U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview aired today that President Donald Trump will not abandon Iranians who have risked their lives opposing the regime, stressing that the president’s words should be taken seriously.
“This is a president who has made many promises; you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that he hasn’t kept,” Huckabee said in the interview with Channel 12 News. “He doesn’t make empty threats.”
“What I would say to [the people of Iran] is, note carefully what the president says, take him at his word. He will keep his promise,” he added.
Huckabee also indicated that Washington has not yet reached a final decision on whether to launch a military strike against Tehran, saying Trump consistently prefers a diplomatic resolution in which Iran ends its threats toward Israel and the United States and abandons its nuclear ambitions.
“I would say that the decision still needs to be made,” the ambassador said. “President Trump is always hopeful for the best outcome. He is, in fact, let’s never forget, ‘the art of the deal.’ And if he can get that, then that’s ideal.”
“But if he can’t, he’s not afraid to do what he proved he would do last summer when he instigated Midnight Hammer,” Huckabee added, referring to U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025.
While declining to predict whether the United States will strike Iran — a move that could prompt Iranian retaliation against Israel — Huckabee said the U.S. Embassy was taken aback when airlines began canceling flights to Israel amid rising tensions.
“Last weekend, airlines from around the world started canceling their flights, and honestly, our reaction at the embassy was, ‘what’s that about?’” he said.
“It completely caught us off guard,” Huckabee added. “We are not seeing any reason. We are not telling our embassy employees to restrict themselves to your homes, don’t go anywhere.”
Huckabee said he has no insight into the timing of any potential U.S. military action, nor whether “Iran will decide to initiate something” against Israel. He emphasized that Trump has not been speaking in terms of deadlines or ultimatums and said Israelis should continue their daily routines, “and if the sirens go off, respond.”
Iran has warned that if it comes under U.S. attack it will retaliate against Israel and has also threatened American military bases and aircraft carriers stationed in the region.
Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States could intervene if Iran continued killing protesters during its crackdown on nationwide demonstrations over economic hardship and political repression, though those protests have since subsided. Even so, the U.S. has deployed additional warships to the region in recent days.
Washington has said that any agreement with Iran would need to prohibit uranium enrichment, require the removal of already enriched material from the country, limit Iran’s long-range missile stockpiles, and curtail its support for regional proxy forces — conditions Tehran has rejected.
In the same interview, Huckabee said Turkey will not be permitted to purchase U.S. F-35 fighter jets, despite Trump suggesting otherwise last month, citing Ankara’s strained relations with Israel.
“Anyone to think that there’s an equality here, that it’s friend A, friend B, it’s not like that at all,” he said.
“[Turkey] is not going to get them,” he continued. “It has to go to the Senate, and it’s not likely to happen. And also, Turkey, by law, would not be able to get them unless they made major changes in the hardware that they have from Russia.”
Huckabee also said Turkey and Qatar, whose involvement on the Gaza Executive Board has raised Israeli concerns, will not govern Gaza but could play a role in pressuring Hamas to disarm. He voiced confidence that the terror group will ultimately give up its weapons as Trump’s Gaza plan advances to its next phase.
“The president said they’re going to disarm; they’re not going to have any role in Gaza,” he said. “How that happens, when it happens, and who’s going to do it? There are some question marks as to the answers to those. I’m convinced that all of those things will happen.”
“You have every Arab country in the world to sign the agreement, saying this is going to happen. Hamas signed the agreement,” he added. “I don’t trust Hamas to do anything, but I trust the rest of the world to say to Hamas, you signed it. You’re on the line for it. If you don’t fulfill it, the whole world is going to rise up and take you down.”
According to Huckabee, responsibility for Hamas’s disarmament will be shared broadly and not placed solely on Israel.
“It’ll be up to everybody,” he said.
Turning to regional diplomacy, Huckabee said he anticipates further expansion of the Abraham Accords, with additional countries joining the normalization framework.
The Saudis “have made some conflicting statements, but it’s their decision,” he said.
He added that even Lebanon joining the accords “is possible,” citing a recent meeting with the U.S. envoy to Beirut in which they discussed “how do we as Americans help our host countries move toward better understanding, deescalating and hopefully moving toward the president’s agenda of joining the Abraham Accords.”
Asked about his controversial appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial last year, Huckabee said the United States does not seek to interfere with Israeli courts but does hold a view on the proceedings.
“Americans are as blunt as Israelis when it comes to expressing ourselves,” he said. “Yeah, I think we were taking a position, but it was not a position in challenging the integrity of the Supreme Court, but it was recognizing that what was happening sure mirrored a whole lot of what we saw in the United States going against President Trump.”
Huckabee, a close ally of Trump, was referring to the criminal cases brought against the U.S. president, who is the first American leader to be convicted of a felony.
He denied that Netanyahu had asked him to attend the trial and declined to explain how he obtained a Bugs Bunny doll that he held up outside the courthouse, referencing one of the allegations against the prime minister. “I’ll just say it appeared,” he said.
The ambassador also said the embassy has not discussed with Isaac Herzog whether he should consider a pardon for Netanyahu, adding that Trump respects Israel’s sovereignty and its judicial system.
Trump sent an open letter to Herzog in November urging him to exercise his pardon authority on Netanyahu’s behalf. Trump later claimed Herzog told him a pardon was “on its way,” which Herzog denied.
Asked whether Trump would publicly back Netanyahu in Israel’s next election, expected by October 2026 at the latest, Huckabee dismissed the idea.
“I don’t think the president is going to get involved in the elections,” he said.
{Matzav.com}A photograph from 2016 that has recently reemerged shows Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, dressed in a Hamas uniform and standing alongside senior figures in the terror organization.
Abu Safiya holds the rank of colonel in Hamas’s Military Medical Services, according to statements from the MMS and reports in Palestinian media. The MMS operates separately from Hamas’s armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, but its personnel were directly involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror assault on southern Israel.
Israeli forces detained Abu Safiya in December 2024 during a raid on the hospital, along with nearly 240 other individuals. Israeli officials alleged at the time that Hamas had been using the medical complex as a command-and-control center.
Abu Safiya remains in Israeli custody. His legal representatives have alleged that he endured “severe physical abuse,” including beatings and electric shocks, while being held.
Despite his detention, Abu Safiya previously authored two opinion essays published by The New York Times criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The newspaper did not disclose any Hamas affiliation in connection with those articles.
The image was circulated by NGO Monitor, which said it was originally posted to the MMS Facebook page roughly ten years ago. According to a report cited by the group and published in The New York Post, the photo depicts senior Hamas officers from the organization’s National Security Forces and the MMS marking the completion of the hospital.
The Israel Defense Forces has previously described Abu Safiya as a senior Hamas operative, though it has not accused him of direct involvement in specific terror attacks.
Another former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Ahmed Kahlot, was captured earlier in the war and later told interrogators that the MMS-linked hospital had been converted into a Hamas-controlled military site. He also said that at one stage the facility was used to hold a kidnapped Israeli soldier.
Kahlot, who said he has served as a lieutenant colonel in Hamas since 2010, further stated that approximately 16 hospital employees — including doctors, nurses, and paramedics — were also Hamas operatives affiliated with the al-Qassam Brigades.
{Matzav.com}
A 22-year-old man from Hanover, Maryland, admitted in federal court on Tuesday to charges arising from his efforts to align himself with ISIS and prepare for acts of violence, including attacks inside the United States.
Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr. entered a guilty plea to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically ISIS.
The plea was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, together with Jimmy Paul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
Court filings show that between March and April 2023, Teekaye held repeated discussions with an undercover law enforcement officer. During those conversations, he said he intended to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a “mujahid,” or fighter. He also told the undercover officer that his “plan B” involved carrying out an attack in the United States targeting Jews and people who support Israel, explaining that he had examined nearby buildings associated with Israel and considered how to “gun down key members or anyone involved.”
Federal prosecutors said that in May and June 2024, Teekaye went on three occasions to a shooting range in Severn, Maryland, where he bought ammunition and paid for range time. He later described these activities to the undercover officer as part of his “training.” In July 2024, Teekaye attempted to buy a Kalashnikov K-9 9mm assault rifle, but the transaction was rejected because he was on probation in an unrelated state case.
“Teekaye aspired to become an ISIS fighter to unleash attacks on the homeland. He took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland, including attempting to purchase an assault rifle and researching locations where he could kill Jews and supporters of Israel,” Hayes said. “Thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, we stopped Teekaye before he could harm anyone. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism.”
Paul echoed those remarks, saying, “Michael Teekaye spent years maliciously plotting to join ISIS and murder Americans. His evil plans failed thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Their swift action and coordination stopped Teekaye from carrying out his deadly plans against Americans,” adding, “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to protecting our nation.”
Authorities said that from August through October 2024, Teekaye continued communicating with the undercover officer and described contact with a Somali ISIS fighter about plans to travel to Somalia. He outlined a route that involved flying first to Turkey, then to Ethiopia, and crossing into Somalia. Teekaye sent screenshots of an Ethiopian e-Visa that he said he obtained through the ISIS contact, and on October 4, 2024, he told the undercover officer that airline tickets had been provided. He also shared images of a travel itinerary showing plans to leave from Baltimore/Washington International Airport on October 14, traveling to Istanbul with a layover in London.
On October 10, Teekaye sent the undercover officer a photograph of himself wearing a black mask and holding a large machete, along with the message, “Victory or shahada [i.e., martyrdom] … either you do it here or over there or both.” The following day, when asked whether he was “sure” about joining ISIS, Teekaye replied that he was “sure” because he had conducted “a lot of research” and believed “they are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.”
FBI agents arrested Teekaye on October 14 at BWI after he checked in for his flight and passed through security screening. Prosecutors said that after his arrest, Teekaye made several unsolicited statements, including, “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years and I’m just gonna do it here. Okay? Okay? It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll just do it here then, when I get out. . . . You think 20 years is something? I’ll be like 40 when I get out, then I’ll just do it. I don’t care. It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll come and I’ll kill your soldiers. I’ll kill you, and I’ll kill . . . .” Authorities said that while making these remarks, Teekaye kicked and spat at one of the arresting agents.
Teekaye now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, along with lifetime supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Sentencing has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson.
Hayes credited the FBI Baltimore Field Office for its investigative work and thanked the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, as well as the FBI offices in Newark and Richmond and the New York Police Department, for their assistance. She also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Trial Attorney Elisa Poteat of the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section for their roles in prosecuting the case.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States cannot disclose military planning to its Gulf partners while discussions with Iran are underway, even as Washington deploys a sizable naval force to the region.
In an interview with Fox News Channel senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, Trump addressed reports suggesting that Gulf allies have not been informed about possible U.S. action involving Iran.
“Well, we can’t tell them the plan. If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan – it could be worse, actually,” Trump said. “But look, the plan is that [Iran is] talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens… We have a big fleet heading out there, bigger than we had – and still have, actually – in Venezuela.”
According to Fox News, a senior Gulf official said Saudi Arabia would not permit the U.S. to use its airspace or bases in the event of an attack. Another high-ranking official from a Gulf Cooperation Council country told the network that the “US hasn’t shared objectives or plans” related to Iran, despite recent high-level Saudi meetings in Washington intended to gain insight into U.S. intentions.
Officials in the Gulf have noted that Iran often turns to negotiations, but they remain doubtful that talks will result in a meaningful agreement.
“Well, that’s true, but they are negotiating, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in response to that skepticism.
“You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear, didn’t work, you know. Then we took it out a different way, and we’ll see what happens,” he added.
Trump also spoke to reporters at the White House on Friday and suggested that he had delivered a firm message to Tehran about reaching an agreement with the United States.
When asked whether Iran had been given a deadline to make a deal before facing possible military action, Trump said, “Only they know for sure.”
Pressed on whether that message had been conveyed directly, the President responded, “Yeah, I have.”
Trump further remarked on the broader situation, saying, “We’ll see how it all works out, it’s a rough situation… a lot of people are being killed. I can say this, Iran wants to make a deal.”
He again emphasized the scale of the American military deployment in the area, stating, “We have a tremendously powerful fleet there. We have the most powerful ships in the world.”
Earlier that same day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is willing to return to nuclear negotiations with the United States, but cautioned that talks cannot move forward while Washington continues to issue military threats.
Araghchi also made clear that Iran’s ballistic missile program is not up for discussion and said the country is prepared for any outcome. “Iran is ready for both scenarios – war or diplomacy,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing the imposition of tariffs on goods from any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba, a step that could intensify the severe energy shortages already gripping the island.
The measure is expected to place particular strain on Mexico, which has emerged as a key source of oil for Cuba and has repeatedly expressed solidarity with the Cuban government, even as President Claudia Sheinbaum has worked to cultivate a close working relationship with Trump.
In recent days, speculation has mounted that Mexico might significantly reduce its oil exports to Cuba as pressure from Trump grows for Mexico to distance itself from Havana.
Cuba, mired in a worsening economic and energy crisis—exacerbated in part by long-standing U.S. sanctions—has increasingly depended on foreign assistance and oil shipments from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela, prior to a U.S. military operation that ousted former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Following that operation, Trump declared that Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba would cease and asserted that the Cuban government was on the verge of collapse.
According to its latest report, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, Pemex, delivered nearly 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba between January and Sept. 30, 2025.
That same month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Mexico City.
After the visit, Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas Energy Institute who monitors shipments through satellite tracking, said deliveries had dropped to roughly 7,000 barrels per day.
Sheinbaum has offered limited clarity on Mexico’s position regarding the shipments.
Over the past week, she has provided indirect and noncommittal responses to questions about oil exports to Cuba, repeatedly sidestepping the issue during her morning press briefings.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum acknowledged that Pemex had at least temporarily halted some oil shipments to Cuba, but she characterized the pause as part of routine fluctuations in supply and emphasized that it was a “sovereign decision” unrelated to pressure from the United States.
Sheinbaum has maintained that Mexico would continue to demonstrate solidarity with Havana, though she has not specified the nature or scope of that support.
On Wednesday, she said she never suggested that shipments had been fully “suspended” and stated that “humanitarian aid” to Cuba would continue.
She added that shipment decisions are governed by contractual obligations within Pemex.
“So the contract determines when shipments are sent and when they are not sent,” Sheinbaum said.
It remains uncertain how Trump’s order signed Thursday will ultimately affect Cuba, which has endured years of economic hardship under a U.S. embargo and recurring crises.
Tensions were already visible on the island this week, as long lines formed at gas stations and drivers waited anxiously for fuel, unsure of what developments might come next.
{Matzav.com}
A powerful moment of personal example and chizuk took place this week when Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein hosted rabbanim from the Chofetz Chaim B’Iyun kollel network in his home. The Chofetz Chaim B’Iyun kollel network is an organization dedicated to the study of the Chofetz Chaim and the strengthening of shemiras halashon.
During the gathering, as seen in the photo above, Rav Zilberstein surprised those present by physically showing them his teeth, explaining that they are all still intact. He then shared a well-known tradition about the Chofetz Chaim, who toward the end of his life displayed his own complete set of teeth and said that not a single one had fallen out, because he had never spoken lashon hara in his lifetime.
Those close to Rav Zilberstein added that his son-in-law, the mekubal Rav Dov Kook, has testified that his father-in-law likewise merited this brocha. According to Rav Kook, Rav Zilberstein retained all of his teeth for the same reason — “because he never spoke negatively about another Jew.”
{Matzav.com}
