Yeshiva World News

Message from Agudath Israel of America on Israel’s strikes against the Islamic regime in Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei YM”S, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has issued his first statement in response to the Israeli military and intelligence operations within Iranian territory. “The Zionist regime has opened its dirty and bloody hand to commit a crime in our beloved country at dawn today, and has revealed its evils more than ever before by targeting residential areas. This regime must expect severe punishment. The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing. A number of leaders and scientists were martyred in the enemy’s attacks, and their successors and colleagues will return to their positions immediately, God willing. With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will surely meet it.”

Though not a news outlet, Chaim V’Chessed is providing essential updates on how the developing conflict is impacting schools, travel, and government services in Israel. Following the beginning of Israel’s attack on Iran, here is what you need to know in the immediate future: Schools Closed: All schools across Israel are closed today, Friday, June 13. Airspace Shut Down: Israeli airspace has been closed, and all flights have been canceled until further notice. Flights en route to Israel are being rerouted to alternate destinations. Travel Disruptions Expected: Travelers should anticipate continued disruptions for several days. Reports indicate that El Al planes on the ground in Israel are currently being flown out to other countries for safety. This would seem to indicate that the disruption to flights may be lengthy. Government Offices: While government offices are always closed on Fridays, sources tell Chaim V’Chessed that many offices are expected to experience disruptions at the start of next week. This is a developing situation. Chaim V’Chessed will keep you posted with timely updates on schools, travel, and government services and other issues relating to daily life in Israel during these challenging times.

The New York City Police Department announced late Thursday night that it is deploying additional resources to Jewish and Israeli locations across the city, citing an “abundance of caution” in the wake of Israeli strikes targeting Iran. While officials stress that there are currently no credible threats to the city or its residents, both law enforcement and Jewish security organizations are urging increased vigilance, particularly ahead of Shabbos. The NYPD says it is closely coordinating with federal agencies and will continue monitoring for any developments that may affect security in New York. “We are deploying additional resources to ensure the safety of sensitive sites throughout the city,” the department said in a statement. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also addressed the situation, assuring the public that “there are no credible threats to New York at this time.” She noted that the state has taken precautionary measures, including heightened security at sensitive locations and increased cybersecurity monitoring. Jewish security organizations, while echoing the lack of specific threats, are calling on communities to remain alert. The Community Security Service (CSS), which trains volunteer shul security teams, issued a call to its network urging them to review protocols ahead of Shabbos, report any suspicious activity, and maintain contact with local law enforcement. “Jews in America cannot afford to be complacent,” said Richard Priem, CEO of CSS. “Situational awareness and preparedness are key.” The Secure Community Network (SCN), a national Jewish security group, warned that the current conflict comes amid an already heightened threat environment, particularly fueled by rhetoric from Iranian-linked groups. “We urge communities to remain vigilant, continue the strengthened security postures institutions have implemented since October 7th, and coordinate closely with law enforcement,” said SCN CEO Michael Masters. Security officials point to past incidents of Iranian-linked plots against Jewish and Israeli targets abroad, including in New York, as a reminder that such threats remain serious even in the diaspora. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful The great nation of Iran! At dawn today, the Zionist regime opened its dirty and bloody hand to crime in our beloved country and exposed its evil nature more than ever by attacking residential centers. The regime must expect severe punishment. The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing. In the enemy attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were killed. Their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their posts, God willing… With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly accept it.”

CCTV footage from earlier tonight showing the initial strikes by Israel against the Iranian capital of Tehran.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirms that he is being briefed on the unfolding Israel vs. Iran situation, and is deploying resources to protect Jewish and Israeli sites

Additional explosions are being reported now at the Natanz Nuclear Facility in Central Iran.

The NYPD says it is deploying additional resources to Jewish and Israeli sites across New York City as a precautionary measure amid Israel’s relentless strikes deep inside Iran.

Have Rep. Ilhan Omar in your thoughts as you follow the news tonight. She has lost – and is continuing to lose – many friends in Iran.

The IDF’s surprise launch of massive operations against the Iranian regime and its nuclear facilities has already resulted in the deaths of numerous top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.  The operation, codenamed “Am KeLavi” (Operation Rising Lion), targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure across multiple sites, including Tehran, Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad. The operation, supported by coordinated Mossad sabotage missions, aims to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and eliminate key military and scientific figures, according to Israeli and Iranian sources. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and scientists in the strikes. Among those killed were General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Force. Two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a senior physicist and President of Azad University, were also reported killed. Iranian sources indicated that Abbasi-Davani and Tehranchi were targeted in their homes. The IDF stated that Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was likely killed, though confirmation remains pending. The IDF operation has involved dozens of Israeli Air Force jets, including F-35 stealth fighters, striking nuclear enrichment facilities, ballistic missile production sites, and military bases. Explosions have been reported across Tehran, with eyewitnesses describing massive flames and repeated blasts in neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Iranian state television broadcast images of black smoke rising over the Natanz nuclear facility, a critical site for uranium enrichment, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. Iran’s air defenses were reportedly compromised by Mossad sabotage operations targeting radar and missile systems, enabling Israeli aircraft to operate with greater freedom. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the strikes as a preemptive measure to counter an “imminent threat” from Iran’s nuclear program, citing intelligence that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear weapons within days. “If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,” Netanyahu said in a televised address, describing the operation as a defense of Israel’s survival and regional stability. He emphasized that the campaign would continue “for as many days as it takes.” Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency in Israel, with warning sirens activated in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation, though no ballistic missile launches from Iran were reported by 04:35 AM Israel time. The United States, Israel’s primary ally, was not directly involved in the operation, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. President Donald Trump, who had urged restraint in negotiations with Iran, called an emergency cabinet meeting for Friday morning following the strikes. U.S. officials emphasized protecting American forces in the region, with non-essential personnel evacuated from embassies within Iran’s striking range. China advised its citizens in Iran to stay alert, while Iraq closed its airspace as a precaution. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated it was in contact with Iranian authorities to monitor radiation levels and ensure the safety of its inspectors in the country. The IAEA had issued a strong condemnation of Iran earlier Thursday for enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels and failing to comply with nonproliferation obligations. As of early Friday morning in Israel, Iran had not launched a counterattack, and […]

HAPPENING NOW: Increased security, barriers going up near Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. due to Israel airstrikes on Iran.

Additional footage from Iran shows citizens fleeing in panic in the immediate aftermath of an IDF missile attack on an unknown Iranian military target.

Video from Tehran shows heavily damaged buildings and debris strewn across streets following an IDF strike

Statement put out by the U.S. Embassy in Israel: As a result of the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.

Heavy strikes being reported now against and near the city of Tabriz in Northwestern Iran.

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BREAKING: Reports suggest that Israel has eliminated Iran’s top military leadership, including IRGC Chief Salami, General Gholamali Rashid, Dr. Tehraniji, and Fereydoun Abbasi.

Iranian state media reporting from the site of one of Israel’s bombing targets, as morning begins to show the scale of havoc wreaked by Israeli fighter jets thus far across Iran