U.S. Congressman Scott Perry said during a visit to Israel that his time in the country strengthened his conviction that Israel upholds equal treatment for all its residents, rejecting accusations to the contrary. Perry made the remarks in an interview with Arutz Sheva – Israel National News while touring the country as part of the Yes! Israel Project, led by Ruth Lieberman and Sarah Paley.
Reflecting on his stay, Perry called it “a wonderful experience,” commending both the people he encountered and the general atmosphere. “The people have been fantastic. The environment has been fine,” he said. He explained that as an American guest, he traveled extensively and witnessed everyday life in various parts of the country without restriction.
“What I can tell you,” he emphasized, “is that my perception is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, what your religious background is, what your heritage is. Everybody that I have seen has been treated with respect and equally.” After several days of travel across different regions, Perry said his observations did not align with criticisms leveled against Israel. “Any claims otherwise have not been evidenced by what I’ve seen here over multiple days, multiple parts of the country.”
When the discussion turned to Iran, Perry argued that Americans have strong reasons to pay attention. “Iran has been the largest sponsor of terrorism around the globe for essentially 50 years,” he said, asserting that Tehran’s influence reaches well beyond the Middle East. “We can continue to watch their subversion, the terrorism around the globe not just in this neighborhood, not just in the Middle East, but around the globe, including in parts of America.”
He also cited alleged Iranian efforts targeting American officials as evidence of the danger. “Let’s remember that they hired assassins to assassinate not only the president of the United States, but former government officials,” he said. “We can either continue to put up with that or we can do something about it. And as long as we’re willing to continue to put up with that, it’s only going to get worse.”
Despite his criticism of Iran’s leadership, Perry maintained that long-term transformation must be driven internally. “This needs to be done and carried by the people of Iran,” he said. “We can be supportive, and we should be supportive at this unique opportunity, but we can’t be the people that go into Iran and change things. Change has to come from within.”
Asked whether armed conflict with Iran is unavoidable, Perry expressed hope that diplomacy could prevail, while cautioning against misplaced confidence. “No, I don’t think it’s inevitable, but I also don’t trust, nor should we trust, the current leadership of Iran,” he said.
Even if talks were to yield a formal accord, Perry warned that past behavior raises serious concerns. “They have never found an agreement that they were willing to adhere to after the fact,” he said. “If there is some kind of an agreement, and I sure hope there is, we would much prefer an agreement to some kind of military activity. But you cannot trust Iran. The verification process is critically important.”
He added that any future arrangement must also confront Iran’s support for regional proxy forces. “Iran itself is a problem in this neighborhood,” he said, “but of course they affect freedom, seeking people all around the globe via their proxies.”
“If you seek safety and security, you have a stake in this,” Perry added. “There should be no Iranian proxies allowed to continue to support and foment terror around the globe from this moment forward.”
On domestic politics, Perry stated that backing for Israel continues to draw support from both major parties in Washington. “I think the United States’ support of Israel remains bipartisan,” he said, while recognizing that debates have intensified in some quarters.
He contended that high-level antisemitic rhetoric has predominantly emerged from one political camp. “To say otherwise is to disregard the facts,” Perry said, arguing that the matter requires direct and candid examination.
Regarding disagreements within Republican ranks and criticism voiced by prominent figures such as Tucker Carlson, Perry suggested those disputes do not define the broader movement. “As a conservative, as a Republican, there are always disagreements within Republican and conservative circles,” he said. “But that’s not generally what defines us, and we can’t allow it to define us.”
“A very large part of the Republican Party and conservatives support our shared interest in the America-Israel relationship,” Perry concluded. “That’s not going to change anytime soon because of the difference of opinions of a few people, no matter how high profile they are.”
When pressed on whether he would directly condemn Carlson and others, Perry offered a measured reply. “I have a different viewpoint based in the reality of my experience and continued knowledge,” he said. “I know where I stand, and I’m completely comfortable with that position.”
{Matzav.com}
Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian voted Saturday to ratify a new labor agreement, formally ending a strike that had stretched on for more than a month and affected thousands of healthcare workers across the hospital system.
Over 4,000 nurses employed by the privately operated NewYork-Presbyterian network began their walkout on Jan. 12. With the contract now approved, they are expected to resume their duties in the coming days. The New York State Nurses Association, which represents the workers, announced that 93% of participating members voted in favor of the three-year deal.
Earlier this month, nurses at two other major private hospital networks, Montefiore and Mount Sinai, also concluded their strikes after reaching separate agreements with the same union.
“We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins,” union President Nancy Hagans said in a statement Saturday.
In response, NewYork-Presbyterian expressed satisfaction with the resolution and anticipation of welcoming its staff back. The hospital system said the agreement “reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play as part of our exceptional care teams.”
Both management and union representatives had announced Friday that they reached a tentative accord. Rank-and-file members cast their ballots on the proposal over the course of Friday and Saturday.
According to the union, the contract includes measures aimed at improving staffing levels, wage increases exceeding 12% over three years, and protections governing the implementation of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Union officials previously stated that roughly 15,000 nurses across Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian initially took part in the broader labor action. The strike did not extend to every facility within those systems and did not involve hospitals operated by the city.
To maintain operations during the strike, the three hospital networks hired thousands of temporary nurses, relocated certain patients, and postponed selected medical procedures. Administrators maintained that patient care, including complex operations, continued without disruption. However, some patients and family members reported delays in routine services.
Striking nurses argued that chronic understaffing had created unsafe workloads and alleged that hospital administrators sought to erode health coverage benefits. Hospital leaders rejected those accusations and characterized the union’s demands as excessive.
In 2023, nurses at certain Mount Sinai and Montefiore facilities also staged a strike, which was resolved after three days.
{Matzav.com}Iran’s supreme leader has quietly set in motion a far-reaching contingency plan to safeguard the regime’s leadership structure in the event he or other senior figures are assassinated in possible American or Israeli strikes, according to a report published Sunday by The New York Times. The report also described how Ayatollah Ali Khamenei moved longtime confidant Ali Larijani into a dominant leadership position to steer the country through mounting security and diplomatic turmoil.
The developments come as Washington and Tehran have resumed indirect negotiations in Geneva, facilitated by Oman, aimed at reviving a nuclear agreement. The diplomatic effort follows a major US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of two aircraft carriers, additional fighter aircraft and significant weapons systems, reinforcing American warnings to Iran.
Separately on Sunday, a senior US official told Axios that the United States is prepared to dispatch negotiators to Geneva this Friday — provided Iran submits a revised nuclear proposal within the next 48 hours.
According to officials cited in the report, the upcoming window for talks may represent the final opportunity to resolve the crisis diplomatically before the US proceeds with a large-scale military strike.
The New York Times reported that during a period of sweeping nationwide unrest last month, coupled with escalating American threats, Khamenei appointed Larijani — a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards and seasoned political figure — to oversee core state functions. The move effectively shifted authority away from President Masoud Pezeshkian and consolidated operational control in Larijani’s hands.
Drawing on interviews with senior Iranian officials, Revolutionary Guards members and former diplomats, the report said Larijani has since supervised the regime’s harsh suppression of protests, handled delicate nuclear negotiations with Washington, and coordinated strategy with partners including Russia, Qatar and Oman.
In addition, Larijani has reportedly been directing wartime contingency planning as Tehran prepares for potential US military action. Iranian leadership is said to be operating under the belief that American strikes are both imminent and unavoidable. Military forces have accordingly been placed on maximum alert.
Iran has reportedly repositioned missile systems near the Iraqi frontier — within striking range of Israel — and along the Persian Gulf, where US bases are located. The country has also conducted repeated missile exercises and drills in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling preparations for possible hostilities.
Beyond external defense, Iranian authorities have also crafted plans to maintain domestic control should conflict erupt.
Officials told the newspaper that, in the event of war, police special units, intelligence personnel and plainclothes Basij militia forces would be deployed throughout major cities. Their mission would include erecting checkpoints, suppressing demonstrations and identifying individuals suspected of cooperating with foreign governments.
Despite those measures, opposition activity appears to be continuing. Iran International reported Sunday that university students across the country have launched a new round of anti-regime demonstrations, honoring those killed during earlier protests and voicing opposition to the Islamic Republic.
According to the outlet, rallies were held at the University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Ferdowsi University, Khajeh Nasir University and the University of Art.
Iran International, which operates outside the country and has been designated a “terrorist” organization by Tehran, circulated footage on social media showing students raising a flag at Sharif University, along with clips from additional campus protests.
An AFP-verified video from what appeared to be the same demonstration at Sharif University showed a large crowd gathered around students waving the flag, chanting “long live the shah” and other slogans critical of the government.
Reports indicated that members of the Basij paramilitary organization entered some campuses in attempts to identify protest participants.
At the same time, pro-government groups organized counter-rallies as students assembled Saturday at the beginning of the new academic term. The gatherings marked the 40th day since fatalities recorded during protests on January 8 and 9, following Shiite mourning customs.
Much of Khamenei’s restructuring is said to stem from lessons learned during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, when Israeli airstrikes eliminated much of Iran’s senior military leadership in the early stages of fighting. There is also concern within Tehran that the United States could attempt to target Khamenei personally.
In response, Khamenei has implemented layered succession frameworks designed to preserve command continuity. The report said he established four levels of replacements for each senior military and governmental role that falls under his authority.
He also instructed officials across the leadership hierarchy to designate up to four successors of their own, according to the newspaper.
Responsibilities have additionally been delegated to a tight circle of trusted figures capable of making decisions if Khamenei becomes unreachable or is killed. Chief among them is Larijani.
Other senior officials referenced in the report include Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top military adviser and former Revolutionary Guards commander; Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, another former Guards commander who now serves as parliament speaker; and Khamenei’s chief of staff, cleric Ali Asghar Hejazi.
The newspaper said Ghalibaf has effectively been assigned to act as Khamenei’s deputy in commanding the armed forces during wartime.
While in concealment during the June war with Israel, Khamenei reportedly identified three individuals as possible successors to the role of supreme leader, though their names were not disclosed publicly.
Despite Larijani’s expanding authority, the report emphasized that he would not be considered a candidate for supreme leader because he is not a senior Shiite cleric.
Even so, analysts told the newspaper that Khamenei places complete confidence in Larijani’s ability to manage the crisis and potentially guide the country if the supreme leader were killed.
“The supreme leader fully trusts Larijani. He believes Larijani is the man for this sensitive juncture because of his political track record, sharp mind and knowledge,” Nasser Imani said. “He relies on him for reports on the situation and pragmatic advice. Larijani’s role will be very pronounced during war.”
The report described Larijani’s growing authority as coming at the expense of President Pezeshkian, noting that the president had to formally request Larijani’s approval to ease internet restrictions and to authorize Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to contact President Donald Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff and fellow US envoy Jared Kushner have reportedly been awaiting a comprehensive proposal from Tehran following their most recent discussions with Araghchi last Tuesday.
A senior US official told Axios that the two American negotiators expect to be in Geneva on February 27 if Iran submits its proposal earlier in the week.
“If Iran gives a draft proposal, the US is ready to meet in Geneva on Friday in order to start detailed negotiations to see if we can get a nuclear deal,” the official said.
The official added that both sides could explore the possibility of an interim arrangement while negotiating a broader agreement.
Nevertheless, officials cautioned that this diplomatic effort may represent the final opportunity to avert military action.
{Matzav.com}
[Video below.] Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that Tehran would retaliate against American military installations in the region if the United States launches an attack, while also stressing that diplomacy remains the preferred path to resolving tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The remarks came during a CBS interview, as Washington has increased its military footprint in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear that Iran sees negotiations as the only viable route forward and dismissed the effectiveness of military pressure. He characterized Iran’s nuclear activities as peaceful and rejected what he described as unnecessary saber-rattling. “There is no need for a military buildup, and also no use in it – military force cannot exert pressure on us.”
Araghchi reiterated that uranium enrichment is, in Tehran’s view, a sovereign right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and said Iran will not give it up. At the same time, he indicated that Iran remains willing to accept comprehensive monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency, including the possibility of implementing an additional protocol under specific conditions.
He argued that the country has invested too heavily in its nuclear program to retreat now, pointing to years of economic penalties and personal losses. “We have endured 20 years of sanctions. We have paid great expenses, and lost many scientists. The nuclear program is at this point a matter of dignity and pride.”
According to Araghchi, ongoing discussions are limited strictly to nuclear matters and do not extend to Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities or its regional allies. He suggested that a future agreement reached during President Trump’s administration could, in certain ways, exceed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, given the changes in Iran’s nuclear capacity and the desire for a more streamlined framework focused on peaceful nuclear use and sanctions relief.
The foreign minister also confirmed that a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was expected Thursday in Geneva to continue work on a draft proposal. He described the chances of advancement as promising, while noting that internal processes in Tehran are still required before any final decisions can be made.
Addressing recent military developments, Araghchi acknowledged weaknesses in Iran’s air defenses during Operation Rising Lion. However, he asserted that Iranian missile strikes inside Israel demonstrated a comparable level of air reach, claiming Iran can operate there much as Israel can inside Iran. He cautioned that American assets would be targeted if the United States joins any military action, but urged Washington to avoid that course.
“Our missiles can hit their targets in Israel. Since our missiles cannot reach US soil, if they attack, we must hit something else, such as their bases in the region. Still, why should we go to war when there is every possibility of a peaceful solution?”
WATCH:
{Matzav.com}
Iran’s foreign minister said the country is in a stronger defensive position than it was during last June’s 12-day conflict with Israel and declared that Tehran is ready to launch additional missile attacks if it faces another assault. Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with CBS News, signaling that Iran believes its military capabilities have improved since the fighting.
Speaking in the broadcast interview, Araghchi acknowledged that Iran encountered weaknesses in its air defense systems during the war but argued that Israel experienced similar difficulties. “Yes, we had problem with our air defense, but Israelis had also problem with their air defense and our missiles were able to hit targets inside Israel,” he said.
Araghchi placed responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities on Israel and maintained that the Jewish state ultimately sought to halt the fighting. “They started the war, but after 12 days, they asked for a ceasefire, unconditional ceasefire,” he claims. “Why? Because they couldn’t defend themselves against our missiles. So we have a very good capability of missiles, and now we are even in a better situation than previous war.”
He further asserted that Iran’s missile force demonstrated precision during the conflict and remains capable of doing so in the future. According to Araghchi, Iran’s missiles “hit their targets in a very exact way, and they can do it again.”
The June confrontation lasted nearly two weeks and involved sustained missile exchanges. Reports indicate that six Iranian missiles struck Israeli military installations, while 36 others landed in different areas across the country after penetrating Israeli and US air defense systems. The attacks killed 28 people and caused widespread property damage.
In total, 2,305 housing units in 240 buildings were reported damaged. Two universities and a hospital were also affected, and more than 13,000 Israelis were forced to leave their homes as a result of the strikes.
{Matzav.com}New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani imposed a sweeping travel ban across the five boroughs ahead of a powerful winter storm expected to strike the region, shutting down non-essential traffic as officials brace for blizzard conditions.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mamdani said he was declaring a state of emergency in advance of the storm. Under the order, all city streets, highways and bridges will be closed to non-emergency vehicles beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, with the restrictions set to remain in place until noon Monday.
The prohibition covers virtually every form of transportation, including passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, scooters and e-bikes. Only emergency responders and workers performing critical services will be permitted to travel during the ban.
Forecasters have placed millions of residents across the Northeast under blizzard warnings as a rapidly intensifying bomb cyclone is forecast to bring as much as two feet of snow along the heavily traveled I-95 corridor. Meteorologists warned of wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour and cautioned that widespread power outages are likely as the storm strengthens through Sunday night.
Air travel has already been heavily disrupted, with more than 7,000 flights canceled across the Northeast by Sunday afternoon.
Major metropolitan areas including New York City, Boston and Philadelphia are expected to receive between 18 and 24 inches of snowfall. Washington, D.C., is projected to see between five and eight inches, while snowfall estimates for nearby Baltimore have been slightly reduced overnight.
Blizzard warnings currently cover approximately 29 million people.
{Matzav.com}An 18-year-old Border Police officer was killed Sunday in what authorities believe was an accidental shooting at a residence in Azor, in central Israel.
Ori Mechtaiev suffered a gunshot wound to the head during the incident. Paramedics from Magen David Adom rushed to the scene and carried out prolonged resuscitation efforts, but were ultimately forced to declare him dead.
Investigators suspect the fatal shot was fired unintentionally while weapons were being handled inside the home. According to police, two people who were present at the time — an IDF soldier and a civilian friend of the victim — were taken in for questioning. The Military Police have joined the inquiry as officials work to determine exactly how the shooting occurred.
Mechtaiev, who lived in Azor, enlisted in the Border Police in November 2025 and was serving in the Combat Training Brigade at the time of his death.
He leaves behind his parents and two brothers. His father, Ronen Mechtaiev, serves as Deputy Commissioner of Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement mourning the young officer’s death. “With deep sorrow and a broken heart, I received the news of the fall of Border Police fighter Ori Mechtaiev, of blessed memory, the son of my dear friend Ronen Mechtaiev, Deputy Commissioner of Fire and Rescue. Ori, only 18 at the time of his death, chose to serve the state like his father, on the front lines of security activity in the Border Police training brigade. There are no words that can comfort parents and siblings who have lost what is most precious to them prematurely.
“On my behalf and on behalf of the citizens of Israel, I extend heartfelt condolences to his father, the family, and friends. The Israel Police and the Border Police will continue to stand by you and will forever cherish Ori’s memory. May his memory be blessed,” Ben-Gvir said.
Fire Commissioner Eyal Caspi also spoke about the family’s longstanding service within the Fire and Rescue system. “The Mechtaiev family has been connected to the Fire and Rescue Service for many years. The family’s grandfather served as commander of the Bat Yam station, and two of the deputy commissioner’s brothers hold senior command positions in the Fire and Rescue Service. The Fire and Rescue family shares in the heavy grief of the dear family, embraces them, and will continue to accompany them always.”
The deadly shooting comes months after another fatal incident involving a firearm. In October, Yosef Chaim Rabuch, an IDF soldier who was home on leave, was killed when a weapon discharged accidentally in his residence in Kiryat Arba, in front of his fiancée.
Following that case, the Police Internal Investigations Department submitted an indictment against a Border Police officer, charging him with reckless manslaughter in connection with Rabuch’s death. Prosecutors also listed ten additional counts in the filing, alleging that the officer had repeatedly handled his weapon in a dangerously negligent and unlawful manner.
{Matzav.com}Israel’s Ministry of Health announced Sunday that a six-year-old boy who had not been vaccinated died overnight after contracting measles, underscoring renewed concerns about the dangers of the highly contagious disease.
According to the ministry, the child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Medical teams attempted life-saving measures, but despite their efforts, doctors were forced to declare him dead.
Health officials further reported that of the 15 additional measles-related deaths recorded, the majority involved otherwise healthy babies and children who had no underlying medical issues and had not received the measles vaccine.
The ministry stressed the urgent need for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and warned that anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting exposure should seek medical care without delay. Prompt treatment, officials said, can be lifesaving.
{Matzav.com}
The Transportation Security Administration announced Sunday that its PreCheck program will continue operating, reversing an earlier indication that the expedited screening service would be suspended during the partial government shutdown.
“At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public,” a TSA spokesperson said.
The agency clarified that while the program remains in place, adjustments could be made if staffing shortages become an issue. Officials also confirmed that certain nonessential services have already been paused.
“As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the spokesperson added. “Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies.”
Earlier, the Department of Homeland Security had indicated that it would temporarily halt both TSA PreCheck lanes and Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program because of the funding gap tied to the shutdown.
The DHS had said that it was temporarily “ending Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck® lanes and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry service,” due to the partial government shutdown.
TSA PreCheck is a subscription-based program that offers expedited security screening at participating airports, allowing travelers to leave laptops in their bags and avoid removing certain items during the process.
Enrollment in the program generally costs about $85.
The partial shutdown affecting DHS operations began Feb. 14 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding, with the impasse stemming from disagreements over Democratic proposals to overhaul immigration enforcement policies.
{Matzav.com}President Donald Trump is on track for a strong showing in the upcoming midterm elections, with Republicans likely to capture both the House and the Senate, according to political adviser Dick Morris.
Speaking on Newsmax’s “The Count,” Morris dismissed negative projections from Democrats and argued that Trump has positioned himself and his party for significant gains in November.
“[It’s] time to correct the Democratic doom and gloom about the upcoming elections,” Morris told Newsmax’s “The Count.” “I think Trump is going to win the House and win the Senate.”
Morris attributed his confidence largely to what he described as a marked economic rebound under Trump’s leadership. He said the president has steered key economic indicators in a direction that could resonate strongly with voters.
“I think that he’s got the economy just where he needs it,” he said. “It’s creating jobs. He’s got inflation well under control. He’s reducing affordability costs that have plagued New Yorkers.”
Describing the economic shift as dramatic, Morris emphasized what he views as historically strong performance figures.
Calling the turnaround “so profound and so deep,” Morris added, “We have almost 0% inflation and about 4% growth, and nobody possibly could have done that before. And it’s just an incredible tribute.”
On border security, Morris credited Trump with decisive action to curb illegal crossings, arguing that immigration policy will also be a key factor in the election outcome.
On immigration, Morris said Trump “sealed the border” and “stopped illegal immigrants from coming in,” adding, “I think that he is set for a big win on Election Day of this year.”
Although Democrats have recently secured victories in several contests, Morris maintained that Trump remains competitive nationwide, including in states that traditionally favor Democrats.
Asked about recent Democrat victories in several races, Morris predicted Trump would remain competitive even in traditionally blue states.
“He’ll carry New York like one and, but he’ll carry swing states throughout the country,” Morris said. “People have always underestimated Trump’s ability to win, his ability to rally the average voter. And I think they’re doing it again.”
Morris also suggested that a forthcoming Supreme Court decision could significantly alter the political landscape by reshaping congressional districts across the country.
Morris also pointed to a potential Supreme Court ruling that he said could reshape the congressional map. “The Supreme Court, I think, is likely to throw out majority-minority districts,” he said.
He argued that districts designed to ensure minority representation unfairly favor Democrats and predicted the Court would invalidate such maps.
“Those seats that are Democrat only because they gerrymander the laws and the lines to make sure only Democrats and only liberal and Black Democrats can win,” Morris continued. “And the Supreme Court is about to throw that out and say that’s unconstitutional, race-based districting.”
According to Morris, a ruling along those lines would dramatically change the makeup of Congress.
Morris added that such a decision would have sweeping effects in Congress, saying it “is going to obliterate plenty of Black congressmen and Hispanic congressmen who were elected from districts that they shouldn’t be elected from.”
{Matzav.com}
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said yesterday that Iran could, in theory, be roughly one week away from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, though he did not note that Tehran currently lacks access to its stockpiles, functioning enrichment equipment, or an active weapons program.
Speaking on Fox News’s My View with Lara Trump, Witkoff underscored what he described as the potential danger if Iran were able to restore its nuclear infrastructure.
“They’re probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material. And that’s really dangerous. So they can’t have that,” Witkoff said on Fox News’s My View with host Lara Trump, clearly wanting to highlight the severity of the potential future nuclear issues should Iran rebuild all the other elements of its nuclear program, which were bombed in June 2025.
In June 2025, joint Israeli and American strikes dismantled key components of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The attacks eliminated approximately 20,000 centrifuges, wiped out the country’s complex weaponization apparatus, heavily damaged two of its three primary nuclear facilities, struck numerous smaller sites, and killed many of Iran’s top nuclear scientists. Parts of certain facilities were collapsed, further limiting the regime’s ability to retrieve previously enriched uranium.
Before those operations, intelligence assessments indicated that Iran had reduced its breakout time to about one week if it chose to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. After that, experts estimated it would have needed an additional three to six months to integrate the material into a missile system and assemble a functional nuclear device.
That compressed timeline had alarmed Israeli officials, particularly as it had narrowed dramatically from an earlier estimate of roughly two years. At that stage, Israeli intelligence agencies concluded they might not detect Iran’s final steps toward a bomb in time if preemptive action were delayed.
Now, Israeli and U.S. officials assess that Iran is at least two years away from producing a nuclear weapon, given the extensive reconstruction required across multiple elements of its program.
Witkoff’s remarks appeared aimed at emphasizing how close Iran once came to weapons-grade enrichment, reinforcing the Trump administration’s position that Tehran should no longer be permitted to enrich uranium under any circumstances. His comments come as Washington continues outlining its broader strategy toward Iran, including the possibility of military action if nuclear activities resume.
WATCH:
As New York City braces for a major snowstorm, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over identification requirements for residents seeking to work as emergency snow shovelers — a policy critics say conflicts with his opposition to voter ID laws.
The New York City Department of Sanitation outlines strict documentation rules for those applying to join its emergency snow removal workforce. According to the agency’s website, applicants must submit two small photographs measuring between 1 and 1.5 square inches, present two original forms of identification along with photocopies, and provide a Social Security card.
On Saturday, Mamdani encouraged residents to take part in the city’s snow response efforts, urging them to report to local sanitation garages with the necessary paperwork in hand.
“For those who want to do more to help your neighbors and earn some extra cash, you too can become an emergency snow shoveler. Just show up at your local sanitation garage… with your paperwork which is accessible online,” Hizzoner said at a presser Saturday.
Workers hired for snow removal are paid $19.14 per hour, with compensation increasing to $28.71 per hour once they exceed 40 hours in a week, according to the sanitation department.
Mamdani, who is affiliated with the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, has opposed voter identification laws, including the SAVE Act. The organization has sharply criticized such legislation, labeling it discriminatory.
“Our candidates for office stand firm against racist voter ID laws and secret poll taxes like the ‘SAVE America Act,’” The DSA’s website stated.
The contrast between the city’s hiring requirements and Mamdani’s political stance prompted swift reaction online, where critics accused him of inconsistency.
“This is Jim SNOW 2.0,” Fox News host Jimmy Failla quipped on X.
“No joke. To register to shovel snow in Mamdani’s NYC….for the impending snowstorm, you need two types of identification. Can’t make this up,” X user Casey Cook posted.
“Mamdani’s snow shovellers must be ‘Eligible to work in the United States,’” an X user posted above a gif of Greta Thunberg mouthing “how dare you.”
The controversy unfolds as meteorologists warn that the city could receive up to 24 inches of snow from a powerful blizzard forecast to strike the East Coast on Sunday and Monday.
Forecasters say wind gusts may reach 60 miles per hour, with snowfall rates projected at one to three inches per hour at the height of the storm.
{Matzav.com}
