Matzav

Donald Trump has demanded that a special counsel be appointed to probe the 2020 election, arguing that what he views as a fraudulent result must never be repeated.

Trump and those close to him have continued to insist that widespread fraud in crucial swing states was responsible for Joe Biden’s White House victory, prior to Trump taking office again on January 20 following his second election win.

Claims have also surfaced suggesting the Chinese government interfered in the race to boost Biden’s chances of winning.

Biden’s presidency was marked by a porous southern border, what critics have called politically motivated legal actions, and sweeping progressive policy initiatives.

“Zero Border crossings for the month for TRUMP, verses 60,000 for Sleepy, Crooked Joe Biden, a man who lost the 2020 Presidential Election by a ‘LANDSLIDE!’ Biden was grossly incompetent, and the 2020 election was a total FRAUD! The evidence is MASSIVE and OVERWHELMING,” Trump wrote Friday morning on Truth Social.

“A Special Prosecutor must be appointed. This cannot be allowed to happen again in the United States of America! Let the work begin! What this Crooked man, and his CORRUPT CRONIES, have done to our Country in 4 years, is grossly indescribable! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump secured victory in the most recent election held in November, defeating Kamala Harris by carrying all seven pivotal battleground states.

Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that the agency had uncovered documents outlining serious concerns tied to the 2020 election, including potential interference by the Chinese Communist Party.

Patel stated that he “immediately declassified the material and turned the documents over” to Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.

He included a link to a Just the News report which detailed intelligence suggesting that China may have manufactured large quantities of fake U.S. driver’s licenses to support an alleged effort to submit fraudulent mail-in ballots for Biden, then the Democratic nominee.

{Matzav.com}

As the security situation in Israel continues to evolve, the United States Embassy is exploring possible options to assist American citizens who wish to leave the country.

Chaim V’Chessed has learned that the Embassy is considering organizing flights or sea transport to evacuate U.S. nationals. While no official announcement has yet been made, the Embassy is currently collecting information from Americans in Israel who are seeking to depart.

To be considered for possible evacuation arrangements, interested individuals must register via the U.S. State Department’s Crisis Intake Form at this link This step is crucial in enabling the Embassy to assess demand and plan potential departures.

Applicants should carefully follow these instructions when signing up:

• Indicate that you need assistance leaving Israel:

• You MUST mark that you may need a loan from the U.S. government:

It is important to note that checking the loan option does not obligate you to accept a loan. However, only those who check this box will be considered for possible travel if flights or boats are arranged.

Additionally, if evacuation transport is provided, passengers will be required to pay for their travel.

Chaim V’Chessed will continue to monitor developments closely and share verified updates as they become available.

{Matzav.com}

Summer has arrived, and with it come dangerous levels of heat and humidity. This weekend, a “heat dome” will bring extreme temperatures to the Midwest and the East Coast, abating sometime next week.

Not to be confused with a heat wave—in which temperatures are elevated for an extended period of time—a heat dome is caused by a buildup of pressure in the atmosphere, which traps heat and causes extended periods of brutal temperatures, sometimes for weeks, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Winds from the Gulf of Mexico will bring additional humidity, which, when compounded by the over 90-degree heat, has the potential to make the heat under the “dome” feel 20 degrees hotter than it is. The Mid-Atlantic is projected to experience temperatures of up to 110 degrees, and the Northeast will hit more than 100 degrees. The extreme heat risk could be particularly devastating to young people, the elderly, unhoused people, and those who work outdoors.

The National Weather Service (NWS) also warns that the scorching temperatures may deteriorate pavement and railway tracks, impact aircraft operations, strain water resources and the electrical grid, and have lasting impacts on crops. The NWS advises that populations in the affected areas stay in cool indoor spaces, reduce outdoor physical activity, dress for the weather, and stay hydrated. Read more at The Hill.

{Matzav.com}

Whoopi Goldberg ignited a wave of criticism after drawing a controversial comparison between the experience of Black Americans in the United States and life under the Iranian regime during a recent episode of The View.

The comments quickly attracted strong condemnation from Iranian dissidents, who labeled Goldberg’s statements as “offensive” and “misguided.”

Outrage also spilled over onto social media, where many accused Goldberg of minimizing the severity of Iran’s human rights violations.

Iranian activists condemned Goldberg’s remarks for what they described as a troubling attempt to equate systemic racism in America with life in a repressive theocracy.

Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a well-known Iranian-American plastic surgeon and human rights advocate, was among the first to speak out publicly.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Nazarian said, “Whoopi Goldberg’s comparison between being Black in America and living under Iran’s authoritarian regime is deeply misguided and dismisses the brutal realities faced by millions of Iranians.”

Nazarian, whose family fled Iran in 1985 after her father was targeted for execution, said Goldberg’s take was not only factually wrong but also deeply disrespectful.

“While racism is a serious and ongoing challenge in the US, comparing this to life under a totalitarian theocracy like Iran is not only inaccurate — it’s offensive to those who suffer daily under that regime,” she stated.

She went on to explain, “In Iran, the government controls nearly every aspect of life. People can be imprisoned, tortured, raped or even executed for peaceful protests, for criticizing the regime, or simply expressing their opinions online.”

Sharing similar concerns, Iranian-American journalist and foreign policy analyst Lisa Daftari also denounced Goldberg’s remarks, particularly given Goldberg’s status as a “woman of color.”

Daftari emphasized that Goldberg’s role on a daytime talk show is, in itself, a testament to the freedoms enjoyed in the United States.

“It’s astonishing that Whoopi Goldberg would even suggest that life for Black Americans is somehow equivalent to living under the rule of the ayatollah in Iran,” Daftari said.

She added, “The very fact that she, as a woman — and a woman of color — has a platform where she can speak freely, express dissenting views, and appear uncovered on national television is proof of the immense freedoms she enjoys.”

The controversy erupted during a heated exchange between Goldberg and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin on The View, where the discussion turned to Iran’s widespread human rights abuses.

Griffin pointed out Iran’s execution of LGBTQ+ individuals and its draconian enforcement of hijab laws, including the arrest of women for modesty violations.

Goldberg interrupted, cautioning against singling out Iran without acknowledging injustices in America’s own past.

“Let’s not do that,” Goldberg interjected. “Because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car. Listen, I’m—”

Griffin pushed back, contrasting current U.S. freedoms with conditions in Iran. “In the year 2025 in the United States, it’s nothing like if I step foot wearing this outfit into Iran right now.”

Goldberg, however, disagreed. “It is the same,” she insisted.

When Griffin tried to elaborate on the differences between life under American democracy and Iran’s oppressive regime, Goldberg doubled down: “Not if you’re Black.”

The exchange grew more tense until co-host Joy Behar stepped in, urging Griffin to consider the perspective of Black Americans.

“Just try to understand from their point of view, this country does not do them well,” Behar said.

Griffin responded respectfully, saying she “completely” acknowledged that experience but maintained her stance that the situation in Iran is “significantly worse” than in the U.S.

Since the episode aired, social media users have blasted Goldberg’s comments on X (formerly Twitter), with many calling for her removal from The View.

One user wrote, “Whoopi Goldberg has lost her mind. Women are raped, beaten and killed in Iran for showing their hair and not wearing hijab. Whoopi claims that is how Blacks are treated in the U.S. The View should be taken off the air, ABC should lose their license.”

Another posted, “What the f-ck did I just hear? Whoopi Goldberg on The View (of all shows) just said that it’s no different living in Iran than the U.S. The Islamic Republic has arrested over 30,642 women since 2022 for not wearing hijabs. They’ve killed, raped, and tortured many of them. Her co-host, who is of Iranian heritage, tried to explain the hardship the Iranian people go through living under the Iranian regime. Whoopi then shouts her down like she knows best. Disgusting.”

A third commenter stated flatly, “Whoopi Goldberg needs to be FIRED! @ABCNetwork She is a racist and [disseminates] lies.”

One more voice on X added, “Did Whoopi Goldberg say on The View that being Black in America today is worse than living in Iran? Whoopi, a wealthy woman living the American dream, is debating which mansion staircase to descend. She and her co-hosts are disconnected from everyday struggles. They should admit they’re too rich and removed to grasp regular people’s lives.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli military and intelligence forces carried out a targeted operation in central Gaza that resulted in the death of senior Hamas figure Ibrahim Abu Shumala, according to an announcement released Friday by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

The statement noted that the strike occurred on June 17, 2025.

Abu Shumala held the position of chief financial officer for Hamas’s military division and had also served as the right-hand man to Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of the group’s armed forces, until Issa was killed in March 2024.

In his capacity, Abu Shumala managed the entirety of Hamas’s military budget within Gaza. He was directly involved in organizing and executing the group’s financial strategies during wartime, including coordinating the transfer and smuggling of millions of dollars in funding earmarked for terrorist activities.

These financial operations enabled Hamas to replenish its weapons stockpiles and allowed the terror group to continue issuing payments to its fighters, playing a key role in sustaining their operations during the ongoing conflict.

“The IDF will continue to operate against all terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF stated.

{Matzav.com}

Despite Iran’s rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium, which intelligence experts say cannot plausibly be used for civilian purposes, American intelligence agencies continue to diverge from Israel’s more urgent assessment that Tehran is actively working toward building a nuclear weapon, according to a report published Thursday.

As detailed by The New York Times, the Mossad estimates that Iran could put together a nuclear weapon in just 15 days. U.S. intelligence, however, maintains a more cautious timeline, suggesting that Iran would require several months to a year to build a bomb—and that, as of now, it has not taken definitive steps to begin that process.

Quoting U.S. intelligence sources and government officials, the report explained that the American position has not shifted since the matter was last formally reviewed in March. This comes despite the fact that Israel has initiated a widespread bombing campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile capabilities, research facilities, and military networks.

The report notes that top American intelligence officials warn Iran could make the strategic decision to pursue nuclear weaponization if its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were assassinated by Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz has not dismissed that possibility. Speaking at the site of an Iranian missile impact, Katz said Thursday that Khamenei “cannot continue to exist,” signaling that a targeted assassination remains on the table.

Another scenario that could prompt Iran to rush toward nuclear armament, according to the report, would be a direct U.S. military strike on the uranium enrichment plant at Fordo.

Fordo is located north of Qom and is heavily fortified beneath a mountain, making it virtually impervious to most conventional weapons. Military analysts believe that only U.S.-owned bunker-buster bombs could penetrate the site. Yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in an interview Thursday that Israel has the capability to take out Fordo without American help.

Meanwhile, the White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump would determine within two weeks whether the U.S. will actively participate in Israel’s military campaign against Iran.

This development followed a high-level intelligence briefing during which CIA Director John Ratcliffe informed the administration that Iran was dangerously close to building a nuclear bomb. His statements were reported to align closely with the Mossad’s current assessment.

While Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials indicated that new intelligence has emerged since March, sources clarified that Vance was actually referencing updated interpretations of already existing data—not newly discovered evidence.

On June 13, Israel launched a large-scale aerial offensive on Iranian territory, aiming to dismantle its nuclear and missile infrastructure. Israeli officials have described the threat from Iran as both immediate and existential. In retaliation, Iran has launched deadly salvos of ballistic missiles at Israeli military installations and civilian areas.

Although Iran continues to assert that it has no intention of producing nuclear arms, its enrichment levels now far exceed what is necessary for any civilian nuclear program. Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that Iran has blocked access to inspectors trying to monitor its nuclear activities.

{Matzav.com}

Israel kicked off Operation “Rising Lion” last Friday, launching a sweeping military assault that dealt a major blow to Iran’s leadership and nuclear infrastructure. The first wave of attacks successfully targeted high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and key players in Tehran’s atomic program.

In a surprising detail, the Jerusalem Post reports, the component of the mission aimed at Iran’s nuclear scientists was codenamed “Narnia” by Israeli forces—a reference to the fantasy realm, underscoring how bold and unlikely such a strike might have seemed before it was executed.

As part of the mission’s intelligence strategy, Israeli officials created a priority system to classify Iranian nuclear scientists, ranking them by the level of threat they posed and how difficult they would be to replace. The highest-priority targets were those with the most critical military knowledge. This detailed categorization led to the formation of a kill list, prepared in advance for immediate action.

The operation’s success relied heavily on the Intelligence Directorate’s ability to gather exacting data. Those killed in the strike were veterans of Iran’s nuclear program and considered irreplaceable assets. Many were viewed as intellectual heirs to Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, widely seen as the architect of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Prominent nuclear scientists eliminated during the campaign included:

• Fereydoun Abbasi, specialist in nuclear engineering

• Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, physics authority

• Akbar Matlali Zadeh, expert in chemical engineering

• Saeed Beraji, a materials engineering professional

• Amir Hassan Faqahi, expert in physics

• Abd al-Hamid Minushahr, authority on reactor physics

• Mansour Asgari, a physicist

• Ahmad Reza Davalparki Daryani, a nuclear engineer

• Ali Bakhayi Kathehremi, mechanical expert

An Israeli military official revealed how the complex operation came together. “120 individuals from Military Intelligence and the Air Force were brought into a facility in Unit 8200 to plan the operation. By January, the pressure was mounting as no solutions had been found. The consensus was clear – we needed to develop solutions targeting air defense systems.”

The official continued, “In the past year, we began constructing a target bank, and the breakthrough came when we discovered an intelligence base and an air force base. However, the target bank did not yet contain enough targets. Each team had its own mission: killing nuclear scientists, eliminating command centers, and radar systems. That’s when Operation ‘Rising Lion’ began.”

In a surprising departure from its usual military doctrine, Israel has turned to psychological tactics, a move more commonly seen in the playbooks of its adversaries. On Wednesday, the IDF posted a message in Persian on its official X/Twitter account, encouraging Iranian citizens to reach out directly to the Mossad. The post hinted that internal elements within the Iranian government were already seeking to prevent the country from facing the kind of devastation seen in Gaza or Lebanon. The statement read: “We understand that you are in a difficult situation under the conditions imposed by the regime. In recent days, we have received messages from our loved ones who fear the uncertain future.”

It went on: “Even members of the regime’s security institutions are expressing fear, despair, and anger at what is happening in Iran and are asking us to contact the Israeli authorities – to avoid the same fate as Gaza and Lebanon. However, we must clarify that we are not the address for such requests, and we direct you to contact the Mossad. Perhaps you will find a way to improve your situation.” The message included a secure Mossad contact link and advised users to employ encrypted connections (VPN) for safety.

In response, the Mossad followed up with a post of its own: “Iran claims to have attacked a Mossad building with missile strikes. Fortunately, no one was there… everyone is in Iran.”

Michelle Obama recently shared a candid moment during an episode of her podcast “IMO,” revealing that she was relieved not to have had a son—because, in her words, he would have been just like her husband, Barack Obama.

The 61-year-old former first lady made the comment on Wednesday’s show, which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson. During a lighthearted conversation with radio host Angie Martinez of Hot 97, Martinez jokingly suggested that Michelle “should have thrown a boy in the mix.”

“I’m so glad I didn’t have a boy,” Michelle responded plainly.

“Because he would have been a Barack Obama. Ooh,” she added, glancing downward and shaking her head for added effect.

Martinez reacted enthusiastically, saying, “Baby Barack! It would have been amazing.”

“No, I woulda felt for him,” Michelle replied.

The discussion revolved heavily around raising sons, given that Martinez has a son and Robinson is the father of three boys.

Michelle’s remarks also appeared to reflect elements of her long marriage to Barack Obama, now in its 32nd year—a relationship that has recently been the subject of speculation in the media.

“Teach [your son] about how to deal with the traffic stop, but also teach him how to communicate in a marriage and to be a listening father,” she said, before again expressing hesitation about raising a “baby Barack.”

Still, Michelle had words of admiration for her husband’s parenting during a recent sit-down with musician and Democrat icon Bruce Springsteen.

“I think Barack is just like you as a tremendous father, doing it in a lot of grandeur, right,” she said to Springsteen on the June 11 edition of the podcast.

Despite ongoing chatter about potential marital trouble, the Obamas were spotted enjoying a high-profile night out at the Lowell Hotel’s upscale restaurant in Midtown Manhattan last month. They were also seen sharing another intimate dinner in Washington, D.C. this past April.

Michelle has previously shared that she’s attending therapy and working through a personal transformation, saying she’s “transitioning” into a new chapter of her life.

U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Jim Hanson discusses how President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision on Iran over the next two weeks on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’

WATCH:

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett discusses freed hostage Edan Alexander’s return home to New Jersey and Israeli’s conflict with Iran on ‘The Story.’

WATCH:

Fox News host Sean Hannity breaks down the latest on the Israel-Iran conflict and what to take away from the ‘Trump doctrine’ on ‘Hannity.’

WATCH:

China’s state-run Global Times published a commentary on Thursday placing full blame on the United States for the tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, insisting that Iran should not be held accountable for its advanced enrichment program, which violates international agreements.

Over the past week, China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly defended Iran’s regime, particularly in light of Israel’s military operation known as “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted senior Iranian military figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the strikes were necessitated by Iran’s accumulation of enough nuclear material to produce multiple bombs. Iranian officials have consistently threatened Israel’s existence and vowed to annihilate the country.

Just prior to Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear watchdog under the United Nations, adopted a resolution criticizing Iran’s covert nuclear work. It was the first such resolution in nearly twenty years. China, notably, chose not to support the measure.

The Global Times editorial, which denounced the U.S. for allegedly sparking the conflict despite no known American military involvement in the operation at the time, followed multiple remarks by China’s Foreign Minister urging Beijing’s participation in mediating between Iran and Israel. While China has been pushing to expand its diplomatic clout in the Middle East—especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel—its attempts have thus far been ignored by both Iran and Israel.

Describing Washington’s role as destabilizing, the Global Times, an extension of the Communist Party, wrote that “the mere fact that the U.S. is contemplating involvement is itself a very dangerous signal.” The piece omitted any reference to Iran’s years-long enrichment of uranium to levels suitable for weaponization or its repeated public calls to destroy the State of Israel.

“The U.S. bears responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue,” the editorial declared. “If Washington had not unilaterally withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and if the agreement had been smoothly and effectively implemented, the issue very likely would not have deteriorated to its current state.”

Absent from the editorial was the context that President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the JCPOA in 2018 after Iran was repeatedly found in violation of the deal’s terms.

The Global Times went on to argue that “Iran’s national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should not be violated, and the Iranian people and their property should be protected,” and insisted that “any reckless use of force against Iran is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law.”

The commentary concluded by calling on the United States to “adopt an objective and impartial stance” and “stop fueling the war machine.”

President Trump, in contrast to China’s accusations, has continuously expressed his desire to see peace between Israel and Iran. Most recently, on Tuesday, he stated that reaching a peaceful resolution with Tehran was “achievable” and urged Iran to engage in discussions with both the United States and Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, issued a defiant response, stating that no peace would be tolerated if it came from outside pressure.

“The Iranian nation will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as it will resolutely resist an imposed peace,” Khamenei said. “This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition.”

China’s official Foreign Ministry response to the rising conflict struck a slightly more reserved tone on Wednesday, even as it continued to stress opposition to any American role in the matter.

“We oppose any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries,” said ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “Further escalation of tensions in the Middle East does not serve the interests of any party.”

Guo added that “countries with special influence on Israel” should “play a positive and constructive role in de-escalating the situation and preventing the conflict from expanding,” pointedly avoiding any mention of the United States by name.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iran, Beijing had already positioned itself as a staunch backer of Iran, raising questions about its neutrality in the crisis.

“The Chinese side supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and national dignity, steadily advancing its own economic and social development,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated at last October’s BRICS summit, where he publicly aligned himself with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s inclusion into BRICS was secured in early 2024 with China’s backing.

During that meeting, Xi pledged that China would “firmly support each other, uphold the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.”

In the wake of Israel’s bombing campaign in Tehran, China once again revived its calls to be involved in brokering peace. Reports indicated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke separately with Iranian and Israeli officials shortly after the strikes, although neither side appeared to show any interest in Beijing’s mediation.

“China will continue playing a constructive role in solving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict,” Guo reiterated on Monday. However, no concrete actions or successful initiatives by China have been publicly acknowledged by the parties involved.

{Matzav.com}

As missiles continue to rain down on Eretz Yisroel our hearts are with the victims and everyone affected.

In addition to the teffilos added after davening as per the call of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America in their Kol Korei released last Friday we must do our hishtadlus and advocacy. Agudath Israel’s office of government affairs has been in direct communication with the White House and members of Congress, thanking them for standing with Israel despite the pressure from voices on the right and left. Please join us in expressing our appreciation.

Call 202-456-1111 Monday – Thursday between the hours of 10-3 to leave a message at the White House comment line or use the online form here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Personalize the following message template:

Dear President Trump,

As an Orthodox Jewish American I want to thank you for standing with Israel in its time of need. Israel currently faces an existential threat from a genocidal Iran. Our brothers and sisters in Israel, including hundreds of thousands of American citizens, keep heading to bomb shelters as Iran rains downs ballistic missiles on civilian neighborhoods. We appreciate the critical assistance of the United States in protecting innocent lives and your public support of Israel’s right to defend itself.

Thank you for everything you have done and are doing to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb that would threaten Israel and the free world.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump appeared to ease tensions with Tucker Carlson this week, revealing that the media personality had reached out to make amends following critical comments about Trump’s role in the escalating situation between Israel and Iran. According to Trump, Carlson called to apologize for remarks he admitted “were a little bit too strong.”

“Tucker is a nice guy,” Trump told reporters during remarks at the White House. “He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong, and I appreciated that.”

Trump went on to say that when it comes to Iran, his base stands with him. “My supporters are America first,” he said. “They make America great again. My supporters don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

The discussion followed a reporter’s question referencing the fiery exchange between Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz on Carlson’s program. During the segment, Carlson pressed Cruz over his support for regime change in Iran.

“Ted Cruz is a nice guy,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s been with me for a long time, I’d say once the race was over.”

Still, Trump made it clear that anyone who believes Iran should be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons is fundamentally opposed to his position. “But nobody thinks it’s OK,” he added. “I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight. But if it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to. You have to do what you have to do.”

Trump also expressed skepticism that Cruz would truly endorse Iran having such capabilities, and said he doesn’t believe Carlson would support that either.

“The problem is then they get themselves into a thing,” Trump said. “They don’t want them to have nuclear. But then they say, well, we don’t want to fight. Well, they’re going to have to make a choice, because it’s possible that you’re going to have to fight for them not to have nuclear.”

Trump shared more details from his conversation with Carlson, including his direct question to the host about whether he was “OK with nuclear weapons being in the hands of Iran.”

“He sort of didn’t like that,” Trump said. “He didn’t want to, but he sort of didn’t like that. And I said, ‘well, if it’s OK with you, then you and I do have a difference,’ but it’s really not OK with him.”

Trump emphasized that the stakes are too high to ignore. “You may have to fight and maybe it will end and maybe it will end very quickly… you [can’t] allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon because the entire world will blow up. I’m not going to let that happen.”

Carlson, for his part, had ignited debate over U.S. intervention in the region with a social media post on June 13. In it, he drew a sharp distinction between those “who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers.”

He also argued that the advocates for military action included “anyone who’s calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct U.S. military involvement in a war with Iran.”

Carlson reiterated his concerns during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast earlier in the week. He warned that American engagement in another Middle East conflict could mark “the end of the American empire,” and went so far as to claim it would “effectively end” Trump’s presidency. He compared the scenario to the fallout of George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq.

Meanwhile, public opinion appears to be on Trump’s side. A poll published this week and cited by the New York Post found that Trump’s stance on Iran enjoys broad support among Republicans — especially those aligned with the MAGA movement.

According to a J.L. Partners survey, 65% of self-identified “MAGA Republicans” said they would support American strikes on Iran, compared to just 19% who opposed them.

Among Republicans who identify as “traditional,” 51% backed military action, while 28% were against it. Overall, Republican voters supported strikes by a margin of 58% to 25%, with 17% undecided or neutral.

“This poll makes clear: the Republican base is not isolationist,” said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners. “They back forceful U.S. and Israeli action to stop Iran, and see Israel’s fight as America’s fight.”

{Matzav.com}

A massive wave of 23 missiles fired from Iran on Friday afternoon left at least two people seriously injured—a teenage boy and a man in his 40s—amid widespread panic and destruction across Israel.

Air raid sirens were triggered in nearly every region of the country, from the northern Golan Heights and upper Galilee down to Eilat in the south, signaling the widespread reach of the attack.

Authorities confirmed at least five missile strikes that caused extensive physical damage in various areas.

Magen David Adom reported that one of the missiles struck Haifa, injuring 14 people. Emergency responders said a 16-year-old boy sustained a serious head injury, and a man in his 40s was also in serious condition after suffering heavy bleeding from a limb wound. Both were being transported to Rambam Hospital for urgent care.

In addition to those critical cases, a 40-year-old man was moderately hurt, a 54-year-old sustained injuries from shrapnel, and around ten more individuals were treated for minor wounds resulting from the blasts.

Among the damaged sites was a school located in central Israel, though details on injuries there were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, an El Al rescue flight returning from Bangkok was forced to remain airborne off Israel’s coast for nearly 50 minutes while the attack was underway. The aircraft circled repeatedly before receiving clearance to land safely.

Amid the assault, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted a message in Arabic on social media declaring, “The Zionist enemy is getting what it deserves, its punishment.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces were given new directives on Friday to escalate their attacks on Iran, with the objective of significantly weakening the Islamic Republic’s regime. This escalation comes as the conflict between the two nations entered its second week, with both sides continuing to exchange strikes.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to expand their offensive, which included overnight airstrikes on a number of military sites across Iran, one of which targeted a facility associated with nuclear research.

“We must strike all symbols of the regime and its mechanisms of oppression, such as the Basij, as well as the base of the regime’s power, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Katz declared.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining relentless pressure through ongoing bombardments “to destabilize the regime and increase deterrence in response to missile fire on Israel’s home front.”

According to Israeli military officials, over 60 fighter jets were deployed to attack facilities believed to be involved in missile production. These were described as key industrial centers linked to Iran’s weapons capabilities.

Among the sites reportedly hit was the headquarters of Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, which American officials have previously associated with secret Iranian work related to nuclear weapons development.

“A week has passed since the operation began,” said Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, in a press briefing.

“We are strengthening our air control in the region and advancing our air offensive. We have more sites to strike in Tehran, western Iran and other places.”

This intensified campaign came on the heels of remarks from President Trump, who on Thursday reiterated that he would reach a decision within two weeks on whether to launch a U.S. strike on Iran. He noted that diplomacy might still be possible regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and said he was not yet ready to abandon that hope.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday night, Israeli leadership—including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—held a high-level meeting with members of the Trump administration. According to two individuals familiar with the discussions, the American delegation included Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The meeting was reported on exclusively by The Jerusalem Post.

This discussion came as Washington continued to weigh whether to participate directly in Israel’s military campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump indicated that he would reach a final decision on the matter within the next two weeks.

Citing the president’s position, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Speaking at a routine press briefing, Leavitt reiterated that while Trump remained open to diplomacy with Tehran, his administration’s overriding concern was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a parallel show of force, the United States is preparing to bolster its military presence in the region. Three aircraft carriers are expected to be deployed nearby, and ten U.S. military cargo planes are en route to American bases under U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

Iran declared on Friday that it would not engage in nuclear discussions with the United States while Israeli military actions against it continue, responding to President Trump’s recent remarks suggesting a two-week window to allow diplomacy to resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi firmly rejected any possibility of talks while hostilities persist, stating there would be no engagement “until Israeli aggression stops.”

“Americans want to negotiate and have sent messages several times, but we clearly said that as long as this aggression doesn’t stop, there’s no place for talk of dialogue,” Araqchi said in a televised speech aired on Iranian state TV.

He also leveled accusations against the United States, claiming Washington is complicit in the military attacks. He described America as a “partner to Israeli crime against Iran.”

General Jack Keane, a retired four-star U.S. Army commander, expressed skepticism that Iran’s highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would ever fully commit to ceasing uranium enrichment activities.

“The Ayatollah going into this, and the reason why he has never made a deal, is because he had built an enterprise to survive an attack — and he believes they can absorb the attack, survive it, recover it, and then rebuild,” Gen. Keane said in an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“That is where this guy is. And I don’t see him, in the near term, making the deal here whatsoever,” he said, emphasizing his doubts about any imminent breakthrough.

At the same time, Israeli defense forces were instructed on Friday to ramp up their offensive operations against Iran, part of an effort to completely undermine the Islamic Republic’s leadership, following a wave of missile strikes launched the previous week.

These developments unfolded just a day after President Trump said he was weighing military action, while still holding out hope that Tehran might come back to the negotiating table.

“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Trump stated.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Geneva on Friday for meetings with several European diplomats, with discussions expected to include the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s designated envoy overseeing U.S. engagement with Iran, was not expected to participate in those Geneva meetings.

Iran has yet to formally decide to pursue the construction of a nuclear weapon, but intelligence sources believe such a move could follow swiftly if the United States were to strike the Fordow uranium enrichment facility or eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report from The New York Times published Thursday.

While the article references anonymous American intelligence officials suggesting Iran is not currently aiming to build a bomb, this view is not shared by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. According to CBS News, Ratcliffe has privately cautioned that Iran is on the verge of possessing nuclear weapons capability and is not merely debating it. “Claiming Iran isn’t close to a bomb,” he reportedly said, “would be similar to saying football players who have fought their way to the 1-yard line don’t want to score a touchdown.”

The Biden administration stated Thursday that Iran could finalize a nuclear weapon in “a couple of weeks,” underscoring how little time remains should Tehran choose to move forward.

That same two-week period is also the window during which President Donald Trump is weighing whether to authorize a military strike on the Fordow facility, located near Qom and buried about 300 feet underground. Israel lacks the kind of deep-penetration bombs required to destroy a site fortified to that extent.

The Times report also contradicts Israel’s assessment, which prompted it to initiate an offensive a week ago, based on information suggesting Iran had already enriched sufficient uranium for nine nuclear devices.

“All they had to do was weaponize them. We stopped that by attacking their nuclear scientists,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Israel’s actions have continued beyond that initial strike.

“We control the skies over Tehran. We are striking with tremendous force at the Ayatollah regime. We are hitting the nuclear program, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of power,” Netanyahu declared in a video message on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}

A prominent Orthodox Jewish advocacy organization has rolled out a bold digital campaign in the heart of Times Square, directly equating the popular anti-Israel phrase “Free Palestine” with incitement to genocide and warning that the ideology behind it poses a growing threat to the United States.

The initiative, launched earlier this week by the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), features a striking 10-second message on one of Times Square’s most heavily trafficked digital billboards. The ad reads: “Free Palestine = Support for Hamas = Calling for Genocide of Jews. America, Wake Up. It Never Ends With the Jews!” It will air dozens of times per day over the course of a month.

CJV, which represents over 2,500 Orthodox rabbis engaged in matters of public policy, explained that the goal of the campaign is to expose what it describes as the true danger of the movement to the broader American public.

This effort comes in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel. The group notes that antisemitism has jumped by more than 200% nationwide in the months since the attack, with Jews continuing to account for the majority of hate-crime victims in New York City.

According to CJV, the phrase “Free Palestine” has been linked to several violent attacks in recent weeks. Among them were a firebomb attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, the murder of two individuals outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., and an assault involving a homemade flamethrower targeting pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado. Witnesses in each case reported that the attackers shouted “Free Palestine” as they carried out their acts.

At a vigil on Capitol Hill last Tuesday honoring the two Israeli embassy employees who were killed, House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced his alarm. “The ‘Free Palestine’ call has become a violent movement that collaborates with Hamas,” he said, accusing universities of abusing free speech protections to justify support for terrorism and genocide.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Executive Vice President of CJV, issued a sharply worded statement in conjunction with the billboard campaign. “Too many Jewish organizations are afraid to say what Speaker Johnson finds obvious: the cry of ‘Free Palestine’ is the call of domestic terrorists.”

“Israel is the only free country in the Middle East,” Menken said. “The one thing Israel is not free of is Jews, and that is what ‘Free Palestine’ aims to correct, in the model of Hitler’s Final Solution.”

He went on to say, “They have no interest in building a nation, but destroying one. They do not want to elevate Palestinian Arabs, but to eradicate Jews. This is classic antisemitism, and history proves that there is no greater danger to the continuity of a civilization.”

Rabbi Menken concluded with a call to action for Americans of all political leanings to confront what he called a “bloodthirsty” movement. “When students on college campuses chant ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free,’ America itself is at risk,” Rabbi Menken warned.

“We call upon all Americans to join us in speaking clearly about who and what the ‘Free Palestine’ movement stands for — and the need to stamp it out,” he added.