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President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that Iran has assured the United States it is not imposing any tolls, insurance fees, or other charges on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that inaccurate reporting on the issue could derail ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized media reports suggesting that Iran was seeking to profit from or restrict commercial traffic through the critical maritime corridor, insisting that Iranian officials had conveyed the opposite message to the United States.

“Iran has informed the U.S. that, despite troublemaking Fake News reporting to the contrary, there are ‘NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ,'” Trump wrote.

Trump indicated that the accuracy of that assurance is essential to the future of diplomatic discussions between the two countries, making clear that any deception would have immediate consequences.

“If this is false information, negotiations would end, immediately!” Trump said.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically significant waterways in the world, serving as a key route for global shipments of oil and natural gas. A substantial portion of the world’s energy supply passes through the narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf with international shipping lanes.

Because of its importance to global commerce, any uncertainty surrounding access to the strait has the potential to unsettle energy markets and trigger fears of disruptions to worldwide supply chains.

Trump’s remarks came as his administration continues diplomatic engagement with Iran after a period marked by escalating tensions, military conflict, and regional instability.

Administration officials have repeatedly stated that the objective of the negotiations is to establish lasting regional stability while ensuring that Iran is unable to threaten its neighbors or international security.

The president also sought to dispel reports that the United States had recently transferred funds to Iran or released assets directly to the Iranian government.

“Additionally, no money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S.,” Trump wrote.

Instead, Trump outlined a plan under which Iranian funds currently controlled by the United States would be used to purchase American agricultural products intended for humanitarian relief.

“We will be releasing some of their money, that is totally controlled by us, to our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more,” Trump said.

“Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States.”

Under the proposal described by Trump, the funds would be directed toward the purchase of American-grown food products rather than being handed over directly to Iranian authorities. The approach could provide economic support to U.S. farmers while helping address food shortages inside Iran.

The president’s comments underscored the delicate state of the negotiations, as both sides continue discussions aimed at easing tensions while avoiding renewed conflict in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.

A federal judge on Wednesday struck down major portions of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at tightening election procedures, including a provision that would have required prospective voters to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

The ruling arrives as Trump is mounting an aggressive push on Capitol Hill for the SAVE America Act, legislation that would impose many of the same citizenship-verification requirements through congressional action rather than executive order.

U.S. District Judge Denise Casper ruled that the president exceeded his constitutional authority when he attempted to implement the election-related measures unilaterally. According to reports from Newsweek and The Associated Press, Casper concluded that the Constitution assigns responsibility for regulating federal elections primarily to Congress and the states.

Casper, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama, determined that the executive branch does not possess the authority to independently establish such election requirements.

The executive order at the center of the case was signed in March and formed part of a broader White House initiative focused on strengthening election-security measures across the country.

According to administration officials, the directive sought to require proof of citizenship for federal voter registration and instructed federal agencies to adopt additional safeguards designed to protect election integrity.

Wednesday’s decision is not the first legal setback for the order. Several federal courts have already halted portions of the directive, concluding that Congress never granted the president the authority to impose such requirements through executive action.

The ruling came on the same day Trump traveled to Capitol Hill to rally support among Senate Republicans for the SAVE America Act.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals seeking to register for federal elections would be required to provide documentary evidence of citizenship, including items such as passports, birth certificates, or naturalization documents.

The measure would also direct states to implement systems for verifying the citizenship status of individuals listed on voter rolls.

Current federal law already bars noncitizens from participating in federal elections, and voter-registration forms require applicants to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they are American citizens. Critics of the SAVE America Act argue that illegal voting by noncitizens is already rare and contend that additional documentation requirements could make registration more difficult for eligible voters.

According to Reuters, Trump urged lawmakers to prioritize passage of the bill despite uncertainty over whether it can secure enough support in the Senate.

The president also raised the pressure on Congress by withholding his approval of a major bipartisan housing package, indicating that he would not sign the legislation unless lawmakers advance the SAVE America Act. The move effectively linked an unrelated housing measure to his election-security agenda.

Backers of the SAVE America Act maintain that congressional approval would provide the legal foundation necessary for citizenship-verification requirements that courts have repeatedly ruled cannot be imposed solely through presidential action.

As a result, Wednesday’s court ruling may strengthen Trump’s argument that any lasting election-security changes must come from Congress rather than the White House.

The decision comes at a politically important time for the administration, which has placed election integrity at the center of its domestic policy priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats and voting-rights organizations continue to oppose the legislation, arguing that requiring citizenship documents could create obstacles for otherwise eligible voters who may not have immediate access to the necessary paperwork.

With the executive order now significantly curtailed by the courts, the battle over the SAVE America Act is expected to take on even greater importance as Trump intensifies his efforts to secure election-security legislation before voters head to the polls in next year’s midterm contests.

{Matzav.com}

Postmaster General David Steiner delivered a stark warning to lawmakers on Wednesday, telling Congress that the United States Postal Service is facing a financial crisis and may soon be unable to sustain operations without significant reforms and federal assistance.

Appearing before a Senate committee, Steiner argued that the Postal Service’s longstanding financial challenges have reached a critical point and called on Congress to intervene to stabilize the agency’s future.

In prepared testimony, Steiner painted a troubling picture of USPS finances, saying the organization is relying on extraordinary measures simply to remain operational.

“The bottom line is that we are out of cash. We are borrowing from our employees’ retirement funds to continue operations,” Steiner’s written testimony before a Senate committee said, warning it could run out of operating funds in months if ⁠it stopped deferring obligations.

Steiner said the agency’s difficulties stem from deeper structural issues that lawmakers must address.

“The Postal Service has a broken business model, and action is needed by Congress to fix it,” he emphasized.

Among the changes he is seeking, Steiner urged Congress to reimburse USPS for services that consistently lose money and to pursue additional reforms aimed at restoring long-term financial stability.

The Postal Service has already begun taking steps to confront its mounting fiscal problems. Earlier this year, Steiner announced that USPS had retained restructuring advisers to help evaluate options for addressing the agency’s worsening financial condition.

One of the central questions facing the organization, according to Steiner, is whether it can continue maintaining six-day-per-week delivery service to approximately 170 million addresses nationwide. He noted that the current system costs roughly $3.4 billion each year and that nearly 70 percent of delivery routes operate at a loss. He also pointed out that about 58 percent of the nation’s 18,000 post offices are unprofitable.

The financial pressures have been building for years. Since 2007, the Postal Service has accumulated approximately $120 billion in losses. Much of that decline has been driven by the steep reduction in first-class mail volume, historically the agency’s most lucrative product, as consumers and businesses increasingly rely on digital communication while USPS continues to maintain its extensive nationwide delivery network.

Last month, the Postal Service announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including a pause on nonessential expenditures related to travel, office supplies, and consulting services.

In a memo distributed to postal officials, Steiner said the spending restrictions were necessary “to protect core operations and ensure we can continue meeting all essential obligations.”

The agency has also taken steps to conserve cash by temporarily suspending certain employer contributions to a federal pension program. In addition, USPS plans to increase the price of a first-class postage stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents beginning July 12.

Postal officials estimate that delaying pension contributions will preserve approximately $2.5 billion through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. Over a longer period, the move could generate savings of as much as $15 billion through 2030.

Steiner’s testimony highlighted the urgency of the situation, placing renewed pressure on Congress to decide whether to pursue major changes to the Postal Service’s business model or risk further financial deterioration at one of the nation’s oldest and most widely used public institutions.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice on Wednesday to examine whether major oil companies are unfairly keeping gasoline prices elevated despite a sharp decline in crude oil costs following the recent U.S.-Iran peace agreement.

The move comes as gasoline prices, while significantly lower than their spring highs, remain well above levels seen before the conflict with Iran began. Trump argued that consumers are not receiving the full benefit of falling oil prices and accused the industry of failing to pass savings on to drivers.

In a post published early Wednesday on Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration that gasoline prices have not dropped more rapidly in response to the decline in global oil markets.

“The big Oil Companies are not dropping their price at the pump commensurate with the sharply lower prices they are paying for Oil,” Trump wrote.

“Those prices are dropping like a rock! In other words, customers are being ‘gouged.’ I have instructed the DOJ to immediately start looking into this. Gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster than what I’m seeing!”

The president did not identify any specific companies in his remarks.

National average gasoline prices currently stand at approximately $3.91 per gallon. While that figure is substantially below the highs reached during the conflict with Iran, it remains roughly $1.14 higher than the average price recorded in January, before American military operations began.

Market data show that gasoline prices have been falling steadily for six consecutive weeks. According to figures compiled by GasBuddy, average pump prices have dropped more than 14 percent since reaching their peak in May.

Crude oil, however, has fallen much more sharply over the same period. U.S. benchmark crude has declined about 23 percent in recent weeks and is down roughly 40 percent from the highs reached earlier this year.

Trading on Wednesday reflected that continued weakness. Brent crude for August delivery slipped 0.91 percent to $76.38 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate declined 0.94 percent to $72.52 per barrel.

Oil markets have been retreating rapidly since President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Versailles last week. The agreement formally ended the war that erupted on Feb. 28 and reopened the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

The accord extended the existing ceasefire for an additional 60 days, ended the American naval blockade, authorized renewed Iranian oil exports, and launched negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Prior to the conflict, nearly 20 percent of all seaborne oil shipments passed through the strategically vital waterway.

During the war, energy markets reacted dramatically. West Texas Intermediate surged to $119.47 per barrel on March 9, while Brent crude climbed to $126.41 on April 30, its highest level in more than four years. The spike came amid Iranian mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Gasoline prices followed suit, climbing above $4.50 per gallon during the Memorial Day holiday period, according to AAA tracking data.

Energy experts caution, however, that fluctuations in crude oil prices do not immediately translate into lower prices at gas stations.

Karen Young, a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, characterized Trump’s comments as “political theater” during an interview with CNBC. She noted that refining costs, transportation expenses, taxes, and other factors all affect how quickly changes in crude markets are reflected at the pump.

Research cited by Fortune suggests that only about 13 percent of a decline in crude prices is typically passed on to consumers within a week, with roughly half of the savings eventually reaching motorists over a longer period.

The issue carries significant political implications as Republicans prepare for November’s midterm elections. Although prices have retreated from their wartime highs, gasoline remains approximately 41 percent more expensive than it was before the conflict began.

Trump’s directive also places new scrutiny on an industry that he frequently courted during the campaign, potentially signaling a tougher federal antitrust posture toward major energy companies.

As of Wednesday evening, the Department of Justice had not announced any formal investigative actions, legal theories, or timetable related to the president’s request.

{Matzav.com}

The chassidic world is mourning the loss of R’ Betzalel Alter HaKohen Dim, a renowned badchan whose wit, Torah knowledge, and unique ability to bring joy to countless celebrations made him one of the most beloved figures in the world of chassidus. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74 following a prolonged illness.

For decades, R’ Betzalel was a familiar presence at simchos throughout the chassidic community, where he captivated audiences with his clever rhymes, humorous observations, and Torah-infused performances. His passing leaves a void in a field in which he was considered one of the true veterans and masters.

The levayah was scheduled to take place Wednesday night at 10:15 p.m. from the Munkatcher beis medrash on Ohr HaChaim Street in Bnei Brak. The procession was set to continue via the Makova beis medrash on Rabbeinu Tam Street and the Satmar beis medrash in the Shikun neighborhood before proceeding to the cemetery in Elad for burial.

Born in the United States, R’ Betzalel was raised in the Munkatcher chassidus by his father, R’ Meir Dim. Even during his younger years in America, he began receiving invitations to perform at weddings and celebrations, quickly developing a reputation for his talent in bringing joy to others.

Over the years, he became one of the most respected and sought-after badchanim in the chassidic world. Those who listened carefully to his humor recognized that behind the laughter stood a genuine talmid chacham. Many of his jokes and observations were rooted in obscure midrashim, passages of Gemara, and Tosafos, woven seamlessly into performances that entertained while reflecting deep Torah scholarship.

Whether at a wedding, a sheva brachos, or another communal gathering, R’ Betzalel had a remarkable ability to transform a room. Audiences would be left roaring with laughter as he delivered elegant wordplay, sharp humor, and uplifting messages.

For more than three decades, he devoted himself passionately to the art of bringing simchah to others. During that time, he appeared before countless leading rabbinic figures and admorim, including the Nadvorna, Biala, Kaliv, and Shomrei Emunim Rebbes of previous generations, as well as, yibadlu l’chaim tovim, the Vizhnitz, Sanz, and Makova Rebbes, the Shevet HaLevi, and many others.

What distinguished him from many others in the field was his ability to blend divrei Torah, humor, stories of tzaddikim, and refined satire into a single performance. Yet despite his talent and confidence on stage, he maintained profound reverence for Torah leaders and was known to carefully tailor his remarks whenever performing before rabbanim and admorim.

A significant portion of his repertoire was inspired by R’ Chaim Mendel Marmelstein of the United States, one of the most celebrated badchanim of the previous generation, from whom he drew much inspiration and material.

Although he spent time among many chassidic courts, R’ Betzalel was deeply devoted to Satmar throughout his life. In a gesture that reflected both his generosity and dedication to the mosdos, he personally donated all of the tables and chairs used by the Satmar yeshivos in Bnei Brak.

During his final illness, numerous admorim and rabbinic leaders visited him at the hospital. Among those who came to offer encouragement and support was Rav Shimon Zev Meisels, Rav of the Yismach Moshe beis medrash in Kiryas Yoel-Monroe and son-in-law of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum.

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughters, along with countless friends, admirers, and members of the chassidic community who benefited from his warmth, scholarship, and ability to bring happiness to others.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.