Matzav

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, in a prerecorded press briefing, revealed that Israel possessed “interesting intel” regarding the location of Iran’s stockpile of 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. However, he did not elaborate further on the intelligence.

Netanyahu explained that Israel had been compelled to strike Iran following Tehran’s accelerated nuclear activity after the death of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024. He also pointed to Iran’s intentions to produce 300 ballistic missiles each month as a growing threat.

He recounted a conversation with President Donald Trump, during which he expressed the urgency of taking action. “I told him of our need to act, and he understood it very well. And I knew that when push comes to shove, he would do the right thing. He would do the right thing for America. He would do the right thing for the free world. He would do the right thing for civilization.”

Addressing the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu said the conflict could be brought to an immediate close if Hamas would capitulate. “It could end tomorrow. It could end today if Hamas surrenders, lays down all its arms, release all the hostages. It’s over in a moment.”

He expressed hope for Gaza’s future, saying, “We think we can give Gaza a different future.”

Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to a lasting resolution, asserting, “I have a plan for a permanent peace,” and added that “we’re prepared to go into negotiations right now on the proposal that Mr. Witkoff gave.”

He noted that dialogue with intermediaries was ongoing and that Israel was attempting to reach a deal with Hamas for a 60-day ceasefire, during which half of the hostages would be released.

China has criticized the United States over its recent strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, saying the move has undermined Washington’s standing on the global stage.

According to Chinese state media, officials in Beijing are worried that the conflict could spiral out of control, a concern voiced after a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Speaking on behalf of China at the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong urged all involved to resist turning to violence. “Parties should restrain the ‘impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire,” he said, as reported by CCTV.

Fu specifically called on Israel to halt its military actions. He stated that parties, “especially Israel, should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war.”

He also criticized the U.S. for suffering reputational damage in the aftermath of the strike. “Iran was hurt ‘but the United States credibility was also damaged—both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations,’” Fu remarked.

Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Iran announced that most of its nationals have been safely evacuated. The remaining Chinese citizens, according to the embassy, are currently not located in areas considered to be at high risk.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the media on Sunday night, following the United States’ military strike on Iran. In his remarks, he stated that Israel is nearing the fulfillment of its goals in Operation Rising Lion.

“We are very close to completing the two objectives of the operation. Great days of unity and strength lie ahead, days of peace,” declared Netanyahu.

Netanyahu applauded the U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “We should take our hats off to Trump for the excellent work they did. They did a lot of damage to Fordow, and we will make sure that there is no threat from these nuclear facilities.”

Regarding the potential continuation of strikes inside Iran, the prime minister explained Israel’s approach moving forward. “We are focused on achieving our objectives. When we achieve them, we will not continue beyond what is necessary, but we will not end too soon. When the objectives are achieved, the operation will be completed and the fighting will cease.”

Commenting on the likelihood of a diplomatic resolution between Tehran and Washington, Netanyahu expressed doubt. “I do not think it will be possible to reach an agreement between Iran and the United States because Iran is constantly cheating. If the goal of a nuclear-free Iran is not achieved in the agreement, it will be achieved in another way and by sustained enforcement just like in Lebanon.”

When pressed about Hamas and the return of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, Netanyahu drew a connection between the Iranian and Gaza fronts. “I think the operation in Iran helps to advance in Gaza because without the scaffolding of Iran the whole structure collapses, as happened in Lebanon. From where will their salvation come? It will take a little more time, but the achievements in Iran also contribute to the war in Gaza.”

As for whether he plans to run for office again, Netanyahu responded, “I am here on a mission and I have many more tasks to accomplish. I will be here as long as I think I can achieve them, but it depends on the people.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Sunday addressed the U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, offering praise for the execution of the operation and suggesting that a change in leadership in Iran might be on the horizon.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump posted, “The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be ‘monumental.’ The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!”

In a follow-up message, he added, “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

Earlier the same day, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a press briefing at the Pentagon, where he provided a detailed account of the military operation that targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Referred to as Operation Midnight Hammer, the mission successfully hit three major nuclear sites in Iran. General Caine called the operation “deliberate and precise,” underscoring the extraordinary teamwork and professionalism demonstrated by American forces in what he described as a “complex and high-risk mission.”

Caine explained that the primary goal was to significantly impair Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. He highlighted that the mission was orchestrated across various operational environments, illustrating the unmatched reach and precision of the U.S. military.

“Very few people in Washington knew about the timing and nature of the plan,” Caine stated.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday made clear that the United States is not planning to deploy troops to Iran, though he acknowledged that the administration is taking precautions against possible domestic threats from Iranian operatives.

“We’re not at war with Iran. We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance stated during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

He emphasized the administration’s reluctance to escalate the conflict: “We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground,” Vance said. “We didn’t blow up diplomacy.”

Vance defended the strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, asserting they were only launched after diplomatic efforts were clearly being undermined by Tehran. “We only took this action when it was clear, as the president said, that the Iranians were tapping us along,” the vice president remarked.

He then took aim at Tehran’s military capabilities, mocking their effectiveness and encouraging a shift in strategy. “The Iranians are clearly not very good at war. Perhaps they should follow President Trump’s lead and give peace a chance if they’re serious about it. I guarantee you, the president of the United States is,” he said.

According to Vance, Iran’s influence through regional proxy groups has already been weakened, and their atomic program has been decimated—though he acknowledged that full assessments are ongoing.

In the wake of the strikes announced Saturday night, President Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying any retaliatory act “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed” during the coordinated attacks on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan facilities.

Echoing the president, Vance cautioned Iran against any response, calling such a move reckless. “It would be the stupidest thing in the world if they” pursue revenge, he said, while noting that the U.S. has taken steps to prepare for any backlash.

“We’re, of course, doing everything that we can to keep our people safe. I think that we’re prepared in the event that the Iranians do retaliate,” Vance explained. He also warned about dormant terrorist threats on American soil. “Unfortunately, we know that a lot of people who we don’t have full accounting of were let in over the last four years under the Biden administration,” he said.

U.S. officials are also considering the risk that Iran could attack American troops or military assets in the Middle East or try to disrupt global oil shipments by obstructing the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance said such a maneuver would have catastrophic consequences for Iran itself. “It would be suicidal” for Tehran to take that route, he said, particularly given its already fragile economic state.

Nonetheless, he reiterated what the administration views as the most critical threshold. “Our biggest red line is the Iranian nuclear weapons,” he said.

Although Vance has traditionally aligned with non-interventionist policies—expressing reservations about sustained U.S. support for Ukraine and, according to a March leak, harboring private concerns about airstrikes in Yemen—he stood firmly behind the current military action.

He insisted that President Trump’s recent decision was guided by strategic judgment and a commitment to preventing Iran’s ruling regime from developing nuclear arms. “The president has actually been one of the fiercest critics of 25 years of failed foreign policy in the Middle East, which is why he did what he did: a very precise, a very surgical strike tailored to an American national interest,” Vance said.

He went on to affirm his belief that this won’t spiral into a broader war. “I don’t fear that this is going to become a protracted conflict because I think that we have a president who knows what’s in America’s interest,” he stated.

Vance compared the administration’s targeted strike to previous, more drawn-out military engagements in the region. “I certainly empathize with Americans who are exhausted after 25 years of foreign entanglements in the Middle East,” he noted. “I understand the concern. But the difference is that back then we had a dumb president.”

Democrats swiftly called for President Trump’s impeachment after news of the attacks emerged, claiming he had acted beyond his constitutional powers. Even a few Republicans, including Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, criticized the strikes as illegal.

But Vance dismissed the backlash, maintaining that the president acted within legal limits. “The president has clear authority to act to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Earlier this year, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Congress that U.S. agencies did not assess Iran to be building a nuclear weapon. She later criticized how her testimony had been portrayed by the media.

Nevertheless, Vance said the president had compelling justification for the strikes. “They were way too close to a nuclear weapon for the comfort of the president of the United States, which is why he took this action,” he said. “We had a narrow window of opportunity.”

He added that time was of the essence. “We might not have been able to carry out this attack six months down the road,” Vance said. “It would have been irresponsible, I think, for the president not to take the action that he did.”

As for what comes next, Vance left that in Iran’s hands. “What happens next is up to the Iranians,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

In response to President Donald Trump’s recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, several lawmakers zeroed in on the fact that the military action took place without the consent of Congress—raising alarms about constitutional overreach. But Senator Bernie Sanders voiced a different concern, directing his outrage at what he described as the “lies” being spread by the Trump administration to justify the operation.

According to the senator from Vermont, this latest assault fits a troubling historical pattern, in which powerful U.S. leaders misled the nation into conflict with dubious claims. The end result, Sanders said, has repeatedly been massive loss of life and little benefit to American security.

“In the 1960s the United States government lied to the American people and took us into a terrible war in Vietnam,” said Sanders. “The result of that war was that over 58,000 young Americans died and many more came back wounded both in mind and in spirit. Millions of Vietnamese were also killed.”

Years later, Sanders noted, the Bush administration claimed Iraq was racing to build weapons of mass destruction—a claim bolstered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The outcome of that war, Sanders argued, was another disaster based on misinformation.

“The United States invaded Iraq and became embroiled in a long civil war there. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. That war was based on a lie—a lie which cost us 4,492 young Americans, 32,000 wounded, over half a million Iraqis and trillions of dollars,” said Sanders.

“The American people are being lied to again today,” he added. “We cannot allow history to repeat itself.”

Despite rhetoric suggesting an imminent nuclear threat, U.S. intelligence assessments continue to find no evidence that Iran is currently pursuing a nuclear weapon. These findings support Iran’s official position that its atomic energy efforts are strictly for peaceful purposes.

Sanders released his statement hours after being notified, while speaking at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that Trump had greenlit a bombing campaign on three of Iran’s nuclear sites—an action that Iranian leaders immediately condemned as illegal under international norms.

When Sanders read aloud the president’s message regarding the operation, his supporters broke out in a spontaneous chant of “No more war!”—a moment of visible resistance that highlighted the depth of anti-war sentiment among many Americans.

Commenting on the public’s reaction, The Nation’s Jeet Heer pointed to new polling data indicating that just 8% of Americans want the U.S. to directly join Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran. Heer said this shows a ripe moment for a nationwide anti-war mobilization.

“There is only one off-ramp from Trump’s mad rush to war: the quick mobilization of an anti-war opposition,” said Heer. “The people are ready.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continued to promote the operation as a major blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities. But progressive strategist Waleed Shahid urged Democratic politicians to shift the conversation—not toward legal technicalities, but to the deeper issue of endless, misleadingly justified foreign conflicts.

“No one ever won a fight yelling, ‘Congressional authorization.’ Voters need clarity amid the chaos,” said Shahid. “Lead with this: No more blank checks for corrupt and endless foreign wars, we’re here to focus on fighting for working Americans.”

Shahid’s remarks echoed Sanders’ focus on deceptive narratives used to drag the country into combat.

“The U.S. faces enormous problems here at home, which we must address,” said Sanders. “We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged into another Middle East war based on lies.”

{Matzav.com}

On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security released a terrorism advisory, cautioning that Iran may attempt to launch retaliatory attacks on American soil in response to the recent U.S. strikes targeting its nuclear infrastructure.

According to the DHS bulletin, authorities were urged to prepare for the possibility of Iranian-linked terror plots unfolding in the next 90 days, fueled by motivations to respond to the dramatic military action carried out the night before.

“The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,” DHS said in a statement.

Beyond the concern of physical acts of terrorism, officials also noted that there’s an elevated threat of cyber intrusions and a rise in antisemitic incidents amid the tensions.

This federal alert follows a similar warning issued Saturday night by the NYPD, after which Governor Hochul directed increased security measures across key transportation hubs including the MTA and Port Authority.

{Matzav.com}

The B-2 Spirit bombers used in the assault on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility were equipped with basic creature comforts — including toilets, microwaves, and coolers — to help pilots endure the grueling 37-hour round-trip flight from Missouri.

These advanced stealth aircraft, originally developed to deliver nuclear payloads during the Cold War, launched from Whiteman Air Force Base near Kansas City on Friday. The marathon flight to Iran and back involved multiple mid-air refuelings, according to military officials.

Because the mission involved nearly two full days in the air, the planes’ interiors were outfitted with conveniences such as small refrigerators and microwave ovens, allowing the two-man crews to stay nourished and focused throughout the journey.

To accommodate the long-haul nature of the mission, the planes also featured an onboard toilet — a necessity for such extended flights.

Each aircraft also had a designated area that allowed one pilot to rest while the other remained at the controls, taking turns to operate the jet during the long hours aloft.

Introduced into service in 1997, each B-2 stealth bomber comes with a staggering price tag of over $2 billion. The U.S. Air Force maintains a fleet of 19 aircraft, following the loss of one in a crash back in 2008.

With their sweeping 172-foot wingspan and a crew limited to just two, these high-tech jets depend heavily on automated systems to carry out extended missions across the globe.

According to The Telegraph, the seven bombers assigned to Operation “Midnight Hammer” maintained radio silence for nearly the entire duration of their flight. Pilots alternated sleep shifts during the tense hours leading up to and following the strike.

The raid on Fordow represented the longest continuous B-2 mission since the early stages of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

To prepare for such grueling operations, B-2 crews train specifically for extreme endurance flights. As reported by The Atlantic, some past missions have seen crews bring along makeshift sleeping setups like cots or full-length camping pads.

The bombers didn’t fly solo the entire time. As they neared Iranian airspace, they were joined by fighter jets and other support aircraft to coordinate the complex strike.

“The B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications,” Gen Daniel Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, touted in a statement.

Caine said the attack inside Iranian territory began at 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday and lasted 25 minutes. The lead bomber dropped a pair of GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs on “the first of several aim points at Fordow.”

“The remaining bombers then hit their targets, as well, with a total of 14 MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators) dropped against two nuclear target areas,” he added.

This mission marked the first instance of the U.S. deploying the 15-ton GBU-57 bunker busters in active combat.

“There is not another military in the world that could have done this,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social when revealing the attack on Iran.

After the U.S. carried out its major military operation targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited the Kosel in Yerushalayimon Sunday. Their visit was marked by a heartfelt tefillah of thanks to the Almighty for the wonders witnessed, as well as a prayer for the well-being of the President of the United States, in appreciation of his unwavering backing of Israel during these trying times.

The gathering was held in the presence of Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel, along with Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, who heads the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. Tefillos were recited to express gratitude for the evident and ongoing miracles that have unfolded throughout the course of the “Rising Lion” war.

Before the onset of the conflict, Prime Minister Netanyahu had made his way to the Kosel, seeking divine assistance. At that time, he inserted a handwritten note into the cracks of the Wall with the verse, “Am kelavi yakum – a nation shall rise like a lion,” expressing hope for Israel’s strength and triumph.

During Sunday’s visit, Rav Rabinowitz joined the prime minister in reciting a special prayer specifically dedicated to the President of the United States. The prayer was offered in sincere recognition of his firm support for Israel and the vital role he has played in ensuring regional stability and security.

At the end of the prayer service, Prime Minister Netanyahu placed yet another note into the Kosel, this time inscribed with the words: “Am Yisrael kam – Am Yisrael chai!”

The prime minister remarked: “Ten days ago, on the eve of Israel’s historic action, I stood here and placed a note that read: ‘Behold, a nation shall rise like a lion’. Now, ten days later, I return to the same place and leave a note that reads: ‘Behold, a nation has risen like a lion – the Nation of Israel lives!’”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s legislative body has cast a vote in favor of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial waterway that handles nearly a fifth of the global oil trade each day.

Should this decision be enforced, it would effectively freeze $1 billion worth of daily oil exports, likely triggering a dramatic spike in oil prices worldwide.

The implementation of the closure awaits a final verdict from Iran’s Supreme Council.

According to Iran’s government-run Press TV, the Supreme Council is expected to announce its ruling by the end of the day.

In a statement issued Sunday, Revolutionary Guards Commander Email Kosari said Iran’s sharp response to American airstrikes on its nuclear infrastructure “will be done whenever necessary.”

The Strait of Hormuz — linking the Gulf of Oman to the Persian Gulf — is among the globe’s most strategically sensitive maritime routes, narrowing to just 20 miles at its slimmest section.

The usable shipping lanes within that strait are even more restricted, measuring under two miles in width for each direction, leaving vessels extremely susceptible to military threats or disruptions.

Due to its shallow waters, the strait is especially prone to the dangers of underwater mines, while its narrow span leaves tankers exposed to missile attacks from land or interceptions by small boats and helicopters.

Though Tehran lacks any international legal authority to block maritime passage through the strait, any naval attempts to do so are likely to provoke a forceful counteraction.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet and allied naval forces maintain constant patrols in the region to ensure freedom of navigation.

Geographically, Iran sits to the north of the strait, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates lie to the south.

The vast majority of oil exports from major regional producers — including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE — must pass through this slender maritime passage.

Asian nations stand to lose the most in the event of a closure, particularly countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea, all of which heavily rely on oil shipped through Hormuz.

China, which purchases more Iranian oil than any other country and has historically used its UN Security Council veto power to shield Tehran from international censure, would be especially impacted.

At the same time, blocking the strait would also damage Iran’s own economy, cutting off a primary route for its oil exports.

This wouldn’t be the first time Iran has interfered with shipping in the region. In April of last year, it seized the MSC Aries, a vessel tied to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of maritime violations.

In another incident the same month, Iranian forces captured a tanker en route to the U.S., alleging it had collided with another ship.

Back in May 2022, Iran detained two Greek oil tankers for six months, widely interpreted as revenge for Greece and the U.S. seizing Iranian crude on a different vessel.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula, Houthi militants in Yemen have successfully disrupted commercial shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that leads into the Red Sea.

By launching missile and drone attacks, the Houthis slashed marine traffic through both the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by around 70% in June compared to the 2022–2023 average, according to Clarkson Research Services Ltd., part of the world’s top shipbroking firm.

These disruptions have forced maritime companies to divert vessels around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, adding considerable time and expense to journeys between Asia and Europe by avoiding the Suez Canal.

The U.S. military campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—referred to as “Operation Midnight Hammer”—marked the most extensive use of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers in combat and the longest mission for the aircraft since 2001.

In a significant milestone, the strike also marked the first combat deployment of the 15-ton GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, with 14 of the powerful bombs dropped on key Iranian nuclear facilities.

The mission caught Iran completely off guard on Saturday night. General Dan Caine, Chief of the Joint Staff, said Iranian forces didn’t attempt to engage the American aircraft as they approached or departed.

“We are currently unaware of any shots fired at the US strike package on the way in,” he said during a Sunday briefing at the Pentagon alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “… We are unaware of any shots fired at the package on the way out.”

“Iran’s fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran’s surface-to-air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission. We retained the element of surprise,” he added.

The operation focused on three primary nuclear locations within Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

According to Caine, the attack began at 6:40 p.m. ET with a leading B-2 bomber releasing two bunker buster bombs on the first target at Fordow. “The remaining bombers then hit their targets, as well, with a total of 14 MOPs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators) dropped against two nuclear target areas,” he said.

In coordination with the air assault, a U.S. submarine stationed in the Central Command area launched over 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike surface structures at the Isfahan facility, Caine added.

“All three Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6:40pm and 7:05pm ET.”

The attack concluded with a final wave of Tomahawk missiles, also launched from a U.S. submarine, “to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation.”

Although the bombings themselves were over in less than half an hour, the entire operation was launched at midnight Saturday. Seven B-2 bombers, each manned by two pilots, departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri—located around 75 miles east of Kansas City and roughly 6,900 miles from Fordow.

To minimize the risk of detection, the bombers flew east in radio silence, executing multiple in-flight refuelings during the 18-hour trip, which Caine described as a demanding task.

“Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace — all done with minimal communications,” he said. “This type of integration is exactly what our Joint Force does better than anyone else in the world.”

Once they entered Iranian airspace, the U.S. utilized a variety of deceptive maneuvers to keep the Iranians unaware of the true nature of the strike.

“The US employed several deception tactics — including decoys — as smaller fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed, sweeping in front of the package for enemy fighters and surface-to-air missile threats,” Caine said.

“As the strike package approached Fordow and Natanz, the US protection package employed high-speed suppression weapons to ensure safe passage of the strike package with fighter assets employing preemptive suppressing fires against any potential Iranian surface-to-air threats,” he added.

Ahead of the assault, the U.S. reportedly repositioned F-22 Raptors, F-35s, and F-16s from their European bases to the Middle East.

The mission concluded with another barrage of Tomahawk missiles, likely fired from an Ohio-class submarine, “to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation.”

Both Caine and Hegseth emphasized the operation’s groundbreaking nature, pointing out the use of the GBU-57A/B in live combat for the first time and highlighting the duration and complexity of the B-2’s involvement.

“It was historic, a strike that included the longest B-2 Spirit Bomber mission since 2001 and the first operational employment of the MOP, a massive ordinance penetrator,” Hegseth said.

Caine noted that this mission was “second longest B-2 mission ever flown,” topped only by those conducted in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Iran has since vowed to retaliate, and American forces in the region are remaining alert, according to Caine.

“The region, especially in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf, our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice,” Caine warned Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani reacted to President Donald Trump launching strikes at three of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

WATCH:

During a pivotal appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance offered insight into the recent U.S. airstrike on Iranian territory, outlining the administration’s rationale and suggesting potential next steps amid growing regional tension.

“We’re not at war with Iran,” Vance stated. “We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program.”

WATCH IN FULL:

Vance described the strike as a remarkable display of U.S. military capability. He explained that Air Force pilots launched from Missouri, delivered 30,000-pound bombs on nuclear facilities in Iran, and returned home without stopping in the Middle East. “We destroyed the Iranian nuclear program,” he said, asserting that the mission significantly impaired Tehran’s nuclear progress.

President Donald Trump, who authorized the operation, issued a forceful message on social media following the strike: “Any retaliation by Iran will be met with force greater than what was witnessed tonight.”

Vance insisted that the United States remains uninterested in open conflict, but stressed that Iran must halt its nuclear development to avoid further escalation. He framed the attack as the result of diplomatic failure, saying, “We negotiated aggressively with the Iranians… It was only when the president decided that the Iranians were not negotiating in good faith that he took this action.”

Addressing accusations from Tehran that the U.S. and Israel had sabotaged diplomatic channels, Vance pushed back: “We didn’t blow up diplomacy. Diplomacy never was given a real chance by the Iranians.”

The vice president noted that some indirect communications from Iranian officials had been received since the strike, and added that the next 24 hours would be crucial in gauging whether Iran intends to deescalate or retaliate.

When asked about possible red lines, including threats by Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, Vance shifted focus back to nuclear concerns. “If they want to destroy their own economy and cause disruptions in the world, that would be their decision,” he remarked.

Although he declined to comment on the details of coordination with Israel, Vance praised the operational secrecy, highlighting that global awareness remained limited even an hour after the strike. He attributed this to a well-coordinated and disciplined effort.

Confident in the outcome, Vance claimed that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been set back “by many, many years.” He also warned Tehran that any retaliation targeting U.S. forces would be a “catastrophic mistake.”

Vance was also asked about the possibility of Iranian or proxy attacks within the United States. He responded by emphasizing the importance of border security and criticized prior immigration policies, drawing a connection to domestic safety concerns.

He reiterated that the administration has no intention of sending ground forces into Iran. Instead, the vice president characterized the precision airstrike as a necessary step to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons.

On the subject of Israel potentially targeting Iranian leadership, Vance said, “That’s up to the Israelis,” making clear that the United States is not pursuing regime change, but is focused solely on eliminating the nuclear threat.

Addressing critiques from lawmakers who questioned the legal basis for the strike, Vance defended the president’s authority to act unilaterally against weapons of mass destruction, and rejected the idea that this marked the start of a long-term military campaign.

The interview signaled a defining moment in U.S.-Iran dynamics, with the administration presenting the operation as a crucial act of defense — and potentially, the beginning of a new chapter in diplomatic engagement.

{Matzav.com}

Several nations are now prepared to provide Iran with nuclear warheads in response to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to former Russian president Dmitriy Medvedev. He made the assertion in a statement posted on social media Sunday.

Writing on X/Twitter, Medvedev argued that the recent U.S. military action targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure — specifically sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow — had backfired and ultimately undermined the goals that President Donald Trump had intended to achieve.

Medvedev stated, “enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in on Sunday, issuing a sharp rebuke of the U.S. for launching airstrikes on Iranian soil.

“The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, whatever the arguments it may be presented with, flagrantly violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” the ministry said in a formal statement.

“We call for an end to aggression and for increased efforts to create conditions for returning the situation to a political and diplomatic track,” the statement continued.

Medvedev also declared, “A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”

Serving as Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council since 2020, Medvedev added that the leadership in Tehran has not only endured the assault but appears to have gained strength. “Iran’s political regime has survived — and in all likelihood, has come out even stronger,” he said, adding that even those citizens previously detached or critical were now “rallying around the country’s spiritual leadership.”

Later that same day, reports emerged that President Trump would be holding a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the wake of the U.S. military action in Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has reportedly ceased using any form of electronic communication and now relays messages to military commanders solely through a hand-picked confidant due to fears for his life, according to a New York Times report published Sunday morning. The paper cited three Iranian officials with direct knowledge of Khamenei’s emergency wartime protocols.

These sources revealed that Israeli intelligence activity inside Iran’s defense and security infrastructure has deeply unsettled the leadership, including Khamenei himself. “Rattled the Iranian power structure, even Ayatollah Khamenei,” the officials said, as quoted by the NYT.

Amid these concerns, Iranian state-run media outlets have begun alerting the public to the dangers of using mobile devices, cautioning that tracking technology can be exploited for hostile operations.

According to Iranian authorities, Israel has used cell phone data to locate and assassinate individuals inside the country, including key figures involved in Iran’s nuclear program.

These developments follow President Donald Trump’s decision to coordinate with Israel in carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear targets. They also come after a prior New York Times report disclosed that Khamenei had selected three prominent clerics as potential successors, should he be killed.

That earlier report noted that Khamenei has directed the Assembly of Experts—the body responsible for selecting the next supreme leader—to move quickly and pick his successor from among those three candidates, bypassing what would normally be a protracted selection process.

{Matzav.com}

Destroying Iran’s final undamaged nuclear site required an immensely powerful weapon — a task only the United States was equipped to handle, due to its possession of a 15-ton “bunker buster” bomb.

The Fordow uranium enrichment facility, hidden approximately 300 feet beneath a mountain near Qom, roughly two hours from Tehran, was built to withstand most conventional attacks. To reach such a deeply buried site, an extraordinary level of explosive force was needed.

That force comes from the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bomb developed by Boeing specifically for the U.S. Air Force. It holds the distinction of being the heaviest non-nuclear weapon in America’s arsenal.

Because of its tremendous size and weight, this bomb can only be deployed by a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber — an advanced aircraft that Israel’s military does not have in its fleet.

“The United States controls the bomber and the bomb,” John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point military academy, told The NY Post.

According to a 2013 Wall Street Journal report, the U.S. spent more than $500 million developing the weapon, which was engineered to reach the depths of the Fordow facility and obliterate the critical centrifuges housed inside. At the time, 20 units were reportedly produced for U.S. military use.

Another class of bunker-busting ordnance, the GBU-37, weighs in at 5,000 pounds — significantly smaller than the GBU-57A/B.

“By weight and kinetic force, the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator is designed to penetrate a certain amount of distance into the ground before it blows,” said Spencer.

“That’s why these bunker busters are called Penetrators. They penetrate the ground before they explode. The explosion is strategically delayed.”

While Washington has provided Israel with lighter bunker-busting munitions, it has consistently withheld the Massive Ordnance Penetrator from any of its allies.

“I’ve seen 500-pounders, and they’ll shake your teeth when they go off. It’s like an earthquake,” said Spencer. “This will be much more than that.”

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin provides new details from the Pentagon on U.S. strikes on Iran on ‘Hannity.’

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Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, issued a stern warning to the United States following President Trump’s airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. He vowed that Tehran would respond and declared that the repercussions of the attack would be long-lasting.

Calling out the U.S. directly, Araghchi posted on X: “The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.”

He went on to say, “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior,” accusing Washington of defying global norms.

Araghchi also underscored Tehran’s right to defend itself, writing, “In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a press briefing after the recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, describing the mission as an “incredible and overwhelming success.”

Hegseth asserted, “we devastated the Iranian nuclear program. But it’s worth noting that the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people. For the entirety of his time in office, President Trump has consistently stated that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon. Thanks to President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership, and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.”

He continued by emphasizing the historic nature of the decision, stating, “many presidents have dreamed about delivering the final blow to Iran’s nuclear program, and none could until President Trump.”

Hegseth stressed that Tehran had been clearly warned about the limited time frame for diplomacy. “Iran found out that when POTUS says 60 days of peace and negotiations, he means 60 days of peace and negotiations; otherwise, that nuclear program will not exist. He meant it. He seeks peace, and Iran should take that path.”

Echoing President Trump’s warning to Iran, Hegseth cautioned against any retaliatory actions. Trump had previously stated that Iran would be “met with a force much greater than what was witnessed tonight.”

The defense secretary praised the commanders and personnel who made the strike possible, including close coordination with Israel. “This is a plan that took months and weeks of positioning and preparation so that we could be ready when the President of the United States called. It took a great deal of precision. It involved misdirection and the highest level of operational security.”

He offered details on the covert nature of the operation, noting: “Our B-2s went in and out of these nuclear sites and back without the world knowing at all. In that way, it was historic.”

Hegseth pointed out that this was the longest B-2 Spirit Bomber deployment since 2001 and marked the first combat use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator. “The mission demonstrated to the world the level of joint and allied integration that speaks to the strength of our alliance of our joint forces.”

While making it clear that war is not the United States’ objective, Hegseth pledged that America will act when provoked. “We will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened. Iran should listen to the United States and know that it means every word.”

{Matzav.com}

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin has the latest on the U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities on ‘Fox News @ Night.’

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