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Israel temporarily removed two senior Iranian leaders from its list of potential targets following a request conveyed through Pakistan, according to a source familiar with the matter, as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to explore a possible end to the conflict.

The officials—Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—were reportedly spared after Islamabad urged Washington to prevent their elimination, arguing that doing so would undermine any chance for negotiations.

“The Israelis had their coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the U.S. if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the U.S. asked the Israelis to back off,” the source said.

Pakistan’s military and foreign ministry did not immediately issue a response to requests for comment.

Earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal indicated that the two Iranian figures had been removed from Israel’s target list for several days while potential diplomatic channels were being considered. The report, citing U.S. officials, did not reference any involvement by Pakistan.

Pakistan, along with Egypt and Turkey, has taken on a mediating role between Tehran and Washington in an effort to bring the war to an end.

Islamabad has remained in communication with both sides at a time when most other diplomatic avenues have broken down, and it is also being viewed as a possible location for future negotiations if talks move forward.

At the same time, Iran is examining a 15-point proposal from President Donald Trump, which was delivered through Pakistan and is aimed at ending the conflict. According to Israeli cabinet sources familiar with the plan, it includes provisions to eliminate Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, stop further enrichment, limit its ballistic missile development, and cut support to allied groups in the region.

Trump has said that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, while Araqchi has indicated that Tehran is reviewing the proposal but is not prepared to enter negotiations to bring the fighting to a close.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that NATO countries have failed to assist the United States in addressing the situation with Iran, issuing a pointed critique of the alliance as tensions in the Middle East remain at the forefront of global concern.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared: “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation, now militarily decimated, of Iran. The U.S.A. needs nothing from NATO, but ‘never forget’ this very important point in time!”

The remarks reflect Trump’s long-held view that the United States carries an outsized share of the burden in defending Western interests, while European allies contribute less than they should.

He has consistently argued that NATO, originally created as a unified defense alliance, has strayed from its intended purpose and become overly dependent on American military capabilities, particularly when dealing with crises outside Europe.

Trump’s latest comments come as the United States has taken a leading role in responding to Iranian threats and attempting to maintain stability in the region.

Although several European leaders have publicly condemned Iran’s actions, observers note that NATO countries have offered limited tangible military or strategic support.

Defense experts have also highlighted that many members of the alliance continue to fall short of agreed-upon defense spending targets, an issue Trump has repeatedly emphasized during his presidency.

Reports indicate that NATO has not acted collectively in response to the situation with Iran, instead allowing individual member states to decide independently how to engage.

Supporters of Trump argue that this lack of a coordinated response underscores the alliance’s difficulty in taking decisive action without strong direction from the United States.

His comments also align with his broader “America First” approach, which prioritizes national independence and questions the effectiveness of international organizations that, in his view, do not provide equal benefits.

Trump’s statement that the U.S. “needs nothing from NATO” may appeal to voters who are wary of foreign commitments and prolonged military involvement abroad.

Meanwhile, many establishment figures continue to defend NATO as a vital component of global security, maintaining that cooperation among member nations serves as a deterrent and helps preserve stability.

Allies of Trump, however, argue that deterrence is weakened when countries within the alliance fail to act during critical moments.

With global tensions remaining elevated, Trump’s call to “never forget” signals that questions surrounding NATO’s responsibilities and the U.S. role within the alliance are likely to remain a key issue in national discussions.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has announced that Sergeant Aviaad Elchanan Volansky Hy”d, 21, of Yerushalayim, was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon.

Sergeant Volansky served as a combat soldier in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade.

In the same incident in which Volansky was killed, two officers and two additional soldiers from the 77th Battalion, 7th Brigade, sustained light injuries.

Those wounded were transported to a hospital for treatment, and their families were informed of their condition.

Volansky was the son of Brigadier General Yair Volansky and the grandson of Rav Oded Volansky, a senior rosh yeshiva at Har Hamor Yeshiva.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the full repercussions of the ongoing war in the Middle East remain uncertain, though some analysts are already likening its potential global effects to those seen during the COVID pandemic.

Speaking to business leaders in Moscow, Putin pointed to mounting disruptions across key sectors, saying the fighting is straining global supply chains, transportation networks, and industrial output, while placing heavy pressure on industries tied to energy, metals, and fertilizers.

“The consequences of the conflict in the Middle East are still difficult to accurately predict,” Putin told business leaders in Moscow.

“It seems to me that those who are involved in the conflict cannot predict anything themselves, but for us it is even more difficult.”

“However, there are already estimates that they can be compared with the coronavirus epidemic,” Putin said. “Let me remind you that it has dramatically slowed down the development of all regions and continents, without exception.”

{Matzav.com}

As Pesach approaches, leading figures in the chareidi community are urging authorities to free yeshiva bochurim who are currently incarcerated for avoiding military service, stressing the pain of their absence during the Yom Tov.

Prominent rabbonim and askonim have voiced strong objections to the continued imprisonment of bnei Torah, arguing that it is unconscionable for them to remain in custody, particularly during a time of war and as families prepare for the Seder.

“The call is sharpened ahead of Pesach, Zeman Cheiruseinu, as many chareidi families prepare for the chag while some yeshiva students will be unable to take part in the Seder night with their families,” the Hamevaser newspaper wrote Thursday morning.

The publication emphasized the deep emotional toll being felt throughout the community as Yom Tov draws near.

“In these days, as the chareidi public prepares for the chag, the painful feeling intensifies in light of the fact that there are Torah students who cannot celebrate with their families.

“Against the backdrop of the security situation, as the people of Israel are in the midst of a broad campaign against Iran, the power of Torah is the true protection for the people of Israel, and the yeshiva students devoted to their studies are those who carry the spiritual burden of the nation,” it added.

{Matzav.com}

A senior security official in Dubai has drawn widespread attention after publicly voicing unexpected support for Israel, marking a notable shift from his previously critical stance.

Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, who serves as Deputy Chief of Police and General Security in Dubai, made the remarks in a series of posts on X, reflecting sentiments increasingly heard in parts of the Gulf amid continued Iranian missile and drone threats.

“Oh, people of the Arabian Gulf, put trust in Israel. My advice to you: Nothing good will emerge from the countries of the region.”

His comments come at a time when Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, are facing ongoing security concerns tied to Iran, though they have so far avoided direct participation in military operations against it.

Behind the scenes, leaders in the region have voiced support for broadening the American military campaign with the aim of bringing down Iran’s Islamic regime, which many view as a serious and immediate danger to governments across the Arab world.

Tamim is widely known on the international stage for his involvement in the investigation into the 2010 killing of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai. That inquiry uncovered details about the suspects’ movements and prompted accusations pointing toward Israeli involvement.

At the time, Tamim accused the Mossad of carrying out the assassination and called for international arrest warrants to be issued through Interpol against Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and then-Mossad chief Meir Dagan.

{Matzav.com}