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New assessments from the U.S. intelligence community indicate that recent military action has not meaningfully delayed Iran’s progress toward developing a nuclear weapon, according to a report published Monday.

Citing three individuals familiar with the findings, the report states that Iran’s estimated “breakout time” remains between nine months and one year, unchanged from projections made after last summer’s coordinated U.S.-Israel strikes.

This conclusion comes even after the latest round of military operations, which were intended in part to eliminate the nuclear threat posed by Tehran. While Israel focused on striking key nuclear sites, the broader U.S.-led campaign largely targeted Iran’s conventional military assets and industrial capabilities, the report said.

Analysts attribute the lack of progress in extending the timeline to Iran’s continued possession of highly enriched uranium. Although “Operation Midnight Hammer” and “Operation Epic Fury” inflicted damage on major enrichment facilities, including Natanz and Fordow, the International Atomic Energy Agency has indicated that Iran still retains sufficient material for roughly ten nuclear weapons if further processed.

According to current intelligence, a significant portion of this enriched material is believed to be stored in heavily fortified underground locations, particularly at the Isfahan Nuclear Research Center. These deeply buried facilities are difficult to strike using standard weaponry, prompting some U.S. officials to weigh the possibility of high-risk ground missions to secure or destroy the material.

Within the Trump administration, officials continue to emphasize a strategy of complete prevention. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales underscored the President’s position, stating, “While Operation Midnight Hammer obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, Operation Epic Fury built on this success by decimating Iran’s defense industrial base that they once leveraged as a protective shield around their pursuit of a nuclear weapon. President Trump has long been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon – and he does not bluff.”

Vice President JD Vance reinforced that message, stressing that the central aim of the effort remains ensuring that “Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that the latest confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrate that the conflict cannot be resolved through military means.

In a message posted on social media, Araghchi cautioned both the United States and the United Arab Emirates against becoming entangled in what he described as a dangerous situation fueled by outside forces.

“Events in Hormuz make clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” wrote the Iranian Foreign Minister.

He pointed to ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly involving Pakistan, while urging Washington and Abu Dhabi to avoid deeper involvement.

“As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” he added.

Araghchi also criticized the newly launched U.S. maritime initiative aimed at assisting ships in the region, dismissing it as counterproductive.

“Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” concluded Araghchi, referring to the newly launched US operation to free ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

His remarks followed a series of Iranian strikes earlier in the day, which included 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones targeting the United Arab Emirates, leaving three people injured.

At the same time, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces had destroyed seven small Iranian boats near the Strait of Hormuz.

Amid the rising tensions, Trump also accused Iran of targeting “unrelated nations” in its attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

In separate comments to Fox News, the president warned that any Iranian strike on U.S. naval vessels escorting commercial ships would trigger a severe response, stating Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it attacks the US naval vessels escorting merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

A respected talmid chacham known for his humility and lifelong dedication to Torah, Rav Yitzchok Menachem Cohen zt”l passed away Monday at the age of 82.

The niftar collapsed on the eve of the recent Yom Tov and was taken to Sheba Medical Center, where he remained hospitalized until his petirah Monday afternoon.

The levayah will be held tonight at his home on Meromi Sadeh Street 11 in Modiin Illit, proceeding to Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.

Rav Cohen zt”l was born in Yerushalayim on the 7th of Teves 5704 to his father, Rav Aviezri Eliezer Cohen zt”l, of the Bayit Vegan neighborhood. As a child, he davened at Yeshivas Kol Torah, where he was exposed to many gedolei Yisroel there.

He later continued his learning at Yeshivas Kol Torah for his yeshiva ketanah years, before advancing to Ponevezh Yeshiva, where he became a close talmid of the mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l, as well as of the Ponevezher Rov. He was a regular participant in the mashgiach’s shmuessen.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Avraham Schwartz zt”l, mashgiach of Yeshivas Or Yisrael in Petach Tikvah, who had passed away prior to the chasunah. Following his marriage, he initially lived in Petach Tikvah and developed a close connection with the rosh yeshiva of Or Yisrael, Rav Yaakov Neiman zt”l.

He later moved to Bnei Brak, where he joined Kollel Chazon Ish, immersing himself in Torah learning for decades. There, he developed a close relationship with the rosh kollel, Rav Nissim Karelitz zt”l, and merited learning alongside the Sar HaTorah, Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, as well as other leading gedolim of the generation. Throughout his life, he remained exceedingly modest, avoiding attention and never seeking recognition.

He maintained halachic discussions with many gedolei Yisroel, who held him in high regard. Approximately 20 years ago, he relocated to Modiin Illit to be near his children, where he continued his daily sedorim, learning both in the morning and afternoon and maintaining his chavrusashafts consistently, even during difficult periods. He completed Shas multiple times, always quietly and without fanfare.

Seven years ago, his wife, Mrs. Devorah Cohen a”h, passed away suddenly. He accepted the loss with deep emunah and continued his regular learning schedule, often learning with his children over the phone. He took great joy in hearing their chiddushim and would share his own insights with them as well.

He was niftar Monday afternoon in the hospital, surrounded by family.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Asher Yedidya Lerner zt”l, a longtime resident and one of the founders of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood in Bnei Brak and a key figure behind the well-known Eim V’Yeled organization, passed away after years of illness at the age of 71.

The levayah is set to take place Tuesday morning, Lag BaOmer, at 11:00 a.m., departing from his home at 20 Giborei Yisrael Street in Bnei Brak. The procession is to pass the Khal Chassidim Shul in Ramat Elchanan and continue to the Ponovezh Bais Hachaim for kevurah.

Rav Lerner was born in Kfar Chassidim on the 20th of Av, 5714, to his father, Rav Nachman Lerner zt”l, and his mother, Mrs. Devorah Lerner a”h. In his youth, he was counted among the outstanding talmidim of Kfar Chassidim.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, Chedva, daughter of Rav Shmuel Eliyahu Weinberg z”l, who served as the fourth mayor of Bnei Brak. She was also a descendant of the Slonimer Rebbe of Tel Aviv and a niece of the Gerrer Rebbe, the Beis Yisrael.

Following his marriage, Rav Lerner was among the founders of Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak, where he became known for his extraordinary acts of chesed. When his mother-in-law, Esther a”h, daughter of Rav Moshe Eckstein z”l, established the Eim V’Yeled organization, he stood at her side and ultimately took on a leading role in running the institution.

He earned a reputation as an exceptional baal tzedakah, admired and respected by the rabbanim of the neighborhood. He was diligent in attending daily shiurim in the shul, drawing strength and vitality from his learning. A man of integrity and action, he was known for his honesty, his pursuit of tzedakah and chesed, and his humility. He loved Torah and those who studied it, and even as he endured suffering, he continued learning with acceptance and faith.

A particularly remarkable aspect of his life was his dedication to honoring his parents. After the passing of his mother and father-in-law, he and his wife devoted themselves for many years to the daily care of his father and mother-in-law. Even after falling ill, he maintained his regular learning schedule and continued his acts of tzedakah and chesed.

He is survived by ten children—sons and daughters—who continue in his path.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A controversial decision by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to sharply limit media access to Meron has sparked backlash, as the government enforces security restrictions on Lag BaOmer events while thousands are already present on the mountain.

Despite overseeing the hilula and being responsible for communications, Karhi advanced a plan to restrict the number of journalists allowed to report from Meron, using a lottery system established by legal advisers to determine which outlets would gain entry.

The move comes even as large crowds remain on the mountain and additional visitors are expected throughout the day.

In a surprising outcome, several of Israel’s most prominent media organizations were excluded from the lottery. Among those denied access are leading outlets such as Kikar HaShabbat, Channel 12 in the general media, and B’Chadrei Chareidim, despite their large audiences.

Announcing the results, Karhi said: “Let us pray that the day passes peacefully with Hashem’s help. I call on the public not to come to Meron this year, and to celebrate within their communities and towns. I also call on ministers and members of Knesset to set a personal example and not to come. And you shall greatly guard your souls.”

Chareidi officials involved in organizing the hilula expressed strong confusion and criticism over the decision, noting that efforts had been made to allow broader media access. “Apparently, with decisions like these, all that’s left for us is truly to pray that the day passes peacefully,” those sources said.

According to the official statement, “Similar to the framework in 2024, it was decided by the minister in charge of the hilula, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, to once again hold a transparent and equitable lottery among the various media outlets. This is intended to balance the operational need to reduce the number of people on the mountain with the preservation of press freedom and the public’s right to know. Based on security directives, entry was approved for only 30 media organizations, with each outlet permitted to send a team of two — a journalist and an accompanying staff member.”

Among the outlets that were granted access are Galei Tzahal, Kol Chai, Kan (Moreshet/B), Kol Barama, Yisroel Hayom, Walla, Haaretz, Ynet, Kan 11, News 13, Channel 14, and Hidabroot, along with smaller publications, niche magazines, WhatsApp groups, and freelance photographers.

Sources close to Karhi attempted to deflect responsibility, saying, “The lottery and the criteria were set by the legal advisers of the Yerushalayim Affairs Ministry.”

However, officials within that ministry pushed back, stating, “The decision regarding the number of journalists was made by the minister in charge, Shlomo Karhi — we did not want this.”

{Matzav.com}