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Iran signaled a firm refusal to enter negotiations with the United States as the conflict continues, with its foreign minister declaring Wednesday that Tehran has no intention of engaging in talks.

The remarks, delivered by Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and broadcast by state media, came as American strikes on Iranian targets persist.

“We do not plan on any negotiations,” the minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said, signaling a hardline stance despite reports of indirect diplomatic contacts.

Iran has also dismissed a U.S.-supported 15-point proposal aimed at ending the fighting, describing it as unreasonable and unacceptable, according to regional sources and officials familiar with the matter.

Instead, Tehran has put forward its own five-point outline for bringing the conflict to a close.

The Iranian proposal calls for a complete cessation of hostilities, assurances that fighting will not resume, an end to targeted assassinations, compensation for damages caused by the war, and acknowledgment of Iran’s role in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials in Tehran maintain that the competing proposals from both sides cannot be reconciled.

A senior Iranian official told international media that Washington lacks the authority to impose an outcome and that Tehran will determine “how to end the conflict” based on its own conditions.

Observers say these statements underscore a growing disconnect between Iran’s public rejection of talks and U.S. assertions that diplomatic channels remain active behind the scenes.

Donald Trump has said his administration is involved in “constructive” discussions intended to bring the war to an end, now entering its fourth week.

While Iranian leaders deny that formal negotiations are taking place, diplomatic sources indicate that communication is continuing through intermediaries in countries such as Pakistan and Turkey.

The conflict erupted on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched widespread strikes on Iranian assets, triggering retaliatory attacks by Iran throughout the region.

Since then, the confrontation has included missile barrages, disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and military actions across several countries.

At the same time, Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.

A U.S. proposal reportedly included restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile activities in exchange for easing sanctions.

Tehran has refused to negotiate under what it describes as pressure created by ongoing military action.

Iranian leadership insists that talks cannot occur while strikes continue, a stance Amir-Abdollahian repeated on Wednesday.

It remains uncertain whether the current indirect exchanges could eventually develop into formal negotiations.

There is also ongoing uncertainty regarding which figures within Iran’s leadership hold the authority to decide on ending the war.

For now, both sides appear to be advancing on two tracks simultaneously — escalating military operations while maintaining limited diplomatic contact — leaving the chances for a negotiated resolution unclear.

Israel and the United States have reportedly paused plans to target two senior Iranian officials in a move aimed at creating space for potential negotiations to end the fighting, according to American sources.

Sources indicate that Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have been removed from operational target lists for a period of approximately four to five days. The temporary step comes as part of a broader effort to explore whether diplomatic progress can be made at the highest levels.

At the same time, international mediators—including Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt—are working to coordinate a meeting between U.S. and Iranian representatives in the near term. The goal is to secure a temporary ceasefire that would allow formal negotiations to begin.

Despite these efforts, officials involved in the process have cautioned that significant gaps remain between the two sides. Reports from Tehran suggest that Iranian leaders are, for now, rejecting proposals to enter negotiations.

The White House has also issued a firm warning that Washington is prepared to escalate its actions if diplomatic efforts fail.

In Israel, officials believe a ceasefire could be reached within days, though there is also a strong interest in continuing military operations beyond any initial pause.

Airport security operations across the United States are approaching a breaking point as funding instability and a partial government shutdown continue to disrupt the system, Transportation Security Administration acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Appearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, McNeill explained that the TSA has been operating without consistent funding for nearly half of fiscal year 2026. As a result, more than 61,000 employees — roughly 95 percent of the agency’s workforce — have been required to continue working without receiving pay.

During questioning, McNeill warned legislators that the agency is “being forced to consolidate,” signaling that smaller regional airports could face closure if conditions persist.

She disclosed that TSA has already accumulated close to $1 billion in unpaid wages, leaving many officers struggling to meet everyday financial obligations.

“We continue to screen millions of passengers a day, but our workforce is under severe financial and emotional stress,” McNeill said, describing reports of officers sleeping in their cars, taking multiple jobs, or relying on public donations to get by.

The ongoing funding gap is also having a clear impact on staffing levels.

Since February, approximately 460 TSA officers have left their positions, adding to more than 1,100 departures that occurred during last year’s shutdown.

At the same time, absenteeism has climbed sharply. Call-out rates nationwide have increased from 4 percent to 11 percent, with some airports reporting rates above 40 percent.

These staffing shortages are colliding with a rise in passenger traffic. Travel volume has grown by about 5 percent compared to last year’s spring break period, putting additional pressure on already strained screening operations.

McNeill noted that wait times at certain airports have stretched beyond four and a half hours, heightening the likelihood of missed flights and raising broader security concerns.

She cautioned that conditions could deteriorate further in the coming months, particularly with the FIFA World Cup scheduled for June, which is expected to drive a significant surge in travel demand.

Even if funding is restored in the near future, McNeill emphasized that newly hired officers would not be ready in time to assist during the event, as proper TSA training requires several months.

Her testimony highlighted the wider disruption affecting airports nationwide as the Department of Homeland Security funding dispute continues.

With frontline personnel going unpaid, increasing numbers of workers leaving their jobs, and travel demand reaching high levels, airports are experiencing growing delays, extended security lines, and operational challenges.

Airlines and airport officials have cautioned that if the uncertainty continues, both service quality and safety could decline further, especially during peak travel periods.

Although TSA screening is classified as essential infrastructure and continues even during shutdowns, employees are required to work without compensation under current conditions.

Members of Congress from both parties acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, though disagreements remain over how to resolve broader budget issues.

McNeill called on lawmakers to approve a full-year Department of Homeland Security funding measure without delay, warning that ongoing inaction could jeopardize both national security and the stability of air travel.

“The safety of the traveling public must not be compromised by budget uncertainty,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has taken significant military steps to prepare for a possible American ground operation targeting Kharg Island, a key oil export hub, even as its foreign minister denied any direct negotiations with the United States and reports emerged of fresh airstrikes in western parts of the country.

According to a report by CNN, Tehran has intensified its defenses on the strategic island, raising concerns that a new phase in the conflict could be approaching. The preparations come amid ongoing reports of indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran.

The report states that Iran has planted mines around Kharg Island, deployed additional military forces, and transferred advanced air defense systems to the area. These measures are intended to counter the possibility of a U.S. attempt to seize the island, which plays a central role in Iran’s oil exports.

At the same time, officials in Washington are said to be weighing the option of using ground forces to capture the island as part of a broader effort to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical global shipping routes.

However, U.S. officials and military analysts have cautioned that such an operation would carry substantial risks. They note that Kharg Island is heavily fortified with layered defenses, including reinforced surface-to-air missile systems deployed in recent weeks. In addition, the mines surrounding the island could endanger armored units and complicate any attempted landing.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed reports of direct negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the conflict. He stated, “The enemy has failed to achieve its objectives and has not succeeded in breaking the unity of the Iranian people.” At the same time, he acknowledged that messages are being exchanged indirectly through intermediaries.

Araghchi added that Iran does not view itself as being in conflict with regional countries, but made clear that any military response would target American bases or parties involved in attacks against Iran. “Our message to the countries of the region is to distance themselves from the Americans,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports from within Iran indicated that airstrikes struck the city of Mashhad, the country’s second-largest city. According to available information, the strikes focused on areas near the local airport, though no official details have yet been released regarding damage or casualties.

{Matzav.com}

A missile struck a residential area in Arad — and with it, the lives of 170 families were completely upended.

170 families, mostly children, are now HOMELESS. Dozens are injured, and many children are hospitalized.

These aren’t numbers.
These are families. Mothers. Fathers. Children.

Children who went to sleep in their beds… and woke up with nothing.

Their homes are GONE!

Where are they making Pesach?

They need our help! 

• Food for Yom Tov
• Clothing for their children
• A place to stay
• The ability to experience Pesach with dignity

Not luxuries. Not extras. Just the chance to spend Pesach as a typical family.

Join Klal Yisrael’s effort to help them make Pesach.