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Iran is preparing for a sustained conflict and does not intend to accept the conditions being set by the United States and Israel, according to a report citing regional diplomatic sources.

An Arab diplomat involved in ongoing contacts between Tehran and Washington said Iranian leadership believes it can continue fighting for an extended period and ultimately end the war on terms more favorable to itself. The report was presented Monday morning on a news program on Israel’s Kan public broadcaster.

According to the diplomat, this assessment is not only being conveyed publicly but is also firmly held behind closed doors within Iran’s leadership. Officials in Tehran view the demands coming from Washington and Jerusalem as tantamount to surrender, and for that reason have not even responded to President Donald Trump’s reported 15-point proposal.

The same source said Iranian officials believe they have the capacity to withstand a prolonged military campaign while inflicting even greater damage on Israel, the United States, and other countries in the region.

As a result, diplomatic circles in the Middle East are increasingly pessimistic about the chances of de-escalation, with officials warning that only an extraordinary development is likely to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Two Republican election officials say they expect legal challenges to succeed against President Donald Trump’s executive order placing new limits on mail-in voting, raising doubts about whether the policy will withstand scrutiny in court.

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer both indicated that lawsuits already filed against the order are likely to prevail.

Speaking on ABC News’ “This Week,” Schmidt emphasized the importance of clarity and consistency in election procedures. “We want voters to know that the election is going to be free, fair, safe, and secure, and that everyone knows what the rules are prior to going into this,” Schmidt said. “So confusion is never a positive thing unless you are seeking to sow distrust in the outcome of an election,” Schmidt said.

Trump’s executive order calls for the federal government to assemble lists of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and to use federal databases to assist state officials in confirming voter eligibility.

The directive also instructs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver ballots only to individuals listed on each state’s approved mail-in voting rolls and mandates that election-related records be retained for a period of five years.

Opposition to the measure has quickly mounted. A group of Democratic state attorneys general announced Friday that they had filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston challenging the legality of the order. The case is one of several brought by Democratic organizations and voting rights groups seeking to block its implementation.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is also involved in litigation against the order, said the courts are likely to act swiftly. “We’re going to work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a free and fair election,” Jeffries said on “This Week.” “That executive order is unlawful and unconstitutional. We’ve already filed litigation, and we expect that it will be declared so in short order by the courts,” Jeffries said.

Richer, who oversaw elections in Arizona’s Maricopa County for several years, described the executive order as unnecessary, noting that his state already incorporates many of the safeguards the administration is seeking to implement nationwide. Arizona has “some of the underlying features that President Trump aspires to have in all elections,” Richer said. “While I agree with some of the elements in the executive order and some of the aspirations, the form does matter.”

The White House, however, has defended the move, maintaining that the order is designed to bolster election security and ensure that only eligible citizens are able to vote.

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President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that deploying U.S. ground forces in Iran remains a possibility if Tehran refuses to agree to terms that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring escalating pressure as negotiations appear uncertain.

Speaking to The Hill, Trump declined to rule out the use of ground troops when pressed on the issue. “Normal people would make a deal. Smart people would make a deal,” Trump said. “If they were smart, they would make a deal.”

Earlier in the day, the president issued a stark warning to Iran, giving its leadership a 48-hour window to either reach an agreement or reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the … Strait, you crazy …., or you’ll be living in Hell, JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

The warning followed another post the day before in which Trump emphasized the narrowing timeline for a resolution. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out, 48 hours before all Hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

Trump also made clear that, absent an agreement, potential U.S. targets would not be limited, suggesting a broad range of infrastructure could be struck if diplomacy fails.

In a separate, brief post Sunday, Trump added to the tension with a cryptic message: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time.” The White House has not yet clarified the meaning of the statement.

While continuing to issue strong warnings, Trump has at times offered a more optimistic outlook on the prospects for a deal. In remarks to Fox News on Sunday, he suggested an agreement could be reached as soon as Monday, while telling Axios that a resolution might come by Tuesday, even as he maintained a hardline stance.

“There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there,” he told Axios.

Last week, Trump projected that the confrontation with Iran could conclude within two to three weeks, aligning with an earlier administration estimate of a four- to six-week timeframe following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.

However, the potential introduction of U.S. ground forces could complicate those expectations. While many Republicans have backed the administration’s approach, some have expressed reservations about committing American troops on the ground in Iran, according to The Hill.

A former hostage held by Hamas in Gaza has shared a powerful and deeply moving account of his captivity, describing moments of intense suffering alongside unwavering emunah and clear experiences of hashgacha pratis, in an interview with the Hidabroot Channel.

Rom Braslavski spoke candidly about one of the darkest points during his captivity, when he grappled with thoughts of ending his life, but ultimately held back due to his understanding of Torah values. “I had a suicide mission. I told myself that if the war ends and I’m still here, I won’t commit suicide, because suicide is forbidden, but I will make a suicide party.”

He described a chilling incident in which he briefly had access to a weapon belonging to one of the terrorists. “I grabbed the Kalashnikov, I cocked it. I had about four minutes alone with the gun, I just got cold feet; I couldn’t continue.”

Throughout his time in captivity, Braslavski said he endured severe hardship and repeatedly found himself on the brink of death, yet saw clear signs of Yad Hashem guiding him. “From October 7th until my release, I experienced with my own eyes divine providence. I saw death before my eyes, I even experienced clinical death, and the moment you are saved time and again, I’m alone, and I’m beaten, and I stand in front of a wall, without eyes, without legs, without arms, nothing, you can’t do anything, a hostage.”

Despite everything, he emphasized that his emunah remained strong throughout. “I know that G-d is here with me, and I know that there is a reason for these beatings. That is the price I accept on myself.”

He also reflected on how he observed Yom Tov under impossible conditions, choosing not to eat chometz on Pesach despite extreme hunger and pressure from his captors. “I decided not to eat pitas. When I told him that, he refused, he said I had to eat that pita and a half, and that he wasn’t asking me. What I did was, I was with a Thai hostage. When he brought the food, the Arab would leave, and I would give my pitas to the Thai.”

Asked how he managed to survive with so little sustenance, Braslavski answered simply: “I wasn’t really nourished. I lived on a plate of rice, maybe a bit of beans.”

His account stands as a powerful testament to the strength of emunah and mesirus nefesh even under the most unimaginable circumstances.

Intensive diplomatic efforts are underway involving the United States, Iran, and regional intermediaries to secure a 45-day ceasefire that could open the door to ending the ongoing conflict, according to a report published Sunday night.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the likelihood of reaching even a short-term agreement within the next 48 hours remains low. Still, officials involved view the talks as a last chance to prevent a sharp escalation that could include widespread attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and retaliatory strikes targeting energy and water facilities across the Gulf.

President Donald Trump recently adjusted his timeline for a deal, extending the deadline to “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time” after previously giving Iran a 10-day window to reach an agreement.

Trump said the United States is actively engaged in negotiations and expressed cautious optimism that a resolution could still be achieved. “There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump has made clear that failure to secure an agreement could lead to strikes on infrastructure vital to Iranian civilians. Iranian officials have responded with warnings that they would retaliate by targeting critical facilities in Israel and Gulf countries.

According to the report, a coordinated U.S.-Israel military plan aimed at Iran’s energy sector is already prepared, though the extension of the deadline is intended to allow one final attempt at diplomacy.

Negotiations are being carried out through mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, along with indirect communication between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

A U.S. official involved in the process said that several proposals have been put before Iran in recent days, but none have been accepted so far.

Diplomats are working on a two-stage approach, beginning with a 45-day ceasefire that would allow for broader negotiations, with the possibility of extending the pause if progress is made. A second stage would aim at reaching a permanent resolution to the conflict.

Among the main obstacles are the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the issue of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Mediators are attempting to secure initial, limited concessions from Iran on these matters while also seeking assurances from the United States that any ceasefire would lead to a more lasting agreement.

Iranian leaders, however, have continued to project a defiant stance publicly, signaling reluctance to agree to major concessions under the current circumstances, the report said.

Emergency teams recovered the bodies of two victims early Monday from the ruins of a residential building in Haifa that was struck directly by a heavy Iranian missile, as rescue operations continue for two additional missing individuals believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Search-and-rescue personnel, together with the Home Front Command, remain actively combing through the collapsed structure in an effort to locate the remaining missing victims. The four individuals initially unaccounted for include an elderly couple, their son, believed to be around 40 years old, and a caregiver.

Home Front Command Chief, Major General Shai Klapper, who arrived at the scene, underscored the severity of the situation and said, “This is an extremely complex site, and there is serious concern for the lives of the missing. We are operating with extreme caution due to the significant engineering and security challenges.”

One of the central challenges complicating the operation is the concern that a portion of the missile that struck the building may not have exploded. The impact caused three floors of the structure to collapse, and while crews have cleared nearby tree-lined streets to allow heavy equipment access, the steep and unstable terrain continues to hinder safe entry to the exact impact zone.

To navigate the dangers, specialized rescue teams and Home Front Command forces are constructing a controlled access passageway—a “tunnel”—using advanced equipment, aiming to reach those trapped without triggering further structural collapse or detonating any unexploded material.

Efforts have recently been concentrated on a specific area within the rubble after a cellphone belonging to one of the missing individuals was discovered. The son, who is from Herzliya, has not responded to repeated calls, and the discovery of the family’s vehicles in a nearby parking area has reinforced the assessment that they were inside the building when it was hit.

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, responders evacuated several victims, including an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition and a toddler who sustained light injuries. Additional individuals at the scene were treated for shock.

MDA Senior EMT Shevach Rothenshtrych reported from the scene: “When we arrived at the street, we saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents who were there told us there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. We managed to move large pieces of concrete with our hands and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris, who was in serious condition but conscious. We provided him with initial treatment at the scene and evacuated him to the hospital in an MDA mobile intensive care unit ambulance while in serious condition. Large MDA teams at the scene are providing medical treatment to several people in mild condition and are prepared to provide medical care to additional casualties if they are located during the searches”

MDA Paramedic Lamas Salameh added, “This is a 7-story building that sustained a direct hit, causing extensive damage. We arrived at the scene with large MDA teams, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycles, and began searching the scenes. During the searches, we located an 83-year-old casualty in serious condition who was injured by the destruction. In addition, we treated 3 other casualties in mild condition, as well as several people suffering from anxiety symptoms. We are continuing to search the scenes to ensure there are no additional casualties and will remain on site as required.”

MDA Senior EMT, Tal Shustak, recounted, “Immediately upon receiving the reports at MDA’s emergency dispatch center about a building being hit, we were dispatched in large forces to the scene and saw extensive destruction, including glass, smoke, and concrete scattered across the ground. We rescued an 82-year-old man from the building’s rubble who was in serious condition after being struck by debris. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital. In addition, we treated three people in mild condition – a 77-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, and a 10-month-old baby who suffered a head injury. They were injured by shrapnel, and we provided them with medical treatment. We also treated several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene, and we are continuing to search the area.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Doris (Devorah Leah) Fine a”h, the devoted wife of Rav Mordechai Dov Fine, longtime beloved rov of Congregation Machzikeh Hadas in Scranton, Pennsylvania, who passed away after a prolonged illness.

The rebbetzin had battled health challenges in recent years, and was most recently cared for at Dr. Chuna Liebowitz’s wing at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, NJ.

For over five decades, Rebbetzin Fine stood at her husband’s side as the rebbetzin of Scranton, playing a central role in building and nurturing the kehillah with unwavering dedication.

She was widely known as a remarkable woman whose warmth, kindness, and genuine concern for others left a lasting impression on all who encountered her.

Those who knew her speak of her exceptional chein and her deep ahavas Yisroel. She had a kind word for everyone, a welcoming presence, and a heart that was open to every Yid.

An unforgettable isha kesheirah, she raised an extraordinary family of bnei and bnos Torah, continuing a legacy of commitment to Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Her petirah leaves a profound void in the greater Scranton community and among the many whose lives she touched so deeply.

The levayah will take place Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom will be available. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84080126400?pwd=qjdCpeENqqI8tKb1cWWd5eQkUYdJDP.1, with passcode 469642. Participants may also join by phone at +1 (301) 715-8592 using Webinar ID: 840 8012 6400.

Following the levayah, the aron will be transported to JFK Airport for departure to Eretz Yisroel at approximately 12:00 p.m. from 75 North Hangar Road, Queens, New York, at Cargo D Building 75. A Tehillim gathering is expected to take place at the airport location, with exact timing to be determined based on the arrival and departure schedule.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that the number of mispallelim permitted to daven at the Kosel may be increased to 100 at any given time, up from the previous limit of 50, while also issuing a conditional order and scheduling a further hearing for Thursday, stating that the earlier discussion “was not exhausted.”

The upcoming hearing will require the state to explain whether current security policies regarding access to the makomos hakedoshim properly balance safety concerns with the right to freedom of tefillah and religion.

The ruling comes amid ongoing restrictions from the Home Front Command, which generally cap gatherings at 50 people. However, in a separate decision, the court allowed a protest in Habima Square in Tel Aviv to proceed with up to 600 participants, creating a sharp contrast between limits placed on demonstrations and those placed on tefillah.

During earlier proceedings, Yonatan Mozes of the High Court petitions department outlined the state’s position, noting that a professional inspection had been conducted that morning to explore possible leniencies. He said experts concluded that the number could be raised to 100 individuals, including staff, based on the capacity of two protected areas at the site, calculated according to a density of 2.5 people per square meter.

Justice Ruth Ronen questioned how many of those permitted would be staff members, but Mozes responded that he did not have that information. He also explained that regarding the Kosel tunnels, the Home Front Command maintains there is concern over blast impact and potential structural collapse, even while recognizing the importance of tefillah.

Justice Yitzchak Amit addressed the tension between competing considerations, noting that while the Home Front Command carries responsibility for safety, broader administrative law principles and the realities of an ongoing war must also be taken into account. He described the issue as one of balance across different locations, emphasizing that freedom of religion is a central value. He added, “I watched the live broadcast of Birkas Kohanim, and it was embarrassing to see the Kosel, the very soul of the Jewish people, standing empty.”

A representative for the petitioners argued that in the past, mispallelim were directed into the Kosel tunnels during sirens, calling into question current claims of danger. He said that Home Front Command guidelines can vary depending on circumstances and suggested that a framework should be developed to allow for broader participation. “The easiest position to take is to forbid,” he said, adding that calculated risks should be weighed alongside the importance of tefillah.

A major legal breakthrough in the United States is paving the way for substantial compensation to victims of terrorism, as a federal appeals court in New York has reinstated a 2015 judgment requiring the Palestinian Authority and the PLO to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to victims of attacks during the Second Intifada in Yerushalayim.

The ruling follows a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2025, which determined that U.S. courts have jurisdiction to hear international terrorism cases involving the Palestinian Authority.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2004, was brought by ten families affected by terrorist attacks during the Second Intifada. Among the plaintiffs were families who lost children in the Hebrew University cafeteria bombing, victims of the Route 19 bus bombing in Yerushalayim, and individuals wounded in attacks along Jaffa Street.

In 2015, a jury found both the Palestinian Authority and the PLO responsible for the attacks and ordered them to pay $655.5 million in damages. However, that ruling was later overturned on appeal after a court determined that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

Over the past decade, the victims and their legal team, including attorneys Nitsana Darshan-Leitner and Kent Yalowitz, pursued an extended legal fight that reached the Supreme Court and involved legislative changes passed by Congress. Central to this effort was the enactment of the PSJVTA law, which states that certain actions by foreign entities—such as payments tied to terrorism or continued activity connected to the United States—may be considered consent to U.S. jurisdiction.

In its 2025 decision, the Supreme Court sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that jurisdiction exists. The court highlighted that policies involving payments to individuals responsible for attacks on American citizens create sufficient legal ties to the United States under the new law.

Following that decision, the appeals court was tasked with deciding whether to restore the original judgment or allow the case to be retried. Taking into account the lengthy legal process and Congress’s stated interest in combating terrorism, the court ruled that the law applies retroactively and reinstated the original verdict.

Attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner described the decision as a turning point in the fight against terrorism, saying it restores the victims’ ability to seek compensation after years of legal battles and reshapes the legal landscape by enabling U.S. courts to hear cases that were previously beyond their reach.

Dr. Alan Bauer, who was seriously wounded in a 2002 Yerushalayim attack and is among the plaintiffs, said the path to justice had been long and difficult, but emphasized that the victims remained determined throughout and characterized the ruling as a historic victory.

A former senior CIA official said a sophisticated deception effort may have played a key role in drawing Iranian forces away from a downed U.S. airman, shedding light on how the high-stakes rescue mission unfolded behind enemy lines.

Dan Hoffman, speaking on “The Sunday Briefing,” described reports that the CIA misled Iranian authorities into preparing for a rescue at sea, while the actual extraction was carried out in mountainous terrain.

A post shared by The Sunday Briefing (@sundaybrieffnc)

According to Hoffman, the agency not only helped obscure the real rescue plan but also actively monitored both the stranded airman and Iranian units searching for him.

“The CIA was there to track [the airman’s] location… And then at the same time, the CIA is tracking Iranian security forces, their movements, their efforts to find and fix the location of our airman. And then, at the same time, running this deception operation, an extraordinary operation.”

He emphasized the difficulty of locating the isolated service member in rugged terrain while under pursuit.

“I’ve heard it referred to as looking for a needle in a haystack. I think it’s more like a needle in a stack of needles. Extraordinarily difficult,” said Hoffman.

The remarks come after the early Sunday rescue of a U.S. Air Force weapons systems officer who ejected from an F-15E fighter jet over Iran and remained concealed for roughly a day and a half before being recovered.

Hoffman noted that the airman’s survival likely depended heavily on training received in the military’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) program.

From an intelligence standpoint, Hoffman explained that the deception itself may have been relatively straightforward to execute, relying on known communication channels monitored by Iranian forces.

“The CIA would have looked to find those channels of communication that we know we can exploit that the Iranian security force are listening to. Iran has a… pretty developed cyber capability. And what we would have done is simply supplied some information there, some of it true, to establish the bona fides of the channel that we were using, and then this deception operation would have been run in that channel,” Hoffman said.

{Matzav.com}

Astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission shared a striking image of Earth from deep space as they approached their planned flyby of the Moon, offering a rare glimpse of the planet as a thin crescent against the darkness.

The photo, released by NASA on Sunday, shows only a sliver of Earth illuminated through a window of the Orion spacecraft as the crew continues its historic journey beyond low-Earth orbit.

“One last look at Earth before we reach the Moon,” NASA said in a post on X.

“This view of the Earth was captured on April 5, the fourth day of the Artemis II mission, from inside the Orion spacecraft. The four astronauts will reach their closest approach of the Moon tomorrow, April 6.”

Mission Specialist Christina Koch said the astronauts found a creative way to celebrate while in orbit.

“We wanted to take a minute to commemorate the holiday that we have at this time of year, something that many religions and many cultures hold dear,” Koch said. “It’s a time of emotions such as joy, as well as solemness, honoring what’s going on both in our world and in our religious beliefs.”

The crew took time to recognize a milestone for Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, presenting him with a gold astronaut pin to mark his first spaceflight—a tradition within the astronaut corps.

“We wanted to kick off … by honoring our crewmate, Jeremy Hansen,” the crew said in a video shared by NASA Artemis on X. “We have a longstanding tradition in the astronaut office of the traditional astronaut pin. And when you fly in space, you change from silver to gold. So, we figured today was the perfect day to honor our friend, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, with his flown astro pin.”

Hansen expressed appreciation for the moment and those who made it possible.

“That’s humbling, took a lot of people to make this little representation that we have in the office, this tradition, come to reality for me,” he said. “So a lot of gratitude for all those people. This is a pretty special experience. Thanks for doing this guys.”

Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman pointed to the broader significance of the mission, crediting national leadership for its progress.

“I want to be incredibly clear, we would not be at this moment right now with Artemis II if it wasn’t for President Trump,” Isaacman said. “And we certainly would not have an achievable path now to get back to the lunar surface and build that enduring presence.”

“On my first day on the job during President Trump’s second term, he gave us a national space policy, a mandate to go to the moon with frequency, build the moon base, and do the other things like nuclear power and propulsion so someday American astronauts can plant the stars and stripes on Mars,” Isaacman added.

As the spacecraft approaches the far side of the Moon, mission controllers are preparing for a temporary communications blackout lasting about 40 minutes, during which Orion will lose direct contact with Earth.

Artemis flight director Judd Frieling expressed confidence in the mission’s trajectory despite the expected silence.

“Physics takes over and physics will absolutely get us back to the front side of the moon.”

During the journey, the astronauts are also expected to witness a total solar eclipse from their unique vantage point in space, allowing them to observe the sun’s corona in a way not visible from Earth.

Earlier in the mission, Commander Reid Wiseman shared another image of Earth from orbit, reflecting on the experience.

“There are no words,” Wiseman captioned the photo.

The Artemis II mission marks a major step in NASA’s return to the Moon, with the crew set to complete a close flyby before heading back to Earth.

Iranian state media released images and video on Sunday that it claims show the remains of several American aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces during the operation to extract a downed airman, saying the equipment was intentionally eliminated to keep it out of Iranian hands.

The footage, circulated by Iran’s Fars News agency, appears to depict the burned wreckage of two MC-130J transport planes—each valued at around $100 million—as well as four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters believed to have been used in the mission.

According to reports, the U.S. Air Force established a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) at an abandoned airstrip south of Isfahan, operating deep inside Iranian territory while searching for the stranded crew member whose aircraft was brought down on Friday.

Iranian officials have sought to portray the mission as unsuccessful, drawing comparisons to the failed Operation Eagle Claw during the 1979 hostage crisis, despite U.S. confirmation that the rescue concluded without American casualties.

“The so-called US military rescue operation, planned as a deception and escape mission at an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft, was completely foiled,” Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said in a statement Sunday.

Tehran has also asserted that the aircraft seen in the released images were shot down by Iranian missile systems.

U.S. officials said the F-15E pilot, a colonel, successfully ejected from the aircraft on Friday and landed in a wooded section of the Zagros Mountains.

After reaching the ground, he moved deeper into the mountainous terrain on foot, activated his emergency locator beacon, and managed to avoid capture for roughly 36 hours before being recovered early Sunday.

Reports indicate that at least nine Iranian personnel were killed during a prolonged firefight lasting several hours as U.S. forces carried out the extraction, after which the officer was transported to a base in Kuwait to receive medical care.

{Matzav.com}

A U.S. Air Force colonel who was shot down over Iran managed to survive severe injuries and evade capture for more than a day, trekking up a steep mountain and hiding while enemy forces searched for him before a high-risk rescue operation brought him to safety.

The officer, whose identity has not been released, endured roughly 36 hours in the rugged Zagros Mountains after his F-15E was downed Friday in hostile territory, remaining concealed while Iranian forces and bounty hunters combed the area.

Despite being wounded, the airman climbed approximately 7,000 feet—more than 1.3 miles in elevation—and took refuge in a narrow crevice, avoiding detection even as search efforts intensified around him, according to The New York Times.

“Thousands of these savages were hunting him down,” President Trump told Axios of the harrowing situation.

Armed with only a handgun, the officer waited for help while transmitting an emergency signal from his position early Sunday, CBS News reported.

Initially, U.S. officials feared the signal might have been part of a trap designed to draw American forces into danger.

Before being rescued, the colonel transmitted a brief and unusual message over the radio, according to a U.S. defense official: “God is good.”

“What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say,” Trump told Axios, referencing the Islamic phrase “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is Great.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later echoed the same words, posting “God is good” on X following the successful recovery.

The pilot of the aircraft had already been extracted shortly after the jet was brought down, leaving the weapons systems officer alone behind enemy lines.

While the full extent of the colonel’s injuries has not been publicly detailed, officials have described them as serious.

Using intelligence resources, including CIA assistance, U.S. forces were able to pinpoint the officer’s exact location and verify that he was still alive, according to The New York Times.

As part of the effort, the CIA reportedly executed a deception plan by circulating false information indicating that the airman had already been rescued and was being transported out of Iran.

When the rescue operation was launched, it involved a large daytime deployment of aircraft, with MQ-9 Reaper drones establishing a defensive perimeter and targeting hostile forces that approached within two miles of the officer’s position, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Roughly 100 special operations personnel took part in the mission, led by SEAL Team 6, with additional support from Delta Force and Army Rangers, the Times reported.

During the operation, U.S. commandos also clashed with local tribal fighters in the area while securing the extraction.

The mission encountered complications when two aircraft positioned near Isfahan became immobilized, forcing additional planes to be sent in to evacuate personnel and destroy the stranded equipment to prevent it from being captured.

After being rescued, the injured officer was flown to Kuwait for further medical treatment.

President Trump, who publicly confirmed the successful mission, said he will hold a briefing with military officials at the White House on Monday afternoon to discuss the operation.

Signs of growing unease are emerging inside Iran’s leadership, with reports pointing to mounting distrust and internal friction as President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign intensifies.

According to senior Iran analyst Dror Balazada, the current strategy coming from Washington is having a destabilizing psychological impact on key figures in Tehran, creating suspicion and division at the highest levels of the regime.

One of the central concerns reportedly involves senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps figure Ahmad Vahidi, who has been unsettled by Trump’s public assertions that he is communicating directly with Iranian commanders. In response, Vahidi is said to have issued strict internal instructions limiting authorized communication channels, designating only parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to relay messages through Pakistan.

At the same time, suspicion within the regime is reportedly turning toward former foreign minister Javad Zarif and elements of the reformist camp, amid fears that unauthorized backchannel communications may be taking place without official approval.

Zarif, according to the report, is advocating for a sweeping diplomatic arrangement with the United States. The proposal is said to include limits on Iran’s nuclear activity, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, full restoration of diplomatic ties with Washington, and the lifting of all sanctions in exchange for a firm commitment to halt military strikes.

U.S. forces carried out a high-risk and highly coordinated operation deep inside Iran to recover a downed F-15E airman, deploying elite units, intelligence deception tactics, and improvised infrastructure in hostile territory to bring the injured officer to safety.

The complex mission, which unfolded over two days, came after a race between American and Iranian forces to locate the “seriously injured” weapons systems officer near Isfahan. According to a report in The New York Times, the rescue was ultimately executed by top-tier U.S. commandos, who engaged in combat with local militias searching for the airman.

The officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was shot down on Good Friday in southwestern Iran and took refuge in the Zagros Mountains. Despite his injuries, he managed to evade capture for roughly 36 hours, climbing to a 7,000-foot ridge and surviving with only a handgun for protection. During that time, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones targeted Iranian forces that approached his location.

“He evaded up a 7k ridge. They’ve been schwackin’ dudes chasing him all day. Was nuts,” a source told Toby Harnden, the veteran war correspondent and author.

To mislead Iranian forces, who had placed a $60,000 bounty on the airman, the CIA reportedly launched a deception effort on Saturday by circulating false intelligence suggesting he had already been rescued and was being transported out of the country.

As part of the rescue, multiple U.S. aircraft landed inside Iran, south of Isfahan—approximately 200 miles from the border. A temporary airstrip was quickly established near the city, which is home to key Iranian military and nuclear assets.

During the operation, two transport planes—believed to be MC-130J Commando II aircraft—became immobilized at the makeshift airfield. Additional aircraft were dispatched to retrieve stranded personnel, and the disabled planes, each valued at around $100 million, were destroyed on site to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.

Images circulating from Iran appear to show the charred remains of several aircraft, believed to be linked to the mission. Reports also indicate that wreckage may include two MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird helicopters used in special operations.

It is believed that U.S. forces provided aerial cover throughout the mission, striking Iranian units that attempted to approach the landing zone.

Around midnight Sunday local time, U.S. intelligence, using the officer’s emergency beacon and additional CIA resources, narrowed his location to a specific mountain crevice, according to CBS News.

A large-scale daytime rescue effort was then launched, involving dozens of aircraft. MQ-9 drones established a protective perimeter and targeted hostile forces that came within two miles of the airman, according to The Jerusalem Post.

A senior U.S. military official told The Times that all personnel involved in the mission, including the rescued officer, returned safely without any American fatalities.

“The US Air Force had to use multiple bombs to blow up all the aircraft they abandoned at that airstrip. And the Iranians shot down 2 MQ-9s Reaper drones,” a US military official familiar with the operation told experienced Middle East journalist Michael Weiss.

“Luckily the U.S. suffered no casualties and we had to use multiple bombs and missiles to blow up IRGC vehicles that tried to drive up the mountain and also those that tried to drive to the airstrip,” the official added.

During the search, U.S. special operations forces also clashed with local tribal fighters in the area.

The wounded airman was transported to Kuwait for medical care, arriving roughly seven hours after the rescue operation began.

The recovery came one day after a separate mission successfully extracted another crew member from the same downed aircraft. In that earlier operation, a U.S. helicopter came under small arms fire but was able to land safely, despite several crew members sustaining injuries.

“WE GOT HIM!” President Trump confirmed in a Truth Social post. “This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour.”

In a subsequent message, Trump added that “this type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’”

The president said he plans to address the operation publicly alongside military officials at a White House briefing scheduled for Monday afternoon.

{Matzav.com}

Russia signaled on Sunday that it wants to see a reduction in hostilities surrounding Iran, expressing optimism that diplomatic efforts could succeed and urging the United States to shift away from threats and return to negotiations.

The message from Moscow’s Foreign Ministry followed a discussion between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, focusing on the growing crisis and possible paths to calm the situation.

According to the statement, both officials “called for efforts to avoid actions, including in the U.N. Security Council, that could undermine the remaining chances for advancing political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.”

The Russian government added that it supports steps aimed at lowering tensions and stabilizing the region over the long term, emphasizing that such progress would depend in part on Washington changing its approach.

Russia, it said, backed efforts to de-escalate tensions “in the interests of long-term and sustainable normalization of the situation in the Middle East, which would be facilitated by the United States abandoning the language of ultimatums and returning the situation to a negotiating track.”

{Matzav.com}

Rescue crews and Home Front Command forces have been working urgently in recent hours to locate four individuals believed trapped beneath the debris of a residential building in Haifa that was struck directly by a powerful Iranian missile.

The missing include an elderly couple, their son—approximately 40 years old—and a caregiver, all of whom are feared to have been inside the building at the time of the impact.

Home Front Command chief Major General Shai Klapper, who arrived at the scene, voiced grave concern over the situation, stating, “This is an extremely complex site, and there is serious concern for the lives of the missing. We are operating with extreme caution due to the significant engineering and security challenges.”

Officials said the rescue effort is complicated by the possibility that part of the missile, which penetrated the structure and caused three floors to collapse, may not have detonated. While engineering teams have cleared nearby tree-lined streets to allow heavy equipment access, the building’s location on a sloped terrain is making it difficult to safely reach the impact zone.

In response to these hazards, rescue personnel are constructing a specialized “tunnel” using advanced equipment in an effort to reach those trapped without triggering additional structural collapse or any unexploded ordnance that may still be present.

Search efforts intensified after a cellphone belonging to one of the missing individuals was discovered within the wreckage, helping narrow the focus to a specific area. The son, who resides in Herzliya, has not responded to calls, and the family’s vehicles were located in a nearby parking area, reinforcing the assessment that they were inside the building when it was hit.

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition and a toddler with minor injuries were rescued and evacuated. Several others at the scene were treated for shock.

MDA Senior EMT Shevach Rothenshtrych reported from the scene: “When we arrived at the street, we saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents who were there told us there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. We managed to move large pieces of concrete with our hands and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris, who was in serious condition but conscious. We provided him with initial treatment at the scene and evacuated him to the hospital in an MDA mobile intensive care unit ambulance while in serious condition. Large MDA teams at the scene are providing medical treatment to several people in mild condition and are prepared to provide medical care to additional casualties if they are located during the searches”

MDA Paramedic Lamas Salameh added, “This is a 7-story building that sustained a direct hit, causing extensive damage. We arrived at the scene with large MDA teams, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycles, and began searching the scenes. During the searches, we located an 83-year-old casualty in serious condition who was injured by the destruction. In addition, we treated 3 other casualties in mild condition, as well as several people suffering from anxiety symptoms. We are continuing to search the scenes to ensure there are no additional casualties and will remain on site as required.”

MDA Senior EMT Tal Shustak also described the response, saying, “Immediately upon receiving the reports at MDA’s emergency dispatch center about a building being hit, we were dispatched in large forces to the scene and saw extensive destruction, including glass, smoke, and concrete scattered across the ground. We rescued an 82-year-old man from the building’s rubble who was in serious condition after being struck by debris. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital. In addition, we treated three people in mild condition – a 77-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, and a 10-month-old baby who suffered a head injury. They were injured by shrapnel, and we provided them with medical treatment. We also treated several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene, and we are continuing to search the area.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian officials struck a defiant tone Sunday, warning they could expand attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to intensify airstrikes and seize control of Iran’s oil resources.

In an interview with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said Tehran had until Monday morning to accept a proposed deal, or he would consider “blowing everything up and taking over the oil.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded with its own warning, saying the regime would escalate strikes against oil facilities and civilian infrastructure if the United States and Israel increase their military actions.

The warning followed Iran’s claim of responsibility for coordinated attacks over the weekend targeting petrochemical facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Kuwait, a close U.S. ally, appeared to sustain the most significant damage, with its Ministry of Electricity and Water reporting that two power plants and one desalination facility were struck and damaged during a 24-hour barrage.

In addition to threatening regional infrastructure, the IRGC said it would specifically increase attacks on American economic interests if strikes against civilian sites in Iran continue.

The statement was seen as a direct response to Trump’s earlier comments on social media, in which he demanded Iran agree to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“There will be nothing like it!!! Open the …Strait, you crazy …., or you’ll be living in Hell. JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he added in a signed post.

Iranian media outlets reacted sharply to Trump’s remarks. Mizan, a publication linked to Iran’s judiciary, criticized the president’s language and dismissed his warning.

“Iran’s steadfastness and resistance have driven Trump to the brink of madness,” the outlet wrote.

Despite the rising tensions, direct negotiations between the United States and Iran have not yet begun, as regional intermediaries continue efforts to broker talks.

Officials in Oman held discussions Sunday aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though there has been no indication of progress toward a breakthrough agreement.

Israeli special forces units reportedly played a role in the dramatic American mission to recover a downed U.S. navigator in Iran, as new details emerge about the complex rescue operation carried out deep inside enemy territory.

According to a report published Sunday by the opposition-linked outlet “Iran International,” IDF commando units Shaldag and Sayeret Matkal were involved in the mission alongside U.S. forces.

Earlier reports from Fox News indicated that Israel supported the operation by providing intelligence and helping suppress Iranian activity in the area while the navigator remained missing.

The mission itself was conducted by American forces operating on the ground within Iran, marking the first known deployment of U.S. ground troops inside the country during the current war.

Details from the report indicate that the navigator relied on his “Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape” (SERE) training to avoid capture after ejecting. He reportedly moved away from the crash site on foot, took cover on higher ground, and activated an emergency beacon, all while armed only with a handgun.

The rescue effort involved U.S. special operations units and additional elite teams, with MQ-9 Reaper drones providing aerial support throughout the operation.

The report also stated that the CIA carried out a deception campaign, spreading false information inside Iran suggesting the navigator had already been located and that American forces were leaving the area—moves that reportedly sowed confusion and aided the rescue.

President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful recovery in a message posted to Truth Social, writing: “WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.”

He continued: “At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!”