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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is open to visiting Pakistan if a potential agreement between the United States and Iran is completed in Islamabad, pointing to Pakistan’s growing role in facilitating talks between the two sides.

Speaking to reporters, Trump praised Pakistan’s involvement and signaled that he would consider making the trip if negotiations reach a successful conclusion.

“I would go to Pakistan,” Trump told reporters when asked whether he would visit the nation to seal an agreement. “Pakistan has been great. They’ve been so good.”

“If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” he added.

Pakistan has taken on an increasingly central role as a go-between in efforts to bring Washington and Tehran toward a new agreement, even as negotiations have faced repeated obstacles.

At the same time, pressure remains high. The United States continues to maintain a blockade on Iranian ports, while a temporary ceasefire between the two countries is set to run out next week, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts.

Talks held in Islamabad last weekend did not result in a breakthrough, but discussions have not collapsed, and all sides are still participating.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it remains actively engaged in facilitating communication between the U.S. and Iran, with preparations underway for another round of talks, although no timeline has been set.

“Who will come, how big the delegation will be, who will stay, and who will go is for the parties to decide,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, according to Al Jazeera.

“As a mediator, it’s important for us to keep the talks confidential,” he continued. “We had the details and information of the talks entrusted to us by the negotiating parties.”

Earlier Thursday, Trump also revealed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following discussions in Washington, a development that could help ease wider tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran, Israel has carried out multiple strikes in Lebanon aimed at the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

Iran and Pakistan have maintained that Lebanon was originally included in the broader ceasefire framework, while officials in Washington and Israel have rejected that interpretation.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday night that the ongoing conflict with Iran could soon conclude, expressing confidence in both military operations and diplomatic developments.

Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Trump indicated that the situation is moving in a favorable direction and suggested that the fighting may wrap up in the near future.

“We’re doing very well, and I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly, we can do whatever we want, and it should be ending pretty soon,” Trump said at the event.

He praised the performance of U.S. forces, emphasizing what he described as unmatched military strength.

“It was perfect. It’s perfect. It was the power we have,” the President added. “We had the most powerful military anywhere in the world.”

Trump:

The war in Iran is going along swimmingly. We can do whatever we want.

It’s perfect. It should be ending pretty soon. pic.twitter.com/Qrvct4SChl

— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026

Trump also explained that military action, while not his preference, was necessary to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities.

He stated that while he did not want to strike Iran, “we had to because we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that Iran appears close to accepting key U.S. conditions, pointing to progress in ongoing efforts to reach an agreement.

He highlighted the effectiveness of the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a major factor in pressuring Iran.

Trump touted the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz as “amazing” and said it “is holding up very strong, and I think we’re making a lot of progress.”

The president added that he does not see a need to prolong the current ceasefire arrangement, suggesting that Iran is now more willing to compromise than in the past.

The president said he did not believe the ceasefire needed to be extended, adding: “Iran wants to make a deal and we’re dealing very nicely with them. They’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”

He further indicated that another round of discussions between the two sides is likely to take place soon, possibly over the weekend.

American and Iranian officials previously held talks in Pakistan last weekend, though those discussions ended without a finalized agreement.

Vice President JD Vance, who headed the U.S. delegation in those talks, acknowledged lingering tensions but expressed optimism about the path forward.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation to the talks, said on Tuesday that while there is “a lot of mistrust” between the US and Iran, he is optimistic about the prospects of a deal.

According to a report by CNN, Vance is expected to once again lead U.S. negotiators if another in-person meeting with Iranian officials is scheduled.

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic announcement made by the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, during a tish marking the yahrtzeit of his father, the Beirach Moshe zt”l, is being seen as a potential turning point in the New York housing crisis, with plans for thousands of affordable housing units, not only for Satmar chassidim, but for the broader chassidishe public.

Speaking during the tish in Kiryas Yoel, the Rebbe revealed that he has been working with multiple developers to create a large-scale housing project in Monticello, New York, at significantly reduced prices—well below current market rates.

“I sat with several developers,” the Rebbe said, “to see how it would be possible to establish affordable housing for the broader public. While in Kiryas Yoel, due to the high demand, they managed to bring prices down and today it stands at $300 per square foot—which is $3,000 per square meter—in the new project the price will be one-third lower, standing at $200 per square foot, which is $2,000 per square meter.”

He went on to describe the scope of the project and the readiness of the location to support a growing kehilla.

“The developers are preparing to build thousands of housing units in the near future in the city of Monticello in New York. In Monticello there is already a large community throughout the year. There are several shuls operating year-round, there is a Talmud Torah, a girls’ school, several grocery stores and supermarkets that are open, heichlei Torah are active, and all the other needs that a Yid requires in a chareidi city.”

The Rebbe emphasized that the initiative is not limited to Satmar, but is intended for the wider tzibbur, particularly those struggling with the high cost of living in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Williamsburg and Boro Park.

“And from here, in the large beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel, I turn to the broader public. Recently, Jews from Brooklyn came to me—not Satmar chassidim—and told me that they are suffocating under the burden of purchasing a home in Brooklyn, whether in Williamsburg or Boro Park or other neighborhoods. Not to mention the high taxes and property costs that are paid for an apartment in Brooklyn.”

He then delivered a clear message that a solution is on the way, along with a strong warning to potential buyers.

“Therefore, I sat with the developers and I announce to you from here that there is an affordable solution that will be ready very soon for the entire public, not only for Satmar chassidim. But I want to ask everyone: Please, there are enough apartments for everyone—please do not pay more than the agreed price, which is $200 per square foot, so as not to drive up the cost of the apartments.”

The Rebbe added further details about the scale of construction and stressed that maintaining affordability depends on the public.

“I sat with several developers, each one building several hundred apartments, and together there will be thousands of apartments on the market in the very near future. The developers are prepared to sell the apartments at the lower price.”

He warned buyers not to be pressured by brokers or artificial urgency.

“Do not fall into the trap of brokers who will tell you that you must close on the apartment right now, and that only the apartment they show you is the best one. Do not pay more than $200 per square foot and do not give support to those who inflate prices.”

This development follows earlier success in lowering housing costs within Kiryas Yoel itself, where prices currently stand at approximately $300 per square foot within the town, and around $250 per square foot in the surrounding expanded areas.