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Trump On Iran Strikes: Biggest Damage Took Place Far Below Ground Level
“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!” wrote Trump.
He continued with a detailed description, adding, “The white structure shown is deeply imbedded [sic] into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”
In a flurry of posts earlier that day, Trump had already praised the precision of the military campaign. “The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be ‘monumental.’ The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!”
He also hinted that the U.S. actions could lead to a fundamental shift in Iran’s leadership. “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” he wrote.
Earlier Sunday, the Pentagon hosted a press briefing led by General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he spoke at length about the top-secret operation that had unfolded the previous day.
The mission, named Operation Midnight Hammer, struck three key nuclear installations deep inside Iranian territory. General Caine described the offensive as “deliberate and precise,” highlighting the seamless execution by American forces under challenging circumstances. He noted the “complex and high-risk” nature of the assignment.
Caine explained that the main goal was to significantly weaken Iran’s nuclear weapons program. He said the campaign had been coordinated across multiple sectors and regions, demonstrating the extensive capability and reach of U.S. military forces.
“Very few people in Washington knew about the timing and nature of the plan,” Caine stated.
{Matzav.com}
Israel Reopens Airports for Departures — But Only 50 Passengers Allowed Per Flight
ANALYST: Khamenei in “Most Dire Situation” of His Life After U.S. Strikes on Iran Nuke Sites
While Hiding In A Bunker, Iran’s Supreme Leader Promises More ‘Punishment’
TRUMP: Strikes Caused ‘Monumental Damage’ To Iran’s Nuclear Sites
Gerrer Rebbe Departs U.S. on Private Jet
After remaining in the United States for an additional week due to the ongoing war with Iran, the Gerrer Rebbe departed for Eretz Yisroel aboard a private jet.
The Rebbe had originally planned to return to Israel at the beginning of last week but extended his stay because of the security situation. During his time in the U.S., he led efforts to establish a major fund for the Torah institutions of Ger, culminating in a fundraising campaign that included meetings with leading philanthropists.
On Motzaei Shabbos, the Rebbe boarded a private plane provided through the generosity of donors Yoeli Landau and Duvid Geffner.
Before takeoff, Yoeli Landau went to the airport to bid farewell to the Rebbe and shared a brief l’chaim with him.
Landau not only helped fund the aircraft but also made a significant contribution toward the newly established Torah fund.
Accompanying the Rebbe on the flight were his sons, Rav Nechemia Alter and Rav Yisrael Menachem Alter; his son-in-law Rav Shimon Rothstein; the Rebbe’s gabbai Reb Leiby Pazintzewski; Reb Moshe Betzalel Alter; mashbak Shmuel Baruch Landau; askan Eli Chassid; and Motti Babchik.
{Matzav.com}
Ron Dermer Is ‘Hashem’s Messenger’ Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri Says After Joint Iran Strikes
On Sunday night, Shas leader Aryeh Deri described Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer as “a messenger from Hashem,” crediting him with playing a vital behind-the-scenes role in the recent coordinated military action by Israel and the United States targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
In an interview with Channel 14’s Yinon Magal, Deri praised Dermer’s unwavering focus on Iran over the past 25 years, saying the Israeli people had “received a gift” in his leadership. “I saw what he did,” Deri declared. “He has been focused on the Iranian issue for 25 years. From the moment Donald Trump was elected, he felt a mission. He worked with Steve Witkoff, Senator Marco Rubio, the president, the vice president—everyone—and they all respect him. Ron Dermer is God’s messenger.”
Deri disclosed that, in the final hours before the operation—reported to have struck the Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz—he worked frantically to keep the Knesset from dissolving, fearing that political instability could jeopardize American backing for the mission. “Had parliament been dispersed that day, the operation could have taken a fatal blow,” he said. “President Trump might have asked, ‘Why help a government that’s already heading to elections?’”
According to Deri, only a select few, including Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein, were aware that the strike was scheduled for Thursday night. Meanwhile, most members of the governing coalition remained preoccupied with internal political disputes, not realizing that Israeli fighter jets were preparing for a major offensive.
Reflecting on the October 7 Hamas attacks, Deri argued that the massacre ultimately spurred Israel into action by exposing Iran’s broader strategic plans. “On October 7, we discovered the grand plan to destroy us,” he said. “Iran lost all its proxies and is now exposed; they ran at full speed toward a bomb because they no longer have their messengers.”
With Tehran accelerating its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Deri said the Netanyahu administration concluded that immediate military action was unavoidable. “The last few months were an emergency,” he said. “We had to do it.”
When asked whether Prime Minister Netanyahu had become more religious during the course of the war, Deri answered affirmatively. “Absolutely. He saw the humiliation of October 7, but also the great kindness God has shown since. The hard work of the army and security services is real, yet he sees the divine hand guiding us.”
Addressing growing talk about leadership succession, Deri maintained that Netanyahu should continue to lead as long as he is able, praising his ability to manage the country under immense pressure. He described Netanyahu’s leadership as marked by a “unique ability” to juggle military, diplomatic, and political challenges all at once.
Pressed about Netanyahu’s endurance amid the ongoing conflict, Deri, who is 65, admitted that the burden is heavy. Nevertheless, he said he prays that the prime minister will have the strength to see through the critical responsibilities that still lie ahead.
{Matzav.com Israel}Netanyahu: Israel Has ‘Interesting Intel’ On Whereabouts Of Iran’s 60% Enriched Uranium
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, in a prerecorded press briefing, revealed that Israel possessed “interesting intel” regarding the location of Iran’s stockpile of 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. However, he did not elaborate further on the intelligence.
Netanyahu explained that Israel had been compelled to strike Iran following Tehran’s accelerated nuclear activity after the death of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024. He also pointed to Iran’s intentions to produce 300 ballistic missiles each month as a growing threat.
He recounted a conversation with President Donald Trump, during which he expressed the urgency of taking action. “I told him of our need to act, and he understood it very well. And I knew that when push comes to shove, he would do the right thing. He would do the right thing for America. He would do the right thing for the free world. He would do the right thing for civilization.”
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu said the conflict could be brought to an immediate close if Hamas would capitulate. “It could end tomorrow. It could end today if Hamas surrenders, lays down all its arms, release all the hostages. It’s over in a moment.”
He expressed hope for Gaza’s future, saying, “We think we can give Gaza a different future.”
Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to a lasting resolution, asserting, “I have a plan for a permanent peace,” and added that “we’re prepared to go into negotiations right now on the proposal that Mr. Witkoff gave.”
He noted that dialogue with intermediaries was ongoing and that Israel was attempting to reach a deal with Hamas for a 60-day ceasefire, during which half of the hostages would be released.
{Matzav.com}FU CONG: China Says US Attack On Iran’s Nuclear Sites Damaged ‘Washington’s Credibility’ In Diplomacy
China has criticized the United States over its recent strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, saying the move has undermined Washington’s standing on the global stage.
According to Chinese state media, officials in Beijing are worried that the conflict could spiral out of control, a concern voiced after a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Speaking on behalf of China at the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong urged all involved to resist turning to violence. “Parties should restrain the ‘impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire,” he said, as reported by CCTV.
Fu specifically called on Israel to halt its military actions. He stated that parties, “especially Israel, should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war.”
He also criticized the U.S. for suffering reputational damage in the aftermath of the strike. “Iran was hurt ‘but the United States credibility was also damaged—both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations,’” Fu remarked.
Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Iran announced that most of its nationals have been safely evacuated. The remaining Chinese citizens, according to the embassy, are currently not located in areas considered to be at high risk.
{Matzav.com}Netanyahu: ‘We Are Close To Both Goals In Iran’
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the media on Sunday night, following the United States’ military strike on Iran. In his remarks, he stated that Israel is nearing the fulfillment of its goals in Operation Rising Lion.
“We are very close to completing the two objectives of the operation. Great days of unity and strength lie ahead, days of peace,” declared Netanyahu.
Netanyahu applauded the U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “We should take our hats off to Trump for the excellent work they did. They did a lot of damage to Fordow, and we will make sure that there is no threat from these nuclear facilities.”
Regarding the potential continuation of strikes inside Iran, the prime minister explained Israel’s approach moving forward. “We are focused on achieving our objectives. When we achieve them, we will not continue beyond what is necessary, but we will not end too soon. When the objectives are achieved, the operation will be completed and the fighting will cease.”
Commenting on the likelihood of a diplomatic resolution between Tehran and Washington, Netanyahu expressed doubt. “I do not think it will be possible to reach an agreement between Iran and the United States because Iran is constantly cheating. If the goal of a nuclear-free Iran is not achieved in the agreement, it will be achieved in another way and by sustained enforcement just like in Lebanon.”
When pressed about Hamas and the return of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, Netanyahu drew a connection between the Iranian and Gaza fronts. “I think the operation in Iran helps to advance in Gaza because without the scaffolding of Iran the whole structure collapses, as happened in Lebanon. From where will their salvation come? It will take a little more time, but the achievements in Iran also contribute to the war in Gaza.”
As for whether he plans to run for office again, Netanyahu responded, “I am here on a mission and I have many more tasks to accomplish. I will be here as long as I think I can achieve them, but it depends on the people.”
{Matzav.com}
Trump Wonders: Why Wouldn’t There Be A Regime Change In Iran?
President Donald Trump on Sunday addressed the U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, offering praise for the execution of the operation and suggesting that a change in leadership in Iran might be on the horizon.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump posted, “The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be ‘monumental.’ The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!”
In a follow-up message, he added, “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
Earlier the same day, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a press briefing at the Pentagon, where he provided a detailed account of the military operation that targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Referred to as Operation Midnight Hammer, the mission successfully hit three major nuclear sites in Iran. General Caine called the operation “deliberate and precise,” underscoring the extraordinary teamwork and professionalism demonstrated by American forces in what he described as a “complex and high-risk mission.”
Caine explained that the primary goal was to significantly impair Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. He highlighted that the mission was orchestrated across various operational environments, illustrating the unmatched reach and precision of the U.S. military.
“Very few people in Washington knew about the timing and nature of the plan,” Caine stated.
{Matzav.com}
JD Vance Warns Iran Retaliation Would Be The ‘Stupidest Thing In The World’ — Says US ‘Prepared’ Despite Sleeper Cell Concerns
Vice President JD Vance on Sunday made clear that the United States is not planning to deploy troops to Iran, though he acknowledged that the administration is taking precautions against possible domestic threats from Iranian operatives.
“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance stated during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
He emphasized the administration’s reluctance to escalate the conflict: “We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground,” Vance said. “We didn’t blow up diplomacy.”
Vance defended the strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, asserting they were only launched after diplomatic efforts were clearly being undermined by Tehran. “We only took this action when it was clear, as the president said, that the Iranians were tapping us along,” the vice president remarked.
He then took aim at Tehran’s military capabilities, mocking their effectiveness and encouraging a shift in strategy. “The Iranians are clearly not very good at war. Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance if they’re serious about it. I guarantee you, the president of the United States is,” he said.
According to Vance, Iran’s influence through regional proxy groups has already been weakened, and their atomic program has been decimated—though he acknowledged that full assessments are ongoing.
In the wake of the strikes announced Saturday night, President Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying any retaliatory act “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed” during the coordinated attacks on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan facilities.
Echoing the president, Vance cautioned Iran against any response, calling such a move reckless. “It would be the stupidest thing in the world if they” pursue revenge, he said, while noting that the U.S. has taken steps to prepare for any backlash.
“We’re, of course, doing everything that we can to keep our people safe. I think that we’re prepared in the event that the Iranians do retaliate,” Vance explained. He also warned about dormant terrorist threats on American soil. “Unfortunately, we know that a lot of people who we don’t have full accounting of were let in over the last four years under the Biden administration,” he said.
U.S. officials are also considering the risk that Iran could attack American troops or military assets in the Middle East or try to disrupt global oil shipments by obstructing the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance said such a maneuver would have catastrophic consequences for Iran itself. “It would be suicidal” for Tehran to take that route, he said, particularly given its already fragile economic state.
Nonetheless, he reiterated what the administration views as the most critical threshold. “Our biggest red line is the Iranian nuclear weapons,” he said.
Although Vance has traditionally aligned with non-interventionist policies—expressing reservations about sustained U.S. support for Ukraine and, according to a March leak, harboring private concerns about airstrikes in Yemen—he stood firmly behind the current military action.
He insisted that President Trump’s recent decision was guided by strategic judgment and a commitment to preventing Iran’s ruling regime from developing nuclear arms. “The president has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle East, which is why he did what he did: a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest,” Vance said.
He went on to affirm his belief that this won’t spiral into a broader war. “I don’t fear that this is going to become a protracted conflict because I think that we have a president who knows what’s in America’s interest,” he stated.
Vance compared the administration’s targeted strike to previous, more drawn-out military engagements in the region. “I certainly empathize with Americans who are exhausted after 25 years of foreign entanglements in the Middle East,” he noted. “I understand the concern. But the difference is that back then we had a dumb president.”
Democrats swiftly called for President Trump’s impeachment after news of the attacks emerged, claiming he had acted beyond his constitutional powers. Even a few Republicans, including Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, criticized the strikes as illegal.
But Vance dismissed the backlash, maintaining that the president acted within legal limits. “The president has clear authority to act to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” he said.
Earlier this year, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Congress that U.S. agencies did not assess Iran to be building a nuclear weapon. She later criticized how her testimony had been portrayed by the media.
Nevertheless, Vance said the president had compelling justification for the strikes. “They were way too close to a nuclear weapon for the comfort of the president of the United States, which is why he took this action,” he said. “We had a narrow window of opportunity.”
He added that time was of the essence. “We might not have been able to carry out this attack six months down the road,” Vance said. “It would have been irresponsible, I think, for the president not to take the action that he did.”
As for what comes next, Vance left that in Iran’s hands. “What happens next is up to the Iranians,” he concluded.
{Matzav.com}
President Herzog On CNN: Israel Is “Not Dragging America Into A War” With Iran [VIDEO]
BUMBLING BERNIE: After Trump’s Bombing, Sanders Condemns ‘Lies’ Over Iran Nuclear Threat
In response to President Donald Trump’s recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, several lawmakers zeroed in on the fact that the military action took place without the consent of Congress—raising alarms about constitutional overreach. But Senator Bernie Sanders voiced a different concern, directing his outrage at what he described as the “lies” being spread by the Trump administration to justify the operation.
According to the senator from Vermont, this latest assault fits a troubling historical pattern, in which powerful U.S. leaders misled the nation into conflict with dubious claims. The end result, Sanders said, has repeatedly been massive loss of life and little benefit to American security.
“In the 1960s the United States government lied to the American people and took us into a terrible war in Vietnam,” said Sanders. “The result of that war was that over 58,000 young Americans died and many more came back wounded both in mind and in spirit. Millions of Vietnamese were also killed.”
Years later, Sanders noted, the Bush administration claimed Iraq was racing to build weapons of mass destruction—a claim bolstered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The outcome of that war, Sanders argued, was another disaster based on misinformation.
“The United States invaded Iraq and became embroiled in a long civil war there. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. That war was based on a lie—a lie which cost us 4,492 young Americans, 32,000 wounded, over half a million Iraqis and trillions of dollars,” said Sanders.
“The American people are being lied to again today,” he added. “We cannot allow history to repeat itself.”
Despite rhetoric suggesting an imminent nuclear threat, U.S. intelligence assessments continue to find no evidence that Iran is currently pursuing a nuclear weapon. These findings support Iran’s official position that its atomic energy efforts are strictly for peaceful purposes.
Sanders released his statement hours after being notified, while speaking at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that Trump had greenlit a bombing campaign on three of Iran’s nuclear sites—an action that Iranian leaders immediately condemned as illegal under international norms.
When Sanders read aloud the president’s message regarding the operation, his supporters broke out in a spontaneous chant of “No more war!”—a moment of visible resistance that highlighted the depth of anti-war sentiment among many Americans.
Commenting on the public’s reaction, The Nation’s Jeet Heer pointed to new polling data indicating that just 8% of Americans want the U.S. to directly join Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran. Heer said this shows a ripe moment for a nationwide anti-war mobilization.
“There is only one off-ramp from Trump’s mad rush to war: the quick mobilization of an anti-war opposition,” said Heer. “The people are ready.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continued to promote the operation as a major blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities. But progressive strategist Waleed Shahid urged Democratic politicians to shift the conversation—not toward legal technicalities, but to the deeper issue of endless, misleadingly justified foreign conflicts.
“No one ever won a fight yelling, ‘Congressional authorization.’ Voters need clarity amid the chaos,” said Shahid. “Lead with this: No more blank checks for corrupt and endless foreign wars, we’re here to focus on fighting for working Americans.”
Shahid’s remarks echoed Sanders’ focus on deceptive narratives used to drag the country into combat.
“The U.S. faces enormous problems here at home, which we must address,” said Sanders. “We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged into another Middle East war based on lies.”
{Matzav.com}
Homeland Security Warns Of Possible Terrorist Attacks In US Following Strike On Iran
On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security released a terrorism advisory, cautioning that Iran may attempt to launch retaliatory attacks on American soil in response to the recent U.S. strikes targeting its nuclear infrastructure.
According to the DHS bulletin, authorities were urged to prepare for the possibility of Iranian-linked terror plots unfolding in the next 90 days, fueled by motivations to respond to the dramatic military action carried out the night before.
“The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,” DHS said in a statement.
Beyond the concern of physical acts of terrorism, officials also noted that there’s an elevated threat of cyber intrusions and a rise in antisemitic incidents amid the tensions.
This federal alert follows a similar warning issued Saturday night by the NYPD, after which Governor Hochul directed increased security measures across key transportation hubs including the MTA and Port Authority.
{Matzav.com}
INCREDIBLE FOOTAGE: Netanyahu Praises “Siyata Dishmaya” Of Ribono Shel Olam In Iran War
U.S. Issues Global Travel Alert Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
U.S. Urges China to Stop Iran from Closing Strait of Hormuz, Threatening 20% of Global Oil Flow
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