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Iran is celebrating its newly finalized agreement with the United States as a major strategic triumph, with senior officials claiming the deal preserves key elements of Tehran’s military and nuclear posture while forcing Washington to make significant concessions.

Speaking Thursday after the memorandum of understanding was signed, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei portrayed the agreement as a decisive victory for the Islamic Republic and argued that the outcome demonstrated Iran’s growing power on the world stage.

One of the most significant points highlighted by Iranian officials is the survival of Tehran’s ballistic missile program. The issue has long been a source of tension between Washington and Tehran. The Trump administration had previously criticized the Obama-era nuclear agreement for failing to address Iran’s missile capabilities, and President Trump repeatedly identified the missile program as a major security concern for both the United States and Israel.

In remarks carried by Iranian state television, Baghaei confirmed that the agreement had been formally completed and said both countries had approved identical versions of the document.

“As I speak with you now, the text of the memorandum of understanding has been signed by the presidents of Iran and the U.S.,” Baghaei said.

“The text of the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding is now officially finalized as both parties have signed it,” he added.

Baghaei cautioned that the real challenge would come during implementation and signaled that Iran intends to closely monitor every step taken by Washington.

“Iran will monitor the U.S.’ compliance without any leniency,” he said, adding that Iran would not fulfill its end of the agreement if Washington “evades its obligations.”

According to Baghaei, Tehran expects immediate economic benefits from the agreement, including relief from restrictions on oil exports and renewed access to shipping services, insurance markets, and oil-related revenue streams.

He also insisted that the United States refrain from expanding its military footprint in the region or imposing additional sanctions while negotiations toward a final agreement continue.

“Within the 60-day window, the other side must not take action to reinforce its military presence in the region or impose new sanctions,” Baghaei said. “Such actions would be considered a violation of the agreement.”

One of the most contentious issues remains Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. While the memorandum reportedly does not explicitly authorize Iran to retain the material, Baghaei made clear that Tehran rejects any requirement that it be removed from the country.

“Transferring enriched nuclear material out of the country is unacceptable to us,” he said. “Diluting enriched material is not a new option. It has now been introduced as one option, so as not to close the door on other options.”

Baghaei also insisted that Iran’s missile arsenal remains completely off-limits in any future discussions, despite ongoing international concerns about the country’s growing military capabilities.

“Iran’s missiles are meant to be fired, not negotiated over. Our missiles don’t even like being talked about,” he said. “Iran’s defensive capabilities will not be discussed in any process, with any party.”

The spokesman further outlined Tehran’s vision for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

According to Baghaei, Iran and Oman have already reached broad understandings regarding oversight of the waterway, and Iran intends to collect fees connected to services provided there.

“Iran will charge fees for services in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said. “The mechanisms for managing the Strait of Hormuz have largely been agreed upon with Oman.”

He added that maritime traffic would continue uninterrupted while maintaining “the sovereignty and dominion of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.”

Presenting the agreement as the culmination of months of conflict and pressure, Baghaei argued that Iran had emerged stronger despite the hardships of war.

“Our enemies have inflicted harm on us,” he said. “But a wounded lion remains a lion. The war they imposed not only did not bring us to our knees, but made us stronger.”

He then escalated his rhetoric even further, claiming that Iran had prevailed against some of the world’s most powerful nations.

“Iran defeated two nuclear powers that were also backed by some other countries. We are not making slogans: We truly are a superpower.”

The agreement has been met with fierce opposition in Israel and among some American political figures, who contend that the arrangement gives Tehran substantial economic and strategic gains while leaving critical military capabilities intact.

Israeli officials have warned that the deal could strengthen Iran’s position throughout the region and diminish deterrence against future aggression.

Among the sharpest critics is Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz, who has argued that Trump’s agreement amounts to a “catastrophic capitulation to” Iran and its regional ambitions.

Horovitz has further contended that the memorandum heavily favors Tehran by providing access to as much as $100 billion in immediate assistance while failing to secure concrete commitments regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions or long-term intentions.

{Matzav.com}

A sense of excitement filled Yerushalauyim’s Beis Yisroel neighborhood this week as Rav Yehoshua Eichenstein, rosh yeshiva and nosi of Yeshivas Kibbutz Chayei Daas, paid a special visit to the yeshiva in honor of its move to a larger new facility on Betzalel Ashkenazi Street.

The highlight of the visit was a powerful and timely address delivered by Rav Eichenstein to the yeshiva’s talmidim, during which he discussed the ongoing controversy surrounding military conscription and the challenges currently facing bnei yeshiva. In remarks that drew considerable attention, the rosh yeshiva offered what many viewed as a remarkable assurance.

“A bochur who truly toils in Torah, I guarantee that he will never be arrested, and there is no reason to be afraid,” Rav Eichenstein declared.

Expanding on the idea, Rav Eichenstein explained that the root of the current difficulties can be understood through the pasuk, “Vanehi b’eineinu kachagavim v’chein hayinu b’eineihem—We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in their eyes.”

He explained that when Torah Jews view themselves as weak and insignificant, others will perceive them that way as well. However, when they take pride in their status as bnei Torah and devote themselves to serious Torah study, they rise above such fears and challenges.

“If we act like grasshoppers, they will succeed against us,” he said. “But if we do not act like grasshoppers and instead fill ourselves with Torah toil and appreciation for the privilege of living a life of Torah, they will never succeed against us and will never look at us as grasshoppers.”

The rosh yeshiva emphasized that amal haTorah does not necessarily mean remaining in the yeshiva building every moment of the day. Rather, it is measured by a person’s willingness to sacrifice and exert himself for Torah.

As an example, he described a bochur who gives up additional sleep in order to arrive on time to learn, or one who leaves a conversation during a meal to return to the beis medrash. Such actions, he said, demonstrate a genuine acceptance of the yoke of Torah.

Rav Eichenstein acknowledged that these efforts are not easy, but stressed that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth. He noted that the word nisayon is related to nes, a banner that elevates a person to greater heights.

He concluded the main address by blessing the yeshiva’s talmidim that they continue to ascend in Torah through dedicated effort and merit to find their respective zivugim in the near future.

Following the public gathering, Rav Eichenstein surprised the older bochurim by delivering a special vaad focused on guidance in shidduchim. He stressed that the most important factor in evaluating a prospective match is the young woman’s character and spiritual qualities, urging bochurim not to become distracted by minor and insignificant considerations.

Participants left the gathering inspired and energized, and yeshiva leaders reported that the impact was immediately noticeable through an increase in hasmadah, shtieg, and Torah learning throughout the yeshiva.

Upon arriving at the yeshiva, Rav Eichenstein was presented with a newly published Torah volume titled Meleches Kosher, produced by the talmidim after extensive study and analysis. The work reflects the educational model Rav Eichenstein has long championed, encouraging in-depth study of practical halachic topics in Maseches Shabbos—from the Gemara through the final halachah—in areas such as boneh, borrer, and related subjects.

Federal authorities say the man accused of orchestrating the foiled drone attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House is a Mexican national who remained in the United States through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program after overstaying a visa issued when he entered the country as a child.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, 31-year-old Abraham Alvarez entered the United States on a B-2 visa but remained after it expired in 2001. Under the Obama administration, he later received protection from deportation through the DACA program.

Investigators arrested Alvarez on June 14 at a former church building in the small Nebraska community of Western. Authorities believe the location was intended to serve as a “safe zone” for Alvarez and others allegedly involved in the planned attack, according to local reporting by First Alert 6.

Federal officials allege that Alvarez played a central leadership role in coordinating the plot from Nebraska.

“From his home here in Nebraska, Alvarez allegedly directed and recruited others across the country to conduct a horrific attack against government officials in a mass casualty event,” Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha field office said in a Tuesday release from the US Attorney’s Office.

“Our team worked around the clock to locate and apprehend Alvarez, take him into custody, and collect crucial evidence.”

Authorities say Alvarez was among five individuals charged in connection with an alleged scheme targeting President Trump and other senior government officials during the UFC event held Sunday evening on the South Lawn of the White House before a crowd of thousands.

According to investigators, the suspects planned to deploy drones carrying explosives against the event and then use sniper teams to target spectators attempting to flee the area.

Law enforcement officials told reporters that Alvarez allegedly served as the chief planner and coordinator behind the operation, which was ultimately disrupted before it could be carried out through a joint effort involving the FBI and local agencies.

“This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.”

“He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country,” she added of Alvarez.

Federal investigators are also examining the activities of 23 additional individuals who are believed to have had some level of involvement in the alleged conspiracy.

Those already charged could face severe penalties if convicted. Prosecutors say conspiracy-to-commit-murder charges carry potential life sentences and fines of up to $250,000, while the alleged plan to carry out a violent attack on White House grounds carries an additional possible prison sentence of up to five years.

{Matzav.com}

A day after violent confrontations erupted during a chareidi protest on Route 4 near the Coca-Cola Junction in Bnei Brak, police officials are pushing back against accusations of excessive force, insisting that their actions were aimed at restoring public order and reopening one of Israel’s busiest highways during the morning rush hour.

The response comes after widespread criticism and viral footage from the demonstration, which was organized in protest of the arrest of yeshiva students. Images circulating online showed protesters being forcibly removed from the roadway, with some appearing bloodied and others left with torn clothing.

One of the most controversial aspects of the incident involved footage of demonstrators whose garments were ripped during the evacuation. Police officials rejected claims that officers deliberately tore clothing in an effort to humiliate protesters.

According to police sources, officers are trained to remove demonstrators by gripping them around the waist and physically carrying them away from the roadway. In some cases, they said, clothing may be damaged during the struggle, but there was no directive or intention to tear garments or otherwise degrade those involved.

Police also disputed claims regarding a protester who was filmed with blood covering his face. According to their version of events, the injury occurred when demonstrators allegedly ripped off a license plate, not as a result of police actions.

Officials stressed that public discussion should not focus solely on police tactics but also on the consequences of blocking a major transportation artery during peak travel hours.

They argued that thousands of motorists were stranded in severe traffic jams on their way to work and other destinations and said it is the police’s responsibility to protect freedom of movement and maintain public order.

The department also indicated that its policy toward illegal road blockages remains unchanged. Police said they will continue to act swiftly to clear significant traffic disruptions, particularly when major highways are involved.

According to officials, firm enforcement is necessary to prevent widespread disruptions to daily life and ensure that essential transportation routes remain open.

At the same time, police sources suggested that one of the main reasons the protest escalated was the lack of prior coordination with authorities.

They noted that several recent demonstrations organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi faction had involved a degree of communication with police, allowing security forces to prepare in advance and manage the events more effectively.

In this case, however, police say the protest was carried out without any prior coordination, leading authorities to take immediate action to restore order and reopen the roadway as quickly as possible.

{Matzav.com}

As the Obama Presidential Center prepares to welcome visitors with its official opening in Chicago on Friday, several contractors who worked on the massive project say they are still waiting to recover substantial financial losses they claim were incurred during construction.

One of those contractors is Mike Owen, owner of Adamson Plumbing, who says his company has absorbed nearly $4 million in losses tied to the project after dedicating years of work to its completion.

“That is a hole that no subcontractor, small business can survive,” Owen said.

According to Owen, the financial strain has severely impacted his company, depleted its reserves, and placed jobs at risk.

“I haven’t had eight hours or six hours sleep in over a year,” Owen said. “I’m cooked emotionally.

“I feel like an aluminum can that’s been thrown in front of a steamroller. We’re crushed. And I have to fight for my company and for my people.”

A report published Wednesday by Fox News Digital cited several subcontractors who say they suffered losses ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions while working on the project.

The allegations have cast a shadow over one of the center’s stated missions: promoting economic growth and business opportunities for minority-owned companies and local contractors.

Owen said watching preparations for the center’s grand opening has been especially difficult while unresolved payment disputes remain hanging over many of the firms involved.

“It was kind of hard seeing some local and national celebrities high-fiving and back-slapping here about the work that’s been done,” Owen said.

“The backdrop of a coming celebration is kind of hard to swallow for me and for some of my peers at the moment.”

In response, the Obama Foundation said it fulfilled its financial obligations to Lakeside Alliance, the construction manager overseeing the project. Foundation officials emphasized that responsibility for contracting with and paying subcontractors rested with Lakeside Alliance.

The foundation further stated that it has no unresolved billing disputes with the construction manager and noted that it does not maintain direct contractual relationships with subcontractors.

Officials also highlighted what they described as the project’s success in surpassing diversity participation benchmarks and pointed to accelerated payment programs and other financial assistance initiatives intended to support smaller businesses.

Owen said he chose to speak publicly only after spending months trying unsuccessfully to recover what he believes his company is owed.

“As for me and my company, I’m at the end of my rope and I see no other choice than to have to tell my story,” he said.

“This is not to embarrass anybody, but this is just to make sure that the truth gets told out here of what has happened to the companies that poured their heart and soul into getting this job complete and operational.”

Despite his frustration over the financial dispute, Owen said he still takes pride in the work his company contributed to the landmark project.

“The interior of this presidential center is quite beautiful and it’s something to be proud of,” he said. “And we are still proud to have been part of this job.

“We just wish it would have gone a different way financially.”

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at the opening of the Kol Chai radio program Tzav Ma’atzar, which is devoted entirely to the issue of yeshiva bochurim being arrested over military draft matters, Bnei Brak Deputy Mayor Gudi Silman delivered a sharp attack on what he described as decades of incitement against the chareidi community.

Silman began by recalling the atmosphere in Yerushalayim during the late 1970s, when, he said, graffiti bearing the slogan “Run Over Every Religious Jew” appeared on walls throughout the city. According to Silman, many chareidim at the time felt unsafe walking the streets despite living in a Jewish state rather than in exile.

He argued that hostility toward the chareidi public did not begin recently and cited a series of public figures whom he accused of contributing to a culture of anti-chareidi rhetoric over the years.

Among those he mentioned were former politician Shulamit Aloni, whom he said compared chareidim to some of history’s darkest phenomena, broadcaster Gabi Gazit, who referred to chareidim as “leeches and worms,” and artist Yigal Tumarkin. Silman also pointed to a recent statement attributed to journalist and Matzav Haruach editor Chagai Huberman containing the phrase “Run over every religious Jew, destroy every chareidi,” which Silman described as part of a continuing pattern of hostility toward Torah-observant Jews.

The deputy mayor also played excerpts from media interviews in which television personality Eyal Berkovic criticized the chareidi community, describing chareidim as unproductive and claiming they neither work, pay taxes, nor serve in the military.

Silman rejected those characterizations, arguing that such remarks unfairly target thousands of avreichim and bnei Torah who, in his words, “carry the spiritual burden of the nation on their shoulders.”

He also referenced comments made by television host Galit Gutman, who described chareidim as people who “suck blood.” Silman argued that the phrase echoes classic antisemitic tropes historically directed against Jews.

According to Silman, when such language is used by prominent media figures during prime-time broadcasts, it portrays the chareidi community as an enemy and helps legitimize hatred and exclusion.

Toward the end of his remarks, Silman addressed the clashes that erupted during recent demonstrations protesting the arrests of yeshiva students.

He sharply criticized police conduct, claiming that “dozens of Jewish police officers attacked their brothers” while employing stun grenades, batons, and other crowd-control measures against protesters.

Silman maintained that the chareidi public views Torah study as the foundation of Jewish survival and identity and expressed confidence that the community would withstand current challenges just as it had previous waves of criticism.

“We survived Shulamit Aloni, Gabi Gazit, and Yigal Tumarkin. We will survive the current wave of hatred as well,” he said. “The truth is with us, the path is with us, and history will judge who stood guard over eternity.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance is pushing back against growing criticism in Israel over the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, arguing that opponents of the agreement have failed to offer a realistic alternative and insisting that the deal advances both American and Israeli security interests.

In an interview with The New York Times, Vance defended the agreement championed by President Trump and suggested that Israeli concerns have been overstated.

Vance noted that he had not heard direct objections to the deal from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself.

“Maybe I missed it, but I don’t think Bibi himself has actually criticized the deal. Because I think he’s maybe a little more familiar with the details of what’s in it,” he said.

The vice president then turned his attention to criticism voiced by Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, arguing that opponents of the agreement have not presented a workable path forward.

“People in their system, like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, attacked the deal. My response to them would be: What exactly is your proposal? You can’t just kill your way out of solving every national security problem you have,” he said.

According to Vance, much of the opposition within Israel reflects longstanding skepticism rather than an objective assessment of the agreement’s terms. He argued that the United States has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to Israel and said accusations that the deal is fundamentally flawed are unsupported.

He maintained that claims portraying the agreement as harmful “is not supported by the facts” and said such arguments fail to reflect the close strategic partnership between the United States and Israel.

Vance also offered an optimistic assessment of recent political developments inside Iran, asserting that factions seeking improved ties with Western nations have gained the upper hand in internal debates.

“The moderate side in Iran, which wants a better relationship with the West, has won the internal debate in recent months,” he said.

He further argued that the agreement places meaningful restrictions on Tehran’s military capabilities and prevents the regime from maintaining a missile program capable of threatening the broader international community.

Addressing regional security concerns, Vance said Washington expects Israel to exercise restraint in southern Lebanon while preserving its ability to respond to threats and defend its citizens.

The comments quickly drew a response from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who rejected Vance’s position and issued a sharply worded reply on social media.

“Here is the proposal, JD Vance: deal with the Nazis of the 21st century the same way the United States dealt with the Nazis of the 20th century,” Ben Gvir wrote in English on X.

The exchange underscores the growing divide between some Israeli leaders and the Trump administration over the Iran agreement, even as both sides continue to emphasize the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi revealed that after reaching out to every member state of the United Nations seeking recognition for his country’s independence, only one nation responded: Israel. He now says ties between the two countries are rapidly expanding and has left open the possibility of future Israeli military cooperation on Somaliland territory.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Abdullahi said that on May 17, 2025, he sent letters to the leaders of all 193 UN member states requesting formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation.

“Only one of them answered,” Abdullahi said. “It was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After that, we reached the conclusion that Israel would recognize Somaliland.”

Somaliland, a self-governing territory of approximately six million people located in the Horn of Africa, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Despite functioning independently for decades, it has remained largely unrecognized by the international community.

That changed on December 26, 2025, when Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel would formally recognize Somaliland, making Israel the first UN member state to do so.

This week, Abdullahi arrived in Israel for an official visit, the first by a Somaliland president since recognition was granted. He disclosed, however, that he had previously traveled to Israel in secret.

“I came discreetly in October 2025. At that time, we were exploring ways and means to secure recognition for Somaliland,” he said.

During his visit, Abdullahi held meetings with Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, both of whom played central roles in advancing contacts between the two governments.

The Somaliland leader said he hopes to broaden cooperation with Israel across a wide range of fields, including economic development, natural resources, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education, energy, and security.

Since Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, foreign media outlets have repeatedly speculated that Israel could eventually establish a military presence there due to the territory’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden, directly across from Yemen and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime route for vessels traveling to Eilat.

“We have not discussed that,” Abdullahi told The Jerusalem Post. Nevertheless, he did not dismiss the possibility.

“I cannot rule out the possibility that it could happen in the future. If our cooperation continues to deepen, our relationship may evolve far beyond where it stands today.”

Israeli officials say practical cooperation is already underway, particularly in the field of water management.

“We identified many areas where they need support, but we identified water management as the most important because it is a field where significant change can be achieved relatively quickly,” Einat Shlein, a senior official at Israel’s international development agency within the Foreign Ministry, told The Jerusalem Post.

Even before the war with Iran, 25 water engineers from Somaliland traveled to Israel for advanced training in water-resource management. Shlein noted that Somaliland has also requested Israeli assistance in healthcare.

“We funded the arrival of children suffering from heart disease through the Save a Child’s Heart organization. There will be cooperation in many sectors — whether agriculture, energy or education — to reflect the importance of the connection between our two countries.”

As part of his visit, Abdullahi also met with a large group of Israeli business leaders and investors, describing overwhelming interest in Somaliland’s economic potential.

“There was so much interest that many businesspeople who wanted to attend could not be accommodated, and we had to limit participation to only 200 companies,” he said.

The president highlighted Somaliland’s natural resources and investment opportunities.

“We have many opportunities to offer — mineral resources, natural gas, oil, fishing and livestock. There is much that we can bring to the table.”

While acknowledging criticism from some countries, particularly in the Arab world, following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, Abdullahi expressed confidence that additional nations would eventually follow suit.

“We hope that our relationship with Israel will continue to strengthen, and I believe that more Arab countries will eventually recognize us.”

He said the visit generated tremendous international attention.

“The entire world followed my visit to Israel; millions of people watched,” Abdullahi said. “The very exposure Somaliland received is a major achievement. Israel and Somaliland are close partners, and the relationship between us will continue and grow even stronger.”

Asked whether Netanyahu would one day visit Somaliland, Abdullahi expressed confidence that such a trip would occur.

“Netanyahu will come to Somaliland at the right time. In the meantime, the relationship between us will continue to flourish.”

One of the most notable examples of humanitarian cooperation between Israel and Somaliland dates back to 2004, when Somaliland’s representative in Ethiopia approached the Israeli Embassy seeking help for his son, who suffered from a serious heart condition. The request led the Israeli Foreign Ministry to connect the family with the Save a Child’s Heart organization, which provided life-saving treatment in Israel.

Since then, the Foreign Ministry has continued supporting the initiative, helping bring 58 children from Somaliland to Israel for critical cardiac treatment.

The humanitarian partnership began more than two decades before formal diplomatic ties were established. The political breakthrough that eventually led to recognition was accelerated by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s historic visit to Somaliland in January 2026, which paved the way for the opening of Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem earlier this week.

The latest group of children, ranging in age from three months to 18 years old, arrived in Israel following a medical mission to Somaliland organized and funded by Israel’s national aid agency in cooperation with Save a Child’s Heart.

During his visit, Abdullahi met with the children, their families, and the medical teams caring for them, hearing firsthand about the organization’s work and the ongoing partnership between Israel and Somaliland in pediatric cardiac care.