Feed aggregator

PHOTOS: Former NY Governor and current NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo attended the Boro Park Shomrim annual bike registration event taking place today.

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.

{Matzav.com}

Iranian TV host Amir-Hossein Tahmasebi told Israelis to “hurry up” and learn how to swim before Iran wipes out their entire infrastructure. He added, “Crawl back to the European stables and sties you came from.”

In a monumental decision for terror victims and their families, the United States Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutionality of the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (PSJVTA), clearing the way for civil lawsuits in American courts against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA). The ruling came in the case of Miriam Fuld v. Palestine Liberation Organization, a case brought by the family of Ari Fuld HY”D, a beloved American-Israeli activist and father of four who was murdered in a 2018 terrorist stabbing near the Gush Etzion Junction in Israel. The Court’s decision overturns a lower court ruling that had dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds. The 6-3 ruling affirms that the PSJVTA, passed by Congress in 2019, does not violate the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The law deems entities like the PLO and PA to have consented to U.S. jurisdiction if they make “pay-for-slay” terror payments to families of terrorists or conduct certain activities on U.S. soil. The Supreme Court found these jurisdictional triggers to be valid under the Constitution, citing America’s compelling interest in combating terrorism and ensuring justice for U.S. victims. Writing for the majority, the Court emphasized that foreign entities engaging in activities that affect U.S. citizens — including financially incentivizing acts of terrorism — can be held accountable in American courts. The justices noted the PLO and PA’s global presence, dismissing concerns that litigating in the U.S. posed an undue burden. Justice Clarence Thomas, in a concurring opinion, went further, arguing that as nonsovereign actors, the PLO and PA may not even be entitled to due process protections under the Constitution. The case now returns to the lower courts for further proceedings. Sam Silverman, the Monsey-based attorney representing the Fuld family, was praised for his role in securing the victory. “This decision is a turning point for terror victims seeking justice,” Silverman said. “It sends a message to the world that the United States will not be a safe haven for entities that finance or reward terrorism.” The Fulds, who attended oral arguments earlier this year, expressed gratitude for the ruling, which they described as “a victory not only for Ari’s memory, but for every American family shattered by terror.” Congressman Mike Lawler, who recently reintroduced the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act, also welcomed the decision. “This ruling affirms what we’ve been saying all along — that terrorism will not be tolerated, and those who sponsor it must be held accountable,” he said. The decision may have far-reaching implications, paving the way for dozens of other lawsuits filed by American victims of terrorism against the PLO, PA, and potentially other foreign entities accused of similar acts. The Fulds’ case now proceeds toward trial — and potentially, a moment of long-awaited accountability. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

UN SEC. GENERAL: “The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling.”

China has also strongly condemned President Trump’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

Explosions are being reported in Nazar Abad, a city in Iran’s Alborz province, just west of Tehran.

**Axios Reports: Israel Cleared Path for U.S. Bombers in Iran at Trump’s Request** According to Axios, at Trump’s behest, Israel’s Air Force targeted multiple Iranian air defense systems in the 48 hours before the U.S. struck Iran’s Fordow nuclear site. Three U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed Israel’s role in degrading defenses to facilitate the U.S. operation. Trump’s request was made directly to Netanyahu last week, after the president decided he would move forward with a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities unless a surprise diplomatic opportunity emerged. “How can we help?” Netanyahu asked, according to Israeli officials. Trump told Netanyahu he wanted the Israeli Air Force to eliminate as many Iranian air defense systems as possible in southern Iran — to clear a path for incoming U.S. B-2 stealth bombers. The U.S. then provided Israel with a list of air defense systems it wanted eliminated ahead of the strike, an Israeli official told Axios. Trump praised Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, “We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” as Israeli strikes focused on southern Iran to ensure safety for the B-2 bombers hitting Fordow. After the attack, Trump briefed Netanyahu and expressed his desire for peace with Iran, stating, “He’s ready to do it if the Iranians retaliate…but he wants peace.” An Israeli official said, “We still don’t know how the Iranians will respond — and that could change everything.” The U.S. made it clear they want to end the current escalation, with one official noting, “They don’t mind if we continue our strikes, but when it comes to them, they’re done.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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}

The Israeli Air Force is currently striking military infrastructure sites in Tehran and western Iran, the IDF says. The video is of strikes on IRGC sites in Tabriz.

MONSEY: A child was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Saddle River Road and Second Street. Hatzoloh EMS and Ramapo Police responded to the scene. The child sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

As Iran Escalates, United Hatzalah Responds — Under Fire With America’s strike on Iran and Tehran lashing out in desperation, Israeli civilians are again in the crosshairs. Cities across the north and center have endured waves of rocket fire. Families are running for shelter. Children are frightened. And before the smoke even clears, United Hatzalah volunteers are already there. PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY This past week alone, medics have pulled a baby from a collapsed apartment in Haifa, revived a grandfather hit by shrapnel in Petach Tikvah, and treated entire families suffering trauma after direct rocket strikes. These aren’t salaried professionals — they’re trained volunteers, leaving their own children in shelters to save strangers and their children. PLEASE DONATE TODAY United Hatzalah has answered over 6,500 emergency calls in the past few days, including dozens of CPRs, mass casualty incidents, and countless cases of psychological distress. They operate with zero government funding. In a war where every second counts, they’re often the first on scene. But to keep going, they need our support now. Your donation could literally be the difference between life and death. Support the heroes saving lives under fire DONATE NOW

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.

{Matzav.com}

It was reported on Sunday that 10,630 Israelis are currently homeless after they were forced to leave their homes that were destroyed or damaged in Iranian missile attacks. Most of them are now living in hotels arranged by their local municipalities. Over 30,000 claims have been filed to the Property Tax Compensation Fund since the start of the war for damages to buildings and vehicles or contents and equipment. The fund stated that “citizens whose homes or property have been damaged by missile fire can contact and report the damage to the Tax Authority hotline at *4954 or file an online claim on the Tax Authority website.” Meanwhile, Magen David Adom has released the following numbers regarding those who were R”L killed or injured: 1,213 total casualties treated, 24 fatalities 16 in serious condition 27 moderately injured 682 lightly injured 207 suffered from shock 257 treated at the scene without transport   (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

WATCH: The B-2 bombers used in the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were spotted flying over New Jersey today as they returned to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

The Rabbinical Beis Din was badly damaged in the Iranian missile attack on the northern city of Haifa on Friday. For now, Beis Din operations have been transferred to another city. A video of the scene shows that amid the destruction, a photo of HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef and bookshelves lined with sifrei kodesh remained untouched. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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}