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Senior American military leaders approved a strike on a subterranean Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) site near Tehran while carrying out a mission to recover U.S. airmen whose aircraft had been brought down inside Iran, according to a Fox News report citing senior sources.

The report said that during the rescue operation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper gave the order to hit the underground command center. The attack was executed by B-2 bombers deploying Massive Ordnance Penetrators, specialized munitions designed to destroy hardened, deeply buried targets.

Officials cited in the report indicated that the targeted IRGC facility was destroyed in the strike.

At the same time, as the rescue mission unfolded, U.S. B-1 bombers released roughly one hundred 2,000-pound bombs in the surrounding area to prevent Iranian forces from advancing toward the extraction site, a senior U.S. defense official said.

A senior military source described the action to Fox News by stating that US forces had applied significant force against the IRGC during the operation.

CENTCOM later confirmed in an official statement that two service members were successfully recovered after their F-15E aircraft had been shot down.

The Fox News report added that the strike on the IRGC installation took place between the two rescue phases. According to the report, the B-2 bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in the United States after receiving time-sensitive intelligence showing that multiple IRGC commanders were present inside the underground complex.

Following the mission, President Donald Trump said that American forces had rescued a severely injured F-15 crew member from deep within Iran, highlighting the dangers involved. He also referred to a second rescue effort that followed the initial extraction, describing both operations as unusual due to their length and complexity.

More than two years after emerging from the darkness of captivity into freedom, Bar Kuperstein spoke publicly in an emotional interview with Kikar HaShabbat about his time in Hamas captivity, describing how faith sustained him through the darkest moments.

Kuperstein recounts two and a half years filled with fear, uncertainty, and suffering—but says one thing never left him: his belief in Hashem. In the interview, he reflects on the horrors of Simchas Torah, the long months inside terror tunnels in Gaza, and the small moments he experienced as open miracles.

He describes how, even in the lowest and most desperate conditions, he managed to hold on to faith and find strength, hope, and light.

At the beginning of the interview, he shares: “In the past two years, I didn’t have the ability to celebrate a real Pesach. The other holidays—Chanukah or Rosh Hashanah—we were able to mark in some way.

“When we went to get food, the terrorists had a television in their room. On Chanukah we saw the prime minister lighting the third candle, so we knew it was Chanukah. They showed a clip from a broadcast in Israel and we saw Sukkos. On Chanukah we took a flashlight and would sing songs.”

Kuperstein then returns to the morning of Simchas Torah, when he was serving as a deputy security officer at the Nova festival. He describes how he helped save dozens of lives before being captured by Hamas terrorists and taken into Gaza.

“There was total chaos there,” he recalls. “From the moment the rockets started, we told people to disperse, and slowly you see that the rockets don’t stop. Then there was a huge traffic jam in the parking lot. I took my car to see what was causing it, and I saw a police vehicle blocking the road, warning of terrorist gunfire—and then I understood there was a terrorist infiltration.

“We continued evacuating vehicles, and after about fifteen minutes, cars came back under gunfire, and we realized there were terrorists there too. Wounded people were arriving, there were terrorist squads—you understand you’re in a war zone. We reached a point where we were trapped in a death zone, north and south, everything blocked. I went to a police officer and told him we had to open an emergency route. I told him to drive and open it, and he trusted me to stay behind. When I returned from captivity, a police officer told me that action saved more than 2,000 people.”

He describes the moment of his abduction: “I saw the terrorists’ pickup trucks arriving and I understood… it was like a full army, military vehicles. I didn’t know where it came from. At that moment I understood I couldn’t save anyone else and had to save myself. I felt like someone was holding my hand and guiding me where to go—Hashem directed me. Along the way I was shouting at people to get out of their cars; people were frozen in shock. I couldn’t stop at every car because they were shooting at me in insane quantities.

“I hid in bushes and started crawling because they were shooting at us. Eventually they reached us and began slaughtering everyone. I remember we all said ‘Shema Yisrael’ together, everyone who was with me in the bushes—and we were all saved, baruch Hashem. The fact that we were taken captive was itself the salvation. Everyone ahead of us—we heard screams, then bursts of gunfire, and silence. They were massacred. We said Shema Yisrael and waited for the bullet that would kill you.

“After a month in captivity, when we were allowed to talk, we shared those moments, and it turned out that all of us said ‘Shema Yisrael.’ Apparently, that’s what truly saved us.”

Kuperstein describes the journey into Gaza: “The entire way I’m praying to Hashem, saying ‘Shema Yisrael’ and chapters of Tehillim—everything I remember. I’m begging not to die there. I know what the ‘Hannibal Protocol’ is in the army—you see terrorists and you shoot—I kept praying that wouldn’t happen.”

He recalls a chilling exchange with a terrorist: “One of the terrorists who spoke English came to me and asked, ‘Where is your God now?’ That shook me. I sat with that question for hours and couldn’t answer.

“Then I said to myself—if I have a question about Hashem, who do I ask? My mother. I asked myself what she would say, and I answered: Hashem is testing me, and I’m in a test, and I have to pass it. That’s what kept me going.”

In the early weeks, he was moved between different houses across Gaza: “We were walking through the streets, our faces uncovered, usually in the dark because there’s no street lighting. We moved like that between several houses.”

He shares a moment he describes as a clear miracle: “One night, when they were transferring us, something didn’t feel right. We walked for about an hour, and the whole time I was just praying—‘Please let everything be okay.’ We felt something was wrong. I asked Hashem to bring us somewhere safe.

“We reached a place called ‘Beit HaBasta,’ but the guards didn’t arrive, so they took us back to the previous house. When we returned, the terrorist told me, ‘God loves you.’ I asked what happened, and he said, ‘You remember the house you were supposed to go to? It was bombed exactly where you were supposed to be.’”

“I said then—what just happened to me is not random. It’s Hashem. It’s divine providence. It’s a message that Hashem is with me and telling me I will stay alive.”

He describes his constant conversations with Hashem deep inside the tunnels: “I would talk to Him freely, because I didn’t know many prayers. I knew ‘Shema Yisrael,’ I knew some Tehillim. I told myself I would pray in my own way—I would just speak to Hashem, because I know you can do that.

“Every time I would ask Hashem for small things—just a bit more hope. I wouldn’t say ‘get me out of here now.’ If Hashem put me here, then I’m in a test and I need to be here. I would daven constantly—Shacharis, Modeh Ani, whatever I remembered. And at the end I would ask, ‘Give me some hope, give me a little more food, give me strength to walk and ask the terrorists for something.’”

He adds: “When I would go ask the terrorists for something, it didn’t always end with a ‘no.’ Sometimes it ended with threats or even beatings. So I would ask Hashem—after a period with no food—give me the strength to ask for something to eat. And then I went to them, didn’t even ask, and they just gave me food. If that’s not Hashem, then what is? It never happened that they just gave us food on their own.”

He also recounts another moment of divine encouragement: “I asked Hashem for a sign, and suddenly I heard my mother on the radio—on my birthday. If that’s not Hashem, then what is?”

Despite watching others being released in earlier deals, including women, children, and his fellow captive Ohad Ben Ami, he says he never felt resentment: “No, not at all. I always knew my time would come. Now it’s Ohad’s time. I’m happy for him, that he’s going back to his children and parents. Now it’s his time to be home. I’ll manage.”

“I knew my time would come,” he continues. “Hashem protected me, saved me again and again. If all this happened, there’s no chance I’m not getting out of here. I always believed I would leave captivity—and baruch Hashem, I’m here.”

He recalls an especially moving Shabbos in the tunnels: “Wow, I remember one Shabbos I’ll never forget. It was me, Elkana, and Ohad, and then they added Yosef Chaim Ohana, Segev, and Maxim. That Shabbos we were six people in a tunnel, and we sang ‘Shalom Aleichem’ together. It felt like the whole tunnel was shaking. We had tears of joy. We felt Hashem sent angels to surround us. It was incredibly emotional, and from then on, every Shabbos we made Kiddush.”

He also describes spiritual growth among the captives: “It was amazing. I came from a traditional home, Elkana also knew a lot, and those who didn’t know had a strong connection—they said, ‘Teach us.’ Ohad, who knew accounting, would say, ‘Come, let’s learn Torah.’ They wanted more—it was very moving. We had the privilege to give them that gift.”

On the constant bombings, he says: “Of course—every day, every hour, there are explosions. Everything shakes, sand falls on you. You’re underground—one bomb in the wrong place and everything collapses and you’re buried forever. You’re always afraid. But every time there was an explosion, you immediately say ‘Shema Yisrael,’ Tehillim—even ‘Shir LaMa’alos.’ That’s what kept us going—this faith.”

He describes the days leading up to his release: “We knew about the deal a few days before. They called us and said, ‘Sit and watch TV.’ They didn’t say anything, and then we saw the government approved the deal and families celebrating. We looked at each other and said, ‘Okay, let’s see if it actually happens.’ How many times had we seen this before? We didn’t want to be disappointed again. If it happens, it happens—we’ll be happy at home.”

Finally, he describes the moment of freedom: “It was crazy. We came out of the tunnel—they open the shaft, and suddenly you feel air on your face after almost two years underground. There’s no air in the tunnel, and suddenly you feel wind and see the sun. We saw massive destruction, but then you hear children and birds—you hear life. We were in a pit, and suddenly you hear a truck horn—these are things we hadn’t heard for two years.”

He also recalls the moment he was transferred to Israeli forces: “Of course I remember. We were with the Red Cross, we reached the line, and suddenly you see an armored vehicle from the Nachal Brigade—and I served in Nachal. That was closure for me. The forces escorted us, and suddenly you see an IDF base on a hill, everyone waving, and you say, ‘I survived this. I won.’”

As reported last night on Matzav.com, a special Pesach event was held at the White House, bringing together senior administration officials and prominent Jewish leaders for a reception and policy discussion with President Donald Trump.

The event began with a reception in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building attended by approximately 70 staff members and senior officials, followed by a private 30-minute meeting in the Oval Office with the president and a select group of Jewish representatives.

During the meeting with the Jewish representatives, President Trump spoke candidly about his daughter Ivanka’s conversion, stating: “When Ivanka decided to convert, I wasn’t very happy at first, but today I am happier than ever. She is an amazing woman, and my son-in-law Jared Kushner is also an amazing and smart man.”

Turning to Iran, Trump said: “If not for my actions, the State of Israel would not exist today. No president before me did what I did for Israel.”

He also addressed the pardon he granted to Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin in 2017, saying: “I am proud that I granted a pardon to the prisoner Sholom Rubashkin. What was done to this man was a great and terrible injustice. That is exactly what they tried to do to me. I am glad that I set him free.”

During the meeting, Trump also called his daughter Ivanka, put her on speaker, and told her about the Jewish delegation gathered in the Oval Office.

Several key issues were discussed during the meeting. The president asked about the status of Department of Homeland Security funding for Jewish community security, an ongoing concern amid rising antisemitic threats. He also reiterated his strong support for Israel.

{Matzav.com}

After nearly ten years of ongoing tension surrounding the management of the hilula of Rav Yeshaya’le of Kerestir zt”l, a decisive arbitration ruling has now been issued, establishing clear control over the event and aiming to prevent confusion and disorder ahead of the annual mass pilgrimage on Gimmel Iyar.

It has been learned that the ruling was delivered by the Galanta Rebbe, a member of the rabbinic leadership of the Hisachdus HaRabbonim of the United States and Canada, following hearings in which both sides presented their claims and formally agreed to arbitration.

At the center of the decision is a clear and binding determination that full responsibility for organizing, overseeing, and managing the 101st hilula in the town of Kerestir, Hungary, belongs exclusively to the descendants of the tzaddik, the Rubin family of Reb Shayale’s Hoiz. The family has been handling operations at the site for years with notable success, though they have periodically faced interference.

The ruling emphasizes that representatives of the Rubin family will coordinate all logistical and operational aspects of the hilula with the relevant authorities, emergency services, and support organizations, and that no outside parties are permitted to interfere with or disrupt these arrangements.

It was further clarified in unequivocal terms that no other organization, aside from the Rubin family, may create misleading impressions through media or public messaging suggesting that they are responsible for running the hilula or any part of it. This includes the use of names such as “Reb Shayale’s Kach” or “Reb Shayale’s Bakery,” which were specifically cited as examples of potentially misleading branding.

At the same time, other groups will still be permitted to operate on the day of the hilula, but only on a limited basis and strictly in coordination with the Rubin family of “Reb Shayale’s Hoiz.”

Beginning this year, participants are expected to benefit from a more orderly and structured event, with clearly defined leadership under the Rubin family, who recently completed extensive renovations of the bais medrash of the tzaddik, along with expanding a large network of hachnosas orchim facilities, upgraded hospitality areas, the tzaddik’s home, and numerous additional resources for the many visitors.

{Matzav.com}

A new intelligence assessment indicates that Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently unconscious and unable to manage the country’s affairs. The report, based on joint U.S.-Israeli intelligence, states that he is being treated in serious condition in the city of Qom.

According to the assessment, Khamenei, 56, has not been seen in public since assuming leadership following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war.

The report, published by The Times of London, suggests that his condition is far more severe than previously believed. A statement attributed to Israeli and American intelligence reads: “Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in serious condition and is not capable of being involved in any decision-making of the regime.”

It remains unclear whether he has been unconscious since being wounded on the first day of the war or if he suffered additional injuries later. This marks the first time his location within Iran has been publicly disclosed since he assumed the role of supreme leader, although U.S. and Israeli intelligence are said to have been aware of his whereabouts for some time.

President Donald Trump has said that he is engaged in negotiations with Iranian representatives, but clarified that he is not referring to the supreme leader. Last month, it was revealed that Mojtaba Khamenei narrowly escaped death during strikes on his father’s compound in Tehran after stepping outside moments before the attack.

Mazaher Hosseini, a senior regime official, reportedly told top clerics and commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained a leg injury.

In a leaked recording, it was stated: “The will of God was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return.” He was outside and standing above when the missiles struck the building, and his wife was killed on the spot.

China has effectively become the dominant buyer of Iranian oil, using a covert global network to funnel tens of billions of dollars into Tehran and blunt the impact of American sanctions, according to a report published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal. The financial lifeline has allowed Iran to sustain its economy and continue funding military activities despite international restrictions.

The data reflects a sharp reversal from previous years. During President Donald Trump’s first administration, a “maximum pressure” campaign was launched to cut off Iran’s primary revenue stream. That effort drove oil exports down dramatically, from 2.8 million barrels per day in May 2018 to roughly 200,000 barrels per day by August 2019. Today, however, the trend has shifted, with Iran once again generating billions of dollars each month due to increased Chinese purchases.

According to the report, China now absorbs nearly all of Iran’s oil output, compared to just about 30 percent a decade ago. Figures from the research firm Kpler indicate that in 2025, China imported approximately 1.4 million barrels per day—double the amount it bought in 2017 and more than 80 percent of Iran’s total oil sales that year.

U.S. officials describe the system enabling this trade as one of the largest sanctions-evasion networks in the world. The operation relies on multiple layers of concealment, including private refineries, hidden payment channels, and shell companies—many based in Hong Kong—used to launder money and convert profits into foreign currency.

A so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers plays a central role in the scheme. These vessels reportedly engage in tactics such as renaming ships, disabling tracking transponders, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea. The shipments are often accompanied by falsified documents that list the oil as originating from countries such as Oman or Malaysia.

The report notes that while China officially opposes what it calls “unilateral and unreasonable” sanctions, it has also been careful not to provoke Washington excessively. Still, Iranian oil remains attractive to Beijing due to its discounted price and its usefulness in countering U.S. objectives in the Middle East.

At the same time, Washington’s ability to respond remains limited. Although the United States has pursued indictments and expanded sanctions, taking aggressive action against Chinese financial institutions or refineries could drive up global oil prices and further strain relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, even as Iran effectively restricts Western shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, its own tankers continue to reach Chinese ports without disruption, helping to secure the regime’s economic survival.

The United States is set to launch its most extensive series of attacks on Iran since the beginning of the current campaign, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced during a press briefing, attributing the move to direct orders from President Donald Trump.

“Per the president’s direction, today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one of this operation,” Hegseth said.

He made clear that the intensity of the operation is expected to grow even further in the immediate future.

“Tomorrow, even more than today. And then Iran has a choice. Choose wisely, because this president does not play around,” he added.

His comments point to a deliberate expansion of U.S. military action, as Washington increases pressure on Tehran following recent clashes across the region.

Hegseth also highlighted the recovery of a U.S. pilot whose aircraft had been downed deep inside Iranian territory, presenting it as a defining moment in the broader campaign.

According to Hegseth, the pilot managed to transmit a signal while evading capture. “The airman activated his transponder with the message ‘God is good’,” Hegseth said.

The service member was ultimately rescued by American forces after remaining hidden for several hours inside Iran.

Hegseth sharply criticized Iran’s military response to the incident. “Iran’s military is embarrassed and humiliated and they should be,” he said.

A highly specialized U.S. military aircraft known as a “doomsday plane” was seen flying repeated loops over a major Air Force installation in Nebraska on Monday, just hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to accept his proposed agreement was set to run out.

The aircraft, a Boeing E-4B Nightwatch built to safeguard top government officials and maintain command operations during a nuclear conflict, was tracked flying above Offutt Air Force Base, which houses the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command.

Flight tracking data showed the jet departing Offutt at 10:17 a.m. EST, circling the surrounding area at least six times before eventually returning to the base, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

Such flights often draw attention during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. A similar mission last year attracted notice shortly before the United States joined Israel in a 12-day campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Trump has set a Tuesday deadline for Iran to accept his terms, which include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He has warned that failure to comply would result in U.S. strikes on critical infrastructure, including power stations and bridges.

“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.

The United States maintains a fleet of four E-4B aircraft, which routinely conduct flights throughout the year to ensure constant operational readiness.

The Nightwatch aircraft functions as a mobile command post for the president, the secretary of defense, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, enabling uninterrupted leadership and communication during crises.

Equipped with multiple levels, the plane includes sleeping quarters with 18 bunks, as well as a briefing space, work areas, a conference room, and a command center, effectively serving as a fully operational “flying Pentagon” in emergency situations.

The aircraft has been specially reinforced to endure extreme threats, including nuclear detonations, electromagnetic pulses, cyberattacks, and other catastrophic scenarios.

Each E-4B can accommodate up to 112 personnel and is capable of traveling distances exceeding 7,000 miles without refueling.

It is also outfitted with advanced shielding and an extensive communications system, including dozens of satellite dishes and antennas housed within its radome, allowing it to maintain contact with virtually any point on the globe.

A Pesach gathering took place at the White House today, bringing together senior administration figures alongside prominent Jewish communal leaders for a reception and policy discussion ahead of the Yom Tov.

The program featured a reception held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, attended by roughly 70 senior staff and officials. It followed a closed-door, half-hour meeting in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump and a select group of Jewish representatives.

Among the government officials present were Secretary Howard Lutnick, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Staff Secretary Will Scharf, Jewish Liaison Martin Marks, Jacob Reese, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, and Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun.

The delegation from the Jewish community represented a wide range of rabbinic and organizational leadership, led by representatives of Agudath Israel of America.

Attendees included Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel of Agudath Israel, the mayors of Kiryas Joel and New Square, Rabbi Moshe Dovid Niederman of Satmar in Williamsburg, Rabbi Moshe Margaretten of the Tzedek Association, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch in Washington, DC, and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of New York’s Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.

Additional attendees included Holocaust survivor Jerry Worski along with his associate Jon Burkan, investor Paul Packer, Holocaust Memorial Council Chairman Jeff Miller, Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, who was recently the target of an antisemitic incident.

Also present was Edan Alexander of New Jersey, a recently freed hostage from Gaza, who attended the event together with his parents.

During the Oval Office discussion, several significant topics were addressed. The president inquired about the status of Department of Homeland Security funding allocated for protecting Jewish institutions, an issue that remains pressing amid increased antisemitic threats. He also reiterated his strong backing of Israel and spoke about the current tensions involving Iran.

President Trump also spoke about the case of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, saying that his earlier sentence had been unjust, and asked about his current condition.

In a more personal moment, the president placed a phone call to his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom had been active in Jewish communal affairs during his administration. He expressed pride in Ivanka’s conversion, noting that her teacher had described her as an outstanding student.

{Matzav.com}

Following the widely felt shortage of walnut oil, chareidi communities in Eretz Yisroel are now facing a significant lack of matzah in supermarkets, with empty shelves reported just one day before Shevi’i Shel Pesach. Consumers say the shortage has been driven by unusually large-scale hosting this year, along with reports of massive army purchases.

Pesach 5786 will likely be remembered not only for the scarcity of walnut oil in chareidi neighborhoods—where many rely exclusively on it despite its higher cost compared to canola oil—but now also for a growing shortage of matzah.

It has emerged that part of the walnut oil shortage stemmed from a decision by the company Taaman to limit production this year, while other suppliers experienced delays at ports due to the ongoing war. Several major retailers informed customers that they would only be able to fulfill part of their orders, and in practice, shortages were recorded across many chareidi grocery chains.

In addition to the oil issue, over the past two days, consumers began reporting that matzah supplies were running out. Families who hosted more guests than usual this year, along with tens of thousands who remained home instead of traveling, found themselves unexpectedly short on matzah. Attempts to purchase more were often unsuccessful, as reports from stores and local groceries confirmed that supplies had been depleted.

Online groups in chareidi cities have been buzzing with requests and offers related to matzah throughout the Yom Tov. Some sources said that the army, due to a large-scale reserve mobilization, collected matzah from food chains ahead of the chag, an action they claim contributed to the widespread shortage seen across the country.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu conveyed serious concern during a phone call with President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of a ceasefire arrangement with Iran, according to a report by Channel 12 News. He warned that such a move could carry significant dangers when dealing with the Iranian regime.

According to the report, Netanyahu used the conversation to outline the potential risks of entering into any agreement with Tehran, emphasizing the implications of easing pressure on the ayatollah leadership.

The discussion, which was described as “warm and positive,” began with Netanyahu offering congratulations to Trump for what he called a heroic mission that successfully rescued an American F-15 crew member from Iranian territory.

During their exchange, Trump told Netanyahu that a ceasefire could be implemented if Iran agrees to meet American conditions. At the same time, he made clear that there would be no compromise on key demands: Iran must hand over all enriched uranium currently in its possession and would be permanently prohibited from resuming enrichment activities.

Separately, Trump addressed the situation publicly on Monday after Iran rejected his proposal for a temporary ceasefire.

In remarks to the press, Trump sharply intensified his rhetoric, warning, “The entire country [of Iran] can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.” He reiterated the administration’s central objective that Iran must be not allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Israel is preparing to reopen schools and preschools on Sunday with a phased system of small groups, after the Home Front Command advised that learning can resume across the country based on the regional threat levels.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu accepted the Education Ministry’s proposal for a gradual return using capsule groupings, rejecting an alternative plan by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that would have placed teachers on leave and required them to make up the days later in the summer.

The Education Ministry stated: “The outline of the Minister of Education allows for a gradual return of the education system to in-person activity after the Passover holiday, while maintaining student safety and strengthening the educational and emotional response. Implementation of the plan for this coming Sunday will be subject to a situational assessment by the Home Front Command to be held at the conclusion of the holiday.”

At a meeting held Monday under Netanyahu’s leadership, officials approved the phased return beginning Sunday, pending final authorization from the Home Front Command. In the meantime, existing safety restrictions remain in place until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Oren Ozen, chairman of the National Parents Leadership Council, expressed support for the move, saying: “We believe that returning children to educational frameworks, where it can be done safely, is a correct and necessary step. The education system is a central anchor for both children and parents, and returning to it provides stability, routine, and emotional support during a complex period. At the same time, it is important to maintain flexibility and understand that there are families who are still concerned, and therefore tailored solutions must also be allowed for them.”

During a meeting earlier in the day between parent representatives and education officials, it was emphasized that wherever conditions allow, schools and kindergartens should reopen fully without splitting students into smaller groups, provided there is proper access to protected areas within required timeframes.

Parents also called for accommodations for families choosing to keep children at home, including protections against absences, continued academic and emotional support, and financial safeguards for parents, recognizing that many are still dealing with ongoing concerns.

According to the Home Front Command, reopening will be based on threat levels in each region. In areas marked orange on the national map—including cities such as Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Givatayim, Cholon, Bat Yam, Rishon Letzion, Be’er Sheva, Dimona, Arad, and northern communities—classes will be permitted only within protected spaces. In areas marked yellow, studies may take place near protected spaces.

Satellite company Planet Labs announced that it will stop providing imagery of Iran and surrounding conflict zones for an indefinite period, following a request from the U.S. government.

The California-based firm informed customers by email that Washington had asked all commercial satellite providers to suspend distribution of images from the region without a set end date.

The move builds on a restriction introduced last month, when Planet Labs delayed releasing Middle East imagery by 14 days, citing concerns that such data could be exploited by hostile actors targeting the United States and its allies.

According to the company, the updated policy will apply retroactively to imagery captured as far back as March 9 and is expected to remain in place for the duration of the ongoing conflict.

The current war began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. The situation quickly escalated as Tehran retaliated with attacks against Israel and American military installations in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Satellite data plays a critical role in modern warfare, supporting functions such as identifying targets, guiding weapons systems, tracking missile activity, and enabling communications. Analysts have also noted that Iran may be obtaining commercially available imagery, including through intermediaries aligned with U.S. adversaries. At the same time, such imagery is widely used by journalists and researchers to monitor areas that are otherwise difficult to access.

Planet Labs, which operates one of the world’s largest constellations of Earth-observing satellites and supplies frequent updates to governments, corporations, and media outlets, declined to provide additional comment beyond its customer notice.

The Pentagon said it does not comment on intelligence-related matters.

In its communication, Planet Labs stated that it will transition to a “managed distribution of images” deemed safe for release. Under this framework, imagery may be shared selectively on a case-by-case basis when it meets urgent operational needs or serves the public interest.

“These are extraordinary circumstances, and we are doing all we can to balance the needs of all our stakeholders,” the firm said.

Meanwhile, another commercial imagery provider, Vantor, formerly known as Maxar Technologies, told Reuters it had not received a similar request from the U.S. government. The company noted that it already maintains the authority to “implement enhanced access controls during times of geopolitical conflict” and has applied such measures in parts of the Middle East.

A spokesperson for Vantor explained that these restrictions may include limiting who can request new images or purchase existing ones from areas where U.S. forces and their allies are “actively operating,” as well as locations “actively targeted by adversaries.”

President Donald Trump said today that he told Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that Israel would not have survived had the United States remained in the 2015 nuclear agreement brokered under President Barack Obama.

Speaking at the White House, Trump recounted his conversation with Netanyahu..

“I told this to Bibi Netanyahu yesterday,” he says at the White House.

Trump again expressed confusion over Jewish voting patterns in the United States, criticizing those who support Democratic candidates.

“How Israel can vote for a Democrat — if you’re Jewish in New York City or any place else in this country, how you can vote for a Democrat is unbelievable because (Obama) chose Iran,” Trump says.

As tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz intensify, Iranian diplomatic outposts are responding to President Donald Trump’s latest military warnings with a wave of sarcasm and online mockery, openly ridiculing his threats. The immediate catalyst was Trump’s ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the strategic waterway by “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time,” or risk strikes targeting key infrastructure such as power stations and bridges.

Iran’s embassy in Zimbabwe seized on the deadline itself, posting a sarcastic reply: “8 P.M. is not that good. Could you change it to between 1 and 2 P.M., or if possible, 1 and 2 A.M.? Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I.E.Z.”

The message was clearly crafted to imitate Trump’s recognizable communication style while downplaying the gravity of his warning.

Meanwhile, Iran’s embassy in India issued a more blunt and personal response to Trump’s tone, writing: “Swearing and throwing insults are how sore loser brats behave. Get a grip on yourself, old man!”

These reactions followed Trump’s own sharply worded warning that Tuesday would be “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day” in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, a statement interpreted as a signal of potential strikes on civilian infrastructure.

The exchanges underscore Iran’s growing reliance on humor, parody, and ridicule as part of its broader messaging strategy. Iranian diplomatic missions across multiple regions, including South Africa and parts of Europe, have increasingly turned to memes, staged exchanges, and sarcastic commentary in an effort to counter American narratives and influence international opinion.

This online campaign is unfolding in parallel with a worsening military standoff. The Strait of Hormuz — a vital corridor for global energy supplies, carrying about 20 percent of the world’s oil — has faced major disruptions since the conflict erupted, raising the stakes surrounding both Trump’s ultimatum and Iran’s defiant response.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO and several key U.S. allies, accusing them of failing to support American military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran, while highlighting assistance from a handful of Middle Eastern partners.

Speaking publicly, Trump took aim at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, questioning its effectiveness and describing it as a “paper tiger,” in a pointed rebuke of the 32-member alliance.

He expanded his criticism to include several countries in Asia, arguing that nations benefiting from U.S. military protection did not reciprocate during the conflict.

“We’ve got 50,000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea,” Trump said. “We have 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un.”

Trump expressed frustration that these allies did not contribute to the U.S. war effort. “Japan didn’t help us or Australia didn’t help us,” he added. “South Korea didn’t help us. And then you get to NATO. NATO didn’t help us. There were some countries that did.”

In contrast, Trump pointed to support from several Gulf nations, naming Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as countries that assisted the United States during the conflict.

Unidentified advanced drones spotted flying over several U.S. military installations could represent a warning from China, according to analyst Gordon Chang, who cautioned that Beijing may be signaling its ability to strike inside the United States if tensions escalate over Iran.

Speaking Monday, Chang pointed to recent incidents involving large, highly capable drones seen over key American bases. “The important point here is that we have had, last month, over four of our important military bases, foreign drones. These drones were large, they were un-hackable, they obviously were not recreational, so some foreign power — probably China, maybe Russia — was operating drones over our critical air force bases,” Chang said on “Mornings with Maria.”

He stressed that the activity should not be dismissed and may carry strategic meaning. “Really, right now, the United States needs to be able to defend its bases in the homeland because those drone flights were a warning to the United States of some sort,” he continued.

Chang suggested the overflights could be intended as a message to President Donald Trump, warning that deeper U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict might provoke retaliatory action targeting American territory.

He also pointed to a recent incident involving a suspicious device discovered near MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, which he said could be connected to China, as further evidence of a growing threat.

“We’ve really got to be concerned,” he said, later adding, “These are warnings that China intends to move on the U.S. in the American homeland.”

Chang further argued that China’s actions should be viewed alongside its strengthening ties with other U.S. adversaries, including Russia and Iran, suggesting a coordinated challenge across multiple fronts.

“China is supporting Russia in Ukraine, and China is supporting Russia in other matters as well… So they have a durable partnership, and anything that helps one of them is going to generally help the other, with the exception of the matter that you just raised,” he said, referring to the tension between higher oil prices benefiting Russia while raising costs for China.

He concluded with a broader warning about the strategic environment facing the United States. “Generally speaking, the United States now faces a very powerful combination, and we shouldn’t be doing anything that fuels that combination,” he added.

Starbucks is making sweeping changes to how tips and compensation work for its employees, announcing a broader tipping system alongside a new bonus program aimed at increasing barista earnings.

The Seattle-based coffee chain said it will widen the ways customers can leave tips, allowing gratuities on a larger share of credit and debit card purchases, according to Reuters.

Although tipping has already been available through the company’s app and at registers, Starbucks is now extending that option to more card transactions, including payments made through the app while inside stores.

In addition to the tipping changes, the company is introducing a new incentive program that could allow baristas and shift supervisors to earn up to $1,200 per year beyond their regular wages.

This bonus system will be tied to performance metrics such as sales and customer service goals, and is scheduled to begin in July.

Starbucks also announced a shift in its payroll schedule, with employees set to receive weekly pay starting in August, a change the company says reflects feedback from its workforce.

Workers United, the labor union representing some Starbucks employees, responded to the announcement by saying it reflects ongoing pressure from organizing efforts. In a statement obtained by Reuters, the union said the move was “clearly a reaction to our organizing and demands for higher take-home pay for baristas.”

At the same time, the union expressed concern about how much control workers actually have over these added earnings, noting that bonuses and tips are “largely out of baristas’ control.”

The company has previously said that baristas earn roughly $30 per hour on average when factoring in wages and benefits, despite the demands of a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.

Industry observers say customers are likely to notice an increase in tipping prompts going forward. Amore Philip, a New York-based public relations strategist, said consumers “should absolutely expect to see more frequent tipping prompts.”

She described the trend as part of a wider cultural shift in how tipping is used. “What’s happening here is part of a broader shift in consumer culture often referred to as ‘tip creep,’ where tipping is expanding into spaces that traditionally didn’t require it,” she told Fox News Digital.

Philip added that this trend may create discomfort or uncertainty for customers. “For customers, that can create a sense of pressure or even confusion to where consumers may be tipping for service, convenience or simply because the system is prompting you to.”

At the same time, she noted that Starbucks may be aiming to improve employee morale and customer experience through these changes.

“The tension is really about balance,” she added. “Consumers are becoming more aware of how often they’re being asked to tip, [but] if the experience feels elevated, including faster service, better interactions … customers may be more willing to participate.”

Financial experts say the move could also help Starbucks avoid raising menu prices directly. Ted Jenkin, managing partner at Exit Wealth Advisors in Georgia, said the strategy shifts more of the burden to customers voluntarily.

“The new tipping move is “an easy way for Starbucks to avoid raising prices directly,” he said.

Jenkin also questioned the growing trend of pre-service tipping. “Who wants to give a tip before you even get your latte?” he said to Fox News Digital. “That defeats the whole idea of a tip.”

President Donald Trump made lighthearted remarks Monday suggesting he could run for president of Venezuela, saying he believes he would outperform any candidate in the country, as he spoke during a press briefing focused on a recent military rescue operation.

During the event, Trump quipped about his hypothetical political prospects abroad. “The people of Venezuela, they say, if I ran for president of Venezuela, I’m polling higher than anybody has ever polled in Venezuela, so after I’m finished with this, I can go to Venezuela,” Trump said. “I will quickly learn Spanish. It won’t take too long. I’m good at language and I will go to Venezuela. I’m going to run for president. But we’re very happy with the president-elect that we have right now.”

Throughout the briefing, Trump returned several times to the topic of Venezuela, drawing comparisons between the recent rescue mission over Iran and previous U.S. military actions involving the South American nation. He also suggested that the situation in Iran could ultimately mirror developments in Venezuela.

At one point, Trump described the U.S. campaign involving Venezuela as swift and decisive, claiming it was resolved in a short time frame and highlighting what he said were large quantities of oil secured by the United States.

In remarks made during a cabinet meeting last month, Trump similarly joked about entering Venezuelan politics, referencing acting President Delcy Rodriguez, whom he installed following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

“The people — actually, I’m the highest polling person. In other words, after the presidency, I think I may go to Venezuela and run for president,” Trump said.

He added that the idea was appealing, describing it as a “wonderful option” for his future.

Despite joking about quickly picking up Spanish during Monday’s remarks, Trump had previously taken a different stance when speaking to Latin American leaders at the Shield of the Americas Summit.

During that address, he praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting his fluency in Spanish, while making clear he had no intention of learning the language himself.

“He’s got a language advantage over me, ‘cause I’m not learning your …. language,” Trump said. “I don’t have time. I was okay with languages but I’m not gonna spend time learning your language. That much I won’t do.”

Israeli forces carried out a sweeping series of airstrikes across Iran on Monday, killing two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials and targeting key military and economic infrastructure, even as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire continued.

Among those killed was Majid Khademi, a high-ranking IRGC intelligence official who had recently assumed leadership of both the Intelligence Protection Organization and the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization after his predecessor was eliminated in last year’s fighting.

In a separate operation in Tehran, another senior figure, Yazdan Mir — also known as Sardar Bagheri or Asghar Bagheri — was killed. He led Unit 840, a covert division within the IRGC’s Quds Force known for overseas operations.

The Israel Defense Forces described Khademi as “one of the IRGC’s most senior commanders and had accumulated extensive military and security experience over many years.”

“In his role, he was responsible for gathering intelligence and helping formulate a comprehensive situational assessment for the regime’s senior leadership” during the war, the military said.

According to the IDF, Khademi also played a central role in directing hostile activities abroad. He “worked to advance terror activities against the State of Israel and against Jewish targets worldwide. He also took part in attempts to target American individuals and was responsible for monitoring Iranian civilians as part of the regime’s suppression of internal protests,” the IDF added.

Regarding Bagheri, the military said he occupied several senior posts within the Quds Force and was deeply involved in operations targeting Israeli and American interests globally.

The IDF noted that Unit 840 has been linked to assassination attempts and abductions beyond Iran’s borders, including operations involving Israeli nationals.

Bagheri, according to the military, “coordinated and promoted terror activities against the State of Israel, including operations carried out within the territory of the State of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.”

The IDF further stated that under his leadership, the unit “advanced operations aimed at harming IDF troops operating in the buffer zone in Syria, using Syrian operatives who had previously served in Assad’s army.”

Officials also said he played a role in efforts to smuggle weapons into Israel and areas of the West Bank.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, who was briefed during a high-level security assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned that Israel would continue pursuing its adversaries. “Iran’s leaders live with a sense of persecution. We will continue to hunt them down one by one.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu also praised the operations, highlighting the elimination of Khademi and Bagheri.

He described Bagheri as “responsible for attacks against Jews and Israelis around the world.”

“Whoever acts to murder our citizens, whoever directs terrorism against Israel, whoever builds the Iranian axis of evil — their blood is on their own head. We are acting with power and determination; we will reach anyone who seeks to harm us,” Netanyahu said.

“We will continue with full force, on all fronts, until the threat is removed and all the objectives of the war are achieved.”

In addition to targeting individuals, Israeli forces struck major components of Iran’s energy sector, including the South Pars petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh, one of the country’s most significant industrial sites.

Katz said the IDF “has just powerfully struck the largest petrochemical facility in Iran, located in Asaluyeh, a central target responsible for about 50 percent of the country’s petrochemical production, following last week’s strike on the second main facility.”

He added that the two facilities, “which together are responsible for about 85% of Iran’s petrochemical exports, have been taken out of use and are not functioning.”

“This is a severe economic blow amounting to tens of billions of dollars to the Iranian regime,” he said.

According to Katz, Iran’s petrochemical sector plays a crucial role in funding the IRGC and its military activities.

He said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on key infrastructure. “continue striking with full force the national infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime.”

“The Iranian terror regime will discover that continued aggression against Israel and the cowardly and criminal firing at Israeli civilians will lead to a deepening of the economic and strategic damage it pays and to the collapse of its capabilities,” Katz said.

Iranian media later reported that another petrochemical complex, in Marvdasht, was also struck.

“A few minutes ago, the Marvdasht Petrochemical Complex was targeted by an American-Zionist enemy attack,” the Fars news agency reported, noting that a fire broke out but was later contained, with no casualties reported.

Israel did not immediately respond to that report.

The Israeli Air Force also targeted multiple airfields in and around Tehran, stating they were being used by the Quds Force.

According to the military, the strikes hit runways, control towers, and a drone production facility, while also destroying numerous Iranian aircraft.

Fighter jets carried out attacks on planes, helicopters, and infrastructure “used by the regime’s armed forces for military purposes” at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and two additional nearby airstrips.

The strikes came as Iran continued launching ballistic missiles toward Israel, some of which have caused casualties in recent days.

Meanwhile, Iranian sources reported that a residential building southwest of Tehran was hit, resulting in at least 13 fatalities, though the intended target was unclear.

Separate reports indicated that a strike at Sharif University of Technology caused a temporary gas disruption in parts of the capital.

Iranian state media said the attack damaged a gas regulation facility on campus, causing a leak but no fire. “The attack did not result in a fire, and in less than half an hour, the gas leak was completely fixed,” state broadcaster IRIB said.

The university, which has faced international sanctions in the past over its links to Iran’s military programs, was largely empty at the time due to the ongoing conflict.

Reports also indicated that the strike damaged a data center at the site, including facilities linked to artificial intelligence systems.

Footage aired by Iranian outlets showed extensive destruction at the location, with debris scattered and structures heavily damaged.