Trump cancels Witkoff and Kushner’s trip to Islamabad for ‘time-wasting’ Iran talks

US President Donald Trump canceled a trip to Islamabad by two envoys to meet Iran war mediator Pakistan on Saturday after Iran’s foreign minister flew out of the Pakistani capital following talks, dealing a new setback to peace prospects. Trump said in a social media post that he had called off the planned visit by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, citing what he said was tremendous confusion in the Iranian leadership.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership,'” he wrote on Truth Social. “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”Speaking to Fox News, Trump said: “I’ve told my people… ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there… We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”

Trump further told the Axios news site that this didn’t necessarily mean the war was restarting. “It doesn’t mean that,” he said in response to a question from the outlet. “We haven’t thought about it yet.” Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi laid out Iran’s demands and its reservations about US positions in Islamabad, as Pakistan made a new push to end a war that has killed thousands and shaken global energy markets.

After holding talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other top officials, Araghchi and his delegation departed Pakistan’s capital with a military jet escort, government sources said. Details of the talks were scant. Araghchi said it remained to be seen whether the United States was “truly serious” about diplomacy. In a post on X, he said he had “shared Iran’s position concerning [a] workable framework to permanently end the war.”  (Ed note: While Iran wants the US to get  “truly serious” about the negotiations, they will not give up their right to "peaceful nuclear technology"  which are "non-negotiable rights" to annihilate Israel.)  (Read More)

No meeting planned with US, Iran will talk to Pakistan, Iran's Foreign Ministry says

US President Donald Trump is sending special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in talks with Araghchi, two US officials told CNN.

"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on X/Twitter early Saturday morning. "Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," added Baqaei. The White House announced on Friday that Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be engaging in direct talks with Iranian negotiators this weekend.

US President Donald Trump is sending Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in talks with Araghchi, White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later confirmed." I can confirm @SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks," announces @PressSec.

The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation," she said. "We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation that will hopefully move the ball forward to a deal." Trump, she said, "is always willing to give diplomacy a chance... We hope progress will be made." Leavitt later confirmed that VP JD Vance would be on standby in case the talks trended positively. (Read more)

Trump says Iran to make offer aimed at meeting US demands, as Iranian FM arrives in Pakistan

US President Donald Trump tells Reuters that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at resolving US demands, “They’re making an offer and we’ll have to see,” Trump says during a phone interview. His comments come as Pakistan’s foreign ministry says an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad.

Araghchi was received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials upon arrival.

In a statement, it says that during the visit Araghchi is expected to meet Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments and ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and stability. (Ed note: This should be fun. Didn't FM Araghchi say that both Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stabbed him the back, and hasn't he been running those two around like a pack of chickens?)   (Source)

US envoys Witkoff, Kushner to depart Saturday for Iran talks in Pakistan — White House

US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will depart on Saturday for Pakistan where they will hold direct talks with Iranian negotiators, the White House announced on Friday. “Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in direct talks intermediated by the Pakistanis… with representatives from the Iranian delegation,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a Fox interview.

“The Iranians reached out… and asked for this in-person conversation. The President is dispatching Steve and Jared to go hear what they have to say, and we’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal,” Leavitt added. Leavitt didn’t specify with whom the US envoys would meet, but she appeared to be referring to Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Islamabad on Friday evening. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a post on X that there were no plans for a meeting, and that Tehran’s “observations” would be conveyed to Pakistani officials.

While US Vice President JD Vance headed the US negotiating team during the first round of talks with Iran in Pakistan earlier this month, he was not slated to join Witkoff and Kushner. Vance’s counterpart in the talks was Iran parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, who did not make the trip with Araghchi. CNN reported that Vance would be on standby to travel to Islamabad if negotiations progress. Araghchi was set to discuss proposals for restarting peace talks with the United States while in Islamabad.  (Ed note: Lets see, Iran reached out, but Araghchi won't be there, Steve and Jared arrive late Saturday night to pick up a note, and everyone's hoping for peace? Any guesses on what's going to happen?)      (Read More)

Israel, US believe Mojtaba Khamenei not functioning as leader, IRGC commanders make choices for him

Some Israeli and American officials believe Mojtaba Khamenei is not functioning as the Iranian supreme leader and is not in control, two people familiar with the matter have told The Jerusalem Post. One source said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its commander, Ahmad Vahidi, were essentially in control of Iran. Vahidi was appointed to replace Mohammad Pakpour, who was assassinated at the beginning of operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury.

“Members of the IRGC, and Vahidi in particular, are not figures who are willing to make concessions or be perceived as conceding,” Iran expert Nati Tuvian told the Post. “A week after the signing of the nuclear agreement with the Obama administration, the IRGC staged a show of force and launched ballistic missiles during a drill, writing on them in Hebrew that Israel should disappear from the face of the earth.”

US President Donald Trump has recently stopped referring to Khamenei. On Thursday, he told MS NOW: “Iran has no idea who its leader is. They are completely confused... We have effectively eliminated three levels of leadership, and anyone who was even close to the leadership, so it’s hard for them to understand who the hell can speak on behalf of the country. They simply don’t know.”

This contradicts the prevailing view that despite suffering serious wounds to his legs and face, Khamenei remains functional and continues to make decisions, including on negotiations with the US. Khamenei “remains sharp and involved in running the country, which is being managed like a board of directors, together with IRGC commanders,” The New York Times reported, citing Iranian sources. Despite these claims, however, Khamenei has not been seen publicly nor has he released any audio recording since ostensibly assuming the position of supreme leader after his father was assassinated at the start of the war. (Read More)

IDF strikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah ceasefire violation

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in two locales in Southern Lebanon hours after terrorists had fired rockets into Israel from the area in violation of the April 16 ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces said on Friday. The IDF strikes were on Hezbollah military structures in the areas of Kherbet Selem and Touline, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit wrote on X. On Thursday night, air-raid sirens sounded in Moshav Shtula following launches from Lebanon. The IDF intercepted the rockets and struck the launcher used to fire them, along with an additional ready-to-launch launcher, the IDF said. Three Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated after an unsuccessful attempt to launch a surface-to-air missile toward an IAF aircraft, the statement said.

In two separate incidents, Hezbollah terrorists launched rockets and an explosive UAV toward Israeli soldiers operating south of the IDF’s forward defense line in Southern Lebanon, the statement added. “These actions constitute blatant violations of the ceasefire understandings,” the IDF said. Also on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the ceasefire between the two countries for three weeks. The announcement followed a meeting at the White House between Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

“The meeting went very well,” Trump wrote on social media. “The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah.” U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters in the Oval Office that the truce would be under the same terms as the 10-day ceasefire which the two countries agreed to on April 16. Hezbollah ended a previous ceasefire, reached in November 2024, on March 2, when it fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Iran. Israel and the U.S. launched a military operation in Iran on Feb. 28, which they suspended on April 8 pending talks between Iran and the U.S. (Ed note: The areas of Kherbet Selem and Touline are located about 15 to 19 miles east of the city of TYRE in southern Lebanon.) (Source)

Israeli 'violations' of Temple Mount spark backlash from Muslim, Arab states

Eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries condemned what they called Israel's "repeated violations" of the status quo of Jerusalem's holy sites in a joint statement on Thursday. The respective foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt expressed their condemnation of "repeated violations and legal status quo in Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites by Israeli occupation authorities."

The eight ministers highlighted what they called "the continued incursions by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers into al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif [Temple Mount] under Israeli police protection, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards." They also called these "provocative actions" a "flagrant violation of international law," adding that they represent "an unacceptable provocation to Muslims around the world, and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the holy city."

The ministers stressed the importance of "preserving the status quo," and "recognizing the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard."Additionally, the statement denounced the "accelerating illegal settlement activity, including Israel's decision to approve over 30 new settlements."

It also "condemned the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians." Earlier this week, most of the ministers were also signatories in a joint statement, along with other countries, reproaching Israel's announcement that it is set to send a diplomatic envoy to Somaliland. (Ed note: "provocative actions" and "flagrant violations?" But I thought that one King David took the city of Jerusalem from some Jebusites over 3000 years ago. Where were the Muslims at that time?) (Source)

Farm Association 2026

The Farm Initiative: Today’s Zionism safeguarding tomorrow’s land:

A new video about the Farm Initiative has recently been released, aiming to present to what is happening out there on the farms, day in and day out. While in Israel the story is more familiar and resonates through a natural cultural connection to the land, international audiences require a clearer framework: an explanation of how land is actively protected, and what sustained agricultural presence in open areas truly means. 

The video offers a vivid look into life on these farms: grazing livestock, cultivating fields, and raising families, while emphasizing a simple but powerful principle: *land is preserved through presence*. This distinction also shapes the campaign itself. In Hebrew, the message speaks from in a shared sense of belonging and lived experience; in English, it takes a step back to outline the fundamentals, present the broader picture, and invite viewers to connect with a mission that may be geographically distant, yet deeply aligned with their values. Behind the video lies a much broader reality.

More than 100 farms are spread across Judea and Samaria, collectively safeguarding approximately 250,000 acres of state land, an area five times larger than the total built-up footprint of all of the settlements in Judea and Samaria combined. These farms are not merely isolated outposts; they form a dynamic and continuous system of land stewardship, sustained through daily presence and agricultural work.

The work itself is straightforward but consistent: grazing cattle and sheep, cultivating crops, and maintaining the land. Through these ongoing activities, a tangible connection to the land is established, not only in principle, but in practice. Here, agriculture is not just a source of livelihood; it is a strategic and enduring means of preserving open spaces and securing the future of settlement. (Ed note: Do take the four minutes to watch this great video.)  (Read More)

The Great Exodus: Nations Issue Urgent "Leave Iran Now" Orders

From China to Germany, global powers are ordering an immediate evacuation of their citizens from Iran. With airspace closing and U.S. tensions exploding, the window to escape the 2026 Hormuz crisis is slamming shut. Several nations have issued urgent travel advisories and evacuation calls for their citizens in Iran, citing heightened security risks, potential disruptions, and regional instability linked to U.S.-Iran tensions. Countries including China, India, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Canada, Poland, and others have advised their nationals to depart “as soon as possible” or immediately via available commercial routes or land borders while options remain open. 

*  India strongly urged all citizens, including students and business travelers, to leave by any means. China called on its citizens to evacuate promptly and avoid non-essential travel.South Korea and several European nations echoed similar warnings, with some noting risks of sudden airspace closures.

The United States maintains its highest-level “Do Not Travel” advisory for Iran. U.S. citizens are urged to leave immediately, with recent alerts (as of April 21) noting partial reopening of Iranian airspace but continuing to recommend departure by commercial flights or land routes to neighboring countries like Türkiye, Armenia, or Turkmenistan. The U.S. State Department has also advised Americans to depart from more than a dozen other Middle Eastern countries due to broader risks. 

 No strict 24-hour deadlines have been formally imposed by most governments; advisories generally emphasize leaving “immediately” or “as soon as possible” while commercial options and land borders are still viable. The calls come against the backdrop of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis and related escalations, which have caused flight disruptions and raised concerns over rapid deterioration in the region. Citizens are advised to monitor official embassy channels, register with their governments’ consular services, and prepare contingency plans. (Source)

Inflation spikes, basic goods slip out of reach for Iranians, citizens say

Food prices surged and basic goods slipped out of reach across Iran, citizens told Iran International in recent days, describing shortages and daily price jumps following a ceasefire that has coincided with worsening economic conditions. “Prices here have increased tenfold and rice and cooking oil are hard to find,” one resident wrote from Zahedan in southeastern Iran, pointing to worsening access to staple goods. Other citizens described the rapid erosion of purchasing power. “We go to sleep and wake up to everything being twice as expensive,” one message said, reflecting widespread concern over accelerating inflation.

Messages from multiple cities highlighted steep increases in the cost of everyday items. Citizens said even the most basic foods were becoming unaffordable, with eggs, rice and cooking oil among the hardest hit.“Eggs have become so expensive they are being removed from our tables,” one citizen wrote, describing the shrinking range of affordable protein options. Restaurant prices were also cited as an indicator of inflation. Citizens said a single serving of kebab now costs between 5,000,000 and 6,000,000 rials (about $3.10 to $3.75), while a plate of chicken with rice ranges from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 rials (about $1.90 to $2.50). Soft drinks were reported to exceed 1,000,000 rials (about $0.60). 

Based on an exchange rate of around 1,600,000 rials per dollar, the new minimum monthly wage of 162,550,000 rials is equivalent to roughly $104. This comes as annual inflation had already exceeded 70 percent before the start war on February 28, reaching its highest level since World War II. As of late 2025/early 2026, average Iranian incomes have contracted to roughly $200 per month. Shortages compounded the problem. Messages described difficulty finding chicken in distribution centers and limits on purchasing cooking oil in shops.

Others pointed to disruptions in supply chains linked to industrial slowdowns and rising production costs. Economic journalist Arash Azarmi said the surge in food prices was hitting lower-income households hardest. “Eggs priced at 200,000 rials ($0.12) each are shocking. This is a basic food item, especially for lower-income households, and it is effectively being pushed out of their consumption basket,” Azarmi said. Official data, he added, already showed food inflation exceeding 112 percent, with some categories such as cooking oil rising by more than 200 percent. (Source)

Iranian FM expected to arrive in Islamabad tonight, enabling new round of peace talks, Pakistani source says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad tonight with a small team, and peace talks with US are likely to take place, a Pakistani government source says.

The United States logistics and security team is already in Islamabad for the talks, the source adds. (Source)

Regime in Shambles: Parliament Speaker Resigns as IRGC Tightens Its Grip

The Iranian government is grappling with a profound crisis as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announces his resignation from diplomatic roles, citing uncontrollable interference from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Iranian regime is currently embroiled in an internal crisis described by observers as the most severe in years, following the dramatic resignation of Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf from his diplomatic duties. Ghalibaf, who had been the primary figure leading quiet negotiations with the United States and managing talks in Pakistan, officially withdrew from these roles on Thursday. This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the civilian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as high ranking generals like Ahmad Vahidi and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have increasingly obstructed decision-making processes. Ghalibaf reportedly concluded that he no longer possessed the necessary autonomy to conduct sensitive negotiations due to this military encroachment.

The catalyst for this collapse was the failure of a Qatari-mediated initiative, often referred to as the 20 for 20 deal. The proposal sought a compromise where the United States would allow the free passage of 20 Iranian merchant ships in exchange for Iran guaranteeing the safe transit of 20 vessels from Arab Gulf states through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the potential for regional de-escalation, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, previously a close ally of Ghalibaf, chose to align with the IRGC’s hardline stance, effectively torpedoing the initiative. This rejection has left the regime in a state of total paralysis, with no single authority capable of making binding decisions. While the regime's leadership, including Ghalibaf himself in later statements, publicly claims unity under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the reality on the ground points to a deeply divided and dysfunctional government struggling to maintain control amidst the ongoing war. (Source)

The HERE to ETERNITY 5 Book Bundle

Bill has done extensive prophetic research and worked tirelessly on a mission to understand what will happen between HERE to ETERNITY. As a result, he has completed an end times commentary series of five books. Today, you can put these 5 books in your library by purchasing them at a discount in a bundle offer below. This book bundle includes:

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The FINAL Prophecies: The Prophecies in the Last 3 ½ Years of the Tribulation Period.

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Trump says he ordered US Navy to ‘shoot and kill’ boats mining the Strait of Hormuz

US president claims Iran rudderless due to ‘infighting,’ as NYT report says IRGC in control and Khamenei ‘gravely injured’; Katz: Israel awaiting ‘green light’ from US to attack nuclear sites, new supreme leader.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US Navy would “shoot and kill” any boat mining the Strait of Hormuz, and claimed “infighting” has hobbled Iran’s ability to respond to peace proposals, even as The New York Times reported that hard-line generals had consolidated power under the new supreme leader. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was ready to renew the fighting with Iran and was awaiting a “green light” from the US to target Iranian energy sites and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father and predecessor Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the war.

Israel and the US launched the bombing campaign on Iran on February 28 in a bid to destabilize the regime and destroy its ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities. The fighting entered a truce on April 8. The ceasefire was originally conditioned on Iran reopening the Strait, and set to last two weeks, but Trump extended it hours before the early Wednesday deadline, while maintaining a US blockade that he imposed on Iran-linked shipping in the key waterway on April 13.

...The later Truth Social post also reveled in what Trump claimed were internal divisions that prevented Iran from submitting a response in ceasefire talks with the US. “Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!” he wrote. “The infighting is between the ‘hardliners’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!),” said Trump, calling the situation “CRAZY!”

...Amid Trump’s threats, Israel’s defense minister said in a security assessment that “Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran.”“The IDF is ready in defense and offense, and the targets are marked,” Katz said. He added that Israel was “awaiting a green light from the United States, first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty, the initiator of the extermination plan against Israel, and the successors of the successors of the leadership of the Iranian terror regime, and, in addition, to return Iran to the age of darkness and stone by blowing up central energy and electricity facilities and crushing national economic infrastructure.” (Read More)

Trump stresses Israel can strike Hezbollah in self-defense: ‘They’re going to do it carefully, and they’ll be surgical’

WASHINGTON — After extending the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks, US President Donald Trump says Israel reserves the right to strike Lebanese targets in self-defense.

“Israel is going to have to defend itself if they are shot at… but they’re going to do it carefully, and they’ll be surgical,” Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office after presiding over the second round of ambassador-level negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

The remarks indicate a softened approach from Trump after he declared last week that Israel was “PROHIBITED” from bombing Lebanon. The Truth Social warning was said to have sparked alarm in Washington, leading a White House official to clarify to reporters that the ceasefire still allows Israel to take action against perceived threats. (Source)

Blatant ceasefire violation: Rockets fired at the Galilee

Hezbollah violates the ceasefire by launching several rockets toward Shtula in the western Galilee. Launches intercepted, no injuries reported.

Hezbollah violated the ceasefire on Thursday evening by firing several rockets toward the area of Shtula in the western Galilee. All of the rockets were intercepted by air defense systems. No impacts were reported inside Israeli territory, and there were no casualties.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement, “Following the sirens that sounded in the area of Shtula a short while ago, several launches that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory were identified." It added, “The Israeli Air Force intercepted the launches. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol." (Source)

Iran’s exiled crown prince splashed with red liquid after railing against ceasefire

A protester threw red liquid at Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Thursday after the son of the ousted the shah demanded European nations help Iranians fighting for democracy, and railed against the ceasefire in the US-Israeli bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic.

The 65-year-old was splattered while leaving Germany’s federal news conference building, as he was greeted by some supporters but also bitter opponents. One activist was detained after splashing Pahlavi with what appeared to be tomato juice, according to police.

Pahlavi appeared unhurt by the liquid coating the back of his blazer and neck, and waved to his supporters before he got into a car that drove away. (Read More)

Ceasefire or Smokescreen? Rumors Swirl of US Ground Operation to Break Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Grip

While President Trump extends the US-Iran ceasefire to allow for Pakistani-led mediation, regional sources allege the move masks preparations for a major military escalation. With the US naval blockade tightening and Iran claiming its first shipping tolls, tension reaches a breaking point. While the Trump administration presents the latest extension of the US-Iran ceasefire as a diplomatic opportunity to reach a permanent deal, some Arab and Iranian sources are claiming it is merely a “smokescreen” for an impending large-scale US ground operation aimed at breaking Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.

These unverified claims, which have circulated in regional media and statements from Iranian officials, allege that President Trump is using the current period of relative calm to complete the deployment of infantry and armored forces at bases near Iran. The sources further suggest the US is preparing for a physical takeover of strategic port cities or islands to permanently secure freedom of navigation in the strait if Tehran refuses the latest ultimatum.

President Trump has repeatedly expressed reluctance for major ground wars in the region, favoring air, naval, and economic pressure instead. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (April 21) that the US would extend the fragile ceasefire with Iran with no fixed expiration date. The extension was made at the request of Pakistani mediators and to allow Iran’s “seriously fractured” government time to submit a unified proposal for a permanent peace deal. (Read More)

Dr. Bill Salus Comment: If this happens, meaning if the US sends boots on the ground into SW Iran, which is the anicient territory of Elam, then it could lead to the prophtic fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:36-37, which declares;

""I will bring enemies from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world. I myself will go with Elam’s enemies to shatter it. In my fierce anger, I will bring great disaster upon the people of Elam,” says the Lord. “Their enemies will chase them with the sword  until I have destroyed them completely.""

Trump extends ceasefire with Iran

The president said he is maintaining a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and extending the ceasefire until the “fractured” government of Iran can submit a proposal. 

U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, while continuing the U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. “Based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump stated. 

The president said he has directed the military to continue the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and has extended the ceasefire “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” The ceasefire brokered on April 8 was set to end by Wednesday. (Source)

Military Alert: Hormuz Siege Leaves Iran with Its Back to the Wall

The Israeli defense establishment is bracing for extreme scenarios following an 80% collapse in Iranian oil exports. The U.S. siege on the Strait of Hormuz is creating a massive deficit in the Tehran regime’s budget. According to updated assessments:

Export Plummet: Iran has lost approximately 80% of its oil export capacity. A direct loss of over $1 billion every month. Roughly 100,000 workers in the oil, petrochemical, and defense industries have lost their jobs. Meanwhile the land-based "Goureh-Jask" pipeline allows for only 300,000 barrels per day, enough to keep the regime on "life support" but insufficient to prevent industrial collapse.

Despite President Trump’s claims regarding the destruction of the Iranian Navy, the situation on the water remains volatile. In the last 24 hours, Iranian "swarm" tactics, using small, fast boats armed with missiles, have been used to harass vessels in the Strait. The Israeli Navy and Military Intelligence (Aman) are providing the U.S. military with real-time intelligence to track smuggling routes and hostile movements.

Israeli security officials are worried that Iran may choose a "game-breaking" move to escape the pressure which may include a coordinated synchronized missile and drone attack which will involve Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has already begun increasing friction in Southern Lebanon (launching rockets and a drone yesterday), claiming "ceasefire violations" by Israel to undermine ongoing negotiations.

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is conducting twice-daily situational assessments to ensure the IDF can transition from "zero to sixty" across all fronts instantly. While Trump pushes for negotiations under the threat of bombardment, Israe understands that the intense economic pressure on Tehran could trigger a regional explosion, specifically during the upcoming Independence Day period. (Source)

Buried but not out, Iran’s ballistic missile threat weathers US-Israeli strikes intact

IDF says Tehran still has hundreds of launchers and 1,000 missiles, many of which are ‘plugged’ underground but not destroyed, as Tehran looks to rebuild weapons stockpile.

For six weeks, the United States and Israel pummeled Iran’s military infrastructure — with US Central Command saying it had struck over 13,000 targets, and Israel reporting some 4,000 of its own. Yet even in the final days before a two-week ceasefire was announced, ballistic missiles continued to be launched at Israel and other states in the region.

While Tehran’s rate of launches dropped sharply as the war progressed — from roughly 80 missiles fired at Israel on the first day to around 10-20 per day over the following weeks — the sustained attacks have raised questions about the extent of the damage inflicted in both the most recent war and an initial round of fighting in June.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told reporters that the US-Israel bombing campaign had “functionally destroyed” Iran’s missile program and rendered its military “combat ineffective for years to come.” Yet the IDF says over the roughly six weeks of fighting, it managed to set back Iran’s missile project only partially, owing in part to the hardened nature of underground facilities, while slowing, but not significantly halting, the buildup of the Islamic Republic’s stockpile.

With ceasefire talks between the US and Iran set to resume Tuesday, Israel is concerned that the ballistic missile issue is not being included in the talks and that the sides may come to an agreement that allows Iran to continue building up its missile program, Army Radio reported Monday, citing a senior Israeli source. Speaking to Reuters Monday, a senior Iranian source said Tehran’s “defensive capabilities,” including its missile program, were not open to negotiation with the United States. (Read More)

Trump says he was 'surprised' by 'Chinese gift to Iran' found in seized tanker ship

"We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know, but I was a little surprised," Trump said during an interview with CNBC.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday during an interview with CNBC that the US found "a gift from China" in one of the ships seized from the Iranian regime that was trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran, amid the American blockade of Iranian ports. "We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know, but I was a little surprised," Trump said during his interview with CNBC.

According to an additional Bloomberg report, the White House did not respond to requests for comment on Trump's interview. Additionally, the Chinese embassy in Washington told Bloomberg that China's exports of military products are handled "prudently and responsibly, with strict controls on the export of dual-use articles.” Bloomberg noted that both Russia and China aided Iran during the last war, with Moscow providing intelligence and targets while Beijing's role was not as clear.

A recent report from The Financial Times revealed that Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite, giving the Islamic Republic a new capability to target US military bases across the Middle East during the recent war. The TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by the Chinese company Earth Eye Co, was acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force in late 2024 after it was launched into space from China, the report said, citing leaked Iranian military documents. (Read more)

Intelligence document warns: Hamas rebuilding under cover of the ceasefire

A document circulated to a very limited group of senior political officials paints a troubling picture of the rehabilitation of Hamas’s military wing and an accelerated recruitment of terrorists.

An IDF intelligence document sent in recent days to a highly restricted group within Israel’s political leadership reveals that the Hamas terror organization is managing to take significant advantage of the current ceasefire to rebuild itself. According to information published by Channel 12 News, the organization is systematically working to restore and improve its force-building capabilities in the Gaza Strip while exploiting the complex political situation to buy time.

The document explicitly states that “Hamas is stalling for time while simultaneously organizing and improving its force-building in the Strip, including the rehabilitation of its military wing, accelerated recruitment of operatives, seizure of goods, and demonstrations of civil and governmental sovereignty in the territories it controls." Although the report notes that Hamas has not yet managed to achieve a “technological or operational leap forward," the gradual process of rebuilding its capabilities is advancing steadily and in a concerning manner.

Security officials familiar with the details claim that developments on other fronts-primarily the confrontations involving Iran and Lebanon-are serving Hamas’s interests. According to these officials, American attention is currently focused on other regional flashpoints, allowing Hamas to avoid meeting its obligations as outlined in President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

The organization is exploiting loopholes in the agreements to reestablish its civilian control on the ground and take control of humanitarian goods entering the Gaza Strip. Senior members of Israel’s security establishment expressed deep concern over the continuation of this trend, warning that the current reality could undermine the achievements of the war. (Source)

US hosts talks as Lebanon seeks ceasefire extension with Israel

The US will host a second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys on Thursday, with Beirut seeking the extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people, including a journalist. The US-mediated ceasefire, which is set to expire on Sunday, has yielded a significant reduction in violence, but attacks have continued in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have seized a self-declared buffer zone. Iran-backed Hezbollah says it has "the right to resist" occupying forces.

Wednesday marked Lebanon's deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect on April 16. Those killed by Israeli strikes included Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to a senior Lebanese military official and her employer, the Al-Akhbar newspaper.

Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, when the group opened fire in support of Tehran in the regional war. The ceasefire in Lebanon emerged separately from Washington’s efforts to resolve its conflict with Tehran, though Iran had called for Lebanon to be included in any broader truce. Hezbollah said it carried out four operations in south Lebanon on Wednesday, saying they were a response to Israeli strikes.

Nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel went on the offensive in response to Hezbollah's March 2 attack, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5 to 10 km (3 to 6 miles) into Lebanon, saying it aims to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, which has fired hundreds of rockets during the war. The Lebanese government has opened direct contacts with Israel despite strong objections from Hezbollah, which was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982. (Read More)

Moments before the ceasefire | Raid on Hezbollah facility deep inside Lebanon

Israeli forces raided a Hezbollah main staging area and struck 70 targets. More than 20 Hezbollah terrorists were killed. Prior to the ceasefire taking effect, IDF soldiers, with the support of the Israeli Air Force, conducted operations against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Dibbin in Southern Lebanon  

Before the ceasefire agreement came into effect, IDF troops, under the command of the 91st Division and in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, completed an operation in the area of Dibbin, approximately 12 kilometers inside Lebanese territory.

During the operation, troops engaged a Hezbollah compound in the area, wherein terrorist activity had been identified and intelligence indicated attempts to carry out attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians. Within a matter of hours, more than 70 targets were struck and over 20 terrorists were eliminated in close-quarters combat and from the air. (Ed note: The area of Dibbin in South Lebanon is located about 19 miles inside the Israeli border. It is also about 19 miles southeast of the city of Sidon.) (Source)

Israeli population hits 10.244 million

As the country marks its 78th birthday, the population continued to grow at a steady pace, with a year-on-year increase of 1.4%, according to the data.

Israel’s population has reached 10.244 million as the country marks its 78th Independence Day, according to data released on Sunday by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Of the total population, 7.97 million are Jews and others (76%), 2.15 million are Arabs (21%) and 296,000 are foreign residents (2.9%), according to the figures. Israel’s population has grown by 146,000 since its last Independence Day, registering an increase of 1.4%, the Bureau noted.

During this period, about 177,000 babies were born, some 21,000 immigrants arrived, roughly 48,000 people died and the net balance of Israelis staying abroad stands at approximately 45,000. At the time of the state’s founding, Israel’s population was 806,000. Today, it is more than 12.5 times larger, according to the CBS data. More than 3.5 million immigrants have arrived in Israel since the establishment of the state in 1948, about 1.68 million (47.8%) of them since 1990.

Israeli demographics remain young among Western countries, with about 27% of its population aged 0–14 and 13% aged 65 and older. As of the end of 2024, about 45% of the world’s Jewish population lives in Israel, and about 81% of Jews in Israel are native-born (“sabras” in Hebrew), according to the Bureau. (Source)

Iran claims Trump’s ceasefire extension is a 'ploy for surprise strike'

Tasnim news agency reports Tehran did not request the ceasefire extension announced by Trump and suspects it may be a deception to enable future US or Israeli strikes.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Tuesday night that Iran did not ask to extend the ceasefire with the US, following the announcement by US President Donald Trump on the matter. According to the report, Iran is not ruling out the possibility that everything, including the extension of the ceasefire, is a deception by Trump. The Iranian news agency brought up the possibility that Trump might announce an extension, but that the United States or Israel could later carry out strikes in Iran.

Tasnim cited information indicating that Iranian officials are closely monitoring such a possibility and that Iran does not underestimate such a scenario. Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, according to Reuters, that Trump’s ceasefire extension is a “ploy to buy time" for a surprise strike.

The adviser said that the continuation of the US blockade on Iranian ports was “no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response". Trump announced earlier on Tuesday that the ceasefire in Iran would be extended for an unspecified amount of time, in order to allow the Iranian leadership time to submit a proposal for a deal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump made clear that the US naval blockade will remain in place until an Iranian proposal is submitted.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote. (Read More)

Opposition to US talks grows in Tehran as ceasefire deadline nears

Mounting opposition to negotiations with Washington in Tehran is casting doubt over whether Iran will proceed with a new round of talks with the United States in Islamabad as the ceasefire deadline approaches. Iranian officials and state media have increasingly emphasized a lack of interest in continuing negotiations. State television has claimed that a majority of Iranians oppose further talks, a narrative reinforced by coverage from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated outlets including Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency.

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation in the first round of talks, struck a defiant tone earlier this week, saying Tehran would not accept negotiations “under the shadow of threats” and had spent the past two weeks preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield.” Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, warned that Iranian forces are prepared to deliver an “immediate and decisive response” to any violation of agreements or commitments. Abdollah Haji-Sadeghi, the Supreme Leader’s representative to the IRGC, said “there are no negotiations for now,” adding: “We will negotiate whenever the enemy accepts our conditions.”

On the US side, rhetoric has also hardened. President Donald Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that he does not intend to extend the ceasefire and that Washington is prepared for a military approach. According to the Washington Post, Vice President J. D. Vance’s planned trip to Islamabad has been postponed. Political activist Ali Gholhaki, considered close to Ghalibaf, argued that negotiations in Islamabad should only occur if the United States ends its naval blockade and moderates its nuclear demands. Hardline commentator Foad Izadi was even more explicit, saying in an interview that entering negotiations now would be a mistake.

“We must raise the cost of this war to a significant level,” he said. “Wars ultimately end with negotiations, but they have not yet paid the expected price.” Opposition to talks has also surfaced within Iran’s parliament. Vahid Ahmadi reaffirmed Iran’s right to uranium enrichment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stating that enriched materials would “under no circumstances” be removed from the country. State television also aired footage of a pro-government rally where participants chanted “Death to compromisers.” A television host claimed that 87% of Iranians believe the war should continue—an assertion critics say cannot be independently verified. Despite the hardline chorus, some voices have warned against abandoning diplomacy. (Read more)

If they seek war, we are ready...': Iran sets condition for talks in Pakistan after Trump's ceasefire extension

Iran says it will join talks in Islamabad only if the US ends its naval blockade, calling it a ceasefire violation. As Trump extends the truce, Tehran remains sceptical, citing shifting US demands, while tensions rise and uncertainty surrounds peace negotiations.

Iran's Condition For Talks

Iran has set a condition for attending the talks in Pakistan to end the war with Iran. Iran's United Nations (UN) envoy Amir Saeid Iravani has said that negotiations will be held in Pakistan’s capital once the United States ends its blockade of Iranian ports. His comments came as US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with a hope that Tehran would submit a proposal to end the conflict permanently. The Iranian envoy said that United States must halt its ‘violation of the ceasefire.’ The 10-day ceasefire was to end on Apr 22.So far, no senior Iranian officials—including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — have responded to the extended ceasefire.

What Is The Condition?

In a statement to Iranian media IRNA and Tasnim News agency, Iravani said, "As soon as Washington ends the naval blockade, I think the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad. "The United States must halt its ‘violation of the ceasefire’ before any new round of negotiations. We have not been the initiator of military aggression. If they seek a political solution, we are ready. If they seek war, Iran is ready for that as well...When that happens, the next round of negotiations will take place in Islamabad." He warned, "If the US wants a political solution, they are ready, if they want war then Iran is also ready." Additionally, Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has mocked America saying ceasefire extension means "nothing" because the “losing side cannot dictate terms.” He termed the ceasefire extension as a ploy “to buy time for a surprise strike.”

What We Know About Iran-US Talks In Pakistan?

The uncertainty around the peace talks in Pakistan's Islamabad continues. The White House said in a statement that Vice President JD Vance and the US negotiating delegation would not be travelling to Pakistan. Iran has expressed its doubt about the ceasefire talks stating that it could be a "ploy for surprise strikes" on the country. But high-level security is in place in Pakistan, with administration deploying over 20,000 security personnel in and around Rawalpindi and Islamabad. (Read More)

Report: Israel doubts prospects of Iran deal, coordinated potential attack plans with US

Israel is doubtful that a deal will be reached between Iran and the United States in the expected talks between them and is jointly preparing with Washington for the war’s resumption, a senior security official tells the Kan public broadcaster.  “The Iranians are trying to stall for time and are speaking in multiple voices. We and the Americans are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately,” the official says, as Iran is yet to decide whether it will attend the second round of talks in Islamabad before the current two-week ceasefire ends.

Israel and the US have been preparing for a resumption of the war since the ceasefire began, sources familiar with the matter tell the Hebrew network, including conducting exercises involving fighter jets and refueling tankers across the Middle East.

During the visit of CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper to Israel last week, joint plans and a target bank were approved, including strikes on national and energy infrastructure sites across Iran, according to the report. These attacks would be intended to apply further pressure on the Iranians to agree to relinquish their nuclear program and enriched uranium, the report adds. (Source)

At West Bank event, Smotrich declares Israel will rebuild Gaza settlements, fulfilling ‘prophecies’

Israel will return to the Gush Katif settlement bloc abandoned during the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declares during an Independence Day event in the West Bank settlement of Brukhin, during which he praises the current government for “leading a true revolution” by announcing “no fewer than 103 new settlements in Judea and Samaria.”

Among the settlements approved by the government were Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim, which were evacuated during the disengagement, and their reestablishment is an “historical correction of the injustice of the expulsion,” Smotrich declares, stating that “we have returned home, and this time forever.”

“And just as we returned to Northern Samaria, we shall also return to Gush Katif,” he adds, citing Jeremiah’s prophecy of Israel’s return to its land, and stating that “today, here in Samaria, the prophecies of consolation are no longer a dream but the view from the window. The prophecies are taking shape in cranes and tractors, in agriculture and homes, and in boys and girls playing in the streets.” “We are not just reading the prophecies, we are privileged to be the generation that fulfills them,” he says, praising the government for its military and economic achievements.

Smotrich’s speech comes two days after he called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fully occupy and settle the Gaza Strip, insisting that the end of the war against Hamas in Gaza must be accompanied by territorial expansion during a ceremony marking the resettlement of the West Bank town of Sa-Nur. Despite Smotrich’s proclamations, a return to settlement in Gaza is strongly opposed by the US and remains highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. (Source)

Israel will face resistance if troops stay in Lebanon, Lebanese Parliament Speaker says

"It [Israel] will smell the scent of resistance every day," said Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanon's most senior Shi'ite statesman and a Hezbollah ally. Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker warned on Tuesday that Israeli forces in parts of the country's south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw, signaling a risk of renewed confrontation ahead of US-mediated talks this week.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah mediated by Washington came into effect on Thursday, but Israeli forces remain deployed in a belt of Lebanese land 5-10 km deep along the entire border. Israel has said it aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim terrorist group.

On Thursday, the US will host ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon, which were dragged into war on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran in the regional conflict. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanon's most senior Shi'ite statesman and a Hezbollah ally, told Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria that Lebanon could not tolerate losing a meter of land.

If Israel "maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day," said Berri, leader of the Shi'ite Amal Movement. The IDF and Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both referred to Israel's deployment line in Lebanon as the "Yellow Line" last week - the same term used by Israel for its deployment line in Gaza. Israeli officials have since refrained from describing it in those terms, instead calling it the "Forward Defense Line," marked on a military map published on Sunday, which also included a "naval forward defense area" extending from Lebanon's coast to the sea. (Read More)

IDF says Hezbollah breached truce, launching rockets at troops, drone at Israel

The Hezbollah terror group violated a ceasefire in Lebanon on Tuesday by firing several rockets at Israeli troops stationed in the south of the country, as well as launching a drone at Israel, the military said. Hezbollah took responsibility for the attacks, which it claimed were in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire. According to the Israel Defense Forces, Hezbollah fired several rockets toward troops stationed in the Rab al-Thalathine area, within an Israeli-held security zone.

The IDF said that it struck the launcher used in the attack within a few minutes. Separately, the IDF said that sirens that sounded in the communities of Kfar Yuval and Ma’ayan Baruch on the Lebanon border were not false alarms as it had initially reported. Following an examination, the IDF said the alerts were triggered in the border communities due to the interception of a drone that was launched from Lebanon. The drone was shot down before crossing the border, according to the military. The IDF said the attacks were “blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement.” No injuries were reported.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli artillery position in the northern border community of Kfar Giladi with a rocket barrage and attack drones. Hezbollah claimed to have documented over 200 Israeli violations of the ceasefire since it took effect on Friday. The terror group said the attacks on the IDF were carried out in response to those violations and its “right to resist occupation and repel it.”  (Ed note: The area of the Rab al-Thalathine is about 9 to 12 miles directly north of the Sea of Galilee.)  (Read More)