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The commander of US Central Command, Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, met with President Donald Trump on Thursday to outline possible military courses of action involving Iran, according to a person close to the president cited by ABC News.

Also present at the meeting was General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president’s senior military adviser, a second individual familiar with the conversation told ABC News.

The briefing coincided with indirect negotiations in Geneva between American and Iranian representatives over Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities. While no agreement was announced at the conclusion of the talks, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said progress had been made and indicated that “technical talks” would resume in Vienna, Austria, next week.

Despite the ongoing diplomatic channel, Trump has continued to signal that military action remains an option and has reinforced the US force posture in the Middle East.

In recent days, several Republican lawmakers and members of the administration have privately argued that Israel, rather than the United States, should spearhead any strike on Iran if diplomacy fails, according to two people familiar with those internal discussions.

It was not clear as of Thursday whether Trump had endorsed that approach. The president has reportedly grown increasingly dissatisfied with Tehran’s refusal to stop enriching uranium and curb its ballistic missile development.

ABC News reported that Trump typically weighs a broad range of viewpoints before reaching a final decision. Politico first disclosed that some senior advisers and Republican figures have pushed for Israel to assume the lead role in any military action.

At the same time, sources say a coordinated US-Israeli operation remains under consideration. The United States has deployed substantial naval and air assets to the region, placing ships and combat aircraft within operational range of Iranian targets.

“The media may continue to speculate on the President’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, reiterating a line she has used repeatedly in recent weeks when asked about the administration’s plans regarding Iran.

{Matzav.com}

A new Knesset seat projection published by Channel 14 indicates continued stability for the right-wing bloc, which would secure 65 mandates if elections were held today. The survey also shows Likud maintaining a clear lead as the largest party in the Knesset.

According to the poll, Likud drops by one seat compared to the previous survey but still stands at 33 mandates, keeping its position at the top of the political map.

In second place is the Joint List with 13 seats. The notable shift in the survey comes from Gadi Eisenkot, whose party Yashar rises to 11 mandates — an increase of two seats from the last measurement. Shas also gains one seat, reaching 11 mandates. In contrast, Naftali Bennett’s party weakens and falls to fifth place with 10 seats.

The Democrats maintain their standing with 9 mandates. Yisrael Beiteinu and United Torah Judaism each receive 8 seats, though the latter drops one mandate compared to last week’s poll. Otzma Yehudit remains steady at 8 seats, while Religious Zionism strengthens slightly to 5. Yesh Atid hovers just above the electoral threshold with 4 mandates, and Blue and White fails to cross the minimum threshold required to enter the Knesset.

When broken down by political blocs, the right-wing camp holds 65 mandates, while the left-wing bloc stands at 42. The Arab parties collectively account for 13 seats, preserving the current balance between the opposing camps.

On the question of suitability for prime minister, Binyomin Netanyahu continues to lead by a wide margin with 55 percent support — a three-point increase. Gadi Eisenkot ranks second with 19 percent and shows upward momentum, while Naftali Bennett declines sharply to 14 percent, marking a drop of seven points. Avigdor Liberman registers a modest rise to 6 percent, and Benny Gantz trails behind.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. military used a laser Thursday to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, according to members of Congress, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas. Just over two weeks ago, the FAA shut down the El Paso airport and the surrounding area after another use […]

President Donald Trump on Thursday praised a federal court decision rejecting a lawsuit that sought to block construction of a new ballroom at the White House, describing the outcome as “great news for America.”

In a message posted on social media, Trump wrote that the judge had “thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction” of what he called “the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World.”

The president stressed that “not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent,” saying the initiative is financed solely by “Patriot Donors and Contributors.”

Trump added that the planned ballroom — which he has previously floated as a venue for future inaugurations and large-scale state functions — is “ahead of schedule, and under budget,” and said it would stand “as a symbol to the Greatness of America.”

Since it was first announced, the proposal has drawn debate. Opponents, including historic preservation advocates and ethics groups, have raised concerns that erecting a substantial new addition within the White House grounds could affect the historic nature of the executive residence, which is subject to federal preservation protections.

Backers of the project contend that constructing a permanent ballroom would eliminate the recurring need for temporary tents and off-site locations for major gatherings, enhance the White House’s ability to host official events and do so using private funding rather than public dollars.

{Matzav.com}

Three years after the passing of the longtime rov of Meron, Rav Elazar Stern has now been formally appointed as the official rav of Meron, succeeding his father, Rav Meir Zev Stern zt”l, who led the community for decades.

Rav Elazar was confirmed in the role today in an official capacity, solidifying what had already been his practical leadership in recent years.

For many years, Rav Stern has served as a respected posek and dayan, recognized for his clear rulings and depth in Torah scholarship. He is the author of the widely regarded seforim Gan Na’eh and the responsa work Birkas Elazar.

While residing in Ashdod, he served as rav of the Ma’orei Or community. Following his father’s passing, and in accordance with his father’s wishes, he relocated to Meron, where he continued serving in rabbinic leadership and halachic guidance for residents and visitors alike.

With today’s decision, the appointment has now received formal confirmation from the Meron Moshav committee, granting official status to Rav Stern’s role as rav of the sacred site.

{Matzav.com}

Greenpeace is fighting for its life in North Dakota’s court system, where a judge has decided to order the environmental group to pay an expected $345 million to an energy company whose Dakota Access oil pipeline construction drew protests nearly a decade ago. A jury last year found three Greenpeace entities liable for numerous claims and awarded more […]

The Knesset’s legal department issued a sharp warning Thursday that a proposed amendment to Basic Law: The Government — dubbed the “Ben Gvir Law” — could be invalidated by the High Court of Justice if enacted in its current form.

In a preparatory document circulated to members of the special committee reviewing amendments to the Basic Law, the Knesset’s legal adviser wrote that the bill’s attempt to bar judicial review over the appointment and dismissal of ministers may exceed constitutional boundaries set by the Supreme Court. The adviser cautioned that the proposal could be viewed as personal legislation and potentially deemed an abuse of the Knesset’s constituent authority under standards established in recent rulings.

According to the draft under consideration, courts would be prohibited from exercising judicial review over the appointment or removal of ministers, aside from verifying compliance with formal eligibility requirements set by law. In practical terms, this would eliminate judicial scrutiny of the prime minister’s discretion and remove from the court’s authority the precedent established in the Deri-Pinhasi ruling, which laid the groundwork for intervention in appointments considered extremely unreasonable.

The legal opinion states that a sweeping elimination of judicial oversight would conflict with warnings expressed in recent Supreme Court decisions, particularly the January 2024 ruling that struck down the amendment canceling the reasonableness doctrine. In that case, a majority of justices held that the court retains authority to intervene in exceptional cases involving misuse of constituent power. The document notes that several senior justices indicated that a narrower amendment — for example, one that limits application of the reasonableness doctrine specifically in the context of ministerial appointments — might have been considered differently than a broad measure barring all forms of review.

The legal department warned that the current wording could undermine foundational principles of separation of powers and the rule of law because it “leaves entire areas without effective judicial review” and hampers the protection of important public interests, including public trust and governmental integrity.

Beyond the substantive concerns, the legal office also pointed to constitutional and political timing issues. Renewed efforts to advance the bill could place it in direct tension with the Supreme Court’s doctrine of “abuse of constituent authority,” as articulated in the ruling on incapacity legislation. The document highlights that in light of Justice Stein’s ruling regarding Aryeh Deri, as well as the conditional order issued in a petition asking the court to instruct the prime minister to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, there is heightened concern that the amendment may be aimed at producing immediate consequences for specific political figures. Under the framework set by the court, such circumstances could support a claim that the Knesset is not acting as a general constituent authority but rather tailoring a Basic Law to address a present political need.

Among the alternatives suggested by the legal department is adopting a more limited model that would restrict judicial review only with respect to the reasonableness doctrine, particularly in cases where appointments have also been approved by the Knesset, while preserving the possibility of review on other legal grounds. Another option under consideration is prospective application — delaying the amendment’s effect until the next Knesset — a step that could mitigate claims of personal legislation and avoid the appearance of altering constitutional rules midstream.

The legal adviser further recommended strengthening parliamentary oversight mechanisms to prevent the creation of unchecked executive authority. Proposed measures include expanding the Knesset’s ability to hold individual votes on certain ministerial appointments during the swearing-in of a government; requiring presentation to the plenum of the circumstances surrounding a new minister’s appointment upon the request of 40 members of Knesset; and even establishing a structured process allowing the Knesset to remove a minister by majority vote after due proceedings and the opportunity for the minister to present arguments.

Deliberations on the proposal resumed after the Knesset Committee voted to reconstitute the special committee under Section 89 of the Knesset bylaws, enabling it to revisit language that had previously been prepared for second and third readings but never brought to a final vote. The legal department emphasized that nearly three years have passed since that draft was formulated and that significant constitutional rulings have since been issued, warranting a renewed review of the bill’s language and its compliance with judicial standards.

At the center of the debate is whether lawmakers will insist on advancing a sweeping amendment that would largely remove High Court involvement in ministerial appointments and dismissals, or instead adopt a more measured revision designed to reduce constitutional friction and increase the likelihood that the legislation would withstand judicial scrutiny if challenged.

{Matzav.com}

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, Afghanistan’s government spokesperson said, hours after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan in the latest escalation of violence between the neighboring countries that made a Qatar-mediated ceasefire appear increasingly shaky. At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, but there was no immediate […]

The United States and Iran signaled meaningful movement on Thursday in negotiations aimed at resolving their long-running nuclear standoff and preventing potential American military action, with mediator Oman pointing to tangible progress even as Washington continues a major force buildup in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that the discussions “made very good progress and entered into the elements of an agreement very seriously, both in the nuclear field and in the sanctions field.”

He indicated that another round of talks could be held in “perhaps less than a week,” and said technical-level meetings at the UN’s nuclear agency are expected to begin in Vienna on Monday.

A US official characterized the atmosphere of the negotiations to Axios as “positive.”

Those optimistic descriptions stood in contrast to earlier accounts suggesting American frustration with Tehran’s stance, as well as anonymous comments from senior Israeli officials to Hebrew-language media asserting that the divide between the parties appeared to be widening and that the prospect of a US strike was increasing.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal offered a more cautious interpretation Thursday evening, reporting that the two sides remained “still far apart on key issues.”

The reason for the differing portrayals was not immediately evident.

Following the conclusion of the meetings in Switzerland, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi wrote on X that both delegations intend to reconvene after consultations in their respective capitals, with expert-level sessions slated for Vienna next week.

Albusaidi’s remarks came after indirect negotiations in Geneva between Araghchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with one round held in the morning and another in the afternoon.

“We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran,” Badr Albusaidi said.

Araghchi, describing the exchange as among the most substantive contacts between Tehran and Washington in recent years, told Iranian state television: “We reached agreement on some issues, and there are differences regarding some other issues.”

“It was decided that the next round of negotiations will take place soon, in less than a week,” he said, adding that Tehran had made clear its demand for relief from sanctions.

The US negotiating team did not immediately issue a public statement on the outcome.

Axios had earlier reported that Witkoff and Kushner were “disappointed” with Iran’s posture after the morning session, but by day’s end, a source told the outlet that the overall tenor was “positive.”

According to Axios and other reports, the talks — facilitated by Albusaidi and attended by UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi — extended for several hours and involved a mix of direct and indirect communication.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Iran proposed limiting uranium enrichment to medical purposes, halting broader nuclear activity for a set period, and later resuming enrichment under a regulated regional framework.

The US position, according to the same report, calls for an agreement with no expiration date.

Channel 12 further reported that Washington would allow low-level enrichment at a research reactor in Tehran but is demanding the dismantling of Iran’s other nuclear facilities and the removal of all enriched uranium from the country.

That description of American demands closely aligned with The Wall Street Journal’s account.

The renewed diplomatic push comes amid mounting anxiety over a possible regional escalation. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to secure a deal could trigger military action, and US forces have been deployed in significant numbers to nearby waters.

The decision to set another negotiating session suggests that both sides see sufficient progress to continue talks, potentially delaying previously threatened strikes. However, a similar round of discussions scheduled by Omani mediators in June 2025 never occurred after Jerusalem, with American backing, initiated operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

Thursday’s meetings marked the third round of US-Iran nuclear discussions in recent weeks.

The delegations first met for roughly three hours before breaking. During the initial session, Iranian representatives presented a draft framework for an agreement, Axios reported.

During the recess, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television that “both delegations needed to carry out consultations with their respective capitals.”

An Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera during the pause said Tehran’s negotiators had rejected demands for complete dismantlement of the nuclear program and the export of all enriched uranium.

“Our proposal in Geneva is politically serious, technically creative, and includes everything required to reach an agreement immediately,” the Iranian official told the Qatari network.

Iran, which denies pursuing nuclear weapons but has enriched uranium to levels exceeding civilian requirements and limited inspections of its facilities, has consistently opposed calls to end enrichment altogether.

Tehran has also insisted that discussions be confined to its nuclear activities and sanctions relief. The United States, however, has sought to broaden the agenda to include Iran’s ballistic missile development and its backing of armed groups across the region.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters before the talks that progress toward a framework agreement would be possible if Washington separated “nuclear and non-nuclear issues,” though he cautioned that significant gaps would still need to be addressed during this third round.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran’s unwillingness to negotiate over its missile program presents a “big problem” that ultimately must be resolved. The missiles, he said, were “designed solely to strike America” and threaten stability in the region.

{Matzav.com}

The United States and Congo signed a $1.2 billion health partnership Thursday, the two countries’ governments said in a joint statement. The Department of State said it will provide up to $900 million over the next five years to support the Central African country to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child mortality, and other […]

POWERFUL BRACHA: HaRav Asher Weiss shlit”a, a world-renowned Rosh Kollel, Posek and Av Beis Din gives a powerful bracha from the depth of his heart for all those who donate to the Purim campaign for poor families in Israel: “Hashem should fulfill what your heart desires for the good” CLICK TO DONATE: https://thechesedfund.com/kupahsheltzedaka/fulfill-the-mitzvah-matanos-l-evyonim-in-eretz-yisroel-on-purim-day?aff=4007

NASA’s SpaceX CRS-33 Dragon cargo spacecraft has undocked from the International Space Station and departed successfully, with splashdown expected off the coast of California Friday morning.

Netflix has stepped away from the bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery, paving the way for Paramount Skydance to secure its $111 billion acquisition of the iconic Hollywood studio.

Reports say the FBI conducted surveillance involving now-Director Kash Patel and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as part of an investigation during the Biden administration. According to Fox News, ten bureau employees have since been fired in connection with the matter.

A Tucson resident has released Ring camera footage showing 12 vehicles traveling along a backroad in the Catalina Foothills between midnight and 6 a.m. on February 1 — the morning 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been abducted during a suspected home invasion. The vehicles were captured on what authorities consider a possible escape […]

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Trump on Thursday on potential military options in Iran. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine was present. •⁠ ⁠The briefing came as U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. No deal was announced; Iran’s foreign minister said […]

Pro-Palestinian groups, working together with a range of civil society organizations, have unveiled plans for a new maritime convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, describing it as a major effort to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies.

Organizers say the flotilla is set to leave on April 12 from multiple Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, and Tunisia. Its stated objective is to breach the blockade imposed on Gaza and transport assistance directly to the coastal enclave.

According to a report by Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, more than 200 boats are expected to take part in the initiative. The effort is being backed by the “Mavi Marmara” Freedom and Solidarity Association as well as the Turkish İHH Foundation, a humanitarian group that says it is dedicated to safeguarding freedoms, defending human rights, and providing relief aid.

Bülent Yıldırım, president of the İHH Foundation, told the newspaper that the ships designated for the flotilla will be acquired through donated funds. He indicated that organizers intend to assemble a substantial number of vessels in an effort to complicate any attempt by Israel to block their arrival along the Gaza shoreline.

Yıldırım further stated that participants from 150 countries — numbering in the thousands — are expected to join the mission. In addition to carrying supplies, the flotilla aims to bring medical professionals, educators, infrastructure and environmental development teams, attorneys, and investigators focused on alleged war crimes.

A similar attempt last October ended when the Israeli Navy intercepted vessels linked to the “Freedom Coalition” flotilla that sought to reach Gaza. Approximately 150 individuals aboard those ships were detained without incident and taken to the port of Ashdod, where they underwent questioning before being deported.

At the time, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement declaring, “Another futile attempt to break the maritime blockade and enter a combat zone has ended in nothing.”

{Matzav.com}