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President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. military campaign in Iran is advancing more quickly than anticipated, calling the operation “moving along very well – ahead of schedule,” during a phone interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen.

In the conversation, Trump described Iran’s leadership as brutal and asserted that the United States was acting not only to protect its own interests but also those of the broader global community. “We’re doing our job not just for us but for the world,” he said, adding that the pace of developments remains ahead of expectations.

His remarks came a day after a coordinated strike on Iran that resulted in the death of the country’s leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian forces have since responded with retaliatory attacks. Trump has been directing the military effort from his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

When asked about the potential for winding down hostilities, Trump said the trajectory of the conflict would depend on several variables but indicated optimism about the current direction. “Things are evolving in a very positive way right now,” he said.

In a separate interview with The Atlantic, Trump stated that Iran’s new leadership has expressed interest in returning to negotiations and that he is prepared to engage. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump said. “They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.” He characterized the recent military action as “a big hit” that removed many of Iran’s previous negotiators.

The strikes followed a February 28 video message in which Trump encouraged Iranians to rise up against their government after the bombing campaign concludes, predicting unrest and pointing to reported celebrations both inside Iran and among members of the Iranian diaspora. He declined to say whether bombing would continue specifically to support an uprising, explaining that he would evaluate conditions as they unfold.

The current operation represents Trump’s second major military move against Iran since June, which he has portrayed as a response to decades of Iranian hostility. He said he does not believe the conflict will damage Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections, citing what he described as a strong economy and minimal disruption to oil markets. Shortly after the strikes, U.S. officials reported that three American service members had been killed and five others wounded.

Trump also referenced longstanding U.S. intelligence efforts to counter alleged Iranian assassination plots targeting American officials, including himself, though he declined to comment on any new threats following the latest strikes.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced Sunday that the Israeli Air Force’s strike in Tehran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei represents the peak of a prolonged campaign targeting the top command of what it called the Iranian terror axis during the “War of Revival.”

In addition to Khamenei, the IDF listed a series of senior figures who have been eliminated in recent operations. These include Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, along with most of Hezbollah’s senior command; Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Hamas terrorist organization; and Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas’ Military Wing, together with much of that wing’s leadership.

The military also cited the killing of Muhammad al-Ghamari, Chief of General Staff of the Houthi terror regime, as well as several high-ranking figures within Iran’s defense establishment. Among them were Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters; Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces; Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC; and other senior officials.

According to the IDF, the latest strike completes the dismantling of the Iranian terror axis’ senior leadership across several arenas.

The military stated that “for decades, these senior officials have operated to destroy the State of Israel. As part of these activities, they advanced the brutal October 7th massacre, as well as dozens of other terror attacks against the State of Israel and its residents.”

The IDF said the eliminations were carried out through highly accurate strikes based on detailed intelligence, including missions conducted under Operation ‘Rising Lion’ and Operation ‘Northern Arrows.’

Officials added that removing these figures has severely weakened the Iranian terror axis and contributed to greater security for Israel and beyond.

“The IDF will continue to thwart any elements that pose a threat to the State of Israel and its citizens, and continue to strike infrastructure belonging to the Iranian terror regime in order to degrade the regime and thwart threats against the State of Israel,” the IDF concluded.

{Matzav.com}

One day after the historic strike that launched Operation “Roar of the Lion,” the IDF Spokesperson delivered a live statement addressing the latest developments in the war. In his remarks, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin detailed the scope of the ongoing operations.

Earlier this evening, the IDF announced that a broad wave of strikes has continued in recent hours. Since the Israeli Air Force achieved aerial superiority over Tehran’s skies, the military has attacked dozens of regime combat headquarters, including command centers belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, intelligence headquarters, air force command facilities of the Revolutionary Guards, and internal security headquarters.

According to the IDF, the strikes were directed at facilities where Military Intelligence had identified operational activity by forces of the Iranian terror regime responsible for managing the campaign and planning terror frameworks against the State of Israel and countries throughout the region.

One of the emergency compounds that was struck served the Operations Directorate and the Intelligence Directorate of the Iranian terror regime. From that site, officials coordinated the fighting and compiled operational and intelligence situational assessments.

The completed wave of strikes has dealt a significant blow to the command-and-control capabilities of the terror regime, including the elimination of personnel inside some of its most central headquarters.

“The IDF will strike the systems and personnel of the Iranian terror regime wherever they operate.”

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris said Saturday that she does not support efforts aimed at toppling Iran’s regime, breaking with the administration’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury and criticizing President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict.

The former vice president issued her statement shortly after the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes began, characterizing the military action as “a war American people do not want.”

Her remarks came even as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed inside his fortified compound along with approximately 40 senior Iranian security and regime officials.

“Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm’s way for the sake of Trump’s war of choice,” Harris wrote in a statement posted to X on Saturday.

“This is a dangerous and unnecessary gamble with American lives that also jeopardizes stability in the region and our standing in the world. What we are witnessing is not strength. It is recklessness dressed up as resolve.”

Harris acknowledged what she described as the seriousness of the Iranian threat, saying she understands the “threat that Iran poses” and agrees the regime “must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” but added that “this is not the way to dismantle that threat.”

She also accused the president of contradicting his past statements, referencing his prior pledge to “end wars rather than start them” and his claim that the United States had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program” in 2025.

“And let us all be clear-eyed about what comes next. The President has already said this conflict may produce American casualties…Our troops deserve a Commander-in-Chief who approaches decisions on matters of war and peace with the same steadiness and discipline our troops show every day. Under the Constitution of the United States, the President must receive authorization from Congress to enter a war,” she said.

Harris concluded by calling the weekend’s military action “unwise, unjustified, and not supported by the American people.”

“There can be no equivocation in our opposition to Donald Trump’s war of choice, and Congress must use all available power to prevent him from further committing us to this conflict. Our troops, our allies, and the American people deserve nothing less.”

Her comments quickly drew backlash online, with critics questioning her leadership and judgment.

“Thank You Kamala! We Love You! Sincerely, The Mullahs,” wrote longtime Israeli supporter and advocate John Ondrasik of the music group Five for Fighting.

Another commenter wrote: “When you can put a sentence together, we’ll consider listening.”

A third added: “What the ‘American people want’ has always seemed to have eluded you. Try to stop confusing it with ‘what we want the American people to want.’ When the polls come out next week, you will again be totally surprised by how unpopular your positions are.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also weighed in, labeling the airstrikes “illegal” while criticizing the president. His remarks prompted swift pushback as well.

“The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go,” Newsom wrote on X Saturday, after the US and Israel launched the coordinated strikes early that morning.

“But that does not justify the President of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people.

His post triggered immediate responses challenging what critics described as mixed messaging.

“Which one is Gavin? They can’t have nuclear weapons and need to be removed? Or is the operation not justified?” one X user responded. “Pick one stance please. If you want to run for President, you should get comfortable making bold statements on where you stand.”

Another defended the president’s authority, writing: “Not illegal — but you’d have to be able to read the Constitution to know that,” the user wrote.

The military campaign followed weeks of stalled negotiations centered on Iran’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear program.

{Matzav.com}

Shrapnel from an intercepted Iranian missile fell in the Haifa area of northern Israel.

Additional footage released by the IDF of airstrikes in Iran a short while ago.

US-Israeli airstrikes reportedly struck the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran.

A rare high-level gathering in Tehran provided the opening the United States and Israel had been waiting for: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with roughly 40 top security officials, assembled inside his heavily fortified compound. Within hours, Israeli warplanes carried out a sweeping daytime assault that reduced parts of the complex to rubble, killing Khamenei, dozens of senior officials, and three of his family members.

According to a report published Sunday by The New York Times, U.S. intelligence agencies had spent months tracking the 86-year-old ruler’s movements and routines. The CIA closely studied his patterns before receiving fresh intelligence indicating that he would attend the pivotal meeting in central Tehran. Officials described the intelligence as “high fidelity,” confirming that Khamenei himself would be present at the leadership compound.

Once the unusual concentration of Iran’s political and military leadership was confirmed, American and Israeli defense officials accelerated plans for the strike, known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Originally intended to take place under cover of darkness, the attack was shifted to Saturday morning to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the meeting, sources familiar with the operation told the Times. The daylight assault eliminated Khamenei and approximately 40 senior Iranian figures, including the Minister of Defense, the Head of Intelligence, and the Supreme Leader’s Advisor for Security Affairs and Secretary of the Defense Council.

U.S. intelligence capabilities reportedly improved following last year’s 12-day war, during which officials gained deeper insight into how Khamenei operated and communicated under pressure.

Among those killed were Rear Adm. Shamkhani and Maj. Gen. Pakpour, according to Iranian state media outlet IRNA. State television also reported that Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff and the country’s highest-ranking military officer, was killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli officials had spent months preparing what was later characterized as a “tactical surprise.” Intelligence services from both countries were monitoring multiple senior-level meetings planned for that morning — an unusually large gathering of Iran’s leadership in a single location.

Israeli fighter jets reportedly departed around 6 a.m. local time, with long-range precision munitions striking the compound at approximately 9:40 a.m. in Tehran. Published accounts indicate that about 30 bombs were dropped on the site, leaving it “scorched and shattered,” according to The Wall Street Journal. Khamenei and other top officials were said to have been inside two separate buildings within the compound that were destroyed in the attack.

President Trump publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death, describing him as “one of the most evil people in history.”

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social Saturday.

The commander in chief urged remaining Iranian officials to pursue diplomacy, saying it would be “much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously, because they are getting beat up badly,” he told CBS News’ Robert Costa.

Trump also offered what he called “immunity” to members of the regime’s security apparatus who choose not to continue fighting, warning of severe consequences otherwise.

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,” Trump said in a social media post. “As I said last night, ‘Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!’”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced Sunday that American forces have sunk nine Iranian naval vessels and inflicted heavy damage on Tehran’s naval command infrastructure.

“I have just been informed that we have destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We are going after the rest — They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also!”

The president added that a separate strike targeted Iranian naval leadership facilities.

“In a different attack, we largely destroyed their Naval Headquarters,” the president added. “Other than that, their Navy is doing very well!”

{Matzav.com}

Three American troops have died and five others were “seriously wounded” during Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S. military campaign targeting Iran, according to a statement from the U.S. military.

Additional personnel who sustained minor shrapnel wounds and concussions have received medical treatment and are expected to resume their duties shortly.

“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” CENTCOM said in an update Sunday morning.

U.S. Central Command also stated that it is not yet releasing the names of the deceased, explaining that it is withholding the identifies the “fallen warriors” until 24 hours after their families have been notified.

Officials have not specified the location where the American service members were killed.

The casualties come as Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. military installations throughout the Middle East following strikes that eliminated much of Iran’s top leadership — including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In the wake of those strikes, the Islamic State fired missiles and deployed attack drones targeting U.S. allies across the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, all of which host American military bases.

Defense authorities in those countries confirmed that incoming missiles aimed at their territories were intercepted. However, debris from the interceptions caused extensive damage in several areas.

At least one person was killed and 11 others were injured in strikes that hit airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Beyond Khamenei, Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — who had previously called for Israel’s destruction — was also killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation.

{Matzav.com}

HaGaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and HaGaon Rav Dov Landau released a special letter of chizuk in response to the current matzav in Eretz Yisroel during Operation “Roaring Lion.”

The letter opens with an address to “our brethren, Bnei Yisroel dwelling in the Holy Land and in every place,” and speaks of the gravity of the hour.

“At a time such as this,” they write, “when the nation dwelling in Tzion is in a matzav of war and great danger, רח”ל, and additionally when the burden of governmental decrees weighs heavily upon the בני הישיבות and kollelim, it is our obligation to increase Torah and tefillah before the Creator of the world, that He pour upon us mercy from Heaven, save us from all who rise against us, and show us wonders as in the days of Mordechai and Esther.”

They add the plea: “Avinu Malkeinu, annul the counsel of our enemies and remove from upon us all harsh decrees.”

In the continuation of the letter, the gedolim call upon the ציבור to gather in the batei midrash and botei knesses on Ta’anis Esther prior to Mincha to recite specific perakim of Tehillim — chapters 22, 83, and 85 — verse by verse, followed by the recitation of Keil Melech and the Yud-Gimmel Middos HaRachamim.

They further note in the name of the Chazon Ish that the kappitel of “Yosheiv B’Seiser” is a segulah against shells and bombs.

The letter concludes with a heartfelt tefillah: “May it be the will of our Father in Heaven that He hasten the geulah, speed the yeshuah, and take us from distress to relief; may joy and gladness overtake us, and may sorrow and sighing flee away.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S./Israeli airstrikes targeted the Shahid Beheshti Pier at Chabahar Port, a facility reportedly operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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Israel’s Chief Rabbis released a public letter on Motzaei Shabbos in response to the war with Iran, urging the tzibbur to strengthen themselves through added fasting, prayer, and heartfelt supplication during what they described as a “difficult campaign” against a cruel enemy.

The letter, signed by the Rishon LeZion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Dovid Yosef, and the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, was issued under the heading “Lech Kenos Es Kol HaYehudim.”

In their message, the rabbanim write: “We stand in the midst of a difficult campaign against a hostile and cruel enemy. We witness the steadfastness of the Air Force pilots, of the soldiers of the IDF, and of all members of the security forces.

“And just as we merited in the days of Purim to be saved after fasting and crying out — ‘when Mordechai the Jew and Esther established and accepted upon themselves and their descendants the matters of the fasts and their cry’ — so too now it is incumbent upon the public to increase matters of fasting and outcry.”

The rabbanim continue by calling upon the tzibbur to intensify tefillah and supplication, writing: “Therefore, we must increase prayer and supplications so that in these days of Purim as well, we should merit, with Hashem’s help, to be saved.”

They instruct that during Shacharis and Mincha, after Shemoneh Esrei, Avinu Malkeinu should be recited, along with chapters of Tehillim — 20, 121, 123, and 130. The letter concludes with the prayer that “our prayers should be accepted favorably and that we should merit salvation speedily.”

The Chief Rabbis also stress the obligation to follow the directives of the Home Front Command, noting that regulations concerning public gatherings may change from time to time. They close with a blessing drawn from Megillas Esther: “LaYehudim haysa ora v’simcha v’sasson v’ikar — so may it be for us.”

{Matzav.com}

UPDATE FROM THE SCENE IN BEIT SHEMESH: Police released a statement saying that 11 individuals remain unaccounted for, and efforts to locate them are ongoing alongside searches to rule out the possibility of additional people trapped under the rubble.

Video shows an American destroyer launching Tomahawk missiles at targets inside Iran as part of U.S. strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.

Just one day before the outbreak of Operation “Roaring Lion,” Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein, the revered posek, delivered powerful words of chizuk and reassurance during his renowned shiur for doctors and rabbanim at Maayanei HaYeshua Medical Center. In the midst of mounting tension, his message was one of calm, bitachon, and deep emunah.

Concluding his Thursday night shiur on Parshas Tetzaveh, Rav Zilberstein addressed the matzav with clarity and serenity, speaking directly to the concerns that were already in the air — concerns that, within 24 hours, would erupt into open war.

He said: “What can I say? First of all, residents of Bnei Brak — there is nothing to fear! My sister-in-law, Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky, of blessed memory, once woke up in the middle of the night and told my brother-in-law, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, that a bomb had fallen in Bnei Brak. But he told her, ‘That is a mistake, it is not Bnei Brak,’ and indeed it turned out that it fell a few meters beyond Bnei Brak.”

With palpable warmth, Rav Zilberstein continued: “Look, my dear ones, today in the yeshivos they are learning very well, very, very well. It seems to me that here in Bnei Brak nothing will happen, and I very much want to ask that all of us together fulfill the mitzvah of loving our fellow Jews, and that we also pray for all our brothers. Residents of Bnei Brak — there is nothing to speak about. I only want to ask that everyone think about our brothers who are not residents of Bnei Brak.”

He then added words that resonated deeply with those present: “It seems to me that they have no chance — that is how it appears to me! Look, people are sitting here and speaking words of Torah, they are not handing out chocolate…, not blankets…, they are simply sitting and learning, truly Torah for its own sake!

“I think that regarding Bnei Brak there is nothing at all to fear, and I also think that in the other cities there is nothing to fear. Why? Because the yeshiva students today also have good character traits. The mussar studied in the yeshivos — if that is so, I believe they protect the entire nation. That is how it seems to me.”

In a striking moment of confidence, Rav Zilberstein declared: “It seems to me that only salvations await us. That is what I think.”

One of the Rav’s close associates later related that he personally heard Rav Chaim Kanievsky say regarding the city of Modiin Illit that Kiryat Sefer has the same din as Bnei Brak, since it is a makom entirely filled with lomdei Torah.

Rav Zilberstein concluded with heartfelt divrei chizuk: “Therefore, I think that right now we simply need to increase love among fellow Jews, and it does not appear to me that anything will happen here. It seems to me that nothing at all will happen here.”

Following his remarks, Rav Zilberstein recited a kapitel Tehillim together with the participants, with deep kavana, and concluded with the tefillah of “Acheinu Kol Beis Yisrael.”

{Matzav.com}

According to CNN, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has authorized the Royal Saudi Armed Forces to respond militarily to Iran if necessary, describing attempted Iranian attacks against Riyadh and the Kingdom’s eastern region as “cowardly.”

Footage shows thick smoke billowing into the sky following an apparent impact in Bahrain.

The IDF says it has called up 100,000 reservists as fighting with Iran continues. Forces have been bolstered along Israel’s borders with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and in the West Bank. The Home Front Command has mobilized 20,000 reservists, largely for search and rescue operations. The Air Force, Navy, and Intelligence Directorate have also been reinforced. […]