Saudi Arabia on Monday denied a report claiming that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had encouraged President Donald Trump to continue military strikes against Iran, insisting that the kingdom does not support prolonging the conflict in the Middle East.
The denial came after a report published in The New York Times suggested that the Saudi crown prince had pressed Trump to intensify the campaign against Iran.
A Saudi official rejected the claim, stating that Riyadh’s leadership does not seek an extended war in the region. “The leadership of Saudi Arabia does not encourage prolonging the fighting in the Middle East,” the official said. “Riyadh’s foreign policy is characterized by support for strengthening peace and promoting stability — something that stands in complete contrast to the content of the publication in The New York Times regarding extending the conflict.”
The official also emphasized that Saudi Arabia remains committed to defending its national interests and security.
According to the same source, the kingdom “reserves the full right to take steps to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to deter aggression, in accordance with the UN Charter.”
The New York Times report had claimed that the advice Trump was receiving from the Saudi crown prince was to continue striking Iran forcefully, echoing guidance once repeatedly given by Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah, who died in 2015. At the time, Abdullah had urged Washington to confront Iran decisively and “cut off the head of the snake.”
{Matzav.com}
Senior officials in Israel’s economic establishment estimate that the ongoing ground operation in Lebanon will cost the state several billion shekels, a development that may force the government to reopen the national budget and impose additional cuts on government ministries.
According to a report by Kan News, the updated defense budget approved only last week did not include funding for the ground maneuver in Lebanon. As a result, officials say new budget adjustments will likely be required in order to finance the expanded military activity.
Economic officials warn that the financial burden of the operation could reach billions of shekels. To cover those costs, the government may have no choice but to revise the state budget once again, a step that could lead to further reductions in civilian spending and services.
Just last Wednesday, the government approved reopening the state budget for the 2026 fiscal year. As part of that move, the defense budget was increased by approximately 40 billion shekels, while a sweeping reduction of about 3 percent was imposed across the budgets of various government ministries.
However, although the government announced the ground maneuver in Lebanon only a few days later, the anticipated costs of that military operation were not included in the most recent budget update.
Financial officials now believe that because the maneuver could ultimately cost several billion shekels, the government will likely need to reopen the budget once again, a decision that would almost certainly result in another round of cuts affecting government ministries.
The issue is also drawing sharp public criticism. Last week, even as ministries faced across-the-board budget reductions, the government distributed approximately six billion shekels in coalition funds, a move that has sparked backlash from critics who argue that the financial priorities are misplaced.
{Matzav.com}
The Iran war is testing the U.S. military’s ability to combat Iran’s drones in a cost-effective way. Emerging laser tech, designed to zap drones out of the sky, may help. 60 Minutes reports:
WATCH:
President Donald Trump said Monday that the ongoing war involving Iran is unlikely to conclude within the week, though he predicted that the conflict will end in the near future.
Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that while the fighting is continuing, he believes the outcome is approaching and that the result will ultimately strengthen global security.
“It’ll be wrapped up soon. We’re going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this… you want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes, okay?” Trump said.
Reporter: Can we wrap this war up this week?
Trump: Yeah, sure. I don’t think so, but it’ll be soon. It won’t be long. And we’re going to have a much safer world when it’s wrapped up.
It’ll be wrapped up soon. pic.twitter.com/oubG0q86Yt
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026
Trump also argued that Iran’s longstanding hostile rhetoric toward the United States should be taken seriously, warning that Tehran would have used nuclear weapons if it had possessed them.
“When they (Iran) say ‘Death to America,’ you should believe them because if they had a nuclear weapon, they would’ve used it.”
According to Trump, the conflict has dramatically weakened Iran’s position in the region, stripping it of the influence it previously projected.
“Iran is a shell of itself, it’s no longer a bully…it’s the bully that got beat up. We beat the crap out of them – and they deserve that,” said Trump.
Trump also revealed additional details about Iran’s military capabilities, stating that the country’s fleet of minelaying vessels has been eliminated.
The President also told reporters that Iran had 22 minelayers in total, and they have all been sunk.
During the same conversation, Trump also made comments about Cuba, suggesting the United States could take action there as well.
Trump hinted that Cuba could also be hit by the US, saying, “I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. That’s a big honor. I can free it or take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.”
{Matzav.com}
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran and criticizes Democrats for blocking Homeland Security funding on ‘Fox & Friends.’
WATCH:
Amid the ongoing war, the Yenuka, Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, embarked on a special journey of tefillah at the kivrei tzaddikim in Yerushalayim, beginning at the kever of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh and continuing to the Kosel HaMa’aravi, where he davened intensely for the salvation and redemption of Am Yisrael.
Against the backdrop of the war with Iran, the Yenuka left his home in Rishon LeZion on Sunday night and traveled to the city of Yerushalayim in order to visit the resting places of great tzaddikim and to pour out heartfelt tefillos at the Kosel, which has stood unusually empty in recent days.
His first stop was the grave of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh on Har HaZeisim. At the site, he also delivered words of chizuk, speaking about the extraordinary holiness of the Ohr HaChaim.
He then continued to the grave of the Rashash, where he spoke about the greatness of the Rashash’s immense Torah scholarship. He also cited teachings from the sefarim hakedoshim about the spiritual significance of hishtatchus at the graves of tzaddikim.
From there, he proceeded to the grave of the Kaf HaChaim. He also davened at the grave of Rav Chaim Delarosa, a disciple of the Rashash, and at the resting place of the tzaddik Rav Gershon of Kitov.
At the largely deserted Kosel HaMa’aravi, the Yenuka davened Maariv with a small minyan of people who accompanied him. Following the tefillah, he stood facing the stones of the empty Kosel for a prolonged period, offering quiet and heartfelt tefillos for the salvation of Am Yisrael.
{Matzav.com}
A missile fragment struck the roof of the Boyaner beis medrash on Rechov Malchei Yisrael in Yerushalayim on Monday, causing damage to the building but no injuries.
The incident occurred just two days before the scheduled wedding of the Boyaner Rebbe’s granddaughter.
Members of the chassidus said the event was a clear miracle, noting that the beis medrash was completely empty at the time the fragment struck.
When the air-raid siren sounded in Yerushalayim, everyone who had been inside the building quickly went down to the protected shelter beneath the beis medrash. Moments later, the fragment hit the roof. The impact damaged part of the newer section of the building, which is not made of reinforced concrete.
Officials from Israel’s Home Front Command arrived at the site to inspect the structure and ensure that the building remained safe.
Yossi Goldstein, CEO of Gavast, the company that built the structural framework of the beis medrash ceiling, commented on the damage: “Fortunately, the damage is minimal. The high-quality and durable construction of Gavast proves itself even in moments like these.”
Preparations had already been underway in the Boyaner chassidus for the wedding scheduled for this Wednesday, celebrating the marriage of the Rebbe’s granddaughter, the daughter of his eldest son, Rav Yosef Breyer.
Following the incident, organizers began considering moving the wedding to a different location. The celebration will likely be relocated either to the underground complex of Karlin chassidus in Givat Ze’ev or to the Agroisseh Shtib hall in Kiryat Belz.
The chosson mohl gathering that had been scheduled for Monday evening was moved to the tish hall of Rachmastrivka chassidus in the Gush 80 neighborhood.
Later in the evening, after Maariv, the Boyaner Rebbe came out to address the chassidim and spoke about the need to thank Hashem for the miracle.
“Let them give thanks to Hashem for His kindness and for His wonders to mankind. We must give thanks for what happened today, and from now on there should be a sweetening of the harsh decrees, as it says, ‘For He has satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with goodness’ — and we should pray that the wedding as well should take place at a good and successful time.”
{Matzav.com}
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly escaped death during the Israeli strike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, because he had stepped outside the compound for a brief walk shortly before the missiles struck, according to a newly surfaced report.
Details of the incident emerged from leaked audio of a private meeting discussing the February 28 attack on Khamenei’s compound. The recording indicates that Mojtba Khamenei had been with his father in Tehran but had stepped outside “to do something” just minutes before the strike occurred, The Telegraph reported.
The recording also described the devastating effects of the attack, including gruesome details about the destruction left behind. According to the audio, Iran’s military chief was killed so completely in the blast that the remains recovered amounted to only “a few kilos of flesh,” while Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son-in-law was discovered with his head split in two by the impact.
Moments after Mojtba left the building, Israel reportedly launched Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles that struck the compound. The attack killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with dozens of senior military officials and members of his family, but Mojtba himself survived.
“God’s will was that Mojtba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return,” Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Khamenei’s office, reportedly told Iranian leaders in a private meeting on March 12.
Hossein said Mojtba was outside the building and approaching the stairs when the strike occurred.
“He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms Haddad, was martyred instantly,” Hosseini added.
According to Hosseini, Mojtba sustained only minor physical harm in the blast, reinforcing earlier claims about the extent of his injuries.
Hosseini maintained that Mojtba only suffered “a minor injury to his leg,” echoing recent reports about the new leader’s wounds.
The official also informed senior Iranian clerics and commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that multiple missiles were involved in the strike on the compound.
According to the leaked recording, at least three missiles hit the site. One reportedly struck the area where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was located, while another hit Mojtba’s residence on an upper floor as well as the home of his brother-in-law, Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani.
“The missile was so powerful that it went downstairs where Mr Misbah was, it went to Mr Misbah’s room,” Hosseini said. “The missiles were struck in a way that cut his head in half.”
Hosseini also reported that Mostafa Khamenei, the late leader’s eldest son, survived the attack along with his wife and emerged from the scene without injuries.
Hosseini noted that Mostafa Khamenei, Khamenei’s eldest son, survived the attack with his wife, coming out of the destruction “unharmed.”
The recording also described the condition in which Iranian military chief Mohammad Shirazi was found after the strike.
“He was blown to pieces – they could find nothing from him, and at the end they found a few kilos of flesh and identified it as his body,” Hosseini said, according to the leaked audio.
The audio recording surfaced as speculation continues regarding Mojtba Khamenei’s health and whereabouts, as the new supreme leader has not appeared publicly since the conflict began.
Rumors have circulated that his injuries may be more severe than what Iranian authorities have publicly acknowledged. President Trump also addressed the uncertainty surrounding Mojtba’s condition.
“A lot of people are saying that he’s badly disfigured. They’re saying that he lost his leg, one leg, and he’s been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he’s dead,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
“We haven’t seen” him “at all,” Trump said, adding that US officials don’t know “if he’s dead or not. Nobody’s seen him, which is unusual.”
{Matzav.com}