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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing sharp criticism after remarks he made about the pro-Israel lobbying organization AIPAC, comments that opponents say crossed a dangerous line and further inflamed tensions amid rising concerns about antisemitism.

The controversy stems from a June 18 campaign-style rally featuring Mamdani, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and several progressive candidates ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections.

During the event, Mamdani accused AIPAC of undermining democratic processes, arguing that for the organization, “the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu’s wars.”

He went on to allege that the group spends “millions in dark money to accomplish a single goal, to preserve their power so that they can turn us against one another instead of our leaders turning towards the moral change we all know to be necessary.”

Later in his speech, Mamdani declared, “In the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, we need not live in fear of monsters any longer.”

The remarks immediately drew condemnation from Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi of Manhattan’s Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue, who argued that the mayor’s comments amounted to demonization of millions of Americans who support the organization.

“Mamdani is accusing AIPAC of being a monster that subverts democracy, supports genocide and wants to divide Americans,” Rabbi Steinmetz wrote in a social-media post.

“This is pure incitement. It inspires people like Elias Rodriguez to take violent action against AIPAC and its supporters,” added Rabbi Steinmetz, referring to the terrorist responsible for the murder of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., last May.

The rabbi then personalized his criticism of the mayor’s remarks.

“Well, I’m an AIPAC supporter. And Mamdani is inciting hatred against people like me,” he wrote.

Addressing Mamdani directly, Rabbi Steinmetz continued: “Mayor Mamdani: you are speaking about me. About millions of New Yorkers who support the very policies AIPAC advocates for. You are demonizing them. And you are the one who is turning New Yorkers against each other in order to grab power.”

He concluded with a warning about the potential consequences of such rhetoric.

“New York already has an antisemitism problem. Right now, you are pouring fuel on the fire. I shudder to think what happens next. But you will be responsible for it,” Rabbi Steinmetz warned.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center also denounced Mamdani’s statements, drawing parallels between his accusations and longstanding antisemitic tropes directed at Jewish organizations.

“The claim that AIPAC exists not to pursue a political agenda, but to spread discord and wield influence for its own sake, is not new,” said Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk.

“Soviet anti-Zionist campaigns and earlier antisemitic movements similarly portrayed Jewish organizations as pursuing power not to achieve political goals, but because Jews themselves were said to crave influence and control,” Berk continued.

“The suggestion that Jewish political participation is inherently suspect, illegitimate, or secretly manipulative is abhorrent. This is the same old story, retold in a new language.”

Mamdani has long drawn criticism from Jewish groups and pro-Israel advocates over statements and positions related to Israel and the Middle East.

During his campaign, he declined to distance himself from the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase many Jewish organizations have condemned. He also faced backlash for comments criticizing Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel.

Throughout his political career, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and has said he would seek the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should the Israeli leader visit New York City.

His actions after taking office also generated controversy. On his first day as mayor, Mamdani rescinded several executive orders related to Israel that had been implemented by his predecessor, Eric Adams.

Among the measures he reversed was a June 2025 executive order formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

He also eliminated an order barring mayoral appointees and city agency personnel from participating in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

{Matzav.com}

American radio personality Sid Rosenberg delivered an impassioned defense of President Donald Trump on Sunday in Yerushalayim, urging Israelis not to lose faith in the president despite growing frustration over the recent U.S.-Iran agreement. Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit, Rosenberg acknowledged concerns about the deal while insisting that Trump remains a steadfast ally of Israel.

Addressing the audience, Rosenberg admitted that criticism of the administration has emerged even among some of Trump’s strongest supporters. “I know a lot of people in Israel are very, very upset with my friend the president,” Rosenberg noted. “And for what it’s worth, me myself, I’ve been critical of President Trump. And my dear friend Mark Levin, who’s coming up next, who is immensely popular. He’s been critical. We’re asking questions. We want to know what’s going on. But I can guarantee you this. At the end of the day, he’s still our friend. So before you turn your backs on President Trump, I would think twice about that.”

Rosenberg argued that, despite disagreements over policy, supporters of Israel should carefully consider the alternatives. He suggested that Jewish communities would face a far more difficult environment under different political leadership and warned that anti-Jewish sentiment has become increasingly mainstream in parts of the United States.

Turning to New York City, where he lives, Rosenberg launched a blistering attack on the city’s leadership, singling out Mayor Zohran Mamdani and accusing him of fostering an atmosphere in which hostility toward Jews has become socially acceptable.

“You know what’s really cool in New York right now? Hate the Jews. That’s cheap. You’re cool. If you don’t like the Jews, you’re cool,” Rosenberg said. “I live in a city that has a mayor who’s a jihadist, a socialist, a communist, a Marxist, an antisemite. Otherwise, he’s not a bad guy. He is the future of this country, my country. So when you talk about the dangers of antisemitism, the United States right now is a tinderbox.”

As part of his warning about rising antisemitism, Rosenberg pointed to comments made by public figures associated with Mamdani, including an incident in which commentator Hassan Piker declared that “America deserved 9/11.” Rosenberg criticized what he described as a failure to forcefully condemn such rhetoric and called on Jewish families to reject intimidation and openly display their Jewish identity.

“Jews are way too OK getting spit at, made fun of, harassed, if not beaten up in the streets, and they don’t do anything about it. They don’t. And I’m sick of it,” Rosenberg stated. “What we’ve got to do in America is train our kids like you guys do here. We’ve got to do it. Because if our kids at some point don’t defend themselves and words, that doesn’t work. OK? I told my son, somebody pushes you or punch you, you punch him back, you punch him harder.”

The veteran broadcaster also recounted a personal encounter on a New York subway in which he stepped in to defend another passenger, using the story to underscore what he sees as the need for greater confidence and resolve among Jews living outside Israel.

Concluding his remarks, Rosenberg urged Jewish communities around the world to adopt the same spirit of determination that he believes characterizes Israeli society.

“So my suggestion, recommendation is don’t be afraid anymore. Don’t. Do what they do here. They come at you, you come twice as hard. That’s my answer to how we stop all this,” Rosenberg said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on The New York Times on Sunday, branding the newspaper “corrupt” and “failing” after it published an article featuring analysts who questioned whether the chief threats posed by Iran had truly been eliminated following months of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic.

The dispute centered on a Times article titled, “What Changed After Almost Four Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much,” which examined competing assessments of the military campaign against Iran and whether its nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and proxy network had been permanently weakened.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump blasted the newspaper’s reporting and rejected suggestions that the war had failed to achieve its objectives.

“The Failing New York Times, which is CORRUPT and writes almost exclusively negative stories about me no matter how successful I am, is at it again,” Trump wrote.

The president reiterated his longstanding contention that Iran suffered a decisive military defeat at the hands of the United States and its allies, arguing that critics and media outlets were refusing to acknowledge the extent of the damage inflicted on the regime.

Trump has repeatedly maintained that U.S. military operations, combined with Israeli strikes, crippled Iran’s military capabilities, devastated key infrastructure, and severely damaged the country’s nuclear program.

The Times article, however, cited analysts who argued that major questions remain unresolved despite the extensive military campaign. According to those experts, Iran continues to possess influence across the region, retains elements of its nuclear infrastructure, and remains capable of projecting power through allied groups and strategic assets.

The publication’s assessment comes amid an ongoing debate in Washington, Yerushalayim, and other capitals over the long-term impact of the war and the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

Trump and his supporters have portrayed the conflict as a historic victory that fundamentally altered the balance of power in the Middle East. Critics, meanwhile, have questioned whether Tehran’s ambitions have truly been curtailed and whether the agreement reached after the fighting will produce lasting stability.

{Matzav.com}

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu used a major address at the JNS International Policy Summit on Sunday to highlight what he described as Israel’s unprecedented military achievements against Iran and its regional terror allies, while pledging that Israel will continue acting aggressively to safeguard its security.

At the outset of his remarks, Netanyahu pushed back against competing narratives surrounding his relationship with President Donald Trump, arguing that both leaders make decisions based on their respective national interests rather than acting at one another’s direction.

“In the United States, they say that President Trump does everything that I ask him to do, and in Israel, they say that I do everything he wants me to do. Neither is true,” Netanyahu said. “We’re leaders of independent and proud countries. We stand for our interests. I stand for the interests of Israel and for its security.”

Reflecting on key decisions made during the war, Netanyahu said he repeatedly ignored advice urging restraint and instead chose a more aggressive course of action against Israel’s enemies.

“They told me not to enter Rafah. I entered Rafah. I was told not to strike Hezbollah. We struck Hezbollah. They told me not to confront Iran. We confronted Iran,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister argued that those actions prevented a catastrophic outcome and eliminated what he viewed as a direct threat to Israel’s survival.

“We prevented Iran from carrying out a plan to annihilate us. And today, they would have had a nuclear weapon, an atomic bomb to do so. We prevented that from happening,” he said.

Netanyahu credited the combined efforts of Israel and the United States with carrying out a historic military campaign that severely damaged Iran’s strategic capabilities. He said the operation targeted nuclear facilities, key scientists, military assets, and critical economic infrastructure.

“We created the conditions for its future fall. That is what will be the real triumph – when the Iranian people take their own destiny in their hands and they knock out this brutal regime that is terrorizing them and terrorizing the rest of the world,” he said.

Turning to Iran’s network of regional proxies, Netanyahu said Israel had fundamentally altered the balance of power by striking major terrorist organizations and eliminating senior leaders.

“We shattered Iran’s terror axis,” Netanyahu declared, noting the elimination of Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Deif, along with tens of thousands of terrorists.

Netanyahu also credited Israel’s military operations in Gaza with securing the return of hostages held by Hamas.

“We brought back every single hostage. Every last one of them,” he said. “We got them back because we put our brave soldiers, our incomparably heroic soldiers, right into their stronghold in Gaza.”

Discussing the northern front, Netanyahu pointed to what he described as a devastating blow against Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and operational capabilities.

“We took out Nasrallah. We decimated Hezbollah’s military machine. We prevented the Radwan force from invading the Galilee. We destroyed over 90% of the 150,000 rockets and missiles that Hezbollah amassed against us,” he stated.

The prime minister stressed that Israel has no intention of relinquishing strategically important security zones as long as threats remain.

“We established a security zone in Gaza. We established a security zone in Syria. We established a security zone in Lebanon. And we shall keep it as long as is necessary to protect our people,” he said.

Netanyahu said one of the most significant outcomes of the conflict has been a shift in Israel’s military doctrine, replacing reactive policies with proactive action.

“We changed Israel’s security doctrine. We initiate, we attack, we surprise, and we attack those enemies that seek our destruction before they have a chance to do so,” Netanyahu said.

Speaking shortly after participating in ceremonies marking five decades since the death of his brother, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, during the Entebbe rescue mission, the prime minister linked Israel’s current struggle with warnings he said his family recognized years ago regarding Iran’s ambitions.

“No matter what happens in the talks, with an agreement, without an agreement, I pledge to you that Iran, as long as I’m prime minister, will never have a nuclear weapon. Never,” Netanyahu said.

He also defended Israel’s continued deployment in southern Lebanon, arguing that any responsible government would take similar steps to shield its citizens from cross-border threats.

“As long as we need to protect our people, we will remain in the security zone in South Lebanon,” he said.

Addressing international criticism of Israel’s military operations, Netanyahu insisted that the IDF goes further than any other military in the world to reduce civilian casualties while targeting terrorists.

“No army goes to such lengths like the Israeli army to target terrorists and minimize civilian casualties. We should be commended for it, not condemned,” he said.

The prime minister argued that no country facing similar attacks would behave differently from Israel and defended the establishment of buffer zones to neutralize threats.

“No country would be asked to do otherwise. Now, you imagine the United States. Across the border, you have thousands, an army of thousands of terrorists who pellet your cities and your towns with rockets and ballistic missiles and killer drones. They kill your soldiers, they kill your citizens, they kill your children. And they threaten them every day. Well, what would America do? Would it say, well, there’s nothing we can do? Let’s hold our fire? Is that what America would say?”

“No, you know damn well what America would do. It would cross the border, create a security zone, kill the terrorists and protect its people until the threat is removed. That’s exactly what we are doing. And let me tell you something else. No country would do it better. No country would do it better because the terrorists do not just target civilians, they also hide among their own civilians,” Netanyahu said.

Concluding his address, Netanyahu turned to the global rise in antisemitism and urged Jews worldwide to respond with confidence and determination rather than fear.

“Stand up. Don’t cower. Don’t be afraid. Fight back, because people will only respect us if we respect ourselves,” he said. “Stand up for the truth. Stand up for Israel. Stand up for the Jewish people. Stand up for the Jewish future.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian officials and state media touted what they described as a diplomatic slight against Vice President JD Vance on Sunday, claiming Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi deliberately avoided participating in a public photo opportunity ahead of sensitive negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Video from the gathering showed Araqchi entering the room where Vance, members of the American delegation, and international mediators were assembled before cameras. Moments later, footage captured him departing after greeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with an embrace.

During the encounter, Vance remained positioned off to the side of the room.

Iranian state media further asserted that Tehran’s delegation refused to take part in any joint media event before the talks began, a characterization that U.S. officials strongly disputed.

“Iranian representatives previously agreed to a press availability at the beginning of the meeting,” a US official explained to The NY Post.

“They even brought state media with them to cover it, who were pre-staged at the event. Despite this, they left the meeting upon seeing the volume of press in attendance and then distributed an inaccurate account of the situation through state media.”

As debate over the incident spread online, critics of Vance seized on another moment that occurred before the negotiations commenced.

Just before discussions began, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani walked past Vance and greeted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Progressive commentators on social media portrayed the exchange as another rebuff directed at the vice president. U.S. officials, however, dismissed that interpretation, noting that Vance had already spent significant time meeting privately with Al Thani earlier in the day.

“This is complete nonsense,” the official explained. “The US delegation had just spent hours with the Qataris and there was no need to re-greet someone having just spent hours with.

“The decision to give statements together before meeting was done impromptu, which is why it wasn’t a staged greeting.”

Some conservative voices also pushed back against the narrative. Among them was Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to President Trump, who argued that a coordinated online effort was attempting to create the impression of diplomatic friction where none existed.

“Bots, ‘influencers,’ and pundits are in lockstep pushing a coordinated lie claiming that Vice President … and the U.S. delegation were snubbed in Switzerland,” he argued. “This is pure BS! The op is so obvious.”

At the same time, Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s negotiators exited the talks roughly 80 minutes after they began, citing a “difficult phase” in discussions that allegedly followed President Trump’s sharp threats against the regime.

American officials rejected suggestions that the negotiations had collapsed and insisted the diplomatic engagement continued throughout the evening.

“The Iranians never left and are still here meeting and negotiating deep into the night,” the official insisted.

“We’ve talked about the Strait, Lebanon, nuclear issues, and details of implementing the MOU, among other topics. President Trump works all hours of the day and night, and our delegation is taking the same approach.”

Sunday marked the opening day of negotiations between the United States and Iran under the framework of the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed last week. Under the agreement, both sides committed to extending the ceasefire for an additional 60 days.

Despite that framework, major disputes remain unresolved, including the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the broader implementation of the agreement’s provisions.

{Matzav.com}

A wave of shock and anguish swept through the Neru Yair community in Bnei Brak on Sunday morning after mispallelim arrived to discover their shul had been desecrated in a disturbing act of vandalism.

Members of the community were horrified to find the severed head of an animal and the carcass of a dead bird discarded in the center of the bais medrash, a place that serves as a hub of tefillah and Torah learning throughout the day and night.

Residents described the incident as far more than ordinary vandalism, saying it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to offend religious sensibilities and violate the sanctity of a sacred place.

The discovery sent shockwaves through the neighborhood. Community members who entered the shul during the early morning hours spoke of deep pain and outrage at what they found.

“This is a holy place that serves the community for Torah study and prayer around the clock,” members of the congregation said. “This attack strikes at the very heart of our community.”

The incident has also revived concerns about a broader pattern of attacks on religious institutions. Several months ago, a serious break-in was reported at a Yemenite shul in Kadima-Tzoran, where sifrei Torah were thrown about and damaged, chumashim were torn apart, and pages of sacred texts were scattered across the floor. That case likewise raised suspicions that the perpetrators were motivated by hostility toward religious symbols rather than ordinary criminal intent.

Police and law-enforcement officials were called to the scene shortly after the desecration was discovered and immediately launched an investigation. Officers began collecting evidence and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident in an effort to identify those responsible.

Investigators are reportedly examining all possible motives and are seeking to determine whether the act was an isolated occurrence or part of a broader trend targeting religious institutions.

Meanwhile, additional reports from the past week indicate that tefillin and other sacred books were desecrated and damaged at another synagogue in central Israel. Security-camera footage reportedly captured a suspect, and police have opened an accelerated investigation into that case as well.

As the community struggles to come to terms with the incident, local leaders have urged residents to remain calm and avoid reacting to provocations. Rabbanim and community officials have called on worshippers to await the results of the police investigation while continuing the shul’s regular schedule of Torah learning and tefillah.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. More details are expected as the probe continues.

{Matzav.com}

The blistering anti-Trump editorial that has sparked headlines across Israel and the United States was not written by Miriam Adelson, despite widespread social-media claims suggesting otherwise. The column was authored by veteran Israeli journalist Danny Zaken and published in Yisroel Hayom, the newspaper owned by Adelson.

The confusion appears to stem from the fact that Yisroel Hayom is owned by Adelson, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent supporters and donors. But ownership of a newspaper and authorship of a particular column are not the same thing. The sharply worded piece criticizing Trump’s Iran policy was written under Zaken’s byline and presented as his personal commentary.

In the article, Zaken accused Trump of making what he called a historic mistake by reaching an agreement with Iran. Addressing the president directly, he wrote, “You could have been the greatest president of all, but you failed,” and described the accord as “a surrender agreement with a murderous and cruel terror regime.”

Several media outlets highlighted the significance of the criticism because it appeared in Yisroel Hayom, a newspaper long associated with pro-Israel and center-right viewpoints and owned by Adelson, who has consistently praised Trump’s support for Israel over the years.

However, there is no indication that the column represented an official statement by Adelson herself. Reports specifically identified Zaken as the author, noting that the piece was an opinion article written by the longtime journalist.

The distinction is significant because social-media posts and commentary in recent days have often blurred the line between the newspaper’s ownership and the views expressed by one of its columnists. While the editorial was unquestionably published in Adelson’s newspaper, it was Danny Zaken’s critique—not a column written or signed by Miriam Adelson.

The episode nevertheless highlighted growing concern among some Israeli commentators over the Trump administration’s recent approach toward Iran. The fact that such criticism appeared in Yisroel Hayom attracted particular attention because of the publication’s longstanding association with the Adelson family and its generally favorable coverage of Trump in the past.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between Arad’s chareidi and secular populations intensified on Sunday as hundreds of Gerer chassidim took to the streets following the release of an avreich who had been arrested last week. The demonstrators repeatedly crossed a major intersection in the city, causing significant traffic disruptions and lengthy backups on nearby roads.

The protests stem from the arrest of a Gerer couple shortly before Shabbos. According to police, an investigation was opened after their infant was hospitalized with injuries, leading authorities to examine suspicions of intentional harm or neglect. Members of the Gerer community strongly reject those allegations, maintaining that the child fell from a couch and that the father’s arrest was unwarranted. The incident sparked widespread anger and led to a wave of demonstrations throughout the city.

The developments came just hours after Arad Mayor Yair Maayan publicly defended the right of Gerer chassidim to protest. In a statement issued Sunday morning, he stressed that chareidi residents are entitled to the same rights as all other citizens and residents of the city, including the right to demonstrate and voice their objections.

By the afternoon, however, after traffic disruptions worsened and confrontations developed, Maayan sharply criticized the events unfolding in the city. He described the situation as “anarchy” on the streets of Arad and called on police leadership to deploy additional forces to restore order. The mayor also condemned what he described as a severe disruption to the daily lives of city residents.

Footage from the scene showed hundreds of protesters repeatedly walking back and forth through a central crosswalk, slowing traffic to a crawl and creating substantial congestion throughout the area. Police officers remained on site and continued monitoring the situation as the demonstrations progressed.

The protest is the latest chapter in the growing controversy surrounding the arrest, which many within the Gerer community view as a serious miscarriage of justice. Community leaders and activists have continued to press their case publicly, while municipal officials and law enforcement have emphasized the need to maintain public order and keep the city functioning normally.

{Matzav.com}

High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran unraveled dramatically in Switzerland on Sunday after Iranian delegates abruptly left the talks and declined to participate in a planned photo opportunity with Vice President JD Vance. The breakdown came after President Donald Trump issued a series of blistering warnings aimed at Tehran, including threats to seize the Strait of Hormuz and “blow the …. out of them.”

According to Iran’s state-run news agency, the discussions ended after only 80 minutes when the talks entered what officials described as a “difficult phase” following “an insulting message by the US president.”

Earlier in the day, Vance, who was leading the American negotiating team, had expressed optimism about improving relations, saying Washington hoped to “turn over a new leaf” with the Islamic Republic.

The meetings were held at the Qatari-owned Buergenstock mountain resort in Switzerland and marked the first round of negotiations conducted under the memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries a week earlier.

Any expectation of diplomatic progress quickly evaporated after Trump, facing criticism from some quarters for being overly accommodating toward Iran in the memorandum, issued a stern warning that Tehran would face severe consequences unless it reopened the Strait of Hormuz and restrained its network of terrorist proxies.

Trump’s harshest remarks were reportedly directed at the Iranian delegation participating in the Swiss talks.

“You won’t even make it back to your ……. country,” an irate Trump told Iran’s leaders, according to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst.

“You close it, and you won’t have a country,” he said of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We may take over the Strait, if we have to. I’ll blow the …. out of them.”

The threats followed an announcement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps on Shabbos claiming it was closing the strategically vital shipping lane because of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

Iran also entered Sunday’s negotiations seeking to focus heavily on the situation in Lebanon, where Israel continues military operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror organization.

While the talks were originally intended to center on Iran’s nuclear activities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran insisted that no further negotiations could proceed until hostilities ended and economic incentives were guaranteed.

Trump also vented his frustration on Truth Social, blaming Iran for fueling the conflict and demanding that Hezbollah be brought under control.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” the president wrote. “If they don’t we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!”

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammed Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s rhetoric, characterizing it as evidence of “desperation.”

“We don’t take the Americans’ threats seriously,” he wrote on X.

Ghalibaf also warned that any military action would trigger a response from Tehran.

“They had better watch their statements,” he hit back.

“Our armed forces are ready to respond in another way. Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act.”

Following the collapse of the talks, Ghalibaf and fellow senior negotiator Abbas Araghchi reportedly declined to participate in a scheduled handshake and joint photograph with American officials, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Iranian officials dismissed the event as an American “media show,” fueling concerns that Washington mishandled the opening phase of the negotiations.

U.S. officials rejected suggestions of a diplomatic snub, arguing that Tehran was exploiting the incident for propaganda purposes.

The American delegation was headed by Vance and included special envoy Steve Witkoff as well as Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Morgan Ortagus, the deputy U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, said Trump’s latest comments signaled a major shift in Washington’s posture following the concessions many believed the administration was prepared to make during the previous week.

“This is a game-changing announcement by the President as it relates to his policies towards Iran — if Hezbollah strikes, the President is now vowing he will hold Iran responsible and will hit them in return,” Ortagus wrote on X.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has consistently advocated a harder line against Iran, agreed that Tehran would bear responsibility if efforts to stabilize Lebanon failed.

Graham also expressed skepticism that the diplomatic initiative would succeed.

“I’d rather try diplomacy than take it off the table,” the lawmaker told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

“If you don’t have a diplomatic path through the MOU, then you have to go to war or some other form of coercion. Let’s try this. Let’s try a diplomatic solution. I think it’s going to fail.” he added.

The senator predicted that Trump would eventually resort to military force if negotiations collapsed, including seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz and dealing a devastating blow to Iran.

“I spent four-and-a-half hours with President Trump Friday. Here’s what I think will happen next. If this deal fails, President Trump is going to take the Strait of Hormuz over by force,” the hawkish senator explained.

Trump himself also floated the possibility of direct American control over the strategic waterway and suggested Washington could establish its own “Guardian Angel” toll program after repeatedly objecting to Iranian plans to charge transit fees.

“We may take over the Strait, if we have to. If they don’t make a deal, we’ll collect tolls,” he said, not specifying who the US will charge.

The remarks marked a significant escalation after the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was thrown into doubt last week amid renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

That conflict prompted Iran to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, where the regime has proposed implementing a toll system once the current 60-day negotiation period expires.

Previous reports indicated that Tehran was considering fees of as much as $2 million per tanker for vessels passing through the narrow channel.

A brief easing of tensions over the weekend allowed maritime traffic to resume temporarily. According to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, 67 ships transited the Strait on Saturday after 55 vessels made the crossing on Friday.

Before the conflict erupted, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz each day, with more than 130 ships traversing the critical route daily.

Yechiel Koteiner, the Gerer chossid whose arrest sparked an unprecedented wave of protests and drew thousands of participants to a massive gathering outside Military Prison 10, was released Sunday evening after completing several days in military custody.

Koteiner walked free from the military prison in Kfar Yonah after serving six days behind bars. Family members and community activists accompanied him upon his release as he returned home amid an atmosphere of relief and celebration.

His release was reportedly secured with the assistance of prisoner advocate Rabbi Shimon Shisha and attorney Menachem Stauber, both of whom became involved in the case shortly after news of the arrest emerged.

Koteiner’s detention ignited widespread outrage throughout the chareidi community, particularly within Ger. He had reportedly arrived at a military recruitment office last week in an effort to arrange a medical exemption when he was taken into custody.

The arrest generated additional public sympathy because it occurred only weeks after the family suffered a devastating tragedy with the passing of his brother, Rafael Ari Koteiner z”l, who was killed in a serious automobile accident. Despite those circumstances, authorities ordered that he serve a ten-day sentence in military prison.

The case quickly became a rallying point for Gerer chassidim across the country. Last Wednesday, thousands traveled to Military Prison 10 in Beis Lid for what participants described as a historic gathering of tefillah and protest.

In an unusual move, the Gerer Rebbe personally traveled from Yerushalayim to participate in the event and demonstrate support for the imprisoned bochur. During the gathering, Tehillim was recited by MK Yitzchok Goldknopf.

Powerful words of protest were also delivered by HaGaon HaChossid Rav Moshe Chaim Denderovitz, who spoke passionately against what he described as the persecution of lomdei Torah. He urged authorities to focus their efforts on criminals and thieves rather than targeting members of the olam haTorah.

With Koteiner’s release now complete, a sense of relief has spread throughout the Gerer community. Preparations were underway Sunday night for a warm and emotional welcome as supporters gathered to greet the young man whose imprisonment transformed him into a symbol of steadfastness and mesirus nefesh in the eyes of many within the community.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Daniel Zer delivered a sharp rebuke this week over the treatment of chareidi protesters by police, condemning incidents in which officers were seen using force and warning of the severe spiritual consequences of harming those who devote themselves to Torah study.

During his weekly shiur, Rav Zer addressed footage from last week’s Peleg Yerushalmi demonstrations, where police were seen striking protesters and, in some cases, tearing their clothing. The veteran mashgiach expressed deep pain over the scenes and emphasized the gravity of showing disrespect to bnei Torah.

“These police officers think the world is ownerless,” Rav Zer said as he referred to the videos. “To raise clubs and strike bnei Torah? Someone who harms a ben Torah, someone who disgraces a ben Torah—Hashem should have mercy. It is terrifying. They will suffer here as well; there is no atonement for disgracing talmidei chachamim.”

To illustrate the seriousness of the matter, Rav Zer recounted a striking story that he said had been related by a noted mekubal.

According to the story, a man known throughout his life as a righteous and G-d-fearing individual passed away and was buried outside Eretz Yisroel. Fifteen years later, his children sought to transfer his remains to Eretz Yisroel for reburial.

When the grave was opened, those present were astonished to discover that his entire body had remained intact—with one exception. His right leg had been consumed by worms.

The unusual sight caused tremendous confusion and anguish, since tradition teaches that the bodies of true tzaddikim do not decay in the ordinary manner.

Rav Zer related that the deceased later appeared to his son in a dream, radiant and illuminated. The son, however, was overcome with emotion and asked why his father’s right leg had suffered such a fate despite his righteous life.

According to the story, the father responded tearfully and explained that Heavenly judgment is exact.

“Know that the judgment of Heaven is true. Only once in my life did I kick, with my right foot, a person who was a ben Torah and yerei Shamayim. For that one kick alone—this was the punishment I received.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF and Shin Bet announced Sunday that they have eliminated a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist who participated in the kidnapping of Yagil Yaakov from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre.

The terrorist, identified as Zaki Yosef Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, served as a Nukhba commander in the Khan Younis Brigade of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. He was killed during a targeted strike in southern Gaza carried out late last week.

According to Israeli security officials, Abu Mustafa infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attacks and personally took part in the abduction of Yagil Yaakov.

The IDF also released a photograph recovered during military operations showing Abu Mustafa inside Israeli territory during the kidnapping of Yaakov on October 7.

Israeli officials said that in recent months Abu Mustafa had been heavily involved in efforts to rebuild the operational capabilities of terrorist organizations in Gaza, activities that allegedly violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Security officials further stated that he was involved in planning numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli forces operating in the Gaza Strip. He was also accused of attempting to conduct training exercises for terrorists inside Nasser Hospital in an effort to shield operatives from Israeli strikes.

The military said Abu Mustafa posed an immediate threat to Israeli troops in the area and was therefore targeted in a precision operation.

In a separate strike, Israeli forces also eliminated Muhammad Osama Abd al-Aziz Saba al-Eish, a Hamas Nukhba terrorist who was allegedly involved in organizing training programs for Hamas operatives and recruiting additional members into the organization.

The IDF said operations against terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and subsequent efforts to rebuild terrorist infrastructure in Gaza will continue as part of its broader campaign against Hamas and other terror groups operating in the Strip.

An emotional simchah took place at the bar mitzvah celebration of the great-grandson of Rav Yitzchak Cohen, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivas Torah Vodaas and rav of the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood. The bar mitzvah bochur is also the grandson of Rav Raphael HaKohen, rosh yeshivah of Torah Vodaas, and the son of Rav Yitzchak Cohen, chairman of the Aliyah Institute and a prominent supporter of Torah and chessed initiatives.

The event drew an impressive gathering of gedolei Torah, roshei yeshivah, rabbonim, and distinguished public figures, who came to offer their brachos and share words of Torah in honor of the occasion.

One of the most moving moments of the evening occurred just before the bar mitzvah bochur delivered his Doron Derashah. In a surprise gesture, Rav Moshe Eliyahu Busu, grandson of the Baba Sali zt”l and head of Mosdos Meor Yisroel, removed from his pocket the sacred yarmulka that had belonged to the Baba Sali zt”l.

In an atmosphere filled with awe and reverence, Rav Buso placed the yarmulka on the young bar mitzvah bochur’s head and offered a heartfelt berachah, expressing the hope that the merit of the great tzaddik would protect him and that he would grow into a life of Torah, pure yiras Shamayim, and spiritual greatness.

The highlight of the celebration came when the bar mitzvah bochur delivered his Doron Derashah, presenting impressive divrei Torah and original insights on the mitzvah of hanachas tefillin.

During the meal, the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, Chief Rabbi of Israel and president of the Great Rabbinical Court, addressed the gathering and blessed the young celebrant that he should grow into a distinguished talmid chacham and source of pride for Klal Yisroel. He also offered warm blessings to the boy’s father, Rav Yitzchak Cohen, chairman of the Aliyah Institute for the study of limudei kodesh.

Also addressing the gathering was family friend Rav Zamir Cohen, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivas Avnei Nezer.

{Matzav.com}

A major step in the seminary admissions process was completed on Sunday as officials finalized decisions regarding the placement of sisters in Yerushalayim’s leading Ashkenazi and Sephardic seminaries, providing much-needed clarity for hundreds of families ahead of the upcoming school year.

The decisions were reached under the leadership of Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor Rabbi Tzvika Cohen, who oversees chinuch chareidi in the city, working in close coordination with leading rabbonim and the Rabbinical Committee responsible for seminary admissions. The relatively early resolution of the issue is expected to contribute to a smoother and more orderly opening of the school year.

After many hours of deliberations, reviews, and difficult decisions, the committee completed its work on one of the most sensitive aspects of the seminary registration process. For many families, the question of whether a daughter will attend the same institution as her sisters carries significant educational, family, and communal implications. Rabbi Cohen led the effort throughout the process, working closely with rabbinic leadership and members of the Rabbinical Committee as they examined complex cases and weighed all relevant considerations before reaching their conclusions.

Sources familiar with the committee’s work noted that sibling placement is among the most challenging issues facing the seminary system. They explained that the matter involves far more than simply assigning a school. It affects a family’s educational continuity, communal identity, and the sense of confidence and stability felt by both students and parents. According to those involved, resolving these questions at this stage is intended to spare families the uncertainty that often lingered until the final weeks before the start of previous school years.

Following the committee’s decisions, Rabbi Cohen stressed the importance and sensitivity of the process.

“The issue of sibling placement in the seminaries is among the most sensitive and complex matters in the chareidi educational system in Yerushalayim. Behind every name stands a daughter, a family, sisters who already attend the institution, and a tremendous public responsibility. We approached this matter with great care, under the guidance of our rabbonim, after many hours of discussion and detailed review of each case. These are not easy decisions, and it is not always possible to satisfy every request, but our obligation is to do everything possible to ensure that the process is conducted with dignity, sound judgment, and responsibility. Our goal has been to enable the daughters of Klal Yisroel to begin the school year with certainty, peace of mind, and proper educational continuity.”

The decisions announced Sunday mark a significant milestone in preparations for the coming academic year. For the first time in several years, notifications regarding the highly sensitive issue of sibling placements are being delivered relatively early, allowing families additional time to prepare and substantially reducing the uncertainty that has often surrounded the beginning of the school year.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands in Yerushalayim mourned on Sunday as Rav Shmuel Mintzer zt”l, a longtime R”M at Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud and a respected figure in the olam haTorah, was laid to rest after his passing at the age of 75.

The levayah took place Sunday afternoon, departing from Beis Yisrael Shul on Even HaEzel Street in the Ezras Torah neighborhood and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos, where he was buried.

Rav Mintzer was born in Yerushalayim on the 12th of Teves, 5711, to his father, Rav Yitzchak Zev Mintzer zt”l, a distinguished talmid of Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l in Yeshivas Lomza. Rav Yitzchak Zev was also close to the Brisker Rav zt”l and was widely known for the seforim business he operated from his home in Yerushalayim. His mother, Mrs. Chana Devorah a”h, served for many decades as the legendary principal of the New Seminary in Yerushalayim.

As a child, he studied at Talmud Torah Shiloh in Yerushalayim. In his youth, he learned at Yeshivas Ponevezh L’Tzeirim and later at Yeshivas Ponevezh, where he became one of the distinguished talmidim of Rav Shach.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Rosengarten zt”l, and together they built a home founded upon Torah and yiras Shamayim. Rav Shmuel became one of the earliest and most prominent residents of the Ezras Torah neighborhood, where he devoted decades to teaching Torah and inspiring generations of talmidim at Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud.

Those who knew him described him as a man of unwavering integrity and refinement. He lived a life defined by emes, humility, and total dedication to Torah. He devoted himself tirelessly to both learning and teaching, faithfully transmitting the traditions he received from his own rabbeim. Over the course of many years, he instilled in countless talmidim a deep love and enthusiasm for Torah.

Despite serious illness during the past year, Rav Mintzer rarely left his home except to deliver his regular shiurim. Family members recounted that just last week, when medical personnel arrived to transport him to the hospital, he asked first to be taken to the yeshivah so that he could deliver his scheduled shiur.

The family had also endured personal tragedy in recent years. Slightly more than a year ago, his granddaughter, Mrs. Hadassah Adler a”h, the daughter of his son-in-law, Rav Yehonasan Abramovitz, one of the prominent avreichim of Kollel Ponevezh, passed away.

Several years earlier, one of his sons was seriously injured after drowning in a spring. Following a lengthy recovery, he ultimately regained his health and recovered fully, b’chasdei Shamayim.

Rav Mintzer leaves behind a distinguished family of sons, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and descendants who continue in his path of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Among his brothers are Rav Chaim Dovid Mintzer, one of the roshei yeshivah of Yeshivas Knesses Yitzchak in Chadeira and author of Chayei Dovid, who is scheduled to celebrate the wedding of his eldest grandson this coming Thursday; Rav Mattisyahu Mintzer; Rav Yaakov Meir Mintzer; and Rav Zelig Mintzer.

His passing leaves a profound void in the lives of his family, talmidim, and the broader olam haTorah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin intensified his criticism of Israel’s judicial system on Sunday, accusing Supreme Court justices of blocking qualified candidates for political reasons and calling for immediate action to curb the court’s authority over constitutional matters.

The remarks come amid ongoing disputes over the Judicial Selection Committee and the broader struggle between the Knesset and the Supreme Court regarding the balance of power in Israel’s governing institutions.

Levin argued that comments made recently by Justice Amit during a judicial discussion misrepresented the reality of how appointments are handled within the legal system.

According to Levin, the judge’s statement that worthy candidates were not being advanced because of political considerations actually reflects the conduct of members of the judiciary themselves.

“He was surely referring to the improper veto that he and his colleagues have imposed on the appointments of Dr. Bakshi and Dr. Biton to the Supreme Court,” Levin asserted.

The justice minister went on to claim that, for years, highly qualified candidates for senior judicial positions have been prevented from advancing because of what he described as political, personal, and irrelevant considerations.

Levin argued that the judicial reform legislation promoted by the government was designed specifically to address those problems.

“That is precisely the essence of the amendment we passed,” he said.

The minister also renewed his push for legislation that would sharply limit the Supreme Court’s ability to intervene in constitutional matters.

Referring to a proposal that he said was agreed upon by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, MK Avichai Boaron, and himself, Levin argued that the Supreme Court should have no authority to strike down or interfere with Basic Laws enacted by the Knesset.

He further maintained that any judicial intervention concerning legislation affecting the Judicial Selection Committee should be considered invalid.

Concluding his remarks, Levin called for immediate public pressure on lawmakers to advance the proposal without delay.

“This is the time for an unequivocal public demand to bring this proposal to an immediate vote and to stop the theft of the Knesset’s powers,” he declared.

Levin’s comments are the latest salvo in the long-running battle over judicial reform, a debate that has continued to divide Israeli politics and public opinion over the proper limits of judicial authority and the role of elected officials in shaping the country’s legal system.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a strong endorsement of the U.S.-Israel alliance on Sunday, assuring supporters of the Jewish state that America’s commitment remains unwavering and declaring that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Yerushalayim, Huckabee sought to calm concerns about relations between Washington and Israel while emphasizing President Donald Trump’s continued support for Israel and its security needs.

Before turning to serious policy matters, Huckabee opened with humor, joking that he had checked Trump’s social-media accounts before taking the stage.

At the start of his address, Huckabee joked that he checked President Donald Trump’s social media “to make sure this was not my last speech in Israel,” noting his boss’s history of firing people “in the middle of the night by way of social media. So I wanted to make sure that there was a reason for me to come.”

He then reassured the audience that, at least for the moment, his diplomatic post remained secure.

“So far, so good!” he said.

Addressing an audience of policymakers, journalists, and pro-Israel advocates, Huckabee stressed that Trump’s commitment to Israel has remained consistent over the years and argued that the relationship between the two countries remains stronger than ever.

“The one thing that I’ve always heard him say, always, and I’ve always seen him do, is that America has an unbreakable bond with the State of Israel, and I trust that he means what he says,” Huckabee said of Trump, adding that the president has been consistent in pledging to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and to curb its support for regional proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Huckabee pointed to several landmark actions taken during Trump’s presidency as evidence of that commitment, including the recognition of Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital, the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Yerushalayim, and American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Turning to the threat posed by Iran, Huckabee argued that the most effective way to weaken Tehran’s influence throughout the Middle East is to strike at the regime itself rather than focus solely on the terrorist organizations it supports.

Addressing the threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Huckabee said that the best way to counter Tehran’s regional terror proxies is to “turn off the spigot at the source.”

His remarks come amid heightened tensions across the region and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran’s nuclear program and its support for terrorist groups throughout the Middle East.

The ambassador’s message left little doubt about where the administration stands, portraying the U.S.-Israel alliance as enduring and warning that Washington remains committed to preventing Tehran from achieving nuclear-weapons capability while confronting the network of Iranian-backed groups operating across the region.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu used a ceremony honoring his late brother, Lt. Col. Yoni Netanyahu, to deliver a forceful message on Israel’s security policy, declaring that Iran will never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons and insisting that Israel will maintain its military gains across multiple fronts.

The remarks were delivered during the official state memorial marking 50 years since Yoni Netanyahu was killed while commanding the daring Entebbe hostage-rescue operation, one of the most celebrated missions in Israel’s history.

Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Netanyahu reflected on Israel’s recent military campaigns and explained the strategic thinking behind the operations carried out over the past year.

“Over the past year, we launched two tremendous operations: ‘Rising Lion’ and ‘Roaring Lion.’ We launched these operations in order to remove the immediate threat of annihilation posed to us by the evil regime in Iran. Had we not acted, they would already have had atomic bombs – and they would have used them. I pledge here at your grave, Yoni, and I pledge before you, citizens of Israel: The State of Israel will not be a passing episode in the history of our people.”

The prime minister emphasized that Israel intends to safeguard the achievements secured through those operations and will not retreat from positions it considers essential to national security.

“We are standing firm on our vital interests. We have achieved tremendous accomplishments, and we will not give them up. We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary in order to protect our dear residents of the north and all citizens of the country. As Prime Minister of Israel, I insist on this firmly, and nothing will change that.”

Netanyahu also addressed ongoing diplomatic efforts and negotiations involving Iran, making clear that regardless of future developments, Israel’s position on Tehran’s nuclear program remains unchanged.

“Whatever diplomatic developments may occur, I will not allow Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons. As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel – it will not happen. I have dedicated my life to this sacred goal since your fall, Yoni.”

{Matzav.com}

A unique and educational Torah event will take place this evening, Sunday, June 21, when the Agudath Israel of America Torah Projects Commission, in conjunction with Chazaq, presents a special shiur featuring Rav Amitai Ben-David, acclaimed author of Sichas Chulin and a renowned expert in the practical and halachic aspects of shechitah.

The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Yeshiva Ohel Simcha, located at 141-41 72nd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills, New York, and is expected to attract Daf Yomi participants, bnei Torah, rabbanim, and members of the broader community seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most fascinating and practical areas of halachah.

What makes this event especially noteworthy is that the shiur will feature a live shechitah and treifos demonstration, offering attendees a rare opportunity to witness firsthand many of the concepts discussed in Maseches Chulin and related areas of Torah study. Through practical examples and real-life illustrations, participants will gain a clearer appreciation of the intricate halachos governing kosher slaughter and the examination of animals.

Organizers explain that the program is designed not only for Daf Yomi learners studying or reviewing the sugyos of Chulin, but also for anyone interested in understanding the halachic foundations behind the kosher food that appears on Jewish tables every day.

Rav Amitai Ben-David has earned widespread recognition for his ability to present complex halachic subjects in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. His sefer, Sichas Chulin, has become a highly regarded resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of shechitah and treifos.

The shiur, as mentioned, will take place this evening, Sunday, June 21, at Yeshiva Ohel Simcha, 141-41 72nd Avenue, Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Vice President JD Vance opened a new round of negotiations with Iran on Sunday by declaring that the Trump administration seeks nothing less than a fundamental reset in relations with Tehran, provided the Islamic Republic permanently abandons any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Addressing negotiators in Switzerland at the start of talks between American and Iranian representatives, Vance outlined what he described as a historic opportunity to reshape relations between the two countries after years of hostility and conflict.

“What the president has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand that says to the people of Iran that if your leadership is willing to give up being a driver of regional instability,” Vance said.

The vice president emphasized that any normalization of ties would depend on long-term guarantees regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“If they are willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions for the long term, then the United States is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country,” he went on. “That is certainly our goal.”

The negotiations mark the first formal round of discussions under the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The talks had been postponed amid renewed fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah before finally getting underway in Switzerland.

The agreement established a 14-point framework designed to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran while granting both sides 60 days to negotiate a more comprehensive and permanent accord.

Vance argued that several major objectives had already been achieved through the agreement and suggested the focus must now shift toward broader regional stability.

“The opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the ending of the Iranian nuclear program, all of these things have already been accomplished,” Vance went on. “The question before us now is, how much more can we accomplish together?”

He framed the negotiations as a pivotal moment that could determine the future of the Middle East.

“Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently? Or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference.”

Vance’s conciliatory tone stood in sharp contrast to the tougher language used by President Donald Trump, who issued a series of warnings to Tehran on Sunday even as the negotiations were beginning.

Trump threatened severe consequences if Iran follows through on threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors and a route through which a significant portion of global oil shipments traditionally pass.

The president revealed that he had communicated directly with Iranian officials before Vance’s meeting in Switzerland.

“You close it, and you won’t have a country,” Trump told Fox News’ chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst about his message to Iran. “You won’t even make it back to your … country.”

Trump also responded forcefully to recent comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who publicly insisted that Iran would continue uranium enrichment and that the United States would ultimately have to accept that position.

“He better watch his mouth. He better shape up, or we’ll take over the rest of the country,” Trump told Fox News.

The president described the memorandum of understanding as a temporary arrangement that gives diplomacy one final opportunity to succeed.

Trump characterized the agreement as a “60-day option” and stressed that he “can do whatever I want” once that period expires. He also floated the possibility that the United States could serve as the “guardian angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls from vessels using the strategic waterway.

In a separate message posted Sunday, Trump warned Tehran to immediately rein in Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups operating in Lebanon.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The contrasting messages from Washington—Vance offering a path toward reconciliation while Trump delivers blunt warnings—highlight both the opportunities and the risks facing negotiators as the next phase of U.S.-Iran diplomacy begins.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}