Matzav

The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli along with thousands of American service members to the Middle East as the United States intensifies its military posture against Iran following President Donald Trump’s pledge to unleash “unparalleled firepower” against the country’s leadership.

The amphibious assault ship is being moved as U.S. military officials acknowledge that Iran continues to exert influence over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a development that has contributed to rising global oil prices.

The Tripoli’s journey from East Asia to the region is expected to take roughly two weeks, a timeline that corresponds with Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s forecast that the crucial shipping lane could be reopened “by the end of the month”.

The decision to reposition the vessel, which resembles a small aircraft carrier and is designed to operate closer to coastal areas, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Officials have not provided a clear picture of the full size of the deployment.

According to the Journal, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the deployment of an “element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors.”

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin also confirmed the movement of forces but reported that roughly 2,500 Marines are included in the redeployment.

The USS Tripoli, which is based in Japan, was observed sailing south of Taiwan on Thursday without accompanying vessels, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. It remains uncertain whether it will later link up with the USS San Diego and USS New Orleans, amphibious transport dock ships that typically operate as part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group.

Comparable naval movements took place ahead of the opening phase of the war with Iran on February 28.

In late January, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group entered the Arabian Sea south of Iran, while the USS Gerald R. Ford departed from Crete for the eastern Mediterranean on February 26, just two days before the first wave of strikes.

Earlier operations conducted by the Trump administration relied heavily on surprise, including misleading signals about the timing of the attacks that preceded the president’s decision this past June to authorize strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump previously indicated that military buildups can signal coming action. After ordering the January 3 special forces operation in Caracas to capture socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, he later said the naval forces positioned offshore had been a sign of what was about to happen.

In addition to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply travels — U.S. officials have also examined the possibility of seizing Iran’s Kharg Island, which serves as the loading point for approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil exports.

Trump said during an interview on Fox News Radio broadcast Friday that Kharg Island is not currently the main focus of American military plans, though he emphasized that his priorities could shift quickly.

“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump told host Brian Kileamde. “I can’t answer a question like that … You shouldn’t be even asking it.”

Despite the fighting, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the conflict has not significantly disrupted operations at Kharg Island, with Iran reportedly exporting even more fuel than before the war began.

The Pentagon declined to confirm the movement of the USS Tripoli, with one official telling The Post: “Due to operational security, we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements.”

At the same time, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll confirmed Friday that the U.S. Army has transferred 10,000 interceptor drones previously used against Russian forces in Ukraine to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks targeting American bases and civilian areas in Israel and Arab countries.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Driscoll said the AI-powered Merops drones — produced by Project Eagle, a defense initiative supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — were delivered to the region within five days after Operation Epic Fury began.

According to Bloomberg, each Merops drone costs between $14,000 and $15,000, making them less expensive than Iran’s Shahed drones, which cost at least $20,000 per unit.

“We’re actually on the better end of the cost curve there,” Driscoll told the outlet. “So each time Iran launches one that we are able to take down, they are losing a meaningful amount of money.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to help the United States and its regional partners intercept Iranian drones, but Trump dismissed the proposal during his Fox News Radio interview.

“No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” he said. “We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually.”

{Matzav.com}

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement today rejecting online speculation that the Israeli leader had been assassinated. The 76-year-old prime minister addressed the rumors after several commentators on social media, including Candace Owens, questioned his whereabouts following the circulation of a video clip from one of his speeches.

Earlier in the week, users on social media circulated screenshots taken from a video shared by the prime minister. Some claimed the footage showed Netanyahu with six fingers on one hand and suggested the clip may have been artificially generated or altered using artificial intelligence.

The discussion gained additional attention after conservative commentator Candace Owens posted messages online accusing officials in Washington of misleading the public about developments in Iran.

“Washington D.C is lying to the American people about what is going on in Iran,” she wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. “It is not going well.”

Owens also questioned Netanyahu’s absence from public view. “Also where is Bibi Netanyahu?” Owens wrote, using the Israeli leader’s nickname. “Why is his office releasing and deleting fake AI videos from him and why is there mass panic at the White House?”

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected the claims outright, according to a report by the state-run Anadolu News Agency.

An Anadolu correspondent asked Israeli officials about the rumors circulating online suggesting that Netanyahu had been killed.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office replied.

Owens responded to the statement with another post on social media.

“I don’t know that Bibi is dead but it is very evident there is real panic at the White House and this war is not going as planned. And with the way Trump casually lied about bombing the school girls, it’s hard to trust anything coming from this admin.”

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported, citing an Israeli official, that Netanyahu recently contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in order to arrange a phone conversation. The purpose of the call has not been publicly disclosed.

According to a separate report by Ynet, the Israeli leader is interested in discussing possible cooperation with Ukraine in confronting Iranian drone threats, which Ukraine has faced for several years.

At the same time, Israel’s Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said today that the war with Iran had reached what he described as a critical stage, while praising recent American strikes on targets on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export facility.

“The global and regional struggle against Iran, led by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is escalating and entering the decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary,” Katz told military top brass in a televised statement.

Israeli police have arrested a 60-year-old Yerushalayim resident suspected of committing a series of serious offenses against minors in the chareidi neighborhood of Har Nof and nearby areas over the past year.

The suspect, identified as Yitzchok Avrohom Rus Ariel Asulin, was taken into custody following an investigation into allegations that he targeted children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 16.

According to findings from the investigation, police believe the suspect followed a repeated pattern of behavior. Investigators say Asulin allegedly approached minors in his places of employment as well as in public spaces within the neighborhood. After initiating contact and gaining their trust, he is suspected of carrying out serious acts against them.

Asulin was arrested on March 4, and since then the court has approved police requests to extend his detention while investigators continue carrying out numerous investigative actions related to the case.

Police said they decided to publicize the suspect’s photograph and personal details because of concerns that additional victims may exist.

“Due to the real concern that there are additional victims who were harmed by the suspect’s pattern of behavior, it was decided to publish his photograph and personal details to the public,” police said.

Authorities urged anyone who may have been harmed by Asulin, or anyone who has information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Police said that anyone who may have been a victim or who possesses relevant information should report to the nearest police station or contact the emergency hotline by dialing 100.

The U.S. State Department has announced that it is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that leads to the identification or capture of senior figures in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The offer was publicized by the Rewards for Justice program, which posted the announcement on social media. The program said the IRGC is responsible for planning, coordinating, and carrying out acts of terrorism in various parts of the world.

“Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?” Rewards for Justice said. “Send us a tip.”

Officials asked anyone with knowledge about specific IRGC figures or related branches of the organization to submit tips through a Tor-based reporting system or via Signal.

Among the individuals listed are Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff in the supreme leader’s office; Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, military adviser in the same office; Ali Larijani, adviser to the supreme leader’s office and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; Brig. Gen. Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s interior minister; and Esmail Khatib, minister of intelligence and security.

The State Department also said it is seeking information about additional figures, including the secretary of the defense council, a senior adviser to the supreme leader, the head of the military office, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard.

“Your information could make you eligible for relocation and a reward,” Rewards for Justice Link.

The announcement added that tips can also be submitted through Signal at the number 202-702-7843.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset is preparing for a full week of parliamentary activity, with an intensive schedule that includes approximately 15 meetings across four different committees to advance a series of bills dealing with the judicial system and the communications sector.

The legislative agenda includes several key proposals, among them a bill to split the position of the attorney general and create a separate role of general prosecutor, legislation to change the authority overseeing the Police Internal Investigations Department, and a number of initiatives aimed at reforming the broadcasting market and regulating media outlets.

Despite the ongoing war and the tense security environment, the Knesset continues to carry out routine legislative work. Alongside discussions addressing the security situation and government assistance for citizens and businesses affected by the conflict, committees and the Knesset plenum are also expected to move forward with structural legislation related to the legal system and the communications industry.

At the instruction of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, additional rooms within the Knesset building have recently been prepared as protected spaces. The move is intended to allow committee meetings to continue even under security threats and to ensure that the Knesset’s work can proceed despite the current emergency conditions.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the decision to continue legislative activity on these issues during wartime.

“Amir Ohana and all the extremists don’t care that Israel is at war. He doesn’t care about the unity of Israel. The Knesset under his leadership will continue to discuss the most divisive and extreme laws, even under fire. While the entire country is standing together, the coalition is advancing its extremist agenda and stealing money for political purposes. They have learned nothing from the past years, and they continue to weaken Israeli society every single day. This is the most shameless and dangerous government in the history of the State of Israel.”

Hamas called on Iran Saturday to avoid launching attacks against neighboring countries after the Islamic Republic fired missiles across the region in response to the joint US-Israeli bombing campaign. Some of the strikes targeted countries such as Qatar and Turkey, both of which are also major state backers of the Palestinian terror group.

The statement from Hamas urged an end to what it described as “American-Zionist aggression” against Iran. The announcement came as Palestinian media outlets reported that at least three people in Gaza were killed by Israeli gunfire on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces said it had killed three Palestinian gunmen since Friday but did not immediately address the specific reports, and the military frequently says such incidents occur after Hamas violates ceasefire arrangements.

In its first public appeal of this kind directed at Tehran, Hamas said that, “while affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries.”

A Hamas representative told AFP that the organization has been in communication with Iranian officials regarding the matter.

“The Israeli occupation seeks to sow discord between Iran and its Arab and Islamic neighbors,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

“Hamas’s leadership has also reached out to officials in several countries, including Qatar, Turkey, and Iraq, urging them to work toward halting the American and Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward more than a dozen countries across the Middle East, including Israel, since Israel and the United States began a bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic on February 28. The strikes were intended to weaken the regime and dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Qatar said on Saturday that it intercepted two incoming missiles after explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, prompting authorities to evacuate certain areas. Meanwhile, Turkey reported on Friday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran was intercepted in Turkish airspace by NATO forces.

{Matzav.com}

export facility, stating that although Tehran appears interested in negotiating an end to the conflict, the conditions currently on the table remain unacceptable.

Trump said the recent American strikes had already inflicted massive destruction on the key oil terminal, declaring that the operation had “totally demolished” much of Kharg Island. At the same time, he told NBC News that additional attacks remain possible, remarking that “we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”

Kharg Island sits roughly 30 kilometers (19 miles) off Iran’s southern coastline and about 500 kilometers (300 miles) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. The facility is critically important to Iran’s economy, serving as the main export hub for approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil shipments.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump said Saturday that U.S. military strikes severely damaged Iran’s principal oil export terminal at Kharg Island and suggested that American forces could target the location again.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump described the recent attack as highly destructive and indicated that additional strikes on the island remain possible. “We totally demolished Kharg Island. We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” Trump told NBC News in an interview.

The President also said the operation deliberately avoided critical energy transmission infrastructure. “I didn’t do anything having to do with the energy lines, because having to rebuild that would take years.”

Trump said Iran has shown interest in negotiating a ceasefire but indicated that he is not ready to agree to a deal under the current circumstances. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he explained, adding that any terms will have to be “very solid.”

When asked what conditions might be included in an agreement to end the fighting, Trump declined to outline specifics. “I don’t want to say that to you.” He agreed, however, that a commitment from Iran to completely abandon any nuclear ambitions would be part of it.

The President also questioned whether Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive. “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” said Trump.

Referencing reports about Khamenei’s status, Trump added, “I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender.”

Speaking on Friday with Fox News Radio, Trump declined to offer a clear timeline for when the war with Iran might end, saying the decision would depend on his own judgment. He told the outlet the conflict would conclude when he feels it “in my bones.”

Trump also said he does not expect the war to drag on for an extended period but stressed that he alone will determine when it concludes.

During the same interview, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict may end soon but said the United States is prepared to continue operations for as long as necessary. He rejected concerns that the U.S. military could run short of munitions.

“Nobody has the technology or the weapons that we have,” he told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade in the interview. “We’re way ahead of schedule. Way ahead.” He later assured that the US had “virtually unlimited ammunition. We’re using it, we’re using it. We can go forever.”

On Wednesday night, Trump spoke with reporters after returning from a rally in Kentucky and said Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded, describing the country as “pretty much at the end of the line”.

At the same time, Trump made clear that the United States is not prepared to immediately bring the conflict to a close.

“They’ve got no Navy. They’ve got no Air Force. They have no systems of control. We’re just riding free range over that country!” he said.

During his remarks at the Kentucky rally, Trump emphasized that the United States must see the conflict through to completion.

He added that the Iranians “don’t know what the hell hit them. They don’t know. They got hit by the American military – they don’t know. They say, ‘What the hell is happening?’ They didn’t expect anything like this.”

“We don’t want to go back every two years. Because someday there will be a time when you don’t have me as president,” he added.

A newly published study suggests that artificial intelligence chatbots could present psychological dangers for certain users, particularly those who already struggle with mental health conditions such as psychosis.

Dr. Hamilton Morrin, a psychiatrist and researcher at King’s College London, reviewed 20 news reports detailing incidents he describes as “AI-related psychosis.” The reports documented situations in which individuals’ conversations with AI chatbots appeared to strengthen hallucinations or delusional beliefs they were experiencing.

In an article published in the medical journal Lancet Psychiatry, Morrin wrote that preliminary indications suggest AI systems can sometimes echo or affirm grandiose or delusional ideas that users express during conversations. He said this dynamic may be especially troubling for people who already have a predisposition toward psychotic symptoms.

At the same time, Morrin emphasized that there is still no clear evidence that chatbot conversations by themselves can cause psychosis in individuals who do not already possess some underlying susceptibility.

Several of the cases included in the review involved chatbots responding to users with mystical or spiritual phrasing, occasionally suggesting that the person communicating with the system possessed unique or elevated spiritual importance. In some situations, the chatbot even hinted that the user might be interacting with a cosmic or supernatural presence through the platform, something researchers say could further strengthen delusional thinking.

Morrin also cautioned that the concern may become more significant as the use of AI chatbots continues to expand. He pointed out that the first reports began appearing in April of last year, when accounts surfaced describing people whose hallucinations seemed to intensify during conversations with AI systems.

The study’s authors say additional scientific research is needed to better understand the phenomenon. They propose controlled clinical studies in which chatbot use would be observed alongside mental health professionals to determine whether such interactions can contribute to the emergence or worsening of delusional beliefs.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli fighter jet narrowly avoided being shot down during an Israeli Air Force strike inside Iran this past week, according to Israeli military officials.

During the operation, an attempt was made to bring down the aircraft, and the jet came close to being struck. The effort ultimately failed after the pilot responded quickly and maintained control of the situation, allowing the aircraft to evade the threat and complete its mission successfully.

The incident was later reviewed by the military, and officials said the event has already been examined to draw operational conclusions.

Since the war began, Israeli fighter jets operating over Iranian territory have faced numerous attempts by enemy forces to shoot them down. Despite those threats, Israeli aircrews have repeatedly managed to counter the dangers and carry out their assignments.

“The Israeli Air Force will continue to fly and attack wherever necessary, including over Iranian skies under threat, and will complete its missions during every operational sortie,” stated an IDF spokesperson.

{Matzav.com}

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Iran’s senior representative at the United Nations stated that Tehran has no plans to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, comments that appeared to clash with a warning attributed to the country’s newly declared “supreme leader,” Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iranian officials named Mojtaba Khamenei the country’s new ruler earlier this week after his father, longtime strongman Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the opening day of the American military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury.” Questions remain about the younger Khamenei’s condition and authority, as he has not appeared publicly or released any video messages since his elevation to the position. At a ceremony where Iranians were asked to pledge “allegiance” to him, organizers displayed a cardboard likeness of Khamenei because he did not attend the gathering.

Iranian state television broadcast what it described as a message from Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday, marking the first statement attributed to him since he was declared leader. However, the broadcast included no images or video showing him alive, fueling speculation that he may have been seriously wounded or even killed during the recent American and Israeli airstrikes. Iranian state media previously reported that Khamenei had been injured, though it provided no further details.

The statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei included several threats directed at the United States, Israel, and their allies.

“The demand of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defense,” the statement claimed. “The revenge we seek is not only for the martyrdom of the great leader of the revolution. Every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy becomes an independent case for revenge.”

The message also referenced the strategic waterway through which a significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes.

“Certainly, the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.”

Those remarks appeared to conflict with statements made Thursday by Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations. During an interview with the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw, Iravani was asked whether commercial vessels were still able to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iravani also added a more general caveat about Iran’s position regarding the waterway.

“It is our inherent right to preserve peace and security in this waterway.”

The Iranian government-aligned outlet Mehr News also reported Iravani’s comments.

“Iran will exercise its inherent right to maintain peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz; this is our responsibility,” he said, according to the Mehr translation. “Iran does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz. However, maintaining peace and security in this lifeline waterway is our inherent right and this is considered our inherent right.”

Despite those assurances, Rudaw reported that the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most critical shipping routes in the world — was already “effectively closed,” as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had designated the area as a restricted combat zone.

“The Strait of Hormuz has been closed,” the head of the IRGC, Ebrahim Jabbari, declared last week. “We will attack and set ablaze any ship attempting to cross.”

“We will not let oil be exported from the region,” he emphasized, issuing a direct warning to the oil-producing Gulf states and their customers, many of whom are located in East Asia.

The reported shutdown of the strait prompted sharp reactions internationally, including from one of Iran’s closest partners, the Chinese Communist Party. China is believed to be the largest buyer of Iranian oil and relies heavily on energy imports from the Middle East to meet its massive demand.

After “Operation Epic Fury” began, videos circulating online showed long lines forming at gas stations across China as residents rushed to fill their tanks amid fears that oil shipments from the Middle East could be disrupted.

“The Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters are an important international trade route for goods and energy. To keep the region secure and stable serves the common interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning proclaimed last week.

Chinese officials have repeatedly called on Iran not to interfere with shipping through the strait and have urged all parties involved in the conflict to de-escalate.

Beijing has demanded that all sides “stop military operations at once, avoid further escalation, keep the shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz safe, and prevent further impact on the global economy.”

Following China’s objections, the IRGC appeared to soften its earlier threats, suggesting that vessels belonging to countries friendly with Iran would be permitted to pass.

“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC said in a follow-up statement. The group added that ships connected to the United States, Israel, or European countries will “certainly be hit.”

Because of the complex system of maritime registration and ship ownership, however, vessels flying the flag of one country may actually be transporting cargo for another nation that is not directly involved in the conflict, such as China or South Korea. Early indications suggested that Chinese shipping companies were hesitant to resume traffic through the strait immediately due to fears their vessels could still be targeted.

On Wednesday, dramatic footage surfaced showing explosions striking three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. One vessel was identified as flying the Thai flag, while another carried the flag of the Marshall Islands — neither country having any direct connection to the conflict involving Iran.

As the coming Shabbos, Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, approaches amid ongoing security tensions, Israel’s Home Front Command has released special guidance for the Shabbos-observant public, outlining practical steps for remaining informed about emergency alerts while maintaining proper kedushas Shabbos.

In a public information video released ahead of the weekend, officials urged mispallelim to make sure they know where the nearest protected space is located in relation to their shul and along the route leading to it. The Home Front Command also advised that a charged mobile phone be left in the shul so that early warning alerts and the notification permitting people to leave protected spaces can still be received during tefillah.

According to the current policy, gatherings are permitted for up to 50 people, provided that those present are able to reach a proper protected space within the required time if an alert is issued.

During these tense days, the Home Front Command is urging the public to remain alert and attentive to official warnings and instructions distributed through authorized channels.

Regarding mobile devices, officials advised leaving a phone turned on and fully charged throughout Shabbos in order to receive advance alerts as well as notifications allowing people to exit protected spaces. Messages can be received on any fourth-generation cellular device or newer, including kosher phones. Authorities also recommended leaving an additional phone inside the protected area so that the notification permitting people to leave can be heard there as well.

For those using home computers, officials recommended utilizing the National Emergency Portal. Users should activate the audible alert system and configure the settings so that warnings relevant to their community will be received. Before Shabbos, residents are advised to disable sleep mode on both the computer and screen through the device’s settings and keep the alert display open throughout Shabbos.

Another option mentioned is the gal shaket system, which transmits emergency alerts through designated radio frequencies. Households are encouraged to leave a radio on and tuned to one of the participating stations. These include Kol Barama on 105.7, 104.3, 92.1, and 107.6 FM; Kol Chai on 92.8, 93, and 102.5 FM; Radio Darom on 101.5 FM; Galei Yisrael on 106.5, 94, and 89.3 FM; and Kan Moreshet on 90.5, 90.8, 92.5, and 100.7 FM.

Authorities also renewed warnings regarding falling debris and fragments from missile interceptions following the recent barrages. The Home Front Command stressed that interception debris can be extremely dangerous and that approaching such sites poses a serious threat to life.

“It is important for us to emphasize and sharpen this critical point,” said Lt. Col. (Res.) Danny Cohen, a Home Front Command spokesman addressing the religious and chareidi public. “We are seeing various sites where debris has fallen, and gathering at these locations poses a serious danger to life. There may be munitions scattered in the area that have not yet exploded, and approaching the site could, G-d forbid, end in disaster. People must stay away, keep onlookers at a distance, and alert the police.”

Officials also praised the public for carefully following the safety instructions during recent alerts and promptly entering protected areas when sirens sound, emphasizing that such compliance quite literally saves lives.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing a proposal that would dramatically tighten the state’s estate tax rules, lowering the exemption threshold from more than $7 million to $750,000 and raising the highest estate tax rate from 16% to 50%.

The plan appeared in a memo circulated by Mamdani’s office to state lawmakers in recent weeks. The document outlined nearly a dozen possible measures to generate additional revenue as officials work through negotiations over the state budget. Mamdani is grappling with a projected $5.4 billion deficit in the city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and is seeking assistance from Albany to help close the gap.

The likelihood of the proposal being adopted this year appears slim. Neither the State Senate nor the Assembly included the idea in their budget proposals, and Governor Kathy Hochul’s office also left it out of its own spending plan. Both legislative chambers did approve budget recommendations this week that included increases to income and corporate taxes, but the estate tax change was not among them.

Pressure to raise revenue is expected to intensify as state leaders confront growing fiscal challenges. According to New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, the city is projected to face a cumulative deficit of at least $28 billion over the next four fiscal years.

If enacted, the change supported by Mamdani would mark a dramatic shift in the state’s tax structure. New York already stands among roughly a dozen states that levy their own estate tax in addition to the federal tax. Reducing the exemption to $750,000 would give New York the lowest estate tax threshold in the country.

Across the United States, most states do not impose taxes on inherited wealth. Among those that do, exemption levels vary widely, ranging from $1 million in Oregon to nearly $14 million in Connecticut, according to figures compiled by the Tax Foundation.

Mamdani’s push for heavier taxes on large estates is likely to deepen concerns among wealthy residents who have already reacted nervously to his progressive agenda. The democratic socialist stirred debate after saying, “I don’t think that we should have billionaires” in an interview shortly after winning the June 2025 Democratic primary.

At the same time, some business leaders had initially taken encouragement from Mamdani’s tone during the months leading up to the November general election. During that period, he emphasized that he was not firmly committed to income or corporate tax hikes he had previously described as necessary to finance his broader policy platform. His campaign estimated that the agenda — which includes proposals for free universal child care for children ages six weeks through five years, no-cost bus service across the city, and freezing rents in regulated apartments — would require at least $7 billion annually once fully implemented.

Economists have warned that estate taxes can have unintended consequences in jurisdictions where income taxes are already high. A 2023 analysis by economists Enrico Moretti and Daniel Wilson examined state-level data and found that wealthy taxpayers may relocate to lower-tax states, particularly later in life, reducing the tax base in high-tax areas. In states with lower income taxes, estate taxes tend to be more effective at generating revenue, the study concluded.

“What we’re saying is you can either be progressive on income tax or be progressive on adopting an estate tax, but if you do both it’s going to backfire,” Moretti, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said at the time. The richest New York City residents pay some of the highest income tax rates in the nation, with the top rate reaching 14.8% for those earning $25 million or more.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump told leaders of the Group of Seven this week that Iran is nearing defeat, saying the regime is “about to surrender” as American and Israeli forces continue a large-scale military campaign targeting Iran’s military capabilities.

According to Axios, Trump made the comment during a virtual meeting with G7 leaders on Wednesday, where he highlighted the progress of the ongoing U.S.-led operation aimed at crippling Iran’s missile forces, naval assets, and defense industry.

“I got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all,” Trump reportedly told the leaders, referring to “Operation Epic Fury” and the strikes that have hammered Iranian military targets over the past two weeks.

Newsmax contacted the White House for a response to the report.

Officials from three G7 nations who were briefed on the call told Axios that Trump conveyed strong confidence that Iran’s ruling regime is close to collapsing following sustained attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.

At the same time, Trump indicated that the damage to Iran’s leadership structure may be so extensive that there may be no one left in a position to formally declare surrender.

“Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender,” Trump reportedly said.

The comments came as the war moved into its second week, with U.S. officials reporting that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.

Pentagon officials have stated that thousands of Iranian targets have been eliminated during the campaign, including missile launch sites, naval vessels, and facilities used to manufacture weapons.

Trump echoed those claims in a message posted on Truth Social, asserting that U.S. forces are “totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran.”

“Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated,” Trump wrote. “We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time.”

Despite the optimistic assessment from Washington, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, released his first public statement on Thursday, declaring that the country will continue the fight and warning that the conflict could widen.

Speaking in remarks broadcast on Iranian state television, Khamenei vowed retaliation for Iranian “martyrs” and hinted that the regime could expand its attacks in regions where the West is “highly vulnerable.”

Iran has also continued issuing warnings about potential disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Recent attacks on oil tankers in the area have already driven global oil prices above $100 per barrel, fueling concerns about broader economic consequences.

According to Axios, several G7 leaders urged Trump during the discussion to bring the conflict to a swift conclusion and ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz in order to stabilize global energy markets.

Trump reportedly told the leaders that conditions around the strait are improving and suggested that commercial shipping could soon return to normal operations.

Officials who participated in the call said Trump remained “ambiguous” about the exact timeline for ending the war but stressed the importance of continuing the campaign in order to “finish the job” and prevent Iran from rebuilding its military or nuclear programs.

{Matzav.com}

A commercial flight from Riga to Dubai turned into an unusual experience for one traveler who found herself as the sole passenger on board during the seven-hour journey. The rare occurrence quickly captured attention online after the passenger documented the flight and shared the footage on social media, prompting widespread reactions from viewers.

The video, which was posted by an English teacher from Latvia, shows the nearly empty cabin with rows of unoccupied seats stretching throughout the aircraft. The passenger, identified as Marina Gila, filmed the unusual scene during her March 8 trip to Dubai and shared it on Instagram, where the footage quickly spread across social media platforms.

In the clip, the aircraft appears almost surreal, with no other travelers visible anywhere in the cabin. Sitting by a window seat, she joked about the unique situation and described the experience as an unexpected “VIP flight.”

The video shows long rows of empty seats as she walks through the cabin and settles into a window seat. At one point she laughs that the commercial flight felt more like flying on a private jet. In the caption accompanying the video, she wrote: “כשאתה הנוסע היחיד במטוס לדובאי ב-8 במרץ 2026!”.

The footage sparked a wide range of reactions online, with viewers expressing amusement and curiosity about the unusual scenario. Some commenters joked that there was no need to wait in line for the restroom and that snacks on board would be freely available. Others noted the advantage of being able to choose any seat for the best view or maximum legroom. Several users also pointed out that the usual scramble for overhead storage space or preferred rows disappears entirely when there are no other passengers on board.

Online commenters also speculated about how a typically busy route could end up operating with only one passenger. Some suggested that last-minute cancellations may have emptied the cabin, while others proposed that the airline may have needed to reposition the aircraft to Dubai for scheduling reasons or that an unusual booking pattern collapsed at the last moment.

Another theory mentioned by viewers was that the return flight from Dubai may have been fully booked by passengers seeking to leave the city amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which could explain why the aircraft traveled nearly empty in the opposite direction.

{Matzav.com}

Six American service members were killed Thursday when a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, U.S. Central Command confirmed.

CENTCOM announced the deaths in a statement posted on social media, saying, “All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased.”

Earlier reports from the military had confirmed that four of the crew members had died in the crash.

U.S. Central Command also said that preliminary information indicates the aircraft did not go down as a result of hostile or friendly fire. Officials added that the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an umbrella group made up of Iran-aligned factions, has asserted that it carried out the attack. The organization, however, has not presented any proof supporting that claim.

Another aircraft was reportedly involved in the incident as well. According to Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, that plane was able to continue its flight and land safely in Israel.

{Matzav.com}

A large missile fragment fell Friday afternoon in Yerushalayim Gush Shemonim neighborhood, narrowly missing what could have been a major tragedy in a busy area shortly before Shabbos.

The heavy piece of debris, reportedly weighing dozens of kilograms, landed on Givat Moshe Street in the Gush Shemonim area of Yerushalayim. The impact occurred near the Rachmastrivka and Satmar mikvaos, a location that is typically crowded on Friday afternoons as residents head to the mikveh and make last-minute preparations for Shabbos.

According to available information, the fragment struck the area about seven minutes after the air raid siren sounded. Despite the size and speed of the falling metal, no one was injured.

Security camera footage from the area captured the moment the large fragment dropped into the street.

Residents said the outcome could easily have been far worse given the time of day, when the street is usually filled with people.

One neighbor described the incident as a clear miracle, explaining that the street is normally crowded at that hour with people heading to the mikveh and doing their final shopping before Shabbos. Had the fragment struck a child or passerby, he said, the consequences could have been devastating.

The incident follows a similar scare that occurred just one day earlier in Jerusalem’s Batei Ungarin neighborhood, where a suspected missile fragment also fell, causing panic among residents and prompting police to respond.

Residents noted that in many parts of the city there are limited options for protection, as numerous buildings lack reinforced safe rooms or nearby shelters, leaving people with few ways to shield themselves during such incidents.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign and may have suffered severe injuries. The comments came during a Pentagon briefing broadcast live on Newsmax, where Hegseth said the Iranian leadership is under mounting pressure after nearly two weeks of coordinated strikes by American and Israeli forces.

During the briefing, Hegseth said intelligence assessments indicate that Khamenei was wounded during the operation and suggested that his injuries could be significant. He pointed to the absence of any public appearance or recorded message from the Iranian leader as a possible indication of the situation.

“We know the new so-called not so supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth described the Iranian regime as increasingly unstable following the sustained bombardment, claiming that its leadership has been forced into hiding and is struggling to communicate effectively.

According to Hegseth, the administration believes the military campaign is achieving its intended objectives. Appearing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, he said Iran’s air defense network has largely been neutralized, its air force is no longer operational, and its naval capabilities have suffered severe damage.

He also said that the frequency of Iranian missile and drone attacks has declined sharply as American and Israeli forces continue targeting launch sites, weapons depots, manufacturing facilities, and command infrastructure.

Caine supported that assessment, stating that “Operation Epic Fury” had reached its 13th day and was continuing to make progress toward the goals outlined at the beginning of the campaign. Those objectives include eliminating Iran’s missile threat, severely weakening its defense production capacity, destroying its naval strength, and preventing the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The goals of the campaign align with what Hegseth previously described in earlier Pentagon briefings as a “laser-focused” operation rather than an extended military engagement in the Middle East.

Officials also emphasized during Friday’s briefing that the Pentagon has no intention of turning the operation into a nation-building effort or a prolonged military occupation.

Hegseth said President Donald Trump has maintained a clear and limited scope for the mission, focusing strictly on protecting U.S. interests. He contrasted the current strategy with what he described as the shifting and unsuccessful missions carried out by earlier administrations.

“We’ve defined these objectives. We’re pursuing those objectives,” Hegseth said.

Gen. Caine also praised the role of U.S. forces participating in the campaign, noting that American troops have carried out precise strikes from land, sea, and air.

He said U.S. artillery units have already deployed advanced missile systems to strike targets far inside enemy territory and destroy several Iranian naval vessels.

The briefing took place a day after a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a mission connected to the conflict.

Caine said the crash was not caused by either hostile or friendly fire. The Associated Press reported that four of the six crew members on board had been confirmed dead, while efforts continued to locate the remaining two.

Officials said the administration’s message Friday was clear: the military campaign remains on course, the strategic objectives remain unchanged, and the Iranian regime is facing mounting pressure as the operation continues under Trump’s peace-through-strength approach.