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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf Monday accused President Donald Trump of breaching the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, warning that Tehran is ready to escalate if hostilities resume.

“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Qalibaf wrote on the social platform X. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”

Qalibaf, along with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is leading Iran’s diplomatic engagement with the U.S. Trump said Sunday that negotiations are expected to resume later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Tensions were further heightened on Sunday when the United States Navy stopped an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that was attempting to evade the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and continue toward an Iranian port. Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters Monday that the interception violated the terms of the current ceasefire, which began on April 8 and is due to expire this week.

In a phone interview with Bloomberg, Trump stated that the truce will end on “Wednesday evening Washington time,” and indicated he is “highly unlikely” to prolong it in the absence of a broader agreement.

As part of efforts to secure a deal, Trump is dispatching Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad. The White House confirmed Monday that Vance is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, accompanied by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.

“I sent my A-Team,” Trump told PBS News on Monday, referring to the same group that previously conducted negotiations with Iranian officials earlier this month. Those discussions concluded without a final agreement, though Vance described them as showing “progress” toward ending the conflict and limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Also on Monday, Trump pushed back on suggestions that he is facing urgency to finalize an agreement before the ceasefire expires. Writing on his Truth Social platform, he said he is “under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly!”

President Donald Trump said Monday that he expects Iran to enter negotiations, expressing confidence ahead of potential talks in Pakistan while also warning of severe repercussions if Tehran refuses.

In a brief phone appearance on “The John Fredericks Show,” Trump made clear he believes Iran will ultimately agree to discussions but signaled that failure to do so would carry significant consequences.

“Well, they’re going to negotiate, and if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before,” the President said.

“Hopefully they’ll make a fair deal, and they’ll build their country back up,” Trump continued, adding that when they do so, “they will not have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump also reiterated his justification for recent U.S. military action against Iran, saying it was unavoidable. “And I have to say we had no choice in Iran,” he said. “It wasn’t like we had a choice. We had to do it.”

He added that the situation is progressing well and nearing resolution. “We’ve done a great job, and we’ll get it closed out, and everybody’s going to be happy,” he said.

Iranian leadership responded sharply, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejecting the notion of negotiating under pressure and accusing the U.S. of using coercion.

“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table – in his own imagination – into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf, who headed the Iranian delegation in recent talks with the US in Pakistan, wrote in a social media post.

“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he warned.

His remarks followed Trump’s earlier statement on Truth Social that U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports would remain in place until an agreement is finalized.

Trump wrote that the blockade, which began last week, is “absolutely destroying Iran”, and added that the US is winning the conflict “by a lot”.

In another post, Trump argued that a new agreement under discussion would surpass the previous nuclear deal reached during the Obama administration.

“The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA,” Trump wrote, describing the 2015 agreement as “one of the Worst Deals ever made” and asserting that it created “a guaranteed Road to a Nuclear Weapon.”

He emphasized that the proposed deal would block Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Trump said the deal currently being worked on “will not, and cannot” allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

With a temporary ceasefire between the two countries scheduled to expire Wednesday, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations in Pakistan will move forward.

At the same time, a report cited by Al-Arabiya indicated that Pakistan has asked both Washington and Tehran to consider extending the ceasefire for an additional two weeks.

According to those reports, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could announce such an extension as soon as Tuesday.

Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Iran’s state news agency said Sunday that Tehran would not take part in further talks with the United States.

That statement came shortly after Trump said Iranian representatives were expected to travel to Pakistan on Monday for another round of negotiations.

Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas and a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, has unveiled a new piece of legislation dubbed the “Mamdani Act,” according to Mediaite.

The proposal seeks to broaden existing immigration statutes by allowing authorities to deny entry, revoke citizenship status, or deport individuals based on their ideological positions or organizational ties.

Under the plan, people who are connected to or express support for socialist, communist, Marxist, or what Roy defines as Islamist extremist movements could be prevented from entering the United States or removed if already present.

The legislation would also block such individuals from obtaining legal status or citizenship while establishing additional legal justifications to deport non-citizens currently residing in the country.

Roy has presented the measure as both a national security initiative and a defense of American values, arguing that it is necessary to keep out what he calls “totalitarian” belief systems that conflict with the nation’s founding principles.

The effort is consistent with Roy’s reputation as one of the more hardline voices within the Republican conference, where he has regularly advocated for stricter immigration policies and stronger enforcement mechanisms, Mediaite reported.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH LIVE, SUNDAY, APRIL 26 2026, 7:15 PM ET:

The United States on Monday launched a large-scale effort to return more than $166 billion in tariff payments after the Supreme Court of the United States determined that the Trump administration exceeded its authority in imposing the duties.

Interest in the program has been immediate and significant. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, over 56,000 importers had already signed up before the system officially opened.

The initiative allows companies that paid the tariffs to request reimbursement through an online system called CAPE — short for Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries — which is operated through the agency’s broader ACE platform.

Despite the streamlined application portal, experts say the process itself may be anything but simple. Pete Mento, a licensed customs broker and director of global trade advisory services at Baker Tilly, described the system cautiously in a LinkedIn post.

“CAPE is clearly designed to make intake easy. Almost deceptively easy. Nothing in this update suggests CBP is relaxing scrutiny on the back end. If anything, this feels like ‘get it in the door quickly, we’ll decide what happens after.’”

The tariffs had raised prices across a wide range of consumer goods, leaving many Americans paying more at checkout. Now that the levies have been struck down, a central question has emerged: whether any of those funds will make their way back to consumers.

Some Democratic lawmakers are pressing for direct relief, arguing that households ultimately absorbed the added costs through higher retail prices.

At present, however, the refund program is designed exclusively for businesses. There is no obligation requiring companies to pass any returned funds on to customers.

As a result, billions of dollars could be reimbursed to importers while everyday consumers may see little immediate impact.

To receive payment, companies must submit extensive claims through the ACE system, including detailed transaction records. Each filing can contain thousands of entries, all of which must be reviewed and validated before refunds are approved.

Even after approval, the timeline for receiving funds may stretch out. Officials estimate payments could begin within 60 to 90 days, though delays are expected as claims are processed in stages.

That lag has raised further concerns among consumers, since even once businesses receive their refunds, there is no guarantee the savings will be reflected in lower prices.

Companies will have discretion over how to handle the returned funds — whether to retain them, reduce prices, or offer discounts — with no requirement to take any specific action.

Some businesses have suggested they may pass money back. Shipping giants UPS and FedEx, which charged tariff-related fees directly to customers, have indicated they could issue refunds once they receive payments.

At the same time, financial firms are finding ways to capitalize on the process. Hedge funds are offering to purchase tariff refund claims from companies upfront, providing immediate liquidity in exchange for a share of the eventual payout.

This development underscores the scale of the financial opportunity surrounding the refunds.

The rollout itself is being conducted in phases. Initial payments will prioritize more recent tariff collections, with older claims scheduled for later processing, potentially extending the timeline for distributing the full $166 billion.

Even after all funds are returned, consumers may still be left waiting for any benefit.

Democratic proposals to send direct payments to Americans or compel companies to share refunds face significant legal and political challenges, leaving the current system focused solely on reimbursing businesses.

Meanwhile, legal challenges are beginning to take shape, as consumers and advocacy groups explore ways to force companies to return a portion of the funds. These cases could take years to resolve.

Looking ahead, the possibility of new tariffs remains on the table. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested that tariffs could be reintroduced as soon as July, while industry-specific measures imposed under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act are still in place.

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said in a recent television appearance that even if refunds are distributed, alternative legal authorities could still be used by the Trump administration “that perhaps could reduce that number [$166 billion, plus interest] quite a bit.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Islamabad by Tuesday morning to participate in negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing war, according to three U.S. sources cited by Axios late Monday.

Vance’s trip is set to take place as the current ceasefire approaches its expiration. President Donald Trump has warned that if no agreement is reached, the U.S. could resume military strikes, including targeting Iranian bridges and power infrastructure.

Although securing a comprehensive agreement within such a short timeframe appears unlikely, Trump could opt to extend the deadline if meaningful progress is made during the talks.

In fact, Trump has already effectively pushed the timeline back slightly. While the original two-week ceasefire was set to expire Tuesday, he indicated on Monday that the deadline would now run through Wednesday evening.

Throughout Monday, White House officials were waiting for confirmation from Tehran that its delegation would travel to Islamabad, Axios reported.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Iranian officials had been delaying their decision amid internal pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which was urging negotiators to take a tougher stance and avoid talks unless the U.S. blockade is lifted.

Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey pressed Iran to attend the negotiations.

The Iranian delegation ultimately held off until receiving approval from the country’s Supreme Leader, which came Monday night, according to the source.

Two sources said Vance is expected to leave Tuesday morning, while another indicated he could depart as early as late Monday night.

Trump’s senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also anticipated to travel to Islamabad for the discussions.

The developments came after a strongly worded social media post by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran’s delegation in earlier talks. Ghalibaf sharply criticized Trump and made clear that Iran would not engage in negotiations under pressure.

“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table – in his own imagination – into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote.

“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he warned.

Trump, for his part, maintained that Iran will ultimately agree to negotiations, while reiterating his warning of serious consequences if it does not.

“Well, they’re going to negotiate, and if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before,” the President told “The John Fredericks Show,” a conservative radio program.

“Hopefully they’ll make a fair deal, and they’ll build their country back up,” Trump continued, adding that when they do so, “they will not have a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com}

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Rabbi Yitzchak Biton, who lost all three of his children in a direct Iranian missile strike near his home in Beit Shemesh, delivered a deeply emotional and faith-filled account in a powerful interview with Kikar HaShabbat, describing the moments of terror, loss, and the strength that has carried him forward. Matzav.com shares portions of the interview, which was conducted in Hebrew.

In the interview, Rabbi Biton recalled the day his world was shattered, when a missile struck near his home and changed everything in an instant. His children—Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah—were killed, leaving behind a grieving family and a father determined not to fall into despair.

“We continue forward with Hashem’s help. We try to involve ourselves in good deeds, to move ahead, and not to dwell on the past,” Rabbi Biton said at the outset, his voice reflecting both profound pain and remarkable acceptance. Since the tragedy, the family has left their home. “At the moment we are in the Jewish Quarter. We are not returning to Beit Shemesh. We are simply not emotionally capable.”

Despite the devastating loss, Rabbi Biton said he remains committed to continuing his life’s work. “Of course we will continue to deliver Torah classes. I have already returned to the rabbinical court in Beit Shemesh, and it is not easy—not for me and not for my wife—but immediately after the shiva I tried to return to teaching, to giving Gemara shiurim as I have done for decades. My wife also gives classes in seminaries. We must go on—for ourselves, for the Jewish people, and for our remaining daughter. We must accept the Heavenly judgment with love.”

Recounting the moments leading up to the strike, he described a troubling intuition he could not ignore. “I had a difficult feeling in my heart,” he said. “I had just finished giving a Gemara shiur to avreichim, including my son Yaakov. I returned home, and Yaakov was delayed a bit. When he arrived, the siren sounded. At that moment I told him, ‘Yaakov, maybe you should stay here with me?’ But he, Avigail, and Sarah were somewhat afraid and decided to go down to the shelter.”

Moments later, disaster struck. “The house collapsed. Windows flew out. By open miracles I am standing here speaking—I, my wife, and our daughter were literally thrown into the air from the force of the blast. As soon as I stood up, my first thought was of the children. I was afraid to even think that they might have been harmed. My wife urged me to go to the area, and I saw black smoke rising near the shul. I understood that something very serious had happened.”

What he encountered at the scene was unbearable. “I saw complete destruction. The shul was destroyed, everything was on fire, and the shelter took a direct hit. I stood there waiting, trying not to interfere with the rescue forces, but my heart already sensed the worst. Slowly I saw that bodies were being taken out,” he said through tears. “I saw my son Yaakov. They quickly covered the bodies, saying they were being taken for treatment, but late at night, when the notification team arrived, we already understood where things were heading.”

When asked where he finds the strength to go on, Rabbi Biton pointed to a perspective rooted in Torah and faith. “If a person understands that he is in good hands, that Hashem runs the world, he understands that we are all loyal soldiers. The eye cries bitterly, but the heart rejoices in knowing that the children are in a very high place.”

He rejected the notion that the tragedy represents unjust suffering. “This is not ‘the righteous who suffer.’ The moment I understand that my children were chosen to be the most elite unit, in the sense of offerings of Israel, I understand that this has supreme value. We are guests in this world. These children accomplished in a short time what others do not accomplish in a long time. These are special souls who came to sanctify Hashem’s name in their lives and in their deaths.”

Concluding his remarks, Rabbi Biton expressed a message of unwavering belief. “In the end I came to understand the meaning that the passing of the righteous leaves an impact. The children completed their mission in this world, and in their lives and in their deaths they were not separated. They merited to be buried on Har Hazeisim. There is pain that a human being cannot comprehend, a very difficult test, but Hashem did what is best for us and for them. He wants to lead us to a better reality, and we must accept things with faith.”

{Matzav.com}

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sparked a political storm Monday after outlining a series of positions on religion and state that drew strong reactions across Israel’s political spectrum, with left-wing figures welcoming his remarks and chareidi parties responding with sharp criticism.

In what some observers described as an effort to regain political support amid declining poll numbers, Bennett—who currently leads the “Bennett 2026” party and is positioning himself for a potential return to leadership—made comments addressing public transportation on Shabbos and the issue of marriage in Israel.

Speaking in an interview with Army Radio, Bennett said, “It is necessary to allow cities to choose whether they want to operate public transportation on Shabbos.” He also expressed support for broader access to marriage, stating that he supports marriage “for anyone who wants.” He added, “My compass on this issue is common sense and fairness.”

Expanding on his position regarding transportation, Bennett said, “I am in favor of every Israeli being able to get where they need to go. I think we should allow each city to decide its character. For example, in a chareidi city like Bnei Brak there will not be public transportation, and in a city like Tel Aviv it will be decided that there will be public transportation—that is respect.”

His remarks were quickly embraced by Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, who wrote in response: “Bennett, welcome. Civil marriage in a liberal democratic state is something that is required. This is our Judaism, and we will demand it in the guiding principles of the next government. You have come a long way from the Jewish Home to here. It is nice to see that even in politics there are positive surprises and that even on the right they understand that only a strong liberal Israel will prevail.”

Golan added, “I hope Bennett’s journey continues one more step toward the necessary understanding that diplomatic moves, separation from annexation fantasies, and courageous decisions are the right and only path to real security.”

Chareidi parties responded forcefully, accusing Bennett of abandoning core Jewish values for political gain. The Shas party stated: “Someone who, for the sake of politics, is willing to sell the Jewish identity of the state—the holy Shabbos and marriage according to the law of Moshe and Israel—it will not be long before he also sells the Land of Israel and the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria.”

Yitzchak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, also dismissed Bennett’s statements, saying: “I would not be impressed by Bennett’s promises of civil marriage and Shabbos desecration. He also promised not to sit with Mansour Abbas and signed on air that he would not allow Lapid to become prime minister. Even on the left they know that this is someone who misleads the public and votes.”

{Matzav.com}