Archive for month: June, 2025

News Update

IDF airstrikes pounded northern Gaza, including Jabaliya, yesterday, as part of a recent ramp up of combat operations to pressure Hamas, in the wake of the victory over Iran. Unfortunately, 20 IDF soldiers have been killed in the operations, including Sgt. Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld, 20, from Ra’anana, of the 401st Armored Brigade’s 601st Combat Engineering Battalion, who was killed when an explosive device detonated during operational activity in Jabaliya yesterday. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, ina press conference today, that he would oppose any agreements that would include ending the fighting in Gaza.

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of Iran’s most senior Shia clerics, has issued a fatwa declaring U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “enemies of God” and “mohareb”—those who wage war against Allah. Shirazi called for Trump and Netanyahu to be subject to “execution or crucifixion” and that any Muslim who helps either of them to face a similar fate or “amputation of the right hand and left foot or exile.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu today condemned a Sunday night arson attack on an IDF military facility in Judea and Samaria by settler youth. They were protesting after troops fired shots that injured a 14-year-old who threw rocks at their vehicle. The IDF statement said, “Dozens of Israeli civilians gathered at the entrance of the Binyamin Regional Brigade Headquarters. The gathering became violent and some of the civilians at the scene attacked the security forces, sprayed pepper spray at them and vandalized military vehicles.” For more, click here.

News Update

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir revealed today that ground commando units, alongside Mossad operatives, conducted covert operations inside Iran during the war. Citing Military Intelligence assessments, he said the accumulated achievements of the operation mean “Iran’s nuclear program suffered severe, widespread and deep damage, setting it back by years. We will not allow Iran to develop weapons of mass destruction.”

Mossad Director David Barnea said, “These are historic days for the people of Israel. The Iranian threat, which has endangered our security for decades, was significantly thwarted thanks to the extraordinary cooperation between the IDF, which led the campaign, and the Mossad, with the support of our ally, the United States.” He added, “I want to express deep appreciation to our central ally, the CIA, for its joint operations with us, and to its director for backing the Mossad in key decisions that enabled this mission.” And, “This success stems not just from the operation itself,” he said, “but from the years of groundwork, executed perfectly, that led to this critical moment. These are moments none of us will ever forget. Thanks to Israel’s entire defense establishment, this is now a stronger, safer country — ready for what lies ahead.”

The Mossad announced the establishment of an urgent medical center for Iranians, via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal apps, that includes a team of expert doctors fluent in Persian and English.

Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei congratulated the people of Iran for what he called a “decisive victory” over the US and Israel, in posts on X and in a recorded message released today.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said that new countries may soon join the Abraham Accords. He said, “One of the President’s key objectives is that the Abraham Accords be expanded … We think we’re going to have some pretty big announcements on countries that are now coming in to the Abraham Peace Accords.”

President Trump weighed in on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial posting, “I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel, which has just had one of its Greatest Moments in History, and is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister! I just learned that Bibi has been summoned to Court on Monday for the continuation of this long running, (He has been going through this ‘Horror Show’ since May of 2020 – Unheard of! This is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has ever been on trial).”

He added, “Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land.” Finally, Trump called the trial a “witch hunt” and said it should be “CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY,” or that Netanyahu be pardoned.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has set a new policy that allows singing and dancing by Jews throughout the Temple Mount. In the past, Jews were not even permitted to recite prayers out loud or make any bowing motions. Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai has reportedly passed these instructions to the police force.

News Update

President Trump announced last night that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran would go into effect early today, but hours after the truce went into effect, Iran fired at least 20 ballistic missiles were fired by Iran this morning. One of them hit a building in Beersheva, killing at least 5 people and injuring at least 20. Rescuers were searching through rubble for more casualties and survivors. Israel vowed to respond with force.

IDF strikes in Iran overnight killed a nuclear scientist and hit other regime targets.

Trump then posted, “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”.

A few minutes later he posted, “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”.

He then posted, “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!”.

Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu today during which he told Netanyahu to call of the Israeli bombing raid. Netanyahu said that Israel had to respond to the Iranian attack that violated the ceasefire. In the end, the IDF only struck a single Iranian radar near Tehran as a symbolic show of force, before heading home.

The terms of the ceasefire have not been revealed. [It should require the release of all hostages from Gaza.] Israel said it had agreed to it after achieving its twin goals of eliminating the Iranian nuclear and ballistic-missile threats. Qatar played a major role in brokering the deal, and Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly had separate cease-fire discussions with Iran, through both direct and indirect channels.

A senior political official and spokesman for the Houthis said the group isn’t bound by the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Iran and told the WSJ that they would continue attacking Israel “until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.”

[Is this ceasefire going to lead to peace or will it be like the multiple ceasefires with Hamas that allowed Hamas to rearm and then continue their attacks on Israel? In my humble opinion, I think that President Trump has a vision of all countries living in peace and prosperity that is based on his belief that everyone wants to enjoy financial success and economic prosperity, which can only be obtained when countries work together peacefully, with mutual goals.

Unfortunately, the proponents of radical Islam, led by the Iranian regime as well as various Sunni groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood have a very different vision based on Jihad and hatred aimed at destroying or subjugating Israel, America and the entire free world and creating an international Caliphate. Iran is no different than Hamas in their stated goal of destroying Israel and killing Jews. That isn’t going to change. So any ceasefire will just be an opportunity for Iran to rebuild and rearm. There needs to be a regime change in Iran for lasting peace to have a chance.

Let’s see how things play out. At the end of the day, we know that the outcome will not be determined by any president, prime minister or supreme leader…🙏🏻]

News Update

Israeli fighter jets and drones continue to operate freely over Iran, attacking nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure, missile launchers and depots. Recent strikes destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s internal security apparatus and its special units, located in the Tehran area, as well as a nuclear scientist. Since the start of the conflict, Israel has killed at least 30 senior Iranian generals and commanders.

According to a WSJ report, the Iran conflict is costing Israel hundreds of millions of dollars a day, primarily due to the cost of in interceptor missiles used to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. In addition, rebuilding the damage caused by missile attacks could be several hundreds of millions of dollars.

French President Macron said, “All attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in the context of the Iran-Israel conflict must stop immediately,” and that, “priority must be given to returning to negotiations. Iran must demonstrate a willingness to come back to the negotiating table.” France, Germany and the UK are reportedly working on a comprehensive proposal to be presented to Iran soon, aimed at restoring a diplomatic track and preventing further escalation in the regional conflict. [President Trump has already given Iran a comprehensive proposal to end the war: give up the nuclear program. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon under any circumstances. Does Europe not realize that?]

President Trump said that he would make his decision whether to attack Iran within 2 weeks.

This is from the WSJ:

There are at least four ways the war could end.

Israel—especially with U.S. help—might succeed in physically destroying so much of Iran’s nuclear program that it would take Tehran many years to rebuild it.

Alternatively, mounting damage could force Iran’s leaders to cave in and sign a deal that foreswears uranium enrichment. Thirdly, the Iranian regime might collapse, taking its nuclear ambitions with it.

But a muddled outcome is also possible if the regime holds on and doesn’t give in on enrichment, and if the damage to its nuclear facilities is incomplete. Tehran might then repair its nuclear program with greater determination, with less international monitoring and in harder-to-hit locations.

Even if Fordow is destroyed, the war might only buy time until Iran tries again to build a bomb. That too would be a gain for Israel, depending on the length of any delay. In the time won, other events could intervene. The Iranian government could collapse or change its approach.

News Update

Israel continues it’s air campaign against Iran. Overnight, over 50 fighter jets struck military, missile production and nuclear related targets in Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency tweeted, “At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured.”

Iran fired 30 ballistic missiles at Israel last night, all of which were either intercepted or fell in open areas causing no casualties or damage. Israel is reportedly running low on defensive Arrow interceptors. Iran had around 2,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel before the start of the conflict. It has fired 400 at Israel. The IDF has destroyed a third of Iran’s missiles and launchers, and continues to destroy more regularly. That explains why the Iranian attacks are getting smaller and less effective.

An Israeli drone was shot down operating over Iran last night.

Yesterday, President Trump posted that the U.S knew the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader but was choosing not to kill him. He then posted, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran would never surrender. The U.S. is the only force with the “bunker busting” bombs capable of destroying the underground Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow. U.S. B-2 Stealth bombers are stationed at Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, 3,300 miles and within striking distance from Iran. But there are reportedly other ways that Israel can destroy the Fordow facility, even without U.S. help. [If I had to bet, I’d put my money on Trump taking this once in a lifetime opportunity to destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions for good.]