Feed aggregator

Vice President JD Vance said the latest round of negotiations with Iranian officials in Switzerland produced an agreement in principle to establish a new direct communication channel between the United States and Iran, describing the move as an important step toward easing regional tensions and resolving future disputes.

In an interview with UnHerd Magazine, Vance explained that one of Washington’s primary objectives during the talks was to establish “a channel on the Iranian side” through which both governments could manage conflicts more effectively.

“Which we did,” Vance stated. He said the arrangement calls for representatives of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to maintain direct contact in Doha. “That’s how we’re going to settle a lot of these disputes,” he said.

Vance cautioned that the initiative’s success will ultimately depend on whether Tehran follows through on the commitments it has made.

“They’re certainly talking differently than they have in the past,” he said. “But whether the action will follow, whether the final deal actually meets some of what they’re promising in general terms – that’s what we have to figure out.”

The vice president also described how discussions with Iranian negotiators have evolved over time, saying the atmosphere has changed considerably since the first direct meeting.

“The first time we ever sat down with them was in Istanbul, and it almost felt like a performance,” Vance said. He added that after initial exchanges, “it got to a good place where we were able to actually have a conversation.”

Discussing the proposed memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated between Washington and Tehran, Vance dismissed suggestions that it resembles the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“There are many things I don’t like about the comparison to the JCPOA,” he said, adding that the current memorandum is “a much more generic document” and serves as “a foundational document.”

According to Vance, the proposed framework is intended to reopen maritime shipping lanes, end military hostilities, and create a foundation for negotiating a broader agreement over Iran’s nuclear program.

“Let’s open the Strait, let’s stop shooting at each other, and let’s see if we can make a nuclear deal,” he said, describing the US position.

Vance also asserted that Iran has put forward proposals that go beyond the terms of the JCPOA, including a more stringent inspection system and the complete “elimination” of its existing stockpile of enriched uranium.

“The flip side,” he said, “is that they really want a fundamentally transformed relationship with the United States and the world – and I don’t know where we’re going to be able to land in the middle.”

The vice president said America’s diplomatic efforts have been welcomed by several Gulf nations, highlighting what he described as unprecedented dialogue between the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

“The Emiratis – by far the most hawkish, by far the most pro-Israel country in the GCC – they’re having conversations with the Iranians that have never happened before,” he said, adding that discussions have included economic incentives and conditions for investment.

Addressing broader regional security concerns, Vance said negotiators also made progress on issues involving Lebanon, including discussions about mechanisms to prevent military escalation.

“Israel, and every other nation in the region, has the right of self-defence,” he said. “But we want to make sure everyone has that right of self-defence in a background where we’re talking about how to de-escalate.”

Vance expressed guarded optimism about recent developments in Lebanon, saying the ceasefire appeared to be holding despite lingering concerns.

“I think we’re now at 48 hours where the ceasefire in Lebanon has effectively held,” he said, adding that while challenges remain, the situation had improved compared to previous weeks.

Concluding his remarks, Vance emphasized that the ultimate test of the diplomatic process will be whether Iran follows its recent rhetoric with meaningful action.

“Whether the action will follow, whether the final deal actually meets some of what they’re promising in general terms – that’s what we have to figure out,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu declared Thursday that Israel has emerged from the war in a position of historic strength, dismissing critics who claim the campaign failed to produce meaningful results while insisting that major challenges still remain, particularly regarding Iran and Hamas.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the IDF Officers’ Training Course at Training Base 1, Netanyahu praised Israel’s military accomplishments and asserted that the country’s strategic position has never been stronger.

“The State of Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said, rejecting assertions that the war yielded few tangible gains.

Responding to those who have downplayed the success of Israel’s military operations, the prime minister stated, “You have to be blind to say there were ‘no achievements.'” He pointed to Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion as examples of what he described as landmark victories, calling them “a great achievement.”

At the same time, Netanyahu cautioned that Israel’s work is far from finished, emphasizing that significant threats remain despite the military successes.

“There are more things to do, to do with Iran and Hamas,” he stated.

Netanyahu also argued that the war has transformed not only Israel’s security situation but the nation’s mindset as well. He said the conflict fundamentally altered Israel’s approach to confronting its enemies and reshaped the strategic balance throughout the region.

“We changed the rules of the game in our region from the ground up, but above all, we changed ourselves.” He claimed that Israel “managed to break through the barrier of fear with initiative and aggression.”

Turning to the situation in southern Israel, Netanyahu said the country has reestablished security around Gaza and pointed to what he described as the revival of communities that were devastated by the October 7 Hamas massacre.

“We are surrounding the Gaza Strip, we restored security to the Gaza envelope, the western Negev is once again blooming and thriving.”

{Matzav.com}

Following the massive vehicle protest, the Sephardic olam haTorah is preparing for a major atzeres ze’akah to be led by the former Rishon LeZion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, together with leading roshei yeshivah and rabbanim. The gathering marks a significant escalation in the Sephardic chareidi community’s response to the ongoing gezeiras haGiyus and the recent arrests of bnei yeshivah.

The planned rally comes amid mounting public outrage over the detention of bnei Torah who did not report to the military draft offices, as well as violent confrontations that have taken place on major roadways. Organizers view the event as a public cry on behalf of the olam haTorah in the face of what they see as an unprecedented assault on Torah learning.

Speaking in an interview with Kol Barama Radio, Rav Shabtai Levi, mara d’asra of the Ramat Aharon neighborhood in Bnei Brak and rosh mosdos of Halichos Moshe, described the deep concern with which Rav Yitzchak Yosef regards the current situation.

“The rally will take place in the city streets in order to raise an outcry over the harm being done to Torah learners,” Rav Levi said. He emphasized the extraordinary nature of the event, noting: “Rav Yosef has committed himself to this mission with all his strength and was prepared to cancel his regular and traditional weekly lesson at the Yazdim Shul in Yerushalayim for this purpose – a historic institution dating back to the days of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, which has almost never been canceled.”

“The rav will send a replacement there and will come physically to Bnei Brak out of the understanding that we can no longer remain silent in the face of the scenes we have witnessed in recent days.”

Rav Levi went on to describe the anguish being felt throughout the chareidi community over the arrests of bnei yeshivah and demonstrators, likening the treatment of lomdei Torah to the desecration of precious Sifrei Torah.

“The budget cuts and the closure of daycare centers – we could still have managed with that,” Rav Levi said. “But we have reached the stage of harming yeshiva students and avrechim, who are the ones carrying the burden of Torah study. Taking young men and dragging them on the ground? How did we reach such a situation?”

The atzeres is expected to be held near the Halichos Moshe institutions in Bnei Brak’s Ramat Aharon neighborhood. Rav Levi stressed that, despite the heightened emotions, organizers are committed to ensuring that the gathering remains entirely peaceful, without confrontations or road blockages, and serves solely as an expression of grief and protest.

“This will be an event completely without violence and without any provocations,” he promised. “This rally is entirely about mourning, pain, and lamentation. It is going to be an occasion that will truly feel like Tisha B’Av, and everyone who feels the pain of the situation is obligated to attend.”

{Matzav.com}

The United Nations’ hostility toward Israel has intensified dramatically since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, according to Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, who says the tone has been driven largely by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and reflected throughout the organization’s agencies.

Speaking with Arutz Sheva on the sidelines of the JNS International Policy Conference in Jerusalem, Neuer looked back on more than 20 years of monitoring the United Nations and said the organization’s treatment of Israel has deteriorated even further in the aftermath of the Hamas attack.

When asked whether the fight against anti-Israel bias at the UN has become more difficult, Neuer responded, “It’s hard to imagine, but the pathological UN, which obsesses over Israel, got even so much worse after October 7th, in particular because of Antonio Guterres.”

Neuer pointed to comments Guterres made shortly after the Hamas massacre, noting that although the secretary-general condemned the terrorist attack, he also remarked that “the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.”

“He effectively went on to justify what happened because he enumerated numerous alleged grievances by the Palestinians, basically justifying what they did,” Neuer said.

Asked whether his criticism was aimed solely at Guterres’ rhetoric or also at the UN’s conduct, Neuer said both have contributed to what he described as an increasingly hostile environment.

“It’s statements and actions. He set a tone. UN agencies all around the world have been attacking Israel like never before since October 7th,” he said.

Turning to the recent conflict involving Iran, Neuer argued that UN officials directed their criticism toward Israel and the United States while failing to hold the Iranian regime responsible.

“It was shameless propaganda coming out of Guterres’ office,” he said.

Neuer also commented on a recent confrontation involving Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon during a discussion on sexual violence in armed conflicts.

According to Neuer, Danon was objecting after “the secretary general shamelessly placed Israel on the same list as Hamas.”

He said senior UN official Vanessa Frazier improperly interrupted Danon’s remarks during the meeting in violation of established UN procedures.

“She interrupted him. She started shouting. And she has no right to do that,” Neuer said, arguing that officials would never behave similarly toward representatives of other countries.

“The fact that she had the audacity, the chutzpah, to do that is something they would only do against Israel, and it reflects the message that Guterres is sending around the UN.”

Despite his criticism of the international body, Neuer insisted that engaging at the UN remains essential and dismissed the notion that the diplomatic battle is unwinnable.

“What happened with Iran illustrates the importance of fighting on the political battlefield and the global diplomatic political battlefield,” he said.

“You can win great military victories, but if you’re not winning at the political diplomatic level, in the end, maybe you’re losing.”

Neuer acknowledged that Israel often faces an uphill battle in international institutions, but argued that abandoning those forums would only strengthen its opponents.

“It is a global podium. We do have friends. We need to enable and empower them. You have to fight and make the case,” he said.

As evidence that sustained diplomatic efforts can produce results, Neuer cited several recent developments, including the United States ending funding for UNRWA, Sweden’s decision to cut financial support for the agency, Switzerland’s lower house voting to do the same, U.S. sanctions imposed on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and public condemnation of Albanese by 15 countries.

“We need to be there and fight,” Neuer concluded.