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The White House said Tuesday evening that the United States will not tolerate any disruption to maritime traffic in the Middle East, warning that attempts to block the movement of oil or goods through key waterways will draw a severe military response.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the statement amid rising tensions in the region, stressing that Washington is determined to safeguard the free passage of shipping lanes that are critical to global energy supplies.

Leavitt said the United States is taking action to ensure that energy resources continue to reach the country and its allies without interference.

“The United States and all our allies can receive their energy needs. President Trump will not allow rogue Iranian terrorists to strop the freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy,” Leavitt said.

She also warned Tehran against attempting to obstruct shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime routes for global oil shipments.

“If they (Iran) do anything to stop the flow of oil or goods within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the world’s most powerful military 20 times harder than they have been hit thus far,” she threatened.

Leavitt also addressed concerns about rising fuel costs, acknowledging that the conflict has led to higher prices but saying the situation is expected to stabilize once military objectives are met.

She added that “the increase in gas prices is temporary and in the long term prices will fall. Once the military goals are achieved, we will live in a world where Iran can no longer threaten.”

{Matzav.com}

New information indicates that American hostage Kamran Hekmati, who was briefly feared missing from Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, is now believed to still be inside the facility. The hostage negotiation team working with Hekmati’s family told Fox News that they now believe he is at Evin Prison, where he has been wrongfully detained since May […]

Israel’s Transportation Ministry has launched an investigation after approximately 90 yeshiva bochurim departed on a flight to Poland, reportedly in violation of Home Front Command restrictions. The probe follows media reports that the group traveled to attend the yahrtzeit of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk.

Ben Gurion Airport turned into a scene of turmoil on Monday after hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at check-in counters following sudden changes to passenger limits. While El Al had received special approval the previous day to board up to 200 passengers on some flights, the permitted number was reduced again Tuesday morning to just 50 passengers. The abrupt reversal sparked widespread frustration among travelers who arrived at the airport only to discover they could not board their flights. Ground staff reported scenes of passengers losing their composure, and in some cases confrontations occurred between police and frustrated travelers.

Amid the chaos, reports circulated online that about 90 talmidim from Yeshivas Oryasa in Yerushalayim had managed to depart for Poland ahead of the yahrtzeit of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, which is the night of the 21st of Adar.

Following the report, Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken instructed the head of the Airports Authority to conduct an urgent investigation and submit findings within 24 hours.

The development raised questions in several media outlets, particularly on the political left, about how such a large group was allowed to board a flight under the strict wartime limitations.

In response to the growing controversy, the Transportation Ministry issued a sharply worded statement emphasizing that airlines are not permitted to board more than 100 passengers on departing flights, in accordance with directives from the Home Front Command and the security establishment.

“We demand that airlines comply with the regulations and ensure passenger safety,” the ministry said.

While government authorities and airline officials debate the rules, hundreds of travelers remained stranded at closed check-in counters at Ben Gurion Airport in what many described as a day that turned from a rescue operation into a transportation fiasco.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF carried out a combined wave of strikes earlier today in Tehran and Tabriz, targeting several Iranian terror regime command centers, including sites tied to special units, ballistic missile launches, intelligence police, and Basij forces, as part of efforts to further damage the regime’s military capabilities.

TRUMP: If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for whatever reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.

Sen. John Thune on Iran: “They continue, Iran, to be the largest state sponsor in the world…This is an important mission to accomplish.

China’s exports jumped nearly 22% in the first two months of the year from a year earlier, powered by a surge in shipments of computer chips, autos and electronics. The export figures released by China’s customs agency on Tuesday were much better than economists had forecast. They far exceeded the 6.6% annual pace of growth […]

A young girl born without a complete inner-ear system is currently unable to hear at all.

Iran’s cyber campaign has reportedly reached an unusual target — an Israeli wafer factory. In a radio interview, the manager of the Menamim wafer factory said Iranian hackers attempted to create panic by circulating old security footage online as part of psychological warfare.

During a conversation on the radio program Zman Avir, host Menachem Toker spoke with Tom Marcus, manager of the Menamim factory and a fourth-generation member of the family business, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had taken control of the company’s systems.

“A friend sent me screenshots from a reserve-duty WhatsApp group,” Marcus said. “An Iranian cyber group posted that they had taken control of a Zionist factory that produces for the Zionist army and had halted production.”

Initial concerns quickly subsided when it became clear that the claims were based on recycled material. Marcus explained that the images circulating on social media accounts with millions of followers were taken from a breach of the factory’s security cameras that had occurred roughly two and a half years ago.

“We realized this was psychological warfare,” Marcus said. “We’re continuing production at full speed. They didn’t find anything in our computers. We don’t have state secrets — maybe only the family recipe.”

Toker, known for his humorous style, suggested half-jokingly that the Iranians might be attempting to weaken Israel through its snack supply. “If the guys don’t snack on wafers, Israel will lose,” he said.

The factory, located in the Haifa Bay area, sits in a region considered strategically sensitive. Marcus, however, said with a smile that it was hard to believe the facility would be considered a real military target.

Despite the tense moment, Marcus said he remains confident in Israel’s resilience — and in the factory’s closely guarded recipe.

By the end of the interview, Marcus even turned the incident into a marketing opportunity. “My wife said we should turn the lemon wafer into lemonade,” he joked, referring to the unexpected publicity the long-standing brand received after appearing on the Revolutionary Guards’ social media accounts.

While Iranian operatives were busy promoting old security footage, workers at the Menamim factory were already focused on preparing for Pesach and continuing large-scale production of what Marcus jokingly called Israel’s “national weapon” — the Israeli wafer.

{Matzav.com}

Update: Police say the suspicious package discovered near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan has been investigated and cleared by the NYPD bomb squad. Authorities determined the item did not pose a threat.

Nearly two days after being named the third supreme leader in the history of the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to appear publicly or issue any formal message to the Iranian people. Despite crowds of supporters gathering in cities across Iran to pledge allegiance to the new leader, no video address has been released, […]

Amid the current security situation, Rabbi Ofir Malka clarified that carrying a phone on Shabbos is generally not permitted, even for the purpose of receiving Home Front Command alerts. The question arose in connection with people walking to a Shabbos meal in another location or heading to shul and wanting advance warning of incoming rocket sirens.

During the Halacha Lemaaseh radio program, a caller asked Rabbi Malka whether it would be permissible to carry a phone on the upcoming Shabbos while walking to a Shabbos meal elsewhere or going to daven, in order to receive alerts from the Home Front Command.

Rabbi Malka explained that in most situations there is no need for such a measure. When a person is in shul or outside on the street, the siren itself can usually be heard. The main concern arises only if someone is inside a closed building where the siren cannot be heard clearly. In most cases, however, sirens are audible in homes and shuls, and even if an individual does not hear it personally, others nearby will. As a result, there is typically sufficient time to reach a protected area.

He noted that the phone alert usually serves only as an early warning that comes a few minutes before the siren. Someone walking to shul generally does not need the alert because protected spaces are typically available nearby.

Rabbi Malka added that in more extreme cases, where a person genuinely needs the early alert because otherwise he would not be able to reach a protected area in time, there may be limited room for leniency. In such a situation, the phone may be placed in a jacket or pants pocket before Shabbos begins so that the person can receive the alert.

The caller suggested that having the phone would allow him more time to prepare. Rabbi Malka responded that one should simply act quickly rather than rely on the device. He emphasized that not everything becomes permissible due to the situation, and only actions that are truly necessary may be allowed.

“If because of this you will be able to reach the protected area, and without it you would not, then it is necessary,” the rabbi explained. “But if it is only so that you will hurry, then you should hurry from the outset.”

{Matzav.com}

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a generic medication for a rare brain disorder, while walking back suggestions by President Donald Trump and other administration officials that the drug showed great promise for people with autism. The agency said it approved leucovorin for children and adults with a genetic condition that limits delivery […]

A senior Israeli official said Tuesday that the IDF has already destroyed the vast majority of Iran’s missile launchers and is moving rapidly toward a point where daily life in Israel could begin returning to normal. In an interview with the Israeli outlet Walla, the official said the Israeli Air Force has eliminated roughly 80% […]

Reporter: Reuters has reported that about 150 U.S. Service members have been injured so far. Can you confirm that number and elaborate on that? Leavitt: I can’t confirm the exact number. I know it’s within that ballpark.

Reporter: Why did the energy secretary post and then appeared to have delete a post saying that the Navy escorted an oil tanker? Leavitt: I can confirm that the Navy has not escorted a tanker or vessel at this time. Reporter: Was it posted by a staffer? Will there be any consequences? Leavitt: I would […]

Leavitt: But ultimately, the operations will end when the commander in chief determines the military objectives have been met, fully realized, and that Iran is in a position of complete and unconditional surrender, whether they say it or not.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil for a Ramadan iftar meal at the mayor’s official residence on Monday night, publicly signaling his sympathy for a figure accused by federal officials of supporting extremist causes – just two days after ISIS-inspired suspects threw homemade bombs nearby. Mamdani and his wife – […]

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that American forces were preparing to launch what he called the most powerful round of strikes so far in the ongoing military campaign targeting Iran.

Hegseth delivered the remarks during a Pentagon briefing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

According to Hegseth, the upcoming phase of the operation will significantly increase both the scope and the tempo of the air assault that has been underway since the United States began leading attacks against Iranian military infrastructure.

He explained that Tuesday’s strikes are intended to further damage Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, and weapons manufacturing facilities.

“Today will be the most intense day of bombing so far,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that U.S. forces were prepared to carry out a large number of coordinated strikes across multiple targets inside Iran.

Hegseth told reporters that the campaign — which the Pentagon has described as a focused military effort — aims to dismantle Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks and prevent the country from advancing toward nuclear weapons capabilities.

He insisted the United States is making significant progress in achieving those objectives.

Caine then outlined the military results of the operation to date, stating that Iran’s offensive capacity has been dramatically weakened since the campaign began.

According to Caine, Iranian ballistic missile launches have dropped by roughly 90% and drone attacks have declined by more than 80% as coalition forces have targeted key military infrastructure.

Caine said Iran’s military response so far has not exceeded what U.S. officials expected when the campaign began.

“They’re fighting, and I respect that,” he said. “I don’t think they’re more formidable than we thought.”

Caine said U.S. forces have also struck naval assets and weapons manufacturing sites, including missile and drone production facilities, as part of a broader effort to limit Iran’s ability to sustain attacks across the region.

He added that the campaign has already destroyed dozens of Iranian ships and significantly weakened Tehran’s naval operations.

Even as the air campaign intensifies, Hegseth stressed that the United States is not attempting to topple Iran’s leadership, describing the mission as a limited military operation rather than a war aimed at regime change.

The Pentagon briefing came amid a widening regional confrontation. Iran has fired missiles and launched drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries, heightening concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East while also shaking global energy markets.

Hegseth said the United States intends to continue the offensive until Iran’s ability to threaten the region is substantially diminished, noting that the duration of the campaign will depend on when U.S. strategic goals are met.

{Matzav.com}

Leavitt on the success of Operation Epic Fury: Ten days in, this campaign has been a resounding success thus far, and America’s warriors are winning this important fight at an even faster pace than we anticipated. •⁠ ⁠More than 5,000 enemy targets stuck. •⁠ ⁠Iran’s ballistic missile attacks down more than 90%. More than 50 […]