Feed aggregator

Fires and secondary explosions observed at the site of earlier Israeli Air Force airstrikes near Tabriz in Northwestern Iran, likely targeting IRGC-operated ballistic missile launch and storage facilities.

WATCH: Two Israeli aircraft seen flying at an extremely low altitude this morning over the Suwayda desert, in Syria.

Israeli airstrikes have targeted fuel depots near the airport area in the city of Tabriz, northwestern Iran.

In the wake of Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a powerful wave of hisorerus has swept through the olam haTorah, with urgent tefillos and Tehillim being recited in yeshivos and batei medrash across the globe.

At the forefront of the response is a directive from the Slabdoka rosh yeshiva, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. In light of the escalating security situation, Rav Hirsch instructed that chaderim, yeshivos ketanos, and all other Torah institutions should remain closed until further notice, in compliance with the guidance of security authorities.

At Yeshivas Ponovezh, the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades opened the Aron Kodesh in the early morning hours and cried out in heartfelt tefillah, joined by hundreds of bochurim learning in the beis medrash, who poured out their hearts in unison.

Similarly, at Yeshivas Chevron, the netz minyan was followed by the recital of Tehillim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel intentionally disguised Thursday night’s high-level security cabinet session as one centered on hostage negotiations, all in an effort to mislead Iran ahead of a carefully timed military operation, a senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Friday.

The official explained that cabinet members were informed in advance that the meeting would deal with stalled efforts to free Israeli captives in Gaza. “The aim was to put Iran to sleep,” the source stated.

Once convened in the secure forum, the cabinet gave unanimous approval to the planned military strike. Every participating minister also signed a strict confidentiality agreement referred to as a Shomer Sod — “guardian of the secret.”

Only a small circle of insiders, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David (Dedi) Barnea, and top security officials, were made fully aware of the operation’s scope and objectives.

In the lead-up to the mission, the Prime Minister’s Office orchestrated a coordinated effort to mislead the public and Tehran through a series of deliberate diversions:

• The vacation ploy: Netanyahu’s staff briefed the media that he was preparing to take a family vacation in the Galilee and would be attending his son Avner’s upcoming wedding, suggesting no major military action was on the horizon.

• A diplomatic distraction: The PMO released a statement claiming that Dermer and Barnea were heading to Washington to consult with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff as part of a “sixth round” of nuclear discussions between Iran and the U.S. in Oman — negotiations that don’t actually exist. In truth, both officials stayed in Israel.

• Controlled disinformation: For the first time, Netanyahu’s office declined to push back on fabricated media reports that described a disagreement between the prime minister and President Donald Trump over a possible military strike, a move designed to sow the perception of diplomatic discord and further reduce Iranian readiness.

These tactics played out alongside intensifying political tension within Israel over the IDF draft legislation and rumors about potential instability within the ruling coalition. “It was the perfect smoke screen,” said the senior official, who also confirmed that the U.S. government had been thoroughly informed behind the scenes despite the theatrics.

Channel 12’s Amit Segal noted on X that Trump had given Iran “60 days to reach a deal” on April 12. “Today is day 61,” he observed, suggesting that this deadline may have influenced Israel’s decision to act when it did.

Israeli defense experts believe that the operation’s success hinged on the element of surprise, which significantly enhanced its effectiveness. They say this tactical edge may now provide Israel with a critical buffer as Iran continues to move closer to achieving nuclear breakout capability.

{Matzav.com}

In an unusual move, Israel’s Mossad intelligence service made public striking video evidence of its clandestine operations within Iran. The video appears to capture two operatives launching missile attacks from Iranian soil as part of a broader Israeli campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile infrastructure and defensive capabilities.

An Israeli source revealed that Mossad had quietly built a secret drone launch site inside Iran in preparation for the latest assault. From this covert location, explosive drones were sent to strike missile batteries close to Tehran, effectively hampering Iran’s capacity to respond once Israeli air raids began, the official stated.

As part of the wider mission, sophisticated weapons were covertly transported into Iran. These armaments were used to systematically disable elements of Iran’s air defense network, allowing Israeli jets to maneuver freely and dominate the airspace during the operation.

In another phase of the mission, Mossad operatives on Iranian soil strategically placed precision-guided weaponry near major air defense installations in central regions of the country. This step dealt another blow to Iran’s ability to defend against aerial attacks.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

The Israeli offensive struck multiple high-value targets across Iran, including its most prominent nuclear enrichment facility. Footage showed dark plumes of smoke rising from the site.

Speaking after the attack, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu expressed his hope that the strikes would help usher in the end of Iran’s clerical regime. He emphasized that Israel’s conflict was not with the Iranian people, but with their oppressive leadership, saying the message to the Iranian public was against the “brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a strong reaction Friday following Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying the Iranian regime had failed to finalize a deal despite repeated opportunities.

Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it.”

Referring to the impact of Israel’s military operation, Trump added, “Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.”

He urged Tehran to act quickly, warning of the consequences if they delay further: “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!”

In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Thursday evening, Trump said he had been informed ahead of time about Israel’s strike, adding that while he had advance knowledge, the United States did not participate in the attack.

The President went on to say he still hoped negotiations with Iran could resume. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” he said.

When asked how the U.S. would respond to a potential Iranian retaliation, Trump stated clearly, “We will defend Israel if necessary.”

On Truth Social, Trump doubled down on his call for diplomacy, reiterating his administration’s stance on resolving the nuclear issue through talks.

“We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” his post declared.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF confirmed Friday afternoon that it had carried out a strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex earlier that morning, claiming the mission destroyed several subterranean levels of the site. Among the targets hit was the main hall housing a significant concentration of uranium-enriching centrifuges.

Reports also indicated that a second wave of strikes targeted the same site later that day, intensifying Israel’s offensive against Iran’s nuclear program.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, Natanz is the most critical facility in Iran for enriching uranium. Unlike smaller installations, Natanz is capable of refining uranium to the high levels needed for nuclear weapons, not just for peaceful purposes.

The military said Natanz has been “operating for years to achieve nuclear weapons and contains the necessary infrastructure for military-grade enrichment.”

The initial strikes reportedly penetrated the underground portions of the site, specifically targeting a multi-level section used for enrichment processes. That area contains centrifuge halls, electrical systems, and other operational structures.

The Israel Air Force was also able to destroy “vital infrastructure” that the military described as essential to the facility’s ongoing nuclear development efforts and its overall ability to operate.

Natanz has seen previous incidents of sabotage. In July 2020, significant damage was inflicted on one of its nuclear buildings, and in April 2021, another strike reportedly affected underground systems and power grids. Iran has pointed the finger at the Mossad for those incidents.

It remains uncertain how the latest damage compares to those earlier attacks, though the impact from Friday’s operation appears to have been even more extensive.

While the IDF is believed to have the means to inflict damage at the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear site, no military sources have confirmed any operation there as of now.

Since the U.S. deployed the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb — also known as the “Mother of All Bombs” — in Afghanistan in 2017, it’s been clear that America maintains advanced bunker-busting capabilities far beyond what Israel currently possesses. This includes the ability to potentially reach deep underground facilities like Fordow.

What remains unclear is the extent to which Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile or advanced centrifuges were affected by the Israeli assault. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has acknowledged that significant quantities of both are housed at Fordow and other scattered locations.

There were also unverified reports of explosions at Fordow and Isfahan. These blasts may have originated from within the facilities, as Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has been subject to internal sabotage in the past.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an exclusive phone interview last night with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, President Donald Trump confirmed that he was informed ahead of Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, adding that the United States was not involved militarily in the operation but remains vigilant amid fears of Iranian retaliation.

Matzav.com reviewed the interview and shares some highlights:

“There were no surprises,” President Trump told Baier, making clear that while his administration was aware of the strikes before they began, the U.S. played no direct role. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”

The pointed remark about “several people in leadership” was widely understood to reference senior Iranian officials who were reportedly killed in the strikes carried out by Israel earlier in the evening.

President Trump said that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu multiple times over the past few days. According to U.S. administration sources, the Trump team also reached out to at least one key ally in the Middle East to notify them that the strikes were imminent and to reiterate that America was not involved in the operation.

While emphasizing a desire to deescalate the situation and resume diplomatic efforts, President Trump made it clear that the U.S. is prepared to respond forcefully if necessary.

“We’re watching to see if there is retaliation,” he said, noting that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is currently on high alert. “The U.S. will defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates.”

In recent weeks, U.S. officials confirmed, the Iron Dome missile defense system has been replenished with additional interceptors, a move that now appears prescient in light of mounting tensions.

Despite confirming that several high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in the Israeli operation, administration officials reiterated that the U.S. military was not involved in any capacity. Still, it was made clear that the Trump administration was fully aware of Israel’s intentions and had coordinated diplomatic messaging with allies in advance.

President Trump closed the conversation by repeating his central message: “I hope they get back to the negotiating table.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to Israel on Friday, promising it would suffer a “bitter and painful” outcome following a major Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In an immediate counter-move, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel.

Israeli authorities informed the public early Friday that more than 100 drones had been fired from Iran and were en route to Israeli territory, cautioning citizens to remain near bomb shelters as the drones were expected to take hours to arrive.

Roughly three hours after the alert, the IDF Home Front Command canceled its directive to stay near shelters. No sirens were activated across the country, as Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted the drones before they entered Israeli airspace.

Later in the day, the IDF stated it had “control over the situation,” though it stopped short of confirming the total destruction of all incoming drones. In the meantime, safety restrictions remained in place, including school closures, work disruptions, and bans on public gatherings.

Khamenei, speaking through Iran’s official IRNA news agency, accused Israel of “opening its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.”

This statement followed reports that Israel’s strikes had eliminated several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including the armed forces’ chief of staff, key commanders in the Revolutionary Guards, and top scientists in the country’s nuclear program.

“With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself up for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it,” Khamenei declared.

In response, Tehran emphasized its intention to push forward with its nuclear and missile initiatives, framing Israel’s actions as validation of Iran’s military ambitions.

“One should not speak to such a predatory regime except in the language of power,” the Iranian government said. “The world now better understands Iran’s insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power.”

Speaking to Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Friday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he had been briefed in advance about the Israeli military operation, which reportedly involved 200 Israeli fighter jets.

Trump was quoted as saying that Iran “cannot have a nuclear bomb,” according to Baier.

The U.S. government clarified on Friday that it had no role in the Israeli strike and issued a warning to Iran not to retaliate against American interests or personnel.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials insisted that the U.S. bore responsibility, claiming that the scale and complexity of Israel’s action indicated that it “cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States.”

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, told state television that both Israel and the United States would face serious repercussions, stating they would “pay a heavy price” for the attacks.

{Matzav.com}

Two gedolei Torah are being forced to remain overseas for Shabbos after their flights were diverted Friday morning due to the sudden closure of Israeli airspace. The disruption followed Israel’s major strike on Iranian nuclear targets overnight and fears of imminent retaliation, which prompted a broad shutdown of all air travel at Ben Gurion Airport.

Former Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef, returning from a chizuk mission in Canada, had been en route to Eretz Yisroel when his flight was redirected mid-air. He landed in Rome, Italy, and will be spending Shabbos there.

Rav Ezriel Auerbach, prominent posek and rov in Bayit Vegan, was also aboard a return flight to Israel after participating in the massive Adirei HaTorah event this past Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. His plane was rerouted to Larnaca, Cyprus, where he, too, is expected to remain through Shabbos.

The abrupt closure of Israeli airspace early Friday was implemented as part of emergency defense precautions following the IDF’s preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. With expectations of a potential Iranian response, Israeli authorities opted to divert all inbound civilian aircraft.

The Torah world continues to respond to the developments with heightened tefillah and hisorerus.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Keren Olam HaTorah has announced the postponement of its highly anticipated United States fundraising campaign.

The decision comes amid mounting security concerns, the closure of Israeli airspace, and uncertainty surrounding regional stability following Israel’s major strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

The campaign, which was set to feature prominent Roshei Yeshiva and gedolei Yisroel from Eretz Yisroel, had planned events in four major Torah centers across America. The itinerary included gatherings in Baltimore and Los Angeles on Sunday, June 15, Chicago on Monday, June 16, and a massive event in Lakewood on Wednesday, June 18.

These events, which were to serve as a rallying cry for global support of the Olam HaTorah in Eretz Yisroel, have now been postponed until further notice.

{Matzav.com}

Fox’s Trey Yingst on n the strikes against IRGC Air Force leadership: Israel tricked the top command of Iran’s air force into a meeting and then kept them there, I’m told by an Israeli security official. “We did specific activities to help us understand things about them and then used that information to make them act in a specific way,” the official said. “We knew this would make them meet, but more importantly we knew how to keep them there.”  

The IDF issued an official statement shortly after launching airstrikes on Iran, describing the campaign as a “preemptive strike” against an immediate and mounting danger.

According to top Israeli defense officials, Iran’s nuclear program had progressed to a stage that posed a direct existential risk. The regime in Tehran, which has long declared its intention to destroy Israel, was, in their eyes, on the verge of crossing an irreversible threshold. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addressed the nation, explaining that the situation had “reached the point of no return.”

David Horovitz, writing for the Times of Israel, explains the background of Israel’s attack.

The International Atomic Energy Agency had already flagged Iran’s rapidly accelerating uranium enrichment activity. In a recorded video message released as the operation was underway, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu stated that Iran possessed enough enriched uranium to manufacture nine nuclear warheads.

Netanyahu further emphasized that Iran is already equipped with missiles capable of reaching any location within Israel’s borders. Even more troubling, he said, is that Iran has taken “unprecedented steps toward weaponization” — the final stage of constructing a functional nuclear bomb.

Israeli defense officials suspect that the situation may be even worse than what is publicly acknowledged. Intelligence assessments suggest the actual amount of enriched uranium could exceed what the UN agency has reported, and that Iran has been engaging in advanced testing linked to weapon development.

The primary goal of the Israeli offensive is to deliver a serious blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions by targeting both vital infrastructure and critical personnel. The timing, security officials say, is crucial — before Iran completes the restoration of defense systems damaged in Israel’s limited strike last October, and while intelligence on Iran’s nuclear operations is especially accurate and actionable.

Although Netanyahu touched on the aspiration that the Iranian people might one day be freed from the regime’s grip, Israeli leadership made it clear that the current military action is not aimed at instigating regime change. The sole objective, they stressed, is to halt Iran’s progress toward acquiring nuclear weapons. There was no assertion that Israel could eliminate every component of the program.

The Israeli prime minister also raised alarm over Iran’s rapidly expanding arsenal of ballistic missiles. He noted that Tehran plans to produce tens of thousands of these weapons, which—independent of the nuclear threat—could overwhelm Israel’s defenses and pose a severe threat to national survival.

“We can’t leave these threats for the next generation,” Netanyahu said. “Because if we don’t act now, there will not be another generation.”

Zamir echoed that urgency. He described the operation as “an immediate operational necessity,” and called it “an imperative… to remove the strategic threat and ensure our future.”

Both Netanyahu and Zamir cautioned that difficult times may lie ahead. They warned of potential large-scale Iranian missile attacks that could far surpass the limited drone and rocket barrages seen during two earlier rounds of conflict last year.

Netanyahu also thanked President Donald Trump for his “steadfast stance,” despite the fact that Trump had publicly called on Israel just days earlier to delay the strike and allow diplomatic efforts more time to play out.

At this point, the exact level of coordination between Israel and the United States remains somewhat unclear. Israel did inform the Trump administration in advance, but there is no indication that the U.S. played an active role in the military operation. Analysts have noted that American military involvement would likely have resulted in an even more extensive and damaging attack.

Nevertheless, Israeli security officials remain confident that the U.S. will stand with Israel if the situation intensifies and further support becomes necessary.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic late-night briefing, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel struck and destroyed key elements of Iran’s air defense infrastructure and eliminated top figures within the Islamic Republic’s military leadership. The unprecedented announcement followed the launch of Operation Im KeLavi, Israel’s largest military strike against Iran to date.

“Tonight, under the direction of the political echelon, we launched Operation Im KeLavi,” Brig. Gen. Hagari declared. “In a coordinated and precise strike deep in enemy territory, our air force attacked military and nuclear-related targets throughout various regions of Iran. These attacks are still ongoing.”

According to Hagari, the mission was executed by 200 fighter jets, which deployed over 330 munitions on more than 100 targets across Iran.

Among those killed in the strikes, he said, were the Iranian Chief of Staff, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami; and Emergency War Room Chief Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid. “Other senior commanders were also eliminated. We will release further details as permitted.”

One of the most significant aspects of the operation, Hagari added, was the successful targeting of Iranian air defense systems. “We attacked and severely damaged the regime’s air defense arrays,” he said. “This was the optimal timing to act, based on our ongoing intelligence monitoring and the growing existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”

In a major revelation, Hagari disclosed that Israeli intelligence had recently uncovered a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program. “Senior Iranian nuclear scientists have been conducting covert experiments to advance all components necessary to build a nuclear bomb. This is unequivocal proof that the regime is racing toward nuclear armament in the near term.”

He outlined what he called the threefold threat posed by the Iranian regime:

1. Nuclear advancement: “Iran is rapidly progressing toward nuclear weapons capabilities.”

2. Ballistic missiles: “Iran currently possesses thousands of ballistic missiles, and plans to double or triple that number. This alone constitutes an existential danger.”

3. Regional proxy warfare: “Iran continues to fund, arm, and direct its proxies across the Middle East—including Hezbollah and Hamas—toward Israel’s destruction.”

The strike, Hagari said, was a direct response to what intelligence has revealed as a coordinated plan by Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other axis groups to launch widespread, targeted fire at Israel, with the ultimate goal of a full-scale ground invasion from multiple borders.

“Our operation is designed to neutralize that threat,” he said. “We’ve prepared for this mission for a long time. In recent months, unprecedented steps were taken to enable the Israeli Air Force to strike from extraordinary distances. This operation was made possible by advanced intelligence breakthroughs that penetrated deep into enemy territory.”

He added that the IDF Chief of Staff is now commanding the operation in real time, along with the heads of Operations, Military Intelligence, and the Air Force. Israel remains on high alert.

“In the past few hours, Iran has launched over 100 UAVs toward Israeli territory,” Hagari reported. “All defense systems are fully active and working to intercept any threat. This is not a routine event—it is unlike anything we have experienced before.”

Addressing the Israeli public, he warned: “Difficult hours are ahead. We must remain resilient and patient. This is a test of our national endurance. Stay close to protected spaces. These instructions save lives.”

Responding to media questions, Hagari confirmed the early activation of air raid sirens nationwide even before Iran launched its counterattack. “This is a different kind of incident,” he explained. “We needed to condition the public and ensure preparedness.”

On the question of whether Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is a target, Hagari stated: “The individuals we have targeted so far are at the heart of Iran’s military leadership. I won’t elaborate further for now.”

He declined to provide specifics on whether Israeli forces have successfully destroyed large portions of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles or nuclear sites, saying only that additional updates will be provided as confirmed.

In closing, Hagari reaffirmed the gravity of the moment: “We are united in purpose. I will continue to keep you updated. Listen to Home Front Command instructions. This is a different kind of event, and following the guidelines is critical—it saves lives.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Over 20 senior commanders are believed to have been eliminated by this morning’s strike by the Israeli Air Force on an underground command bunker beneath the Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Forces. Additionally, more than 30 senior officials linked to Iran’s nuclear project have been eliminated.

Israel duped the Islamic Republic prior to its unprecedented attack on Iranian soil overnight Thursday in a number of ways, including hinting that nothing would happen before Avner Netanyahu’s wedding next week; US envoy Steve Witkoff’s fictitious meeting with Iran on Sunday; and Trump’s “warnings” to Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Iran, Channel 12 News reported. According to Yisrael Hayom, military analysts are calling the deception operation the most sophisticated in Israel’s modern history. In addition to false media reports and misleading statements from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Chareidi draft law crisis created genuine domestic political strife, serving as “an impenetrable cover for military preparations that Tehran never detected.” “It was the perfect smokescreen,” a senior Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post. Even Thursday night’s security cabinet meeting, at which the Iran operation was approved, was deliberately mislabeled as a discussion on hostage deal negotiations. “The aim was to put Iran to sleep,” the source told the Post. Every minister present at the meeting signed a strict non-disclosure agreement, known as a Shomer Sod (“guardian of the secret”) document. On the surface, the deception operation unfolded as the coalition teetered due to the Chareidi draft law crisis. When the plan to strike Iran was signed on Monday, the crisis was at its peak. At the same time, international reports announced a new round of [fictious] US-Iran nuclear talks on Sunday, with Witkoff scheduled to attend. This was announced after Israel had informed the Trump administration about the attack. While the US began evacuating its embassy employees in Iraq, Israel maintained complete silence. Trump’s statements about his insistence on reaching a diplomatic solution with Iran, and his so-called order to Netanyahu to refrain from striking Iran further obscured Israel’s military preparations. The final deception layer involved Netanyahu’s personal schedule. His aides told reporters that he was taking a family vacation in the north and would be attending his son Avner’s wedding on Tuesday. The date of Avner’s wedding was well-known as reports about it have been filling Israeli media outlets for weeks. In order to ensure complete secrecy, only a small circle of essential cabinet ministers and senior IDF officials, including Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Mossad chief Dedi Barnea, were aware of the precise timing of the strike. At the same time as Dermer and Barnea were in top-level discussions about the strike, the PMO issued a statement saying that the two top officials were flying to Washington on Friday to meet Witkoff for the sixth round of Iran-US talks in Oman. In actuality, there was no sixth round of talks scheduled, and both officials remained in Israel to oversee the operation. Additionally, the PMO did not issue a statement denying the false reports about the so-called “dispute” between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu over an Israeli strike in Iran, creating a perception that the two leaders were at diplomatic odds. Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal noted that Trump had publicly stated on April 12 that he will allow Iran “60 days to reach a deal.” “Today is day 61,” Segal wrote. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The Israeli Air Force continues to operate to intercept drones launched from Iran towards Israel. Attached is footage of IAF fighter jets taking off to intercept the UAVs launched from Iran.