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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}

Israeli spies succeeded in penetrating deep into Iranian territory ahead of Friday morning’s Operation Rising Lion, executing a series of clandestine missions that weakened Iran’s missile infrastructure and disrupted its aerial defense systems.

Mossad agents covertly transported weapons into Iran, where they were used to dismantle military defenses that posed a threat to Israeli forces and strategic interests.

According to Israeli security sources, the agents deployed “significant measures” involving large amounts of specialized weaponry, strategically placing them throughout the country to strike predetermined targets.

“Significant intelligence was gathered and surveillance was conducted to incriminate senior members of the Iranian defense establishment and nuclear scientists who were eliminated,” the source stated. “This was carried out alongside a covert operational campaign targeting Iran’s strategic missile array.”

The secret missions unfolded in parallel with Israel’s aerial assault, divided into three distinct operations, each focusing on specific components of Iran’s defense and weapons infrastructure.

Special forces units placed precision-guided munitions in close proximity to Iran’s surface-to-air missile installations, directing attacks at those systems.

In a separate phase, technological strike equipment was mounted onto vehicles, which were then used to launch targeted attacks against Iranian air defense units.

The third element of the operation focused on Iran’s surface-to-surface missile arsenal, striking a key site located near Tehran.

Drones packed with explosives had been smuggled into Iran and hidden in key locations. When activated, these unmanned aircraft flew to the missile base and successfully destroyed launchers that, according to Israeli intelligence, had “posed a threat to Israeli strategic and civilian targets.”

These coordinated sabotage missions paved the way for Israeli fighter jets to take out critical radar systems and additional surface-to-air defenses.

Key nuclear installations, including uranium enrichment sites, were also among the targets of the broader operation.

In the course of the mission, three senior Iranian military officials were reportedly killed, along with two nuclear scientists.

Those killed include Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer; and Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has released a detailed graphic highlighting the sites targeted in Iran.

In light of the current matzav, the chief rabbis and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas have issued a call, providing guidance on how to conduct ourselves during these perilous times and stressing the need for complete adherence to the instructions of the security establishment.

In their letter, the gedolim ruled that all tefillos b’tzibbur in batei knesses must be suspended. Under the heading “Eis tzarah hee l’Yaakov u’mimenu yivoshea”, and invoking the posuk, “Ki savo’u milchamah b’artzechem al hatzar hatzorer es’chem…vaharei’osem b’chatzotzros, unizkartem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem venoshatem mei’oyveichem”, they called upon the tzibbur to increase their tefillos this Shabbos. They specified the recitation of kappitlach Tehillim 20, 121, and 130, and Avinu Malkeinu.

The letter makes it clear: “There should be no gatherings in open areas or in buildings,” which means that batei knesses across Eretz Yisroel should remain closed this Shabbos and people are to daven in their homes.

The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas added a moving plea to “be marbeh tefillah u’techinah to Avinu shebaShomayim, that He should have rachamim on His am segulah … and that our chayalim succeed in their shlichus kodesh and return home safely.”

They also emphasized that “it is obvious that every directive of the government … must be strictly followed,” clearly stating that tefillos in batei knesses should not take place if they are not in line with security instructions.

The gedolei Yisroel further underscored the unmatched power of limud haTorah, urging bnei hayeshivos “to strengthen themselves in hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, day and night, without any interruption, for it is the Torah hakedoshah that stands as our protection in times of sakanah.”

Rav Dov Landau, upon being updated last night on the evolving security situation, stated, “We are in a sha’as sakanah and must increase both limud haTorah and tefillah for the shemirah of Am Yisroel.” He immediately canceled a scheduled asifah of roshei yeshivah, took a sefer Tehillim in hand, and began to daven.

{Matzav.com}

Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli Air Force fighter jets and Israeli Navy missile boats shooting down drones launched from Iran earlier today.

The Mossad reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defenses and ballistic missile launchers in Iran this morning. The Mossad built a secret explosive drone base in Iran for this morning’s operation.