Iran and Oman received advance notice that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would be traveling to the USS Abraham Lincoln over Shabbos, according to reports.
CNN said Sunday that both Tehran and Muscat were informed beforehand, a step widely viewed as a deliberate signal that the United States retains the option of military action should Iran refuse to reach an agreement limiting its nuclear activities.
Channel 12 likewise reported that Iranian officials were alerted ahead of the visit, underscoring the message being conveyed alongside the diplomatic track.
Witkoff and Kushner, who headed the American delegation for talks with Iran in Oman on Friday, toured the aircraft carrier at the invitation of the commander of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper.
Washington and Tehran returned to the negotiating table after earlier nuclear discussions were halted following Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, a conflict that concluded with a US strike on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities.
Western governments believe Iran is pursuing the capability to build a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies. Still, Iran has enriched uranium to levels with no civilian use, restricted access for international inspectors, and significantly expanded its ballistic missile program. Before the June fighting, Israel said Iran had recently taken concrete steps toward weaponization.
Despite the renewed talks, the possibility of conflict continues to loom. Trump described the discussions as “very good,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on social media that they “constitute a step forward.” Iran, however, has consistently rejected Washington’s central demand that it halt uranium enrichment altogether.
After the first round of negotiations in Oman, Trump signed an executive order calling for the “imposition of tariffs” on countries that continue trading with Iran in defiance of US sanctions.
At the same time, the United States unveiled additional sanctions targeting a range of shipping companies and vessels as part of efforts to restrict Iran’s oil exports.
Amid the diplomatic activity, Tehran saw a stark warning displayed in public. A newly erected billboard overlooking Palestine Square threatened Tel Aviv with missile attacks, featuring a map of the city’s metropolitan area beneath Hebrew text reading, “Under raining missiles, it’s a small area!”
An English line beneath the image declared, “You start… We finish it!”
The billboard depicted the map placed on a table alongside a red button labeled “FIRE,” a walkie-talkie, and scale models of an aircraft and missiles.
Iran has previously displayed threatening imagery toward Israel in the same square, including a clock it claimed was counting down to Israel’s destruction.
During last June’s fighting, Iran launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones at Israel.
The renewed contacts between Washington and Tehran are taking place against the backdrop of a major US military buildup in the region, which followed Iran’s violent suppression of protests that erupted in late December over economic conditions.
Iranian authorities have said that 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, releasing on Sunday a list of 2,986 names they said consisted largely of security personnel and civilians.
International organizations and news outlets have estimated the death toll to be far higher, potentially reaching into the tens of thousands.
{Matzav.com}
In a deeply personal moment on live Israeli radio, popular singer Benny Friedman revealed that his seven-year-old son is on the autism spectrum, sharing details of the family’s private journey for the first time during a broadcast of the Motzaei Shabbos program Motzaei Shabbos Chai in Israel.
The disclosure came during what began as a routine interview with host Menachem Toker, focusing on Friedman’s latest album. While discussing song selections, Friedman unexpectedly spoke about his fourth child, who is celebrating his seventh birthday this week, and his experience living with autism.
The revelation arose while Friedman described a song he received from composer Ari Goldwag. “I have a son with autism, and he absolutely lit up from this song,” Friedman said simply. “So I told my wife — I’m not sure about the song, but our son loves it.”
Toker, taken aback by the candid admission, responded emotionally, saying, “Wow, that’s incredibly moving.”
Friedman went on to explain that his son is high-functioning, able to speak and communicate, and shared especially uplifting news about his recent progress. “It’s a huge miracle from Shomayim,” the singer said. “He’s now beginning to learn a full day in a regular school.”
The singer was careful not to take credit for the breakthrough himself, instead praising his wife’s extraordinary dedication. “My wife is a miracle worker,” Friedman said on air. “She worked with him incredibly hard.”
The heartfelt disclosure offered listeners a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs behind the scenes of one of the leading figures in Jewish music.
{Matzav.com}
A major inauguration ceremony planned by the Skverer chassidus in Beit Shemesh has been postponed amid heightened security tensions and concerns over a possible escalation involving Iran.
An official announcement confirmed that the chanukas habayis celebration for the new Skverer Beis Medrash in the Ramat Daled neighborhood of Beit Shemesh will be delayed.
The decision followed consultations with the Skverer Rebbe, who instructed his eldest son, Rav Aharon Mendel, to cancel his planned trip to Israel in light of the current regional situation.
The development came at an advanced stage of preparations for the large-scale event, which had been expected to draw significant crowds. In a message circulated to chassidim, organizers explained that the question was presented to the Rebbe due to the unpredictable security climate. The Rebbe ruled that since the event can be held at a later date without loss, it would be preferable to wait for a calmer and safer time.
In further remarks, the mosdos’ leadership said the goal is to celebrate the inauguration of the new and impressive building with full peace of mind, allowing the many participants—traveling from across Israel and from abroad—to attend safely and joyfully, without concern or fear.
The Skverer chassidus emphasized that the decision constitutes a postponement, not a cancellation. Details regarding a new date will be released in the future. For now, the community will wait for an easing of the security situation so the event can take place as originally envisioned, with proper splendor and elevated simcha.
It was also reported that another planned gathering—a special chizuk assembly for all Skverer chassidim in Israel, marking one year since a historic hachnassas Sefer Torah during which communal commitments were undertaken—has likewise been called off at this time.
{Matzav.com}
