heights.

The Iranian military leadership has adopted an increasingly aggressive stance following the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. Army chief Amir Hatami issued a direct warning to both Washington and Jerusalem, stating that any "miscalculation" would endanger the security of the United States, the broader region, and the "Zionist regime." Hatami specifically pushed back against President Donald Trump’s assertions that Tehran would seek a deal to avoid military action. (Read More)

Khamenei makes first public appearance in weeks as Iran makes new threats against US, Israel

Tehran again blames US, Israel and the Europeans for fomenting unrest; official confirms children were among those arrested in anti-government protests.

Iran on Saturday attempted to project stability after weeks of unrest and fears of a looming US military strike, publishing rare images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in public as officials warned the United States and Israel against military action.

Against the backdrop of mounting tensions, Iranian media published images on Saturday showing Khamenei in public for the first since the protests erupted — attending prayers at the tomb of Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini to mark 47 years since the Islamic Revolution. The photos appeared aimed at countering opposition claims earlier this month that Khamenei had been moved to an underground bunker for fear of a potential US strike.

Also Saturday, Iranian army chief Amir Hatami warned the US and Israel against an attack, saying his country’s forces were on high alert following Washington’s heavy military deployments in the Gulf. He also insisted the Islamic republic’s nuclear expertise could not be eliminated, after Trump said he expected Tehran to seek a deal to avoid US strikes. “If the enemy makes a mistake, without a doubt it will endanger its own security, the security of the region, and the security of the Zionist regime,” Hatami said, according to the official IRNA news agency. He noted that Iran’s armed forces were “at full defensive and military readiness.” (Read More)

In direct threat, Khamenei warns of regional war if US attacks Iran

Supreme leader says Washington knows that conflict would spread, Iranians not afraid; in tit-for-tat, Tehran’s parliament designates European armies as terrorist organizations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday that if the US attacks Iran, the hostilities will broaden into a regional conflict, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.
The has US built up its naval presence in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening Iran with intervention if it does not agree to a nuclear deal or stop killing protesters.

“[Trump] regularly says that he brought ships… The Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats,” Khamenei said. “We are not the initiators and do not want to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will strike a strong blow against anyone who attacks and harasses them.”
The comments from the 86-year-old Khamenei were the most direct threat he’s made so far. Tehran has warned that if Trump orders strikes, Iran will target Israel and American military assets in the Middle East. A diplomatic solution remains in the cards, with Tehran saying it is ready for “fair” negotiations that do not seek to curtail its defensive capabilities. (Read More)

Trump: Iran is 'seriously talking', I hope they give up their nuclear weapons

Trump says Iran is "seriously talking" with the US and expresses hope Iran will accept a deal giving up nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday night that Iran is “seriously talking" with the US, adding that he hopes Iran accepts a deal which sees it giving up its nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about his latest thinking on Iran and reiterated that he has dispatched significant military assets to the region.

“I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable," he added. Earlier, Trump said the US could not share military plans with Gulf allies while negotiating with Iran, even as a major American naval presence moves into the region. Speaking with Fox News Channel senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, Trump responded to reporting that Gulf allies remain in the dark about potential US intervention plans involving Iran.

"Well, we can't tell them the plan. If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan - it could be worse, actually," Trump said. "But look, the plan is that [Iran is] talking to us, and we'll see if we can do something, otherwise we'll see what happens… We have a big fleet heading out there, bigger than we had - and still have, actually - in Venezuela." A senior Gulf official told Fox News that Saudi Arabia would not allow the US to use its airspace or bases for an attack. A high-ranking government figure from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state told Fox News that the "US hasn't shared objectives or plans" regarding Iran with Gulf allies, despite recent high-level Saudi meetings in Washington aimed at gaining clarity. (Read More)

CENTCOM warns Iran to avoid ‘escalatory behavior’ during naval drill

U.S. Central Command is urging the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to conduct a scheduled naval exercise safely and avoid “escalatory behavior at sea.” On Thursday, Iran announced that the IRGC would be “conducting a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, scheduled to begin on Sunday.” On Friday, CENTCOM said it “urges the IRGC to conduct the announced naval exercise in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic,” noting that the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf with the world is an international sea passage.

We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions,” the command said, adding that “the U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms. “Iran’s IRGC must do the same,” CENTCOM stated. 

Jim Hanson, president of the WorldStrat information warfare firm and chief editor of the Middle East Forum, said, “Just a friendly note to Iran that all of its relatively pathetic navy are simply oil slicks waiting to happen.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump remained coy on Friday on the prospect of a military strike, saying that Iranians “want to make a deal” that would spell the end of their nuclear ambitions.  (Ed note: In your face, IRGC!)   (Read More)

As Iran weakens, attention turns to possible revolt from within

Public protests in Iran have been crushed and its society has been battered, but the cracks at the top of the regime are growing. Senior commanders are amassing wealth in the West, their children hold foreign citizenship, and a scenario of an internal plot, backed by Western powers, could make a large-scale war unnecessary. Many Israelis are familiar with the story from the Book of Esther, in which Mordechai learns that two officials in the Persian king's court, Bigthan and Teresh, are plotting to assassinate him. Mordechai alerts Esther and the king, and the two conspirators are executed for their scheme.

That episode ended well, and the Persian king survived. But Iranian history is rife with cases in which sons or close associates rose up against rulers, murdered them or at least removed them from the throne through conspiracies and palace plots. Some rulers, fearing such betrayals, even killed their own sons and confidants preemptively, suspecting they might turn against them.

Today, with the Iranian regime widely seen as far weaker than in previous years and repeatedly entangled in wars that sap its strength, the likelihood of an internal conspiracy by interested parties or figures within the centers of power is increasing. These include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military and the political elite. For now, they appear united against what they define as the internal enemy: the public, which took to the streets in protest in an effort to topple the regime and install an alternative government. Those protests failed to endanger the regime, largely due to brutal repression and the killing of demonstrators. (Read More)

Iran’s diplomatic scramble to gather allies against US - analysis

Iran is scrambling to try to get countries to help it prevent a war with the US. Over the last days, Iran has reached out to Russia, Turkey, and other countries. The goal is to get some countries that have influence with the US to intercede. With Russia, Iran hopes that Moscow may also be able to bring pressure.

Iran is also hoping Gulf countries will help it out of a bind. The potential countries in the Gulf that might assist include Qatar. Doha was key to the ceasefire deal at the end of the 12-day war last summer and has often had warm ties with both Iran and the US.

What is clear is that Iran does take US threats seriously. In the past, Tehran has floated the idea of talks but was not actually willing to make concessions. Iran knows the Trump administration will want something to show for any talks. The White House will want a win it can present publicly, though it’s not clear what “win” Iran might be able to give the US.

Iran is aware of reports in the West that say its regime is weak and that Saudi Arabia might be flexible on whether the US proceeds with strikes. Previously, it seemed most US allies and partners in the region opposed strikes, except Israel. Now it remains to be seen if countries in the region have enough influence with the US administration to prevent escalation. (Read More)

Israel’s freshwater balancing act: The Kinneret under strain

At first glance, the Kinneret looks calm, even reassuring. Israel’s only large natural freshwater lake has stabilized after years of fluctuating water levels, standing in contrast to drying reservoirs and shrinking lakes across the globe. To the casual observer, the lake, also known as the Sea of Galilee, appears to be a rare environmental success story in an era of climate uncertainty.

That stability, however, is neither natural nor guaranteed. It is the product of constant intervention, heavy regulation, and a delicate balancing act overseen by Israel’s water authorities. Behind the carefully maintained waterline lies a system under constant strain, expected to supply drinking water, sustain agriculture, support ecosystems, and feed the Jordan River, all while absorbing the cumulative effects of intensive human use.

The paradox of the Kinneret is that the more Israel depends on it, the more vulnerable it becomes. Each year, hundreds of millions of cubic meters of water are pumped from the lake, gradually increasing its salinity and altering its ecological composition. Experts warn that without continued oversight and meaningful changes in water management, the reservoir that has long symbolized abundance could become a strategic liability. (Read More)

IDF strikes Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon over ceasefire breach

The IDF on Friday struck infrastructure sites and engineering vehicles used by Hezbollah terrorists in attempts to reestablish the terror organizations' infrastructure in the Mazraat al-Daoudiya area in southern Lebanon, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced.

It noted that the presence of these infrastructure sites and the engineering vehicles in the area, as well as Hezbollah's use of them for rebuilding terror infrastructure sites in Lebanon, constitute a violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel and to prevent Hezbollah's reestablishment," the statement said. (Ed note: Mazraat al-Daoudiya area in southern Lebanon is about 6 miles from the city named in Psalm 83, TYRE.) (Source)