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President Donald Trump declared Monday that the United States will continue carrying out military strikes against Iran, warning that additional attacks could come within hours and suggesting that one of Tehran’s most heavily fortified nuclear facilities may soon be in Washington’s crosshairs.

During an interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show, Trump issued a blunt warning to Iran, saying, “We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow, and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it. They have nothing. They have nothing going on other than they have big mouths…they’re stone-cold crazy people.”

Trump on Iran: "We're going to hit them very hard tonight and we're going to hit them very hard tomorrow." pic.twitter.com/Pyh2lZ5eS1

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) July 13, 2026

Trump went on to question the behavior of Iran’s leadership, saying, “Well, I think they’re a little cuckoo…they’re wired a little bit differently. We had a deal yesterday. It was, like, going to be 100 percent. And then, all of a sudden, they got a phone call, and they all ran out of the room.”

He accused Tehran of repeatedly abandoning agreements and warned that its leaders could never be trusted, adding, “These people are – these people are crazy. We had a deal where we won everything. And they basically break the deals. You know, they make deals, and to them, deals are made to be broken. They are extremely unreliable people. And, frankly, if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it within one day.”

Trump also identified Pickaxe Mountain—the deeply buried and heavily protected tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear enrichment site, where Iran is believed to operate an undeclared uranium enrichment facility—as a potential military objective.

Referring to the site, he said, “Pickax is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in the front door. And I think that maybe you’ll see that.”

Trump argued that Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been severely weakened, declaring, “The fact is they have no Air Force, they have no Navy, they have no nothing. All they do is talk and they have fake press.”

He added that the underground nuclear complex remains under close surveillance and suggested that military action there could come soon. “we’re watching [Pickaxe] closely. We see no activity there. They’re not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up, so they don’t like talking about it. But we’ll probably give Pickax a shot relatively soon.”

Asked about his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump dismissed reports of any rift and described their ties as strong, calling the relationship “very good”.

He acknowledged that they do not always see eye to eye but emphasized their partnership, saying, “I get along with Netanyahu; sometimes I disagree with him, and I tell him that.”

Rejecting suggestions that he had abandoned the Israeli leader, Trump said, “I didn’t throw Bibi under the bus. He’s doing a great job. Without the two of us, there wouldn’t be an Israel.”

Earlier Monday, Trump also announced that the United States would restore its naval blockade against Iran after it had been lifted following a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

In a social media post, Trump wrote, “The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”

He added, “All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded online by acknowledging part of Trump’s statement while rejecting the broader implication, writing, “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.”

He concluded by asserting Iran’s longstanding role in the strategic waterway, adding, “Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair.”

{Matzav.com}

Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, has been selected to temporarily fill his U.S. Senate seat, with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announcing Monday that she will serve until the current term expires in January.

Speaking at a Statehouse news conference, McMaster said Nordone would complete the remainder of her brother’s term. A source familiar with the appointment, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said she is expected to be sworn into office on Wednesday. Her appointment will make her the first woman ever to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

“It is such an honor,” Nordone said. “Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.”

Graham, who died over the weekend at the age of 71, never married and had no children. Throughout his political career, however, Nordone remained one of his closest confidantes, frequently accompanying him to major campaign events and even appearing in campaign advertisements.

The siblings shared an especially close bond dating back to their youth. After the death of their parents, Graham assumed responsibility for raising his younger sister and later became her legal guardian. Earlier this year, she stood beside him—joined by her children and grandchildren—as he officially filed paperwork for what would have been his reelection campaign.

Voters will head to the polls next month to choose the Republican nominee for the special election to fill Graham’s seat. Before his death, Graham had been seeking a fifth term in the Senate.

The unexpected vacancy has immediately set off intense maneuvering among South Carolina Republicans, with several high-profile conservatives now considering bids for the coveted Senate seat.

The race comes just after Republicans concluded a hard-fought gubernatorial primary. State Attorney General Alan Wilson emerged as the nominee after defeating a crowded field that included Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace, and Rep. Ralph Norman. In the wake of Graham’s death, several of those same figures are now weighing Senate campaigns.

Under South Carolina law, candidates will have one week to file for the special Republican primary beginning on July 21, the second Tuesday following Graham’s death.

The special primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with a runoff, if necessary, slated for Aug. 25.

Whoever captures the nomination will then have just over two months to campaign before the Nov. 3 general election.

The accelerated election calendar could create legal complications because federal law requires military and overseas absentee ballots to be distributed at least 45 days before a federal election. For the special primary, that deadline would already have passed on June 27. Federal election officials did not immediately clarify how that conflict would be addressed.

Graham died Saturday evening. According to a preliminary report from the medical examiner, the cause of death was an aortic dissection, a tear in the wall of the aorta.

Within hours of the announcement of his death, speculation was already swirling throughout South Carolina Republican circles over who might ultimately succeed him. Because the general election is so close, McMaster’s appointee could enjoy an advantage heading into the special primary, although it is also possible the governor intended the appointment simply as a temporary caretaker.

One frequently mentioned possibility had been Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who has served alongside McMaster for nearly eight years and received his endorsement in this year’s gubernatorial race before losing the June 23 runoff to Alan Wilson.

A source familiar with Evette’s thinking said she has been encouraged by supporters across the state and believes she would be a strong contender in the special primary.

Political observers believe it is unlikely that a sitting member of the U.S. House would be appointed to finish Graham’s current term because Republicans hold only a narrow majority in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Joe Wilson, whose name surfaced as a possible replacement, said he assured President Trump on Sunday that “my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!”

That does not rule out House members seeking the full Senate term. A person familiar with Rep. Nancy Mace’s deliberations said she is seriously considering entering the race. Mace is not seeking another term in the House.

Another Republican whose name has surfaced is Rep. Russell Fry, a two-term congressman representing the rapidly growing Myrtle Beach region who has become one of President Trump’s strongest allies in Congress.

Businessman Mark Lynch, who unsuccessfully challenged Graham in the Republican primary, is also viewed as a potential candidate. In addition, sources close to former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said he is weighing whether to enter the race.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who lived in South Carolina before joining the Trump administration, has also received inquiries about the Senate seat. However, according to a person familiar with private discussions, Bessent has no interest in running and is content serving in the administration.

Although Democrats have struggled to win statewide races in South Carolina for decades, Republicans are treating the contest seriously despite the state’s strong GOP advantage. Graham won reelection in 2020 by defeating Democrat Jaime Harrison by 10 percentage points.

While history suggests Republicans remain favored to retain the seat, party leaders continue to assess what is shaping up to be a highly competitive primary.

On the Democratic side, Charleston pediatrician Annie Andrews secured her party’s nomination last month. Federal campaign filings show she has raised more than $8 million and had nearly $3 million in cash available at the end of May. Graham’s campaign had raised approximately $6 million and held just over $4 million before his death.

In a statement issued Sunday, Andrews urged South Carolinians to join her “in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude” to Graham for his years of public service.

Jaime Harrison, Graham’s Democratic opponent in 2020, also paid tribute, writing on social media that although he and Graham “had our share of political disagreements,” he “always appreciated that even in our fiercest political battles, we could still share a conversation, a laugh, and a mutual respect for South Carolina and the institutions we were both privileged to serve.”

Graham’s passing also leaves a significant leadership void in the Senate, where more than two decades of service had given him substantial influence over committees and legislative priorities.

South Carolina’s other senator, Tim Scott, has served since 2012, far less time than many of the state’s longtime Senate figures such as Fritz Hollings, who served 38 years, and Strom Thurmond, whose tenure lasted 47 years.

Scott, who co-chaired Graham’s reelection campaign, called his longtime colleague “irreplaceable.”

“America lost a statesman, but I lost a friend,” he told ABC’s “This Week.”

Two residents of Bnei Brak were arrested Monday after illegally entering the Palestinian city of Shechem, located in Area A of the West Bank. Investigators later determined that the pair had entered the city on previous occasions as well. Although a court ordered their release under restrictive conditions, their vehicle was confiscated for 60 days.

According to police, IDF forces alerted authorities after spotting the two men inside Shechem. Soldiers located them as they were leaving the city, after which officers from the Judea and Samaria District Police arrested them and transferred them to the Ariel police station for questioning.

During the investigation, police discovered that this was not the first time the suspects had entered the Palestinian city. At the conclusion of the investigation, the two were brought before a court, which ordered their release under restrictive conditions. In addition, the vehicle they used to enter Area A was impounded for 60 days in accordance with Israeli law.

Police noted that just this past weekend, security forces rescued several Israeli civilians—including an IDF soldier—who had entered the Palestinian city of Jericho, also located in Area A. According to investigators, the group had traveled there to attend a party. After being rescued, the civilians were placed under criminal investigation, while the soldier was transferred to the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division for further handling.

Security officials again stressed that the entry of Israeli civilians into Area A is prohibited by law and poses a serious danger to both those entering and the security forces that are often required to risk their own lives to rescue them. Authorities added that entering Area A is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and said police will continue enforcing the law and prosecuting violators to the fullest extent.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Project Inspire is proud to announce the release of “The Unlikely Village,” an original film by Mint Media premiering on Tisha B’av 5786, exclusively on ProjectInspire.com in the USA and Canada.

The film tells the story of how Boro Park, a neighborhood built on generations of tradition, became something far bigger than its own streets: a source of inspiration for Jews of every background, from every walk of life, looking for connection, meaning, and a way back in.

At its core, “The Unlikely Village” is a story of friendship and mentorship. It follows the relationships that form when people from vastly different worlds find themselves walking the same sidewalk, literally and spiritually, and discover that transformation often begins in the most unexpected places.

“This film captures something we’ve felt for a long time but never quite put into words,” said a Project Inspire representative. “Boro Park isn’t just a neighborhood. For so many people searching for their place in Yiddishkeit, it has become a village in the truest sense, a place where someone always has a hand out to help.”

The premiere comes at a poignant time. Tisha B’av, a day associated with mourning and loss, has long been reframed by Project Inspire as a day of meaning and connection. “The Unlikely Village” continues that mission, using the day to tell a story of unity built from the ground up.

The project was made possible with the support of corporate sponsors Haas & Zaltz LLP, Kosher Palace, Fasten Halberstam, Daily Giving, Relation, and Saul N. Friedman & Co.

“The Unlikely Village” streams Tisha B’av 5786 at ProjectInspire.com.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a pointed response after President Donald Trump declared that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Iran has repeatedly failed to honor its international agreements.

Trump announced that “Iran systematically violates every agreement it reaches, and therefore the US is taking control of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Responding in a post on X, Araghchi wrote, “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.”

He added, “Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.”

Araghchi ended his remarks with an apparent reference to compensation for securing the vital shipping route, writing, “20% is of course too much. We will be fair.”

{Matzav.com}

Meta announced Monday that it is massively expanding its artificial intelligence data center campus in rural Louisiana, a project the company says will become one of the largest AI facilities ever constructed anywhere in the world.

The expanded campus, located in Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana’s Delta region, represents a major step in Meta’s effort to build the computing infrastructure needed to power the next generation of artificial intelligence technologies.

Once completed, the site will deliver 5 gigawatts of computing capacity and bring Meta’s total investment in Louisiana to more than $50 billion.

The expansion was unveiled Monday in Baton Rouge alongside Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. Company officials said the project is expected to generate more than 1,000 permanent jobs while dramatically reshaping the economy of Richland Parish, a rural area with about 20,000 residents.

The announcement highlights Meta’s aggressive push to build out AI infrastructure as competition intensifies across the technology industry.

Led by Meta President Dina Powell, who has directed the company’s AI expansion efforts, Meta has pledged tens of billions of dollars to rapidly increase the computing power required for advanced AI models, generative AI applications, and future artificial intelligence services across its platforms.

The Richland Parish campus has emerged as one of the company’s flagship AI developments, reflecting a broader trend of major technology investments moving beyond traditional innovation centers and into rural communities across America.

Meta said the project has already produced substantial economic gains since construction began in December 2024.

Businesses throughout Louisiana have already secured more than $1.6 billion in contracts related to the development. In addition, Meta plans to spend another $1 billion on roads, water infrastructure, wastewater systems, and other improvements that will benefit the surrounding community.

The project’s financial impact has been especially evident in the local school system. Increased tax revenue generated by the development allowed teachers in Richland Parish to receive annual bonuses of more than $50,000 this year—roughly four times the amount distributed the previous year.

“Last year, our teachers received a $10,000 bonus; this year, that check was over $50,000,” said Richland Parish Superintendent Sheldon Jones.

“It’s life-altering for our teachers and their families, and it’s transforming our schools,” he added.

Beyond tax revenue, Meta has contributed funding to every public school in the parish through direct donations as well as its Data Center Community Action Grants program.

To help build a skilled local workforce, the company is donating $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College to create scholarships supporting data center workforce training programs.

Starting with the Class of 2026, every Richland Parish high school graduate will qualify for a full scholarship covering any technical course or trade certificate related to data center careers.

The project’s influence is also being felt among local business owners. Tim and Lindsey Allen said they opened their restaurant, Holy Tacos, after Meta revealed plans for the development. Meanwhile, coffee shop owners TJ and Kaycie Weed said their business has grown from a single location serving about 40 customers each day into a three-location operation, with a fourth store scheduled to open this fall.

Meta also announced a new energy agreement tied to the expansion that it says will save Entergy Louisiana customers more than $2 billion over the next 20 years. Those savings come in addition to approximately $650 million already expected under a previous agreement.

The company emphasized that it covers all costs associated with the facility’s electricity, water usage, and related infrastructure, ensuring those expenses are not passed on to utility customers.

As demand for AI computing power continues to soar, Meta’s enormous Louisiana investment illustrates the escalating race among major technology companies to build massive AI infrastructure while showing how projects of this scale can dramatically reshape local economies far from Silicon Valley.

{Matzav.com}