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Israel’s top cyber official said Tuesday that Iran is stepping up its efforts to harm the country through cyber warfare, even as Israeli defenses continue to block major threats to critical systems and the broader economy.

Yossi Karadi, who leads Israel’s National Cyber Authority, said during a public appearance that the country’s cyber operations are not only protecting infrastructure but also helping secure the nation’s future. “I truly believe we are managing to change our children’s future. I see a better future and I think we deserve it.” He noted that Israeli cyber units have successfully prevented serious damage to essential infrastructure and have thwarted attempts aimed at disrupting economic stability.

He stressed that the digital battle is constant and far from over. “This is a war that is ongoing all the time. It is not over,” he emphasized.

During Operation Roaring Lion, Israel’s Cyber Directorate documented more than 50 cyberattacks targeting the country. According to Karadi, roughly 20 separate hostile groups were behind these operations, involving hundreds of individual hackers.

He disclosed that approximately 50 Israeli companies and organizations were entirely erased in recent cyberattacks carried out by adversaries. Those affected are now working to recover their systems using backup data.

Karadi explained that beyond immediate disruption, attackers are deeply focused on gathering intelligence. He said engineering firms and civilian infrastructure are among the primary targets. “The question is not whether they are collecting information,” he said, “but when that information will mature into an operational purpose and actual use.”

He added that cyber campaigns are also aimed at individuals connected to Israel’s security establishment, defense sector, and academic institutions. In a troubling development, attackers are not limiting their focus to the primary targets but are also going after their family members.

Since the war began, the National Cyber Directorate’s emergency center, accessible via 119, has handled 4,019 reports. About half of those cases involved social engineering attempts. “These are only the reported incidents,” Karadi clarified. “If you want to reach the real numbers, you would need multiples of these statistics. Not everyone reports.”

Among the incidents he cited was an Iranian cyber operation that hijacked digital display boards at Israel Railways stations, broadcasting alarming messages such as “The subway is not safe right now.”

Authorities have also uncovered about 50 attempts by Iran to gain control of surveillance cameras nationwide. Karadi said Iran is working in coordination with Hezbollah in a broader campaign targeting cameras at sensitive sites. “There are even some active incidents that we are dealing with right now,” he said. “To be honest, the enemy has had successes in taking over cameras, but not ones that have strategic impact. Everything happens because of low protection levels and weak passwords.”

Karadi concluded by warning that Iran is investing heavily in shaping a perception of cyber dominance.

“I don’t sleep at night,” he admitted. “We see them trying again and again to attack energy, water facilities, and the financial sector.”

He cautioned that even if fighting on the ground between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah subsides, cyberattacks will persist. “We have seen this before – on the day after the ceasefire of Operation ‘Rising Lion’ took effect, the number of cyberattacks on Israel doubled. We must be prepared for that this time as well.”

{Matzav.com}

Steve Bannon said that the recent deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to assist at airports could serve as a trial run for a broader role in the 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking on his “War Room” program with conservative attorney Mike Davis, Bannon raised the idea of using ICE’s current involvement in airport operations as preparation for election-related activities.

“We can use what’s happening with these ICE [officers] helping out at the airports, we can use this as a test run, as a test case to really perfect ICE’s involvement in the 2026 midterm elections, sir?” Bannon asked.

Davis responded by expressing support for the presence of immigration officers at polling locations.

“Yeah, I think we should have ICE agents at the polling places, because if you’re an illegal alien you can’t vote, right? It’s against the law, it’s a federal crime for you to vote in federal elections.”

“And so, if you’re an American citizen, you should be happy that ICE is there, because you’re not going to have illegal aliens canceling out your vote,” he added.

“Exactly,” Bannon replied. “Pick ‘em out of line starting today, and maybe the lines will get shorter.”

The comments come as ICE and Homeland Security Investigations personnel began assisting Transportation Security Administration officers at airports across the country on Monday. The move follows staffing shortages tied to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has led to an increase in resignations among TSA personnel and longer security lines nationwide.

Tom Homan, who is overseeing the effort as the White House border czar, said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Cuomo Mornings” that ICE officers are not conducting security screenings themselves, but are instead helping with other responsibilities, such as managing entry and exit points at checkpoints.

President Trump told reporters Monday that the deployment was “my idea.” He also said in an interview with NewsNation’s Hannah Brandt on Sunday that ICE agents would assist TSA officers “for as long as it takes.”

Following his discussion with Davis, Bannon reiterated his support for expanding ICE’s role, suggesting their responsibilities could extend beyond airports.

“They’re trained to, wait for it, check IDs,” he said, referring to ICE officers. “That’s why it’s perfect training for the fall of 2026. This is why it’s such a brilliant [move], this is another 5D chess move from President Trump.

“Let’s get ICE into the airports to help out [with] the lines and they can’t work the [X-ray] machines. You know what they’ll do, they’ll just walk on down [and say], ‘Hey, we’re going to speed things through, can we check your IDs?’ That’s what’s going to happen in the fall of ‘26 because folks, we’re tired of having elections stolen. So, ICE is going to be there in the fall of ‘26, just like they’re in the airports today.”

{Matzav.com}

The Supreme Court on Monday wrestled with deep divisions over a Mississippi law permitting the counting of mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, a case that could shape how votes are handled nationwide and potentially affect control of Congress in upcoming midterm elections.

The justices spent about two hours hearing arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee, a dispute stemming from a 2024 challenge to Mississippi’s policy allowing ballots to be counted if they arrive within five days after Election Day, provided they were postmarked on or before that date.

Mississippi is among 14 states, along with the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories, that permit ballots to be tallied even if they arrive after Election Day, as long as they were mailed on time.

The case is unfolding as President Donald Trump has made mail-in voting a central issue during his second term, contending that such practices weaken trust in election outcomes.

During the hearing, the justices examined whether federal laws setting an Election Day override state rules that allow ballots to arrive later, and debated the meaning of “the election” in terms of when votes must be cast and received.

Several members of the court appeared receptive to arguments from the Trump administration’s attorney, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who warned that laws permitting late-arriving ballots could damage public confidence in election results.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, both seen as potential swing votes, pressed attorneys on both sides with pointed questions.

“If Election Day is the voting and taking, then it has to be that day,” Roberts noted. He also questioned whether the interpretation of “Election Day” could impact early voting, asking lawyers whether their logic “requires a different consideration” for early ballots.

“Is there any limit to that? Fill out a ballot… and drop it off two weeks before?”

Justice Samuel Alito raised concerns about delays in finalizing election results, warning that “confidence in election outcomes can be seriously undermined,” a sentiment later echoed by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Supreme Court justices signaled concern over the potential fallout from counting ballots that arrive after Election Day, as they weighed a challenge to Mississippi’s mail-in voting law — a case that could shape how elections are conducted nationwide.

The Supreme Court’s review of Mississippi’s mail-in ballot law is unfolding against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s push to curb mail-in voting during his second term, underscoring a wider national debate over how elections should be conducted.

Trump has taken steps to restrict the use of mail-in ballots, including signing an executive order aimed at eliminating them in federal elections. Several Republican-led states have already moved in that direction.

The dispute now before the justices, however, stems from a separate legal battle. The case centers on a challenge brought by the Republican National Committee against Mississippi’s voting law, which was adopted after the COVID-19 pandemic and permits ballots to be counted if they arrive up to five days after Election Day.

During oral arguments, Mississippi officials faced pointed questioning from conservative members of the court, who raised concerns about potential long-term consequences. The justices posed a series of hypotheticals about where such policies could lead, including scenarios involving early voting and ballots cast by American troops stationed overseas.

“If history teaches anything,” Justice Neil Gorsuch noted, “[it is that] as soon as anything is allowed, it will happen.”

Gorsuch continued to press attorneys on how far states could extend their deadlines for accepting ballots if the court were to uphold Mississippi’s law.

“If we were to rule against you, is there anything that would limit a state from allowing a receipt by election officials up until the day of the next Congress?” Gorsuch asked at one point during arguments.

Paul Clement, representing the Republican Party and Libertarian voters, argued that siding with Mississippi could create virtually unlimited flexibility for states in setting their own rules.

“Maybe the next state can figure out a way to have an election without anybody even receiving anything, I don’t know,” Clement said. “That seems to me to be a large reason why Election Day should mean ‘Election Day.’”

Justice Samuel Alito also appeared sympathetic to the argument that Election Day should be understood as a fixed point in time, rather than a window that stretches beyond a single day.

“We have lots of phrases that involve two words, the second of which is ‘day,’” Alito interjected, before listing “Labor Day, Memorial Day, George Washington’s birthday,” and Independence Day, he said, adding that “they are all particular ‘days.'”

“So if we start with that, if I have nothing more to look at than the phrase ‘Election Day,'” he said. “I think this is the day in which everything is going to take place, or almost everything.”

At its core, the case reflects an ongoing legal struggle over how much authority states should have in setting election procedures, particularly when federal contests are involved.

The issue arrives as the justices are also considering other major election-related disputes this term, including cases involving redistricting based on race and limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates.

Attorneys representing Mississippi argued that federal law requires only that ballots be cast by Election Day, not necessarily received by that date.

Lawyers for Mississippi told the court that an “‘election’ is the conclusive choice of an officer… So the federal Election-Day statutes require only that the voters cast their ballots by Election Day.”

“The election has then occurred, even if election officials do not receive all ballots by that day.”

Republican officials say the case is critical to maintaining trust in the electoral system and preventing prolonged vote-counting periods.

“Watson v. RNC is about a simple principle: ballots must be received by Election Day,” Ally Triolo, the communications director for the RNC’s Election Integrity efforts, said Monday. “This prevents elections from dragging on for days and weeks after voters have cast their ballots, causing confusion and undermining our elections.”

A decision from the Supreme Court on the issue of when mail-in ballots must be counted is expected by June.

A senior Iranian official signaled that Tehran is not backing down, declaring that the war will continue until its demands are met, underscoring the wide gap between Iran and the United States despite recent talk of progress.

Mohsen Rezaei, a top military adviser to Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, issued the warning in response to statements by President Donald Trump, who has suggested there may be movement toward a potential agreement.

Rezaei reacted sharply to earlier U.S. threats targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure—threats that Trump has since pulled back—making clear that Iran is maintaining a hardline stance even as negotiations continue.

“The war will continue until we are compensated for all our losses, all economic sanctions are lifted, and we receive international legal guarantees that Washington will not interfere in our affairs,” Rezaei said, outlining Tehran’s position.

He also issued a direct warning, escalating the rhetoric as tensions remain high.

“This time it will not be an eye for an eye, but a head for an eye, and you will leave the Gulf,” he said.

Rezaei’s demands stand in stark contrast to the conditions set by the United States and Israel. In recent discussions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President J.D. Vance, Washington made clear it would insist on the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, a complete halt to its nuclear program, and the return of strict inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Rezaei, who rose to prominence following the killing of Iran’s previous supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is considered one of the most influential figures in the current Iranian leadership. His appointment as a military adviser to Mojtaba Khamenei highlights his growing role in shaping policy.

Security officials assess that the divide between the two sides remains extremely wide. While Trump has projected optimism in public statements, Iran’s insistence on compensation, sanctions relief, and binding guarantees appears far from acceptable to Washington and Jerusalem.

Israeli officials have expressed concern that any agreement reached could fall short of fully addressing the threat, raising fears of a “partial victory” that satisfies political goals without ensuring long-term security. Rezaei’s remarks reinforce concerns that Iran may be using the negotiations to buy time and strengthen its position rather than move toward dismantling its nuclear program.

Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz said that the confrontation with Iran represents the most serious international danger since World War II, cautioning that inaction could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Speaking on Newsmax, Dershowitz described the stakes in stark terms, drawing a direct historical comparison to the period leading up to the Second World War.

“This is the most important war since 1939, since Nazi Germany,” Dershowitz said. “If Iran is allowed to develop nuclear bombs, [it] will do what Hitler did, and there will be millions and millions of deaths.”

He also emphasized the expanding reach of Iran’s missile capabilities, warning that the threat extends beyond the Middle East.

“We now know that its rockets can reach Europe, and ultimately, the United States,” he said. “So this is the most important war we have fought since the Second World War, and every decent person ought to join it.”

Dershowitz further argued that the United States should respond with unity across political lines, expressing concern that partisan divisions are undermining a coordinated response.

“The Democrats ought to join it in the United States. But they’re not, because they’re putting partisanship before national security,” Dershowitz said.

Referencing historical events, Dershowitz suggested that different leadership in the 1930s might have changed the course of history, invoking President Donald Trump in that context.

“Had President Trump been in charge in 1935, 1936, I think the Holocaust would have been prevented,” he said. “We’re preventing another Holocaust, a nuclear holocaust that Iran would clearly inflict not only on Israel, but on Europe.”

He also dismissed claims that Israel has dictated U.S. military decisions in the region, and raised concerns about ideological trends within domestic politics, particularly within the Republican Party.

“The Republican Party has to disassociate itself from its fascist neo-Nazi wing, which is growing within the Republican Party, particularly among young people,” he said. “It’s a real threat to America, to democracy, to American Jews, to Israel, and to American values.”

{Matzav.com}

Russia is playing an indirect but significant role in Iran’s military operations against the United States and Israel, according to U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey, who said Moscow stands to benefit from the escalation due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Healey described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “hidden hand” shaping aspects of Iran’s battlefield strategy, arguing that the connection reflects overlapping interests between Moscow and Tehran.

According to reporting by The Guardian, Iran has launched more than 2,000 Shahed drones across the Middle East since the U.S.-Israeli campaign began on February 28. These same drones have been widely used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Healey made the remarks after visiting British military headquarters in northwest London earlier this month, where senior officers briefed him on evolving tactics being used by Iranian drone operators and their regional allies. Officials indicated that these forces appear to be adopting methods previously employed by Russian units.

Lt. Gen. Nick Perry, the U.K.’s chief of joint operations, told Healey that the developments suggest Russia may have shared operational guidance with Iran and its affiliated groups on how to deploy the drones more effectively.

“I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics and potentially, potentially some of their capabilities as well,” Healey said.

He added that Russia’s interest in the conflict is also economic, pointing to the surge in global oil prices.

“the one world leader that is benefiting from sky-high oil prices at the moment is Putin, because it helps him with a fresh supply of funds for his brutal war in Ukraine.”

Earlier this month, the Trump administration temporarily eased sanctions on certain Russian oil shipments in an effort to stabilize energy markets disrupted by the conflict with Iran, despite concerns that such a move could indirectly support Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

At the same time, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said that Putin denied providing intelligence or assistance to Iran during a recent conversation with President Donald Trump.

Despite those denials, Putin has publicly expressed strong backing for Tehran, offering what officials described as “unwavering support” and congratulating Mojtaba Khamenei after he assumed leadership following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, at the outset of Operation Epic Fury.

Putin has also pledged that Russia will remain a dependable ally of Iran moving forward.

According to Bloomberg, the relationship between the two countries has included years of military cooperation, with Iran supplying assistance for Russia’s war in Ukraine in exchange for access to advanced military knowledge. That cooperation has reportedly intensified in recent months as Iran confronts the United States, Israel, and Gulf countries.

“The lessons learned have been happening throughout the course of the war in Ukraine, but the implications now are here,” Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former senior U.S. intelligence official now at the Center for a New American Security, told Bloomberg. “We’re seeing it now happen in real time, in a real case.”

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset early Tuesday morning passed final approval for legislation expanding the role of rabbinical courts, permitting them to handle civil and financial disputes through arbitration, provided both parties explicitly agree.

The measure was approved in its second and third readings with 65 lawmakers voting in favor and 41 opposing it.

Under the new law, state rabbinical courts will be allowed to serve as arbitrators in monetary and civil matters, restoring a framework similar to what had been in place until 2006. That year, the Supreme Court ruled that rabbinical courts could not rule on civil cases beyond their defined religious authority.

Following that decision, rabbinical courts were barred from hearing such disputes even in cases where both sides voluntarily sought their involvement.

Supporters of the legislation emphasized that the authority granted is limited and conditional. Rabbinical courts may only take on cases where both parties consent, and only after a dispute has already emerged, rather than through prior agreements covering potential future disagreements.

Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman praised the passage of the bill, calling it a straightforward and fair proposal.

“This is a simple and straightforward proposal that should have been accepted by everyone, because nothing is more liberal than this – allowing two consenting adults to decide they want their dispute resolved according to Torah law.”

Thousands of US Marines are expected to deploy to the Middle East this week as tensions with Iran continue, with their arrival aligning with President Donald Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report published Monday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing two US officials, reported that the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship based in Japan, along with the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, are set to enter the US Central Command area on Friday, carrying approximately 2,200 Marines.

According to the officials, the forces will require several more days after entering the region before reaching the Strait of Hormuz.

The deployment comes after Trump issued a warning to Iran over the weekend, demanding that it reopen the strategic waterway within 48 hours or risk military action targeting its power infrastructure.

Although that deadline was initially set to expire Monday, Trump later announced that he would extend it in order to provide additional time for diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.

Trump also said that the United States has begun outreach to “very solid” individuals within Iran as part of efforts to facilitate talks.

Reports that followed suggested that Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, might be acting as Tehran’s representative in those discussions. However, Ghalibaf publicly denied that any such negotiations were taking place.

“Our people demand the complete and humiliating punishment of the aggressors. All officials stand firmly behind their Leader and people until this goal is achieved,” Ghalibaf wrote on social media.

According to the speaker, “No negotiations with America have taken place. Fake news is intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which America and Israel are trapped.”

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is reportedly weighing the possibility of engaging Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as a potential interlocutor in negotiations and even considering him as a possible future leader, signaling a shift toward diplomacy as the conflict continues.

According to a Politico report published Monday, officials in Washington are exploring options beyond military pressure and are looking at figures within Iran who might be willing to enter talks aimed at ending hostilities.

Ghalibaf, 64, who has previously issued threats of retaliation against the United States and its allies, is nonetheless being viewed by some White House officials as a pragmatic figure who could play a role in future negotiations or leadership, according to two administration officials cited in the report.

Those officials stressed that the administration has not settled on any one individual and is reviewing a range of potential figures to determine who might be open to reaching an agreement. They spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the internal discussions.

“He’s a hot option,” one official said, adding that no decisions have been made. “He’s one of the highest…But we got to test them, and we can’t rush into it.”

Responding to the report, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media.”

The report surfaced shortly after President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” for five days, in order to give diplomacy a chance. He also indicated that Washington is reaching out to “very solid” individuals within Iran.

Ghalibaf later rejected claims that he was involved in negotiations with the United States, issuing a firm denial on social media.

“Our people demand the complete and humiliating punishment of the aggressors. All officials stand firmly behind their Leader and people until this goal is achieved,” Ghalibaf wrote.

According to the speaker, “No negotiations with America have taken place. Fake news is intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which America and Israel are trapped.”

Despite those denials, administration officials cited in the report suggested that his remarks may have been intended for domestic audiences rather than reflecting the full picture.

“We’re in the testing phase of really trying to figure out who can rise, who wants to rise, who tries to rise,” one official said. “And then as people rise, we’ll do a quick test, and if they’re radical, we’ll take them out.”

A senior White House official added that Trump is seeking to reach a peace agreement within days, with progress tied to developments involving the Strait of Hormuz and a potential ceasefire.

“POTUS, like anyone, would rather have peace than war,” the official said.

{Matzav.com}

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New data released Monday reveals that the overwhelming majority of Iran’s attacks over the past three weeks have targeted Arab Gulf states rather than Israel, highlighting a significant strategic shift in Tehran’s campaign.

According to the report, which analyzes the period between February 28 and March 23, 2026, approximately 87% of Iran’s missile and drone launches were aimed at members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while only 13% were directed at Israel. The findings are based on official statements from the IDF, Gulf defense ministries, and additional open-source intelligence.

Out of a total of 6,330 launches during the reporting period, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the primary target, absorbing nearly half of all attacks. The data shows that 3,056 strikes—48.3% of the total—were directed at the UAE.

Kuwait ranked second, with 1,061 attacks accounting for 16.8% of the total. Israel, despite being a central focus of Iranian rhetoric, was targeted 822 times, representing just 13% of the overall volume of attacks.

Additional figures show that Saudi Arabia sustained 648 attacks (10.2%), Bahrain was hit 429 times (6.8%), Qatar faced 289 strikes (4.6%), and Oman recorded 25 attacks (0.4%).

The report suggests that Iran’s strategy has centered on imposing economic and strategic costs on Gulf states, particularly by targeting energy and security infrastructure. Recent reported strikes on facilities in Ras Laffan, Qatar, and gas fields in Abu Dhabi are cited as examples of this approach.

Israeli military officials emphasized that the stark disparity—87% directed at Arab states versus 13% at Israel—indicates that the current conflict is largely about regional dominance and control over global energy resources. According to this assessment, Israel has played a secondary role in Iran’s targeting priorities.

Despite criticism of Gulf air defense systems, the data indicates that Iran is focusing the bulk of its efforts on destabilizing neighboring Arab states economically and politically, while leveraging the conflict with Israel as a broader strategic cover for advancing its regional ambitions.

{Matzav.com}

A legal dispute over a luxury vehicle has highlighted the blurred boundaries between business assets and personal property, after an Israeli court ruled that a husband must return a car he had taken from his wife during a marital conflict.

The case involves a couple married since 1991 who built a large family over the years. During the marriage, the husband operated a successful business through which various assets were acquired for family use, including a vehicle worth hundreds of thousands of shekels that was used exclusively by the wife.

As tensions between the couple escalated, the husband arranged for the vehicle to be taken from the wife while it was undergoing routine maintenance. He argued that because she had been dismissed from her position in the company, she no longer had the right to use what he claimed was a company-owned asset.

However, the Haifa District Court rejected the husband’s arguments on appeal, upholding the earlier ruling and emphasizing that the distinction between the couple’s business dealings and their personal lives had been “blurred” throughout the years.

The court determined that the vehicle had effectively been given to the wife as a personal gift for her exclusive use, rather than as part of any formal employment arrangement.

Judges also found that, despite the issuance of salary slips, the wife did not actually perform work for the company, and that the payments she received were part of the couple’s internal financial arrangements rather than evidence of a genuine employer-employee relationship.

The ruling further stressed the need for judicial intervention to prevent unilateral actions during ongoing disputes, warning against what it described as “coercive conduct” intended to alter the status quo while legal rights are still being determined.

In its final decision, the court ruled that jurisdiction over the matter lies with the family court, as the dispute is fundamentally personal rather than a standard labor-related case.

The husband’s appeal was denied, and he was ordered to immediately return the vehicle to his wife. In addition, he was required to pay 7,500 shekels in legal costs.

Bottom line: Shalom bayis is a good idea!

President Donald Trump surprised Israel and the international community by granting Iran an additional five days to continue negotiations, even as US and Israeli military operations remain ongoing, but wide differences between the sides continue to cast doubt on the chances of reaching an agreement.

Earlier today, Trump announced that he was postponing his ultimatum regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and moving forward with renewed talks with Iranian representatives. Despite his optimistic tone, officials acknowledge that significant disagreements remain between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking Monday evening, Trump said he believes an agreement to end the war could be reached in the near future and would help eliminate threats against the United States. “We’ve had great talks with Iran. We’ve spoken to them a lot, but this time they’re serious,” he said.

Despite those remarks, it remains unclear whether any concrete deal is actually taking shape or whether the talks are primarily aimed at buying time and calming global economic concerns.

During a conversation earlier in the day between Prime Minister bIBI Netanyahu and Vice President J.D. Vance, Netanyahu was updated on the ongoing contacts between Washington and Tehran. According to the message conveyed to Israel, the United States intends to stand firm on its red lines, which closely mirror Israel’s own position.

Those conditions reportedly include the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, a full halt to its nuclear program, the reinstatement of intrusive inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program — with Washington pushing for a five-year freeze — and an end to Iranian funding of terrorist organizations.

Israeli officials have expressed skepticism that Iran would agree to such terms, viewing them as equivalent to a surrender. They have also questioned Trump’s optimism, particularly as Iranian officials continue to deny publicly that any agreements have been reached.

According to reports, Israeli officials are concerned that Iran may use the negotiations to stall for time, while Trump may ultimately accept a partial agreement that allows him to declare success without insisting on all of the stated conditions.

Additional reports indicate that Iran has conveyed messages suggesting that Lebanon should be included in any final agreement, further complicating the diplomatic process.

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei, recently appointed as a military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, responded to Trump’s earlier threat to target Iran’s electrical infrastructure — a threat that has since been withdrawn — with a warning. “This time it will not be an eye for an eye, but a head for an eye, and you will leave the Gulf. The war will continue until we are compensated for all our losses, all economic sanctions are lifted, and we receive international legal guarantees that Washington will not interfere in our affairs,” he said.

At the same time, there are indications that Iran may be open to certain concessions. According to Channel 12, Iranian negotiators have signaled a willingness to consider a temporary five-year freeze on their missile program. They have also indicated openness to discussions on reducing uranium enrichment, although the scope of those reductions remains unclear.

A central issue in the talks is Iran’s stockpile of approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, much of which is believed to be buried beneath damaged facilities in Fordo and Natanz. Iran has also reportedly expressed readiness to allow international monitoring of its remaining centrifuges, as well as to discuss curbing support for regional proxy groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and militias in Iraq.

However, conflicting messages from within Iran’s leadership continue to raise doubts about the seriousness of the negotiations. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has denied that any talks have taken place, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has signaled its intention to continue fighting “until the end.” These contradictions have led to questions about whether there is a clear authority in Tehran capable of negotiating a binding agreement.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Iran has set extremely high conditions for ending hostilities, including demands that have slowed progress in the talks. Arab officials involved in mediation efforts said that discussions are focused in part on the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

One proposal under consideration would place the strategic waterway under the control of a neutral regional body to ensure free passage for shipping. Egyptian officials have also reportedly suggested a five-day ceasefire as a way to build trust between Tehran and Washington.

In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has demanded a new arrangement in which Iran would be allowed to collect fees from ships passing through the strait, similar to Egypt’s model in the Suez Canal.

Additional Iranian demands reportedly include guarantees that the war cannot resume, the closure of American bases in the Middle East, compensation for damages caused during the conflict, and an end to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has emerged as a potential mediator, with discussions underway about a possible meeting between the parties as early as this Saturday in Islamabad. The effort is being led by General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s military chief and de facto leader, who is also facing internal pressure from the country’s Shiite population over the government’s stance toward Iran.

Trump said earlier that he is in contact with a “respected leader” in Iran, though not with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly. Israeli officials believe the discussions may be taking place with Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, who denied the claim and described it as “fake news intended to manipulate markets and escape the quagmire in which the United States and Israel are trapped.”

However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that a request for talks with Ghalibaf had indeed been received from the United States, although Tehran has not yet responded. Iran’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that regional countries are attempting to mediate an end to the war.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed Trump’s remarks on the negotiations, saying, “Earlier today I spoke with Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement, an agreement that will preserve our vital interests.”

{Matzav.com}

A major development in the world of chazzanus in Yerushalayim was made official today, as Yeshurun Synagogue revealed that the renowned Chazzan Yitzchak Meir Helfgott will assume the role of chief chazzan of the prominent shul, accompanied by choirs, Matzav.com has learned.

Helfgott will take over the position from Chazzan Nissim Saal, who has served as the shul’s chief chazzan for the past three years.

In a statement, the shul said: “The Yeshurun Central Synagogue is pleased to announce to the public the joining of the great chazzan, one of the leading cantors of our generation and a world-renowned figure and first-class master of prayer, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Helfgott, who will serve as the chief chazzan of the Yeshurun Central Synagogue accompanied by choirs. The Yeshurun Central Synagogue community believes that his voice and vast experience will contribute greatly to strengthening spiritual life and prayer, and to uplifting the hearts of the Jewish people.”

The kehillah also expressed appreciation to Saal for his years of service, noting his impact on the shul’s atmosphere and communal life.

“We wish to express deep gratitude and appreciation to Cantor Rabbi Nissim Saal for three beautiful and blessed years of service at the synagogue. During his tenure, he contributed greatly to the atmosphere of prayer, to uplifting the spirit, and to strengthening community life, with dedication, pleasantness, and professionalism. We thank him wholeheartedly for his important contribution, and wish him much continued success in his path, that he continue to bring joy to hearts and increase the honor of Heaven wherever he goes.”

{Matzav.com}

Photos and footage circulating online appear to show an Iranian government aircraft flying over Tehran, despite the closure of the country’s airspace, which is reportedly under Israeli control.

The three-second clip, widely shared on social media, has drawn significant attention, as it seemingly contradicts the current restrictions on flights in the region.

According to a report by Israeli journalist Itay Blumental of Kan News, the aircraft was likely carrying senior Iranian officials en route to Islamabad, Pakistan, as part of efforts to advance talks between the United States and Iran. “We understand that this is part of a process taking place behind the scenes,” he said.

Blumental added that the flight may have been coordinated and approved by international actors, suggesting possible American involvement in facilitating the movement. “It’s possible that American officials informed Israel, which allowed the flight to take off,” he noted.

{Matzav.com}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Kyiv has conclusive evidence Russia is continuing to provide intelligence support to Iran, warning that such actions are helping to extend the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Zelenskyy made the remarks after a meeting with Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, stating that the information in Kyiv’s possession leaves no doubt about Moscow’s involvement.

“Russia is using its own signals intelligence and electronic intelligence capabilities, as well as part of the data obtained through cooperation with partners in the Middle East,” he said on X after meeting the head of military intelligence.

In a later video address to the nation, Zelenskyy said additional indications have emerged pointing to ongoing Russian assistance to Iran.

“This is clearly destructive activity and must be stopped, as it only leads to further destabilization. All responsible states have an interest in ensuring security and preventing bigger problem,” he said.

He also warned that the consequences of this cooperation are already being felt beyond the battlefield, particularly in global markets and energy supply.

“Markets are already reacting negatively and this is significantly complicating the fuel situation in many countries. By helping the Iranian regime survive and strike more accurately, Russia is effectively prolonging the war.”

Russia, for its part, has denied the allegations. The Kremlin last week rejected a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Moscow had been providing Iran with satellite imagery and enhanced drone technology, dismissing the report as “fake news.”

Air travel through Ben Gurion Airport has been sharply reduced following new directives from the Transportation Ministry, with Israel’s major airlines moving into emergency operating mode and significantly cutting back flights and passenger capacity.

El Al announced that it is scaling its activity down to roughly 5% of normal operations. Under the new framework, the airline will operate up to 15 outbound flights per day, each limited to a maximum of 50 passengers. The reduced schedule will include only select routes to key destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Rome, and Athens. The airline noted that inbound flights to Israel will continue without passenger restrictions.

Due to the limited number of available seats, passengers will be assigned based on the original booking date of their tickets, with priority given to urgent humanitarian and medical cases.

Israir also outlined a revised plan, stating that it will cut its operations to approximately half of its usual capacity. Outbound flights will likewise be restricted to 50 passengers per aircraft. The airline will focus on maintaining routes to nearby destinations, including Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Tbilisi, and Addis Ababa, which will serve as connecting hubs for onward travel.

The company further announced that all flights purchased through April 8 will be canceled under the new plan. Affected passengers will be offered the choice between a full refund or a travel voucher valued at 130% of the original ticket price, valid for up to 24 months. Travelers who had booked flights from Ben Gurion Airport to the listed destinations will be reassigned to flights departing from those same cities, in accordance with the updated schedules.

Both airlines emphasized that these measures are being implemented out of necessity due to the current security situation and government-imposed restrictions. They stressed that operations are being conducted with a focus on passenger and crew safety, while making efforts to maintain essential air links between Israel and the rest of the world.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu backed a Mossad strategy aimed at triggering a popular revolt in Iran at the outset of the war, but has grown increasingly frustrated that the expected uprising has not taken place, Times of Israel reports.

The New York Times, citing current and former US and Israeli intelligence officials, reported that Netanyahu raised the proposal during discussions with President Donald Trump as part of efforts to gain support for military action against Iran.

However, officials in both Washington and Israel are now expressing doubt that regime change is imminent, with current conditions seen as unfavorable for a mass uprising. Concerns over the regime’s violent crackdown on earlier protests, along with fears stemming from the ongoing US-Israeli air campaign, have dampened public willingness to take to the streets.

According to the report, expanding on earlier coverage by Channel 12, Mossad Director David Barnea presented Netanyahu with a plan ahead of the war that envisioned eliminating key Iranian leadership figures and then using intelligence operations to “galvanize the Iranian opposition,” igniting mass unrest in Iran by fomenting riots and other acts of resistance via intelligence operations, potentially leading to the regime’s collapse. The proposal was also reportedly shared with US officials at the White House.

The strategy was intended to bring about a rapid end to the conflict through internal upheaval. Instead, Iran’s leadership has consolidated its position, a scenario that some US officials had anticipated. While internal rivalries among religious factions could lead to infighting, the report noted that such a scenario would be unlikely to produce a democratic outcome. Suggestions that Kurdish militias might intervene have also not materialized.

Israeli officials have not entirely abandoned hopes for regime change, but the absence of widespread unrest has reportedly left Netanyahu disappointed. “Behind the scenes,” it said, Netanyahu “has expressed frustration that Mossad’s promises to foment revolt in Iran have not materialized.”

During an early wartime security meeting, the prime minister “complained that the plan was not working,” and vented that Trump “could decide to halt the campaign at any moment.”

A Channel 12 report aired Monday appeared to push back on the timeline, indicating that Mossad assessments suggest the regime could still collapse and that the Iranian public might eventually rise up, but only toward the later stages of the war, with the process potentially taking months or longer.

The Times also noted that former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen had been skeptical about the prospects for regime change and had instead focused on weakening Iran through sanctions and targeted killings of nuclear scientists.

By contrast, Barnea has prioritized efforts aimed at toppling the regime over the past year, with expectations that a wave of protests would emerge following the opening phase of the military campaign.

American officials, along with some Israeli counterparts, have remained doubtful that the war alone would bring about the collapse of Iran’s government.

One factor cited in the report is the reluctance of ordinary Iranians to risk their lives by protesting. Nate Swanson, a former member of the Trump administration’s Iran negotiating team led by Steve Witkoff, said that fear plays a major role.

He told the Times he had never seen a “serious plan” to cause an Iranian revolt.

“A lot of protesters are not coming into the street because they’ll get shot,” Swanson told the Times. “They’re going to get slaughtered. That’s one thing. But the second thing is that there’s a good chunk of people who just want a better life, and they’re just sidelined right now. They don’t like the regime, but they don’t want to die opposing it. That 60 percent is going to stay home.”

He said, “You still have fervent anti-regime folks, but they’re not armed, and they’re not bringing the majority of the population into the streets.”

In recent days, both Netanyahu and Trump have tempered expectations regarding regime change. Netanyahu has acknowledged uncertainty over whether the Iranian public will rise up, though he reiterated that one of the war’s objectives is “creating the conditions for the Iranian people to grasp their freedom, to control their destiny.”

Israeli officials continue to express cautious optimism that such a shift could eventually occur.

“I think that we need boots on the ground but they’ve got to be Iranian boots, and I think they’re coming,” Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said in an interview with CNN on Sunday. “What we have to focus on now is degrading to the point where they have no power left in this regime. Hopefully, that will trigger this combustion point where the people are able to take charge of their own lives.”

{Matzav.com}