Piers Morgan doesn't hold back in this interview with Hamas leader

Prime Minister Commits 300 Billion NIS to End Israeli Dependence on Foreign Military Platforms Within Decade

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed plans to invest 300-400 billion shekels over the next decade to develop a domestic stealth fighter jet and indigenous weapons industries, citing the need to reduce reliance on foreign military platforms.

The initiative marks one of the most ambitious defense modernization proposals in recent Israeli history, reflecting Netanyahu's stated conviction that Israel cannot depend on external suppliers for its most critical military platforms. "I want to establish here within a decade --- I want our own fighter jet, our own fighter jet, a stealth jet, an unmanned aircraft, a next-generation aircraft," Netanyahu said during the interview on the "Shomer Saf" podcast with Dr. Gadi Taub. "Because we can never know if they will take away from us the important platforms we receive now from abroad."

The proposal centers on reducing what Netanyahu characterized as Israel's "weapons dependence" and developing what he called "armament sovereignty" - the capacity to design, produce, and deploy advanced military systems without reliance on foreign governments or the threat of embargoes during times of crisis.

Global Context

Netanyahu's announcement comes as nations worldwide race to develop sixth-generation fighter jets and advanced unmanned aircraft systems. The United States is developing the F-47 and the F/A-XX naval fighter as part of its next-generation program. Britain, Italy, and Japan are jointly developing the GCAP fighter, expected to enter service in the mid-2030s. France, Germany, and Spain are advancing the NGF as part of their FCAS initiative.

Russia continues development of the Su-57 and next-generation capabilities. China is advancing stealthy fighter designs to complement the J-20, while India is promoting the AMCA, a domestically produced stealth multirole fighter, and Turkey is developing the KAAN.

Scope of Investment

The proposed investment, described as an addition to Israel's regular defense budget rather than a reallocation, would fund the full lifecycle of developing an indigenous fighter jet and supporting weapons production infrastructure. Netanyahu did not specify a timeline for a prototype or operational aircraft, though he indicated the investment would proceed over the coming decade.

The plan represents a significant shift in Israeli defense policy, which has historically relied on acquiring American platforms including the F-15 and F-16 fighters, with Israel maintaining technological integration and modification privileges. While Israel produces some domestic weapons systems, a fully independent fighter jet development program would represent a departure from that model. (Ed note: And escape the meddling of US Presidents who may not even like Israel, or understand their own Bible or Bible prophecy.)   (Read More)

Israel, not Iran, is boxed in as Trump keeps chasing flimsy agreements

Tehran isn’t scared of endless US threats, and won’t make concessions. Gaza and Lebanon deals are somewhat more promising, but leave plenty of room for terror groups to survive. 

With Iran openly targeting US soldiers and asserting its right to control the Strait of Hormuz, many believed over the weekend that US President Donald Trump had — at long last — reached the end of his rope. “US, Israel preparing to bombard energy-related targets in Iran,” CBS Newsdeclared on Saturday. Israeli outlets reported that Jerusalem was on its “highest alert,” expecting Iran to respond to the looming massive strike by hitting the Jewish state for the first time in months.

But then Trump backed down once again, claiming that Iran had suddenly agreed to make far-reaching concessions its leaders have said consistently that they would never so much as consider. Tehran quickly denied this. On Gaza, too, the White House and its Board of Peace are placing all their hopes on an agreement — this one to disarm Hamas. And in Lebanon, a US-backed plan to assert control by Beirut crawls forward, but it is entirely unclear how the agreement will actually lead to Hezbollah giving up its weapons.

And so the Middle East, and particularly Israel, is trapped in inconclusive conflicts that are suspended by Trump’s apparent belief, or hope, that a signature on a two-page agreement means a terrorist group will abandon decades-long religious commitments to violence against the US and Israel, or that Iran will budge on what it sees as its core interests. Back on Friday, Trump had said that he was “losing faith” in Iran after the Islamic Republic fired missiles at US troops in Jordan while — at least according to the president — the sides were in the middle of negotiations. (Read More)

Iran to Hamas: We'll back whatever you decide on Gaza

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, promising to support any decision the terrorist group makes in negotiations over Gaza's future.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday promised Hamas Political Bureau chairman Khalil al-Hayya full support, Iranian government media reported. According to the report, Pezeshkian promised to support "every step, initiative, and decision" taken by the Palestinian Authority and Gazan leadership as part of negotiations over the future of Gaza. "The hearts and spirit of the Iranian people and officials are always with the Palestinian people, and Tehran will continue to support and stand alongside the Palestinian people," Pezeshkian said.

Earlier Wednesday, Hamas Political Bureau member and negotiating team member Basem Naim said the terrorist organization is still awaiting an official response from Nikolay Mladenov "regarding what was agreed upon with him and the mediators concerning the roadmap for implementing Phase 2, especially in light of the high level of responsibility demonstrated by the movement in dealing with what was proposed to it." The statement added that Hamas "highly appreciates the mediators' statement holding the enemy accountable for the ongoing crimes and the deliberate obstruction of the agreement."

On Tuesday, reports said that Israel's defense establishment has updated its procedures for approving strikes in the Gaza Strip in recent days, following a decision made by the political leadership. Under the new policy, the authority to approve targeted killings has been significantly restricted. Such operations may now only be carried out with the personal approval of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. According to a security source, the change does not apply to situations in which IDF forces face an immediate threat on the ground. In such cases, troops will continue to act without delay to neutralize the threat, as they do under current procedures.

However, proactive strikes against targets that are not considered an immediate threat-including terrorists under intelligence surveillance-will now require the Chief of Staff's personal authorization. Before the new directive, such operations could also be approved by lower-ranking commanders, including regional commanders or division commanders. Mediators Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey issued a joint declaration on Monday targeting Israel, alleging that IDF military operations directed at Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip threaten the stability of the current ceasefire. (Read more)

Netanyahu says Israel ‘didn’t agree’ to Board of Peace’s terms for disarming Hamas

In his first public comments on the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel has not agreed to the Board of Peace’s Hamas disarmament plan, which was accepted by the terror group last week. Reiterating comments from recent days attributed to “senior Israeli officials,” Netanyahu said in a video posted to Facebook that Israel will not withdraw “from our current lines” in Gaza “until Hamas is completely disarmed.” This would appear to go against the disarmament plan, which requires Israel to pull back to the original Yellow Line in Gaza. Israel withdrew to that line as part of the October 2025 ceasefire-hostage release deal with Hamas, but has since expanded its control of the Strip from 53 percent to over 60%.

While the Board of Peace indicated that Israel would not have to carry out withdrawals beyond the original Yellow Line until Hamas at least begins to hand over its weapons, Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces will not move at all, as his election campaign kicks into gear. “[US] President [Donald] Trump thinks — or his team thinks — that they can get Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza. We are looking into it. They sent us a draft. We did not agree to it. It was not our draft. We sent back our comments,” Netanyahu said in the video statement.

The “draft” Netanyahu described was not supposed to be open for debate with Israel, as it was the result of separate negotiations between Hamas, the Trump-controlled Board of Peace and mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the US. A senior US official briefing reporters last week said the disarmament proposal is an extension of Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, which Israel already accepted last fall. Accordingly, Israel is only being asked to maintain its adherence to the 20-point plan, the US official said, adding that Trump would be “very disappointed” in Jerusalem if it blocked the proposal’s advancement. (Ed note: But hasn't President Trump been saying all along that Israel "is on board" with the Gaza plan?) (Read more)

Hamas will likely not comply with Gaza peace plan, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview aired on Monday expressed skepticism regarding Hamas’s willingness to lay down its weapons as required by the Board of Peace’s 15-point Roadmap for peace in Gaza, and called on the international community to accept Palestinian immigrants. “I don’t think Hamas is going to turn into a kitten—this predator,” Netanyahu said during an appearance on Israeli historian and media personality Gadi Taub’s podcast. The 15 points were published last week, followed by concerns in Israel that they stipulate the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from the Gaza Strip before the terrorist group fully disarms.

When asked if Israel had missed the opportunity to eradicate Hamas in Gaza, the prime minister replied, “It’s not missed—it’s not completed. There’s still work to do ... Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, and only then [Gaza] can start reconstruction, including rehabilitating its fanaticism.”
Netanyahu added, “Certain people in the West, maybe the entire West, have a problem understanding what fanaticism is. [For example,] when you are willing to sacrifice any human norm, when you are willing to slaughter people—like we saw in Syria; they tore out someone’s heart and ate it while the victim was conscious for the last few seconds.”

Israel’s longest-serving prime minister went on to say that allowing Gazans to voluntarily relocate to other countries is a policy that must be advanced, adding that the only other place on earth from which citizens are not permitted to emigrate is North Korea. The majority of Gazans, between 50% to 80%, wish to leave the Strip, Netanyahu said. “For God’s sake, open the door, let them leave! The countries [say], ‘No, no, we will not accept them so as not to help Israel.’ What about helping the Gazans? Why don’t they have the right granted to billions of people around the world, to move from place to place?” he continued.

The underlying motivation behind opposition to Palestinian relocation is “to destroy the State of Israel,” he added. “If you let people leave and if you really eliminate Hamas and those who remain [in Gaza] can live a normal life and not under these human monsters, then it’s obvious that the conflict would end.” Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s accomplishments in the multi-front war sparked by Hamas and other Gaza terrorist organizations invading the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023, highlighting the decapitation of the enemy’s leadership in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, and the fall of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, which he linked to the degrading of Hezbollah’s military capabilities. However, “time and again” he said, he encountered resistance from the country’s defense establishment against his plans to preemptively strike Iran and its nuclear project in the years leading up to the war. (Read More)

'Resistance is Hamas's holy mission': Terror spox. tells Piers Morgan group will continue fighting

Hamas will not change its mentality and "resisting the occupation is its holy mission," the terror group's spokesperson Ghazi Hamad claimed during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, broadcast on Monday. Morgan asked Hamad whether the deal coordinated by the Trump administration, including the implementation of the Board of Peace and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), will lead to Hamas disarmament.

"This is an exceptional phase in Palestinian history. Because of forced necessity, the hard circumstances in Gaza, we accept this agreement. But I think that as Hamas, I can confirm that we didn't change our mentality, our goal to end the occupation, to continue to end the occupation with the Palestinian factions, because this is our holy mission," Hamad said.

Notably, he did not answer Morgan's question, which explicitly asked when Hamas would disarm and hand over its weapons as part of the process. "Maybe this time [Hamas will use] some different tactics, different tools, different methods," Hamad added. The terror spokesperson, however, stated that he does not believe that Israel will "fulfill its commitments," as Israel has a "state of arrogance, state of supremacy, and wants to control everything by force," in his view. Hamas, therefore, will "continue with all Palestinian factions to fight against occupation until we reach the end of this occupation and freedom for our people," Hamad said. Hamad told Morgan that the deal is exceptional "because of the exceptional circumstances."

"I think we did our best in order to save our people, to save our citizens in Gaza from displacement, from mass killing, from massacres, from genocide, from all kinds of tortures. So I think this is a necessity in order to save our people in Gaza. I know it's not easy. I'm not so pleased with this deal because I think we are looking for something better in order to create a good atmosphere for our people, to end our occupation, to build a new future for our people," he said. (Ed note: Ghazi Hamad, can you believe that guy? "Holy mission." Like Iran, this is a religious war with Hamas.) (Read More)

Hezbollah chief slams ‘humiliation’ of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome

Nasrallah’s successor hinted Iran’s Axis of Resistance would not back down until Israel’s “complete withdrawal” from Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Tuesday denounced the resumption of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome, saying negotiations with Jerusalem had brought the country “nothing except shame.” Qassem’s remarks came hours before U.S.-backed talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials were scheduled to begin in the Italian capital, where the sides are expected to discuss the implementation of a June 26 framework agreement that calls for Hezbollah’s removal from Southern Lebanon. “Direct negotiations have brought Lebanon nothing except shame, humiliation, disappointment and one concession after another,” Qassem said, according to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen channel, which is affiliated with Hezbollah. “We are confronting a U.S.-Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq and Yemen aimed at extinguishing the flame of the resistance and colonizing the region,” the terrorist leader claimed. “The Israeli enemy’s only option is a complete withdrawal—and it will withdraw.”

On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa expressed cautious optimism ahead of the talks in Rome, while noting that “a great deal of technical work remains” to ensure “civilian safety on the ground. “There is a meaningful difference between drafting an agreement on paper and implementing it responsibly,” Issa said of the framework agreement between Jerusalem and Beirut, adding that “moving too quickly risks jeopardizing the very civilians this process is meant to protect.” He emphasized that both sides “must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding.”

The Aug. 4–6 summit in the Italian capital follows months of intensifying military and diplomatic developments. The 14-point Trilateral Framework Agreement reached on June 26 calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, while Jerusalem has maintained that a full troop withdrawal will occur only after the security threat is neutralized. High-level engagement continued on July 21, when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump pledged support for Lebanon’s stabilization efforts and expressed hope that Beirut might eventually join the Abraham Accords. (Source)

‘First, stop the killing’: Gazans say they’ll believe ceasefire roadmap when strikes end

Nineteen people were killed in Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry — a high daily toll, even by the standards of the near-daily strikes that have continued throughout the ceasefire. Just days earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas as part of the roadmap for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which calls for Israel to halt military operations in Gaza. For many Gazans, however, there is only one meaningful test of whether the agreement is truly moving forward: whether the strikes stop.

That sentiment has been reflected repeatedly in recent days on social media. On Sunday, Gaza resident Kamel al-Hindi wrote on Facebook: “They keep talking about a truce and a ceasefire, while this usurping entity continues burning the people of Gaza.” Another resident, Somaya Samir al-Kahlout, wrote: “There is no truce and no ceasefire. Gaza is still under bombardment.”  Mohammed Zreir, another Gaza resident, said in a video posted on TikTok: “We saw how on Sunday the assassinations continued, and by the time I recorded this video the death toll had already reached 14.” The roadmap published on Friday states that “Israel will return to fulfilling its commitments made at Sharm el-Sheikh [for the October 2025 ceasefire]: halting military operations.”

On August 2, Board of Peace Gaza envoy Nikolay Mladenov wrote on X: “Two days of strikes across Gaza have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on. Both parties carry obligations under the Comprehensive Plan and the Sharm El Sheikh deal.” There is currently no indication that Israeli strikes are stopping or being significantly reduced. Israel has continued carrying out strikes since the October 2025 deal, though at a far reduced rate, saying it does so in response to violations of the ceasefire or to target operatives who pose an active threat. (Ed note: Violations? First, this article is from the very liberal Times of Israel. Then remember that no one ever seems to mention the fact that Hamas continues to REARM not DISARM, and take shots at the IDF. That Hamas continues to hide amongst the people of Gaza, and its people continue to side with Hamas. The IDF can't catch a break and yet many yell at Israel for defending itself. (Read more)

Trump Grows Impatient, Sets Today as Deadline for Hormuz Deal with Iran

Trump administration pressuring Iran to reach Strait of Hormuz agreement by end of day Tuesday or face military action, according to Bloomberg reporting; ultimatum follows months of U.S.-Iran tensions. The Trump administration is pressuring Iran to reach an agreement on Strait of Hormuz shipping arrangements by end of day Tuesday or face destructive military strikes, according to Bloomberg reporting.

The ultimatum represents an escalation of pressure on Iran following months of intensive military operations and diplomatic negotiations mediated by Qatar and Oman. The administration has set a specific deadline, end of business Tuesday, for Iran to commit to shipping corridor arrangements in the strategic waterway. Trump administration officials did not specify which Iranian concessions would be required to satisfy the agreement or what "destructive" strikes might entail. The threat follows a pattern of repeated U.S. military threats against Iran, some followed by action and others withdrawn.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has characterized ongoing mediation efforts as reaching a "very advanced stage," though acknowledged that no direct talks between U.S. and Iranian officials have been formally scheduled. The Iran-Oman framework on Strait of Hormuz control has been cited by Qatari mediators as creating momentum toward a broader agreement.Iran has previously conditioned any agreement on U.S. lifting of naval blockades on Persian Gulf ports and restoration of the 14-point Islamabad MOU, terms the Trump administration has not confirmed accepting. The deadline pressure comes as both sides report ongoing negotiations through intermediaries but have not achieved direct engagement between senior officials. (Source)

Trump: 'I want to give Iran every chance before decapitation'

US President said he is prepared to authorize a large-scale military strike against Iran but stressed that he would rather avoid such an operation.

US President Donald Trump said he is prepared to authorize a large-scale military strike against Iran but stressed that he would rather avoid such an operation if Tehran agrees to a deal preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons. "I think we're going to maybe get something, but I want to give them every last chance before decapitation," Trump said. "Very tough to do what we have planned, still planned. We'll see what happens, but it's a very, very tough thing to do."

The president emphasized that despite military preparations, his preference remains diplomacy. "I think I'm very proud of the fact that I will give people a chance," Trump said. "This is a big move to do an attack that big on a country. I'd rather not do it." Referring to previous military operations, Trump said they did not compare to the scale of the plans currently under consideration.

"We've already gone through lots of large attacks, but they were normal large," he said. "Hopefully they'll come to their senses because what happened-they cannot have a nuclear weapon." According to Trump, Iranian officials have already approached the United States seeking to avoid military action. (Read more)

Presidential Warning Issued: Trump Declares Talks Are Ongoing And Offers Iran "One Last Chance"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in the Oval Office that negotiations with Iran are actively occurring, warning that Tehran has one final opportunity to reach a deal before military action resumes. U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday evening during an executive order signing in the Oval Office that active negotiations with Iran are underway despite official denials from Tehran. The President stated that the ongoing war with Iran is progressing effectively, while emphasizing that Washington is offering Iranian leadership a final window to conclude an agreement.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump outlined the immediate timeline for diplomatic efforts regarding regional maritime security. "The talks are happening right at this moment," Trump stated during the Oval Office briefing. "We want to give Iran one last chance before we chop their head off, I hope they come to their senses." President Trump noted that clarity on the diplomatic track would emerge rapidly as negotiations focus on critical international shipping lanes.

"We will know today or tomorrow where this is going. It is not that complicated. We are talking about opening Hormuz as early as tomorrow," Trump added, addressing Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and telling him, "You are doing a fantastic job." The President revealed that American forces were previously prepared to conduct an extensive military campaign against Iranian targets prior to diplomatic interventions. 

 
"We were going to hit them very hard, harder than any strike since World War 2, several leaders begged us not to hit them, especially the Iranians who said they want to talk," Trump explained to gathered journalists. Addressing statements published on Truth Social earlier in the day, President Trump directly criticized public declarations issued by Iranian representatives regarding bilateral contacts. "The Iranian leadership is two faced beyond belief! They requested a meeting, some would say 'begging,' and then say openly and proudly that they are not conducting any negotiations, and deal only with Oman," Trump wrote. (Read More)

Board of Peace clarifies: IDF will not leave Yellow Line until Hamas fully disarms

Gaza Board of Peace stresses that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once Hamas is fully disarmed. 'This applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and the tunnels alike.'

Gaza Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov, together with the Board of Peace team, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team. According to the Board of Peace, the meeting was part of the process of decommissioning weapons in Gaza and enabling the transition to civilian governance, and "creating a safer future in the region" for both Israelis and Palestinian Arabs in Gaza.

The board noted that the meeting was constructive and detailed. Israel and the Board of Peace share a common understanding of the ultimate objectives. "The goal is clear and is not in question: the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance. Reaching it will be a process. And that process will be set out in the next phase of the work," the Board of Peace wrote in a statement.

The board clarified: "Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators. This applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and the tunnels alike. It noted that implementation will be overseen by the International Stabilization Force and by the Implementation Verification Committee, on which both the United States and the Board of Peace sit. The board further stated that continued progress towards implementation in full depends on each side fulfilling its obligations under the agreed framework. (Source)

Israel presses doubts about Gaza plan as Hamas warns airstrikes will derail effort

Amid growing criticism from Board of Peace over continued Gaza strikes, Israeli official says agreement ‘does not reflect’ Israeli stance; Herzog lauds ‘positive elements’ As Israel faced growing criticism from the Board of Peace for its continued strikes on Gaza, despite Hamas’s recent signing of a US-backed disarmament plan, a senior Israeli spokesman said Monday that the roadmap “does not reflect Israel’s positions,” and “stands in direct contrast to the current reality” in the Strip.

Compounding that criticism, an Israeli official said Monday that “Israel will not withdraw from the current line in the Gaza Strip, and will continue to eliminate any threats to our citizens and our soldiers.” The deal, which both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have signed on to, would see Hamas gradually hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian administration in Gaza, but the arms would remain in the territory. It says Gaza will run under the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon,” and Gazans will be allowed to keep personal weapons subject to licensing from the new government.

It also mandates that Israel begin withdrawing from land it holds in Gaza before Hamas has fully disarmed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to officially comment on the development, leaving top ministers and anonymous “senior officials” to voice disapproval of the plan, despite US President Donald Trump’s assurance that Israel was “very happy” with the deal.

On Sunday, the Board of Peace’s top Gaza envoy Nickolay Mladenov lamented the previous two days of Israeli strikes in Gaza that “have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on,” and said that the Board was working to “de-escalate and create the space for the full implementation of the president’s plan.” Following the criticism from the Board of Peace, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Doron Spielman said Monday that “Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts.” “The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions,” he said, contradicting earlier statements from Board of Peace officials that Israel was briefed “extensively” as the deal came together. (Read More)

FBI Warns of Cyberattacks on Municipal Water Systems Across Seven States

The FBI has issued an urgent warning after hackers targeted municipal water systems in at least seven states over the past week, prompting concerns about the vulnerability of critical water infrastructure across the nation

NBC News reports that the FBI and the EPA released a joint public service announcement warning water and wastewater utilities nationwide that malicious cyber actors are attempting to disrupt critical water infrastructure. Water utilities in multiple states have reported cybersecurity incidents, the agencies said, and some attacks have degraded water operations. The warning follows a breach in Minnesota, where hackers targeted more than 30 municipal water facilities in an attack.

Emily Zimmer, a spokesperson for Minnesota’s information technology services agency, said Thursday there was no indication the breaches had contaminated any municipal water supplies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a separate alert saying some larger attacks on water infrastructure had led to boil water notices and sustained manual operations, though it did not disclose locations. Neither Minnesota officials nor the federal government have publicly attributed the activity in Minnesota to a specific threat actor. The FBI and EPA also did not identify who was responsible for the breaches reported in the other six states.

President Donald Trump addressed the Minnesota attack in remarks to reporters Friday at Camp David, criticizing state leadership and Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election. “I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent,” Trump said. “I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor, the corrupt governor of Minnesota. They like to say, ‘Oh, it’s Iran.’ Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.” (Read More)

Standoff Escalates: Trump Declares Iranian Leadership "Two-Faced Beyond Belief" After Direct Talks Denied

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Iranian leadership as two faced after Tehran denied direct negotiations were taking place, following the last minute cancellation of a massive American military strike. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Iranian leadership on Monday evening following conflicting statements regarding the status of direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The exchange came just hours after the White House ordered the last minute cancellation of a planned military operation targeting Iranian facilities, which regional observers described as a potential turning point in the ongoing regional war.

Addressing the dispute on Truth Social, President Trump responded directly to assertions by Iranian officials that no direct bilateral talks were occurring."The Iranian leadership is two faced beyond belief! They request a meeting, some would say 'begging,' talks begin and they say, openly and proudly, that nothing is being discussed," Trump wrote in his statement

The public disagreement followed statements made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, who clarified that Tehran was only engaging in localized discussions mediated through Oman. Baghaei stated that the objective of their regional contacts was to protect national interests and manage a temporary shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump rejected Tehran's characterization of maritime control, emphasizing that the waterway remains under the protection of the U.S. Navy. (Ed note: There you go, Mr President. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did much the same thing to your boys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.)    (Read More)

Nothing gets through to Iran’s ‘unbelievably duplicitous’ leadership, Trump says

US President Donald Trump criticized Iran’s leadership for being “unbelievably duplicitous” and accused them of being dishonest regarding the status of US-Iran negotiations in a post on Truth Social on Monday. “They ask for a meeting… talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about,” Trump lamented. 

He added that “nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a deal, or total surrender, is accomplished.”Trump also disputed Iranian claims of controlling the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the waterway is “already completely controlled by the United States Navy.”This is a developing story. (Ed note: Guess what Deal Maker just got had.) (Source)

Iran Denies Trump's Claims Of Reopened US Negotiations On Hormuz Strait

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected Trump's assertion that talks would resume Monday, saying Iran negotiates only with Oman on strait passage. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected US President Donald Trump's claim Monday that negotiations with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz would resume, stating flatly that Iran is not currently in talks with the United States.

"At this time, we are not engaged in any talks with the US," Baghaei said, according to multiple reports. "Negotiations are underway with Oman to reach an agreement on a route that will ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz." The denial directly contradicts Trump's statement Sunday night that talks would begin Monday afternoon, following his decision to call off planned military strikes. The US president had announced that "the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to" on reopening the crucial waterway.

According to Baghaei, Iran will not alter its position on the strait as long as the United States continues what Tehran characterizes as hostile actions. "As long as the United States continues its violations, there will naturally be no significant change in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz," the spokesman said. Iran's focus remains on negotiations with Oman alone, Baghaei emphasized. The discussions between Tehran and Muscat, which have been ongoing since the April 2026 ceasefire, center on establishing a temporary safe shipping corridor through the waterway. Baghaei noted that reaching an agreement with Oman over a route "is not sufficient for opening the strait" under current conditions.

The proposed new maritime route would differ from both the existing northern and southern passages, Baghaei indicated. According to his description, the route would be a single designated corridor with dedicated entry and exit points, designed to account for both nations' sovereignty rights and Iran's stated security interests. (Ed note: So who do we believe today?)  (Read More)

Trump: The talks with Iran will resume tomorrow

President Trump announces US-Iran talks will resume on Monday after Middle Eastern allies persuade him to hold off on a massive attack to pursue a diplomatic deal.

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that talks between Iran and the United States will resume on Monday. The announcement followed Trump’s decision on Saturday night to hold off on striking Iran to allow for the resumption of talks on a deal. “I was asked to [call off the strikes] by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, by Qatar, and by Iran. We are all set to go, at about this time right now. It would have been a massive attack," Trump said. “When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, ‘Well, let's see.’ The allies think there is a deal.

There is a deal on Hormuz, and it will be a deal on the denuclearization of Iran." Asked what will happen next, the President replied, “We are talking to them. It begins tomorrow afternoon. It would save a lot of lives." He was asked whether there is a deadline for Iran to come to an agreement and said, “We will see. Would I rather make a deal? I am not looking to kill people. Because people die. A lot of people die. We don’t want that." Trump announced in a post on Truth Social on Saturday night that he had agreed to cancel a planned attack on Iran, but added that the Islamic Republic must agree to a deal swiftly.

"The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat," Trump wrote.

He added, "Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE." Trump’s post followed a report in Axios which said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a telephone conversation with Trump on Saturday to express deep misgivings over potential broad-scale military strikes targeting Iran. "The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action," one US official told Axios. (Read More)

Trump says Hormuz deal reached, nuclear deal expected

Summary

* Negotiations between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump said he had called off a planned attack on Iran to allow time for diplomacy.

* President Donald Trump said on Saturday he agreed to cancel a planned attack on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries requested a pause, saying the sides had agreed on the “perimeters” of a deal that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat.

* Iran’s acting defense minister said on Sunday that Tehran considers every threat from its adversaries credible and uses it to increase its military readiness and deterrence.

* Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged dialogue and efforts to de-escalate regional tensions during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

* US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s efforts to export its revolution must change, arguing that Tehran’s actions will only shift if the cost becomes too high for it to continue. (Source)

Iran denies it asked Trump not to strike or agreed to deal to split control of Hormuz

Regime’s media mocks Trump’s climbdown; Israel still mum after US announces deal is imminent; Saudis confirm pushing Trump to hold off attacks; Iranian armed forces remain ‘on high alert’.

Iranian semi-official news agencies on Sunday denied US President Donald Trump’s claim hours earlier that Tehran had asked the US to hold off on any attack, and also negated reports that it had agreed to a deal that would divide control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Mehr news agency on Sunday denied the claim by Trump — made as he announced that he had called off strikes since “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to” — that the Islamic Republic asked the United States to refrain from conducting new strikes. Citing military officials, the agency said the allegation “was nothing but a new lie” and that the Iranian armed forces were “on high alert and ready for any eventuality.”

Other Iranian media outlets mocked Trump for the climbdown, with Kayhan saying he “backed away from his positions once again, after about a week of boasting and threats against Iran, claiming that an agreement was close.” Echoed semi-official media outlet Mehr: “Trump once again backed away from his hollow threats and presented his retreat to the world as a favor.” Israel’s Channel 12 news reported Sunday that Trump called off the strikes after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi agreed to a compromise deal on opening up the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, based on two diplomats familiar with the situation, a compromise deal put together by Qatar and the US would see ships enter the Persian Gulf on the Iranian-controlled side of the strait and exit via the Omani side.

Oman agreed to the deal but sought assurances that the agreement would be respected by Iran’s hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the Qataris are attempting to secure, according to the report. The report made no mention of fees for transiting the strait, which has been a major sticking point. But Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency on Sunday quoted a member of the country’s negotiating team saying that the Israeli media report was “false.” 

Fars also quoted the official as saying that “as long as the United States maintains its hostile actions, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed” to any ship that does not coordinate with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The hardline body is seen as a significant obstacle to reaching a deal and there are questions regarding how much it is aligned with Iranian diplomats trying to negotiate with the US. Iran has blockaded Hormuz since the start of the war, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway. (Read More)

After Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Tehran Mocks "Retreat," Denies Any Deal on Hormuz

Iranian officials ridicule Trump for backing down after announcing strike cancellation; FARS says zero agreement on Strait of Hormuz as Tehran frames pullback as American weakness. President Trump announced Saturday he was canceling planned military strikes on Iran, claiming regional governments requested the halt as negotiations progress. Within hours, Iran's establishment responded not with reciprocal negotiating signals, but with ridicule.

Mohammad Marandi, a senior Iranian negotiator and regime spokesperson, posted on X: "Everyone now knows this is fake news. Trump retreated." The Iranian state press followed. Kayhan newspaper, aligned with the Supreme Leader's office, headlined the cancellation as "U.S. President Trump retreated after a week of fabricated statements." FARS news agency mocked Trump's justification, writing: "Trump's recurring story: I cancelled the attack for the world's benefit and for Iran's survival as a successful, prosperous nation."

The Iranian mockery signals not just defiance but contempt for Trump's framing. More substantively, FARS stated categorically that there is zero agreement currently in place to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting Trump's claim that emerging negotiations include "immediate, complete, and total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT." Trump's announcement framed the cancellation as responsive to regional requests. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had pressed him Saturday to avoid escalation, citing economic constraints. Other Middle Eastern states urged diplomatic space. 

Trump wrote: "Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL." The language was careful—"subject to rapidly making a deal"—acknowledging negotiations are incomplete. Yet Trump listed specific parameters: Hormuz opening, nuclear concessions. FARS's flat denial that any Hormuz agreement exists exposes the gap between Trump's claim of progress and Tehran's actual position. (Ed note: President Trump saves the DEAL and  the WORLD!)   (Read More)

Board of Peace official: We’re in a tense moment; we’re trying get all sides to stop fighting in Gaza

A Board of Peace official tells The Times of Israel that “we’re in a tense moment,” as Israel continues to carry out lethal airstrikes in Gaza, and senior Israeli officials stress that they have not agreed to suspend attacks against Hamas. “There’s been a lot of rhetoric and a lot of things said, and now quite a few actions in the last hours,” says the BoP official. “We’re trying to get over the hurdle and just get some calm in because I think that’s a critical first step.”

Israeli airstrikes overnight and today killed at least nine people, according to local health officials, and Energy Minister Eli Cohen vowed that strikes in the territory will not stop despite Hamas signing a US-backed disarmament plan and earlier reports that Israel agreed to halt attacks. “It’s very clear that the plan shows that cessation of military operations is a key element that we work to get to,” says the official. The official says that Israel was briefed “extensively” as the deal came together.

“If you look at the roadmap from when we started this negotiation to when we concluded, very little has changed,” says the official. “We’ve stuck to the principles that we started with at the beginning. This is an implementation of the comprehensive peace plan that President Trump unveiled last year that was enshrined by the UN Security Council. Israel agreed to both. And they’ve been fully kept fully abreast on the sequencing of it.”  (Ed note: Problem? Hamas will not disarm, and Israel will not stop defending itself.)    (Source)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asks Trump to reconsider large strikes on Iran - report

The report comes as two Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post that Israel has raised its alert and readiness for a potential resumption of large US strikes on Iran.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked US President Donald Trump to reconsider potential large military strikes on Iran during a phone call on Saturday, Axios reported on Sunday. The report cited two United States officials, one of whom told Axios that "the Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action." Axios further cited sources with knowledge of the call between the two world leaders, who said that MBS asked Trump to de-escalate the situation instead of launching large strikes.

According to the report, the Saudis are concerned that the strikes could result in an unprecedented regional escalation. Axios reached out to the Saudi Embassy in Washingtonand the White House, both of which declined to comment. The report comes as two Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post that Israel has raised its alert and readiness for a potential resumption of large US strikes on Iran.

Other countries in the region have also asked Trump to avoid escalating the situation, including Qatar, theUnited Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan, according to the report. According to Axios, indirect talks on Saturday between the US and Iran have resulted in some progress, though no agreement has been reached. (Source)

Israel raises alert, estimates Trump close to order new attacks on Iran, officials tell 'Post'

Israeli officials warn renewed US strikes on Iran could trigger attacks on Israel, as embassies urge citizens to consider leaving amid rising tensions.

Israel has raised the alert and readiness amid assessments that US President Donald Trump is close to deciding to resume military strikes against Iran, potentially on an even larger scale, two Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post. Israeli officials told the Post that “we are on high alert and awaiting the president’s final decision.” While it remains unclear whether Trump would seek to involve Israel in the initial phase of such an operation, Israel’s working assumption is that any major strike on Iran, even one carried out without direct Israeli participation, would likely draw Israel into the conflict.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official told CBS that “Israel is not aware of a decision to fully resume military activity, and has not been asked to join any military action against Iran.” During the day, the US Embassy also updated its travel advisory, recommending that US citizens in Israel consider leaving due to rising tensions or be prepared to depart if an escalation occurs.

US embassies in Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq issued similar warnings. Additionally, earlier on Saturday, The Washington Post reported that US European Command chief Gen. Alexus Grynkewich privately warned the Pentagon this week that he did not have enough naval forces available to continue defending Israel against Iranian ballistic missiles.

According to the report, which cited US officials, Grynkewich sent a written message to senior Pentagon officials warning that unless he received an additional US Navy destroyer, he would have to prioritize defending the US homeland over continuing to protect Israel from missile attacks. The US Navy is under particularly heavy strain after the Trump administration ordered a blockade of Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report. (Read More)

Iranian Forces Activate Underground Missile Cities Amid US Escalation

Open-source reports indicate Iranian Revolutionary Guards moving heavy weapons across multiple provinces and underground missile facilities in major military readiness operation. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun a broad military dispersal operation across multiple provinces, relocating heavy weapons systems and conducting unusual movements at underground missile facilities, according to open-source reporting Saturday.

Documented movements of missile launchers, unmanned aerial vehicle trucks, and tactical military vehicles have been reported in Shiraz, Abadan, Tehran, Khorramabad, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, and other locations throughout Iran, per sources tracking military developments. The operations are being characterized as part of a major defensive readiness exercise in response to sustained American military pressure. According to Iranian sources cited in regional reporting, the IRGC is emphasizing a retaliatory deterrent posture. One source attributed statements warning that should the United States target Iranian energy infrastructure, Israel would face destruction, though the context and official status of such statements remained unconfirmed.

The dispersal operations include reported unusual activity at Iran's network of underground missile cities—hardened subterranean facilities carved into mountainous terrain that house elements of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal. These installations, buried hundreds of meters deep in granite formations, have been a focus of U.S. and Israeli air campaigns since Operation Epic Fury began in February 2026, but intelligence assessments indicate they retain significant operational capability despite strikes. The Yazd base, one of Iran's major underground facilities, is buried approximately 500 meters inside a mountain, making it difficult for conventional bunker-busting munitions to penetrate. The facilities feature compartmentalized tunnels, blast-resistant doors, multiple entrances and exits, and some decoy openings, allowing operations to continue even if access points are struck. (Read More)

‘We believe Hamas will not disarm,’ Israeli-backed militia figure in Gaza tells ‘Post’

Dismantling armed militias could discourage locals from working with Israel, says a Gaza resident. "People will think twice for fear of being abandoned."

The disarmament plan announced by the Board of Peace and approved by Hamas "will not be implemented," a Palestinian source in Gaza affiliated with Israeli-backed militias told The Jerusalem Post. For Hamas, handing over its weapons would be a suicidal step. "If there are no weapons, there is no Hamas," the source told the Post over the weekend.  According to him, those in Gaza who have suffered under Hamas oppression are waiting for a chance to take revenge, which is one reason why Hamas believes it must keep its weapons. "Families, clans, and even ordinary people who were targeted by Hamas are waiting to settle scores with the organization, no matter how long it takes," he said.

"People who were tortured, abused, or whose relatives were killed by Hamas will never forgive and never forget. Today, they cannot fight Hamas because the organization is armed. But even if it takes five or 10 years, people will seek to hold Hamas members accountable," he continued. "Hamas is aware of this threat, and that's why they need their weapons to protect themselves and cannot afford to disarm."  Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau, told Arab media outlets that the organization agreed to store weapons with the Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), the transitional body tasked with managing post-war Gaza under the mandate of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

...The militia-affiliated Gaza source dismissed Hamas's apparent acceptance of the deal as "empty talk", arguing that the terror group is simply trying to buy time and ensure its own survival. "The agreement is meaningless; it will not happen," he claimed. "They have almost no heavy weapons left."

..."Hamas cares only about Hamas," he continued. They will not comply with the demand for full disarmament because they want to stay in power. For Hamas, not having weapons means risking its existence. They know that the moment they lose their grip, they will not be able to return to power," he added. (Read More)

Silly me, I thought Hamas was finished

Israel, the nation that beat Hamas to a pulp in response to the slaughter of Oct. 7, 2023, gets to play the part of the loser in Trump's peace plan. Opinion.

We know, of course, that the United States demanded unconditional surrender from Japan. There was no “negotiating" with this defeated enemy. Silly me, I thought the same applied with Hamas. I thought Israel would be allowed to finish them off. Now, it turns out, this was not the case. This defeated enemy gets to dictate terms. That is so under the “peace plan" imagined by the White House. More than that, the Palestinian Arabs get to celebrate for themselves a brand new country.

Where? Inside Gaza, and in other places where Israel used to be sovereign. Israel. then, is to be chopped up to facilitate a nation within a nation. Some may recall how it was when Arafat and his PLO were “invited" to share parts of Lebanon, and then proceeded to ransack the country. Beirut still has not fully recovered. Back to the present, Hamas must swear to disarm. Yes? No. First, Israel must pack up and vacate the premises. Got that?

Israel, the nation that beat Hamas to a pulp, in response to the slaughter of Oct. 7, 2023, gets to play the part of the loser. Hamas is to decide if Israel complies or not…under this glorious new peace plan, a recipe for disaster, from start to finish. Recall, of course, that so far as Oct. 7, Hamas swore that they would do it again and again, and as to the torturing of the hostages, Israel is to consider them a partner? By the way, what happens to the PA’s pay to slay program? Under this new accord, do Palestinian Arabs still get paid for murdering Israelis?

As for me, I cannot recall any peace plan so wrong, so one-sided in favor of the Arabs, so detrimental against the Jewish State. Every part of this favors the Arabs. The Jews, the Israelis, get to stand back and watch as their country is being dismantled. My answer is an absolute NO to this so-called peace process, where the terms fall directly upon Israel to make concessions. Another peace plan, but still the same old story. What happened to unconditional surrender? This is what I had expected. We win. You lose. From a distance, this is what I saw. We won. They lost. Was I wrong? (Ed note: A very sassy article from Jack Engelhard. Tell it like it is!)    (Source)

IDF hits Hamas arsenal hidden beside hospital

Israeli forces strike five Hamas weapons storage facilities across Gaza, including cache hidden beside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

In a Friday night operation directed by the ISA, the IDF struck in several areas across the Gaza Strip, destroying five Hamas weapons storage facilities, where Kalashnikov rifles, explosive devices, anti-tank launchers, ammunition, and additional military equipment were stored. One of the storage facilities, located adjacent to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, was used as a hideout by Hamas terrorists, where they stored weapons.

One of the storage facilities, located adjacent to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, was used as a hideout by Hamas terrorists, where they stored weapons. "This is another example of Hamas' systematic use of and embedding within civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, to plan and carry out terrorist activities," the IDF noted.

The weapons were intended to be used by the Hamas terrorist organization to execute terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the Yellow Line area and against Israeli civilians, and were destroyed in order to remove the threat. The IDF emphasized, "Prior to the strikes, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the issuing of advance warnings, the use of precise munitions, and aerial surveillance." "IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any threat." (Ed note: But wait, wasn't Hamas supposed to disarm?) (Source)

Israeli troops kill Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon encounter

Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed several Hezbollah terrorists in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area on Saturday, about six miles north of the border with Lebanon, the military said. An IDF officer was moderately wounded in the incident, the IDF noted. He was evacuated to a hospital and his family was notified. “The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to its soldiers and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians,” the IDF added. Overnight Thursday, the Israeli military detonated a network of Hezbollah tunnelsin the Beaufort Castle area in the eastern part of Southern Lebanon containing roughly 700 tons of explosive devices, Ynet reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the operation follows Hezbollah’s “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement” on Wednesday, referring to an explosive drone Hezbollah launched at an IDF heavy engineering vehicle. The IDF said the underground network, built over two decades and funded by Iran, consisted of multiple subterranean levels and functioned as the primary command center for Hezbollah’s Bader Unit in Southern Lebanon. The United Nations on Saturday expressed concern over the escalation in Lebanon in recent days.

“The scale of the detonations and demolitions taking place in south Lebanon is deeply concerning, with a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, cultural heritage and the collective memory of communities,” the U.N. said in a statement. On Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun labeled the detonation “an extremely dangerous escalation” and “a direct threat to the process which was launched as part of the framework agreement” reached with Israel during U.S.-mediated talks in July, AFP reported.

Rubio: Israeli-Lebanese peace “achievable”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday lauded the Israeli-Lebanese framework, saying it is “unprecedented.” “In fact this is the first time the Israelis and the Lebanese government have spoken, at the official level, in close to 30 years,” he added. There is still a lot of work to be done to accomplish peace, but it is “achievable,” Rubio stated. (Ed note: What is really "deeply concerning" President Aoun of Lebanon, is that you do nothing to stop your favorite terrorist group, Hezbollah.) (Source)

Israel, US weighing wave of strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure - report

The United States and Israel are planning to initiate a harsh bombing campaign on energy infrastructure in Iran, according to a Friday CBS News report citing multiple sources. According to the report, the wave of strikes could be among the harshest to date and may begin over the weekend, targeting power plants and refineries. Multiple US sources told CBS that Israel has been notified of the potential strikes and has been coordinating with the American military, but noted that US President Donald Trump has not given final approval for the plan.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump did authorize the plan, with US officials saying that immediate progress on the diplomatic front could cause Trump to cancel the potential strikes. One Israeli official denied the claims, telling CBS that “Israel is unaware of a decision to restart full military operations, nor has it been requested of Israel to join any military actions against Iran."

The plan was reportedly discussed on Friday during a cabinet meeting held at Camp David, sources briefed later stated. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS that Trump, during the cabinet meeting, asserted that “the United States will win, and Iran will not have a nuclear weapon under his watch.” Trump additionally told reporters at the Camp David retreat that the US will be hitting Iran very hard. "We'll be hitting them very hard,” Trump said. “At some point, they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore.'"

In response to the CBS report, a senior Iranian security official stated that Tehran has prepared a “comprehensive plan to respond to any potential American recklessness,” according to Iranian semi-official outlet Tasnim News. The official reportedly stated that the response plan includes targeting critical infrastructure in Israel and US energy infrastructure in the region. Trump has previously threatened to strike Iranian power plants and other infrastructure. (Ed note: Remember, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, they think that if they survive, they win. That is a theocratic regime that regularly executes its own people to stay in power. This is not a political war with that regime, it's a religious war.) (Read More)