Feed aggregator

President Donald Trump on Friday issued a forceful warning to Israel, making clear that the United States is directing the terms of the current 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and expects full compliance.

“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!” the president wrote in a sharply worded Truth Social post Friday.

Trump also dismissed reports suggesting that a financial component could be part of negotiations to end the war with Iran, following claims that the U.S. was weighing the release of $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Tehran giving up its enriched uranium stockpile.

“No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” he pledged.

“The deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah [sic] situation in an appropriate manner,” he wrote.

Trump’s remarks directed at Israel came shortly after Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu indicated that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah is not yet complete and that additional action may still be necessary to achieve its objectives.

“One hand holds a weapon; the other is extended for peace,” Netanyahu said in a video statement explaining Israel would honor 10-day cease-fire at the behest of President Trump.

At the same time, Netanyahu signaled that further operations could be forthcoming.

“I will say honestly, we have not yet finished the job,” Netanyahu added. “There are things we plan to do regarding the remaining rocket threat and the drone threat, which I will not detail.”

He also cautioned that fully dismantling the Iran-backed group will take time and cannot be accomplished immediately.

“This will not be achieved tomorrow. It requires sustained effort, patience, and careful navigation in the diplomatic arena.”

Leaders in France and the United Kingdom on Friday responded positively to the announcement by Iran and the United States that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened, while stressing that safe and unrestricted passage through the vital oil corridor must be secured on a permanent basis following disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they will continue preparing a multinational effort aimed at restoring maritime stability. Starmer indicated the initiative would be launched “as soon as conditions allow,” adding that military officials are scheduled to convene in London next week to advance planning.

After hosting a meeting involving roughly 50 nations and international bodies, Macron declared that “we all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”

While those discussions were taking place, President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister separately confirmed that the waterway had been reopened to commercial traffic. Markets reacted quickly, with oil prices dropping after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that shipping lanes would remain “completely open” during a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

At the same time, Trump emphasized that U.S. military pressure would not be lifted immediately, stating in a social media post that the naval blockade of Iranian vessels and ports would continue “UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.”

Starmer welcomed the development with caution, saying the arrangement must evolve into “both lasting and a workable proposal.”

The Paris gathering reflects broader efforts by countries not directly involved in the conflict to reduce its economic fallout. The war, which began on Feb. 28 when Iran effectively closed the narrow strait through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows, triggered a sharp spike in energy prices and widespread economic strain.

The United States is not participating in the proposed operation, known as the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. Macron described it as “a neutral mission, entirely separate from the belligerents to escort and secure the merchant ships transiting the Gulf.”

Starmer, dealing with domestic political pressures, arrived at the Elysee Palace for the meeting, where he was welcomed by Macron. Among those attending in person were German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Other world leaders—including those from Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Ukraine—as well as officials from China and India, joined virtually.

Starmer said that, similar to previous multinational security arrangements, Britain and France would spearhead a coalition to safeguard maritime movement once conditions permit.

“This will be strictly peaceful and defensive, as a mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance,” he said.

He added that more than a dozen nations have committed resources so far, though participation remains smaller than earlier coalition efforts in the region.

The U.K. has explored deploying mine-detection drones launched from the support ship RFA Lyme Bay as part of the effort.

The conflict has underscored the reduced capabilities of the Royal Navy, which has sent only one major vessel—the destroyer HMS Dragon—to the eastern Mediterranean. France, by contrast, has dispatched its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier along with additional naval assets, including a helicopter carrier and several frigates.

Meloni said Italy is prepared to assist, stating she had offered her country’s “willingness to make its naval units available,” while Merz said Germany could contribute to mine-clearing and maritime intelligence, provided it receives parliamentary approval and a ″secure legal basis″ such as a U.N. Security Council resolution.

He added that Germany, ″if possible, would also like to see the United States of America participate; we believe this would be desirable.″

That stance differs from Macron’s position that the mission should consist of countries not directly involved in the conflict.

According to Macron’s office, coalition members could take on roles including “intelligence, mine-clearing capabilities, military escorts (and) communication procedures with coastal states.”

Sidharth Kaushal, a sea power specialist at the Royal United Services Institute, said the coalition is more likely to focus on clearing mines and establishing maritime warning systems than on escorting oil tankers through the strait.

“You need huge numbers of vessels for that sort of thing, which nobody has,” he said.

Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said European nations may be better positioned to handle mine-clearing operations than the United States.

“They would be a better party to do this than the United States, because once you have U.S. military doing this and lingering on Iranian shores, it creates a potential arena for Iran and the U.S. to have miscalculations and get back into a sort of military tension,” she said.

The initiative also reflects a response to criticism from Trump, who has sharply rebuked allies for not taking part in the conflict, calling them “cowards,” saying NATO “wasn’t there when we needed them” and telling Britain: “You don’t even have a navy.”

Kaushal said European governments are likely seeking “to demonstrate the ability to provide security in a way that’s distinct from, if not completely separate from, the U.S. and which also demonstrates a capacity for independent action.”

“How many states actually have spare capacity to offer to this is a pretty open question.”

Trump signaled skepticism toward European involvement, referencing NATO rather than the proposed coalition.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL,” he posted on social media.

“They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed a report suggesting that the United States may release up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iran handing over its enriched uranium, as negotiations between the two countries continue amid a fragile ceasefire.

The diplomatic efforts follow weeks of hostilities that rattled global energy markets and led to a U.S. military blockade targeting Iranian ports and key shipping lanes connected to the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials involved in the discussions said there has been “steady progress” in recent days, but acknowledged that significant disagreements remain—particularly regarding how extensive and how long restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activity should be.

Trump said Thursday that another round of talks is expected to take place over the weekend, potentially in Islamabad, with representatives from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey working behind the scenes to help bring the sides to an agreement.

According to one U.S. official who spoke to Axios on Friday, “one of many discussions” has involved a potential arrangement in which the U.S. would unfreeze billions of dollars for Iran to use on humanitarian needs such as food and medicine, in exchange for Tehran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump, however, later rejected that idea outright in a Truth Social post, writing that “The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers” and insisting that “no money will change hands in any way, shape, or form” under any agreement with Iran.

Central to the negotiations is Iran’s nuclear program, which U.S. officials estimate includes approximately 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium, including around 450 kilograms refined to 60% purity.

One option being discussed would see a portion of that material transferred to another country, while the remainder would be diluted under international monitoring.

The talks are also said to include a draft, three-page memorandum of understanding outlining a proposed “voluntary” halt to Iran’s enrichment activities, with the United States seeking a 20-year suspension and Iran reportedly proposing a five-year limit.

“Iran has moved. But not far enough. What it takes to make them move forward, we will see,” one U.S. official said.

Another official added: “Iran clearly wants the $20 billion — and a lot more. They clearly want to sell oil at free-market rates without sanctions. They want to participate in the global financial system. But they also want to have this nuclear weapons program. They want to fund terrorists like Hamas. And they don’t want to give that up enough to get the things we’re offering.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump said Iran had agreed to issue “a very, very powerful statement … that they will not have nuclear weapons” and to turn over “the nuclear dust” to the United States. He added, “We are very close to making a deal. If no deal, fire resumes.”

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly described the negotiations as “productive,” while pushing back on outside reporting, saying: “Anonymous sources who claim to know about sensitive diplomatic discussions have no idea what they are talking about.”

The Sanzer Rebbe delivered an impassioned address at a tish marking the yahrtzeit of the founder of the dynasty, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, focusing on the extraordinary miracles witnessed during the recent war with Iran and the obligation to recognize and thank Hashem for them.

“We must reflect—we are going through a turbulent time. Everyone sees that these are not normal days. We always thought things weren’t normal, but a situation like what we are experiencing now has never happened. This is a clear reality,” the Rebbe began.

“According to the natural order, there is no explanation for what has taken place. One can only thank the Creator of the world for the tremendous signs and wonders when one reflects on them. There are no words sufficient to describe the miracles. We must give thanks day and night and rejoice in the Creator of the world for the Heavenly protection and defense,” the Rebbe continued.

“Nothing here follows the natural order. There is no natural explanation. When a person reflects even a little, every soul is an entire world, and we see the forces of evil that prepared their weapons and tools of destruction—there is no way to be saved from this through nature, only through the kindness of Hashem, Who poured out His wrath on wood and stones. There is no logical explanation for what is happening. One can clearly see the Divine providence present every single day.”

At this point, the Rebbe addressed what he described as a spiritual failing in how events are being interpreted. “But there is something else. Instead of all Jews going out into the streets and crying out, ‘Hashem is G-d, there is none besides Him,’ people say: there was a good interception, the ‘Arrow’ system intercepted. Trump is helping us. This too is part of the concealment of Hashem’s presence—to find explanations that shift our focus away from where the true supervision comes from.”

“Indeed, the time has not yet come when it will be seen openly, ‘Hashem will fight for you and you will remain silent.’ Therefore, there is still a dividing curtain that conceals, so that it should not be seen. And there are many who err and do not believe. But we—believers, the children of believers—are upright Jews who know that there is nothing besides the Holy One, blessed be He, Who does everything in the world. Everything is from Him—the great things and the small.”

The Rebbe concluded with a call for strengthening emunah and preparedness for the Geulah. “Therefore, we must thank Hashem. We are seeing revelations the likes of which we have never seen. One can tangibly perceive that the Creator protects His people, watches over His children. This is the time to strengthen ourselves more in faith and trust. We need siyata d’Shmaya, so that we will not be ashamed when Moshiach arrives—he can come at any moment.”

“Our holy sages said that when one sees injustice and evil in the world, each person must try to strengthen himself in Torah and Yiddishkeit, to reinforce the boundaries of holiness. We see that this is a war for Hashem against Amalek, from generation to generation. This is what stands against Israel. And this is the greatest war—to delay the Geulah, the attempt to harm the sanctity of Israel.”

“Therefore, each person should declare: I am preparing myself, I am correcting myself, I am establishing a fixed time for Torah study, I am accepting upon myself safeguards and boundaries. I want more holiness, I want righteous children, sons and daughters who are modest in holiness and purity. I want to prepare myself so that when Moshiach comes, I will be able to show my share in bringing the redemption—that this merit should protect us,” the Rebbe concluded.