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According to a report published by Axios today, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu directed the country’s defense and intelligence branches to start preparing for an assault on Iran after Iran and its allied forces launched attacks on Israel in October.

Netanyahu’s urgency was reportedly driven not only by the events of October but also by Iran’s expanding missile capabilities and its compromised air defense systems following earlier Israeli counterstrikes. Intelligence also suggested that Iran was closer than ever to being able to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to proceed.

While President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States had no part in Israel’s military operation against Iran, Israeli officials insist that coordination between the two allies did in fact take place.

To maintain the element of surprise, Israeli authorities deliberately downplayed any signs of an impending strike, hoping that key Iranian figures would not relocate.

“We had a clear U.S. green light,” one Israeli official told Axios.

In the aftermath of the operation, U.S. officials reiterated that they were not directly involved in the Israeli offensive and issued a strong message to Tehran warning against any retaliation targeting American personnel or assets. Nevertheless, Iranian leaders asserted that Washington would be held “responsible for consequences.”

Prior to the Israeli assault, Trump expressed optimism that a new agreement with Iran over its nuclear development was “fairly close,” though he cautioned that any Israeli military intervention could derail the diplomatic progress.

CNN reported that Netanyahu was expected to hold a conversation with Trump on Friday.

During a brief call with the network that morning, Trump voiced his full backing for Israel and described the strikes as “a very successful attack.”

“We, of course, support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,” Trump said.

“Iran should have listened to me when I said — you know I gave them, I don’t know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61.”

Posting earlier on Truth Social, Trump urged Tehran to come to terms with the United States on its nuclear ambitions, cautioning that “Israel’s attacks will only get worse.”

{Matzav.com}

During a phone interview with Reuters on Friday, President Donald Trump said he is no longer certain whether Iran’s nuclear program still exists following Israel’s dramatic airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets. “We knew everything,” Trump said, confirming the United States was fully briefed on Israel’s operation in advance. “I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out.” Despite the intensity of the strikes and reports of heavy losses among top Iranian military and nuclear officials, Trump said diplomatic avenues remain open. “They can still work out a deal — it’s not too late,” he added. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff w scheduled to meet with an Iranian delegation in Oman on Sunday. However, the Israeli offensive immediately cast serious doubt over whether the talks would proceed as planned, and reports say that Iranian officials are refusing to partake in the meeting. However, Trump told Axios that the strikes might actually force Iran to come back to the negotiating table. “I don’t think so,” he said, responding to a question about whether the strikes destroy any chance for a deal. “Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously.” “I gave Iran 60 days, today is day 61… They should have made a deal,” Trump said. “I couldn’t get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.” When asked if he was concerned that Israel’s military action could ignite a broader regional war, Trump dismissed the possibility. “No, I’m not worried,” he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Nation on Friday afternoon and says the strikes against Iran were ordered in November 2024, following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu revealed that the decision was driven by fears Iran would accelerate its nuclear ambitions after its proxy network was dismantled by Israel. Originally planned for late April 2025, the operation was delayed for undisclosed reasons. However, after Israeli strikes crippled Iran’s ballistic missile program last year, intelligence revealed Tehran was producing 300 ballistic missiles monthly. “We decided we couldn’t wait anymore. We are at midnight,” Netanyahu declared. The opening strikes, described as “very successful,” obliterated the Natanz nuclear facility, eliminated key Iranian military leaders, and targeted top nuclear scientists. Netanyahu hailed the “amazing work” of the IDF and Mossad, which silenced doubts about Israel’s capabilities. Acknowledging the inevitability of Iranian retaliation, Netanyahu warned, “It will come.” He predicted “very severe attacks, in waves,” urging Israelis to remain vigilant and follow authorities’ instructions. “Don’t go into euphoria,” he cautioned, emphasizing efforts to minimize the cost to Israel without elaborating. Addressing U.S. involvement, Netanyahu admitted he had hoped for Washington’s support in cabinet discussions but stressed Israel had no alternative. “If we don’t attack, it’s 100% that we will die,” he said. “We have to change the direction of Iran’s military build-up, both its ballistic and nuclear weapons.” While U.S. backing—or at least non-opposition—remains “extremely desirable,” Israel acted unilaterally to ensure its survival. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military is continuing to strike Iran “with full force.” “We are continuing with the two main efforts we defined for ourselves, the defensive effort and the offensive effort,” Zamir says during an assessment with the IDF’s top brass. “There will be more difficult moments, and we must be prepared for the range of scenarios we have trained for,” he says. “We are continuing with full force, at a high pace, in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves,” Zamir adds.

As tensions escalate in Eretz Yisroel, Keren Olam HaTorah has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Torah institutions across the country, urging Klal Yisroel to intensify their efforts on behalf of yeshivos and kollelim.

In a phone call Friday morning, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch conveyed a powerful message to the organization’s leadership: the zechus of supporting Torah learning serves as a shield for the entire yishuv in Eretz Yisroel. The roshei yeshiva emphasized that American Jewry has a unique responsibility to bolster Torah support at this critical time.

“They told us that we must continue working to raise money for the yeshivos and kollelim in whichever way we can,” said the Keren in a statement signed by board members Mr. Shimon Glick, Mr. Reuven Wolf, Mr. Ezra Erani, Mr. Yitzchok Rokowsky, and Mr. Boruch Jeremias.

Accordingly, the fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, June 15, in Baltimore will proceed as planned, with the participation of the Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, Rav Dovid Cohen.

Keren Olam HaTorah noted that it will continue to follow the direction of the Gedolei Yisroel and will notify the public if there are any changes to the schedule of planned events.

{Matzav.com}

Two explosions occurred at the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, located several hundred meters underground, the IRGC’s Fars News Agency confirms.

Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, was killed during an Israeli strike in Iran, The New York Times reported on Friday evening, citing an Iranian source. Qaani succeeded Qasem Soleimani as commander after the latter was killed in a targeted operation by the United States in 2020. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hagaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch in a special letter of Chizuk from his location in the USA to yeshiva Bochrim in Eretz Yisroel: ‘To instill in our hearts the feeling that everything is in the hands of Hashem.’. The Rosh Yeshiva calls on yeshiva Bochrim to strengthen their Limud HaTorah, avoid wasteful activities, and act responsibly.”

The IDF releases additional footage showing its strikes against Iranian military facilities today. The clips show strikes on a site in Iran used to launch drones and ballistic missile launchers, according to the military.

President Donald Trump revealed in an interview with The New York Post that he knew Israel would take military action against Iran if the Islamic regime failed to agree to a reworked nuclear deal with the United States.

“I always knew the date,” Trump said during the phone call. “Because I know everything. I know everything. I know everything.”

Explaining further, Trump said, “I gave them 60 days and they didn’t meet it. Today’s 61, you know. Today’s day 61.”

Trump had welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to the White House on April 7, just over sixty days before Israel executed strikes targeting key Iranian nuclear scientists and senior military officials.

In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of 100 drones toward Israeli territory, though the Israel Defense Forces later announced they successfully intercepted the aerial assault.

When asked whether Netanyahu had shared intelligence with him regarding Iran’s nuclear advancements—and if there had been a shared understanding of a 60-day deadline—Trump replied, “I know what’s going on. Someone informed me of it.”

Washington has consistently urged Tehran to dismantle its uranium enrichment efforts in exchange for being reintegrated into the global financial system.

Still, Iranian leadership remained defiant. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on June 4, “Who are you to tell us whether we should have a nuclear program or not?”

Reflecting on the missed diplomatic opening, Trump said, “They had a great chance to make a deal. Iran did. They had a great chance to make a deal and they didn’t make it.”

Despite the failed timeline, Trump noted on Friday that the U.S. remains open to negotiations, with indirect discussions between the two sides reportedly scheduled to resume this weekend.

“I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there,” he posted on Truth Social. “Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING: Due to the security situation in Eretz Yisroel, the gedolim’s planned visit to America has been put on an indefinite hold. However, gedolim already here will still be attending a scheduled asifa in Baltimore on Sunday.

Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva and the zekan roshei haeyshivos, was taken back to the hospital overnight due to low hemoglobin levels.

The rosh yeshiva remained so that additional tests could be conducted to evaluate other health concerns.

At the time of this writing, it remains unclear whether the rosh yeshiva will be able to return home before Shabbos or if he will need to remain hospitalized.

All are asked to continue davening for the complete refuah sheleimah of Rav Shmuel ben Itta Ettil.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: An Iranian drone intercepted over Quneitra in southern Syriac near the border with Israel.

Satellite images show extensive damage to Iran’s Kermanshah Underground Facility, including its entrance.

The IDF releases footage of additional airstrikes on surface-to-surface missiles in Iran.

Iranian media is reporting that underground missile bases mobilized for retaliation.

The U.S. is repositioning its military forces due to fears of an Iranian retaliation after the Israeli attacks. The USS Thomas Hudner is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean, with a second destroyer ready to deploy. President Trump is meeting with his National Security Council to assess the situation.

The IDF reiterates its evacuation warning for large areas of the Gaza Strip. “The IDF continues to operate with great force against terror organizations. The areas marked in red on the map are considered dangerous combat zones,”

Following Israel’s recent strike on Iran and growing security tensions across the region, the nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, issued a powerful public message urging Klal Yisroel to strengthen itself in Torah and tefillah, and to ensure that batei knesses and batei medrash remain open unless the security forces issue explicit instructions to remain near protected spaces.

Speaking from abroad during a chizuk mission to North America, Rav Yosef emphasized the critical role of spiritual strength during turbulent times. “In these days, when ‘outside the sword bereaves, and within, terror,’ we have no one to rely on but our Father in Heaven. The strength of Am Yisroel lies in its mouth—its tefillah and its Torah,” he wrote.

Rav Yosef called on the public to recite Avinu Malkeinu following the Amidah, and to say chapters of Tehillim—specifically 121, 130, and 140—during the opening of the Aron Kodesh. He also encouraged an increase in the learning of Torah during these days.

He added that “as long as there is no directive from security officials requiring immediate presence in protected areas, one must continue with tefillah and limud, and increase zechuyos on behalf of Klal Yisroel.”

Rav Yosef concluded his heartfelt message with a tefillah: “May Hashem Yisborach see the suffering of His people and hasten our eternal redemption. May we merit that in our days Yehuda will be saved, and Yisroel will dwell securely in its land.”

Due to the escalating situation, Rav Yosef’s originally scheduled trip to North America was diverted and he landed in Rome, where, as previously reported, it was thought that he may have to spend Shabbos. However, he was ultimately able to continue on to New York. This coming Shabbos, he is expected to be with the Syrian Jewish community at Shaare Zion in Flatbush, where he will deliver divrei chizuk. The continuation of his visit in New York remains dependent on security developments in Israel.

{Matzav.com}

Israel awoke Friday morning to heightened tensions following the country’s official acknowledgment of a large-scale overnight strike on Iranian territory. In response, Home Front Command issued sweeping emergency guidelines for Shabbos, raising urgent questions throughout the country, particularly regarding public gatherings and tefillos in batei knesses.

The new regulations mandate a shift to “essential activity only” status throughout the country, effective immediately and continuing until further notice. Among the closures: all educational institutions—including preschools, schools, special education programs, colleges, summer camps, youth groups, and extracurriculars. Additionally, all non-essential workplaces, businesses, and service centers are required to suspend operations.

The Home Front Command also strictly prohibited gatherings in locations without proper, accessible fortified shelters. This directive applies across the board: weddings, concerts, public events, and even tefillos in shul.

Regarding the burning question on many minds—can tefillos be held in shuls this Shabbos?—the guidelines clarify: tefillos are permitted only in locations with standard-compliant and accessible protective spaces. Shuls that lack proper fortified shelter are urged to consider limiting attendance, splitting into smaller groups, or even canceling portions of the davening altogether.

Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, head of Home Front Command, stated today: “Widespread alerts are expected. It is critical to ensure every individual knows where their nearest protected area is located. When an alert sounds, enter immediately and remain inside until official notice is given. We must all limit travel. Challenging days lie ahead, but we are prepared and resolute.”

As Shabbos approaches, citizens are being asked to take practical precautions:

• Identify the nearest protected space both at home and in shul

• Ensure that it is reachable within the designated warning time

• Instruct all family members, including children, on what to do in the event of an alarm

The orders remain in effect until further notice. Officials stress: follow instructions closely, take no risks, and act responsibly.

May Hashem protect us all.

{Matzav.com Israel}