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Ali Larijani, a senior figure in the Iranian regime, revealed in a televised interview on Iran’s state broadcaster that he received a direct threat during the war with Israel warning him to flee the country or face assassination.

“In the midst of the war, I got a call telling me I had 12 hours to leave the country or I would be killed,” Larijani said. “They told me they’d send me to join my martyred friends Akri and Salami. I knew who was calling, and I gave Mr. Netanyahu an appropriate response.”

Larijani alleged that Israel had planned a sweeping strike to decapitate Iran’s leadership. “The Israelis targeted the site where the Supreme National Security Council was convening, with the intent to eliminate the heads of the state and then move on to strike the Supreme Leader Khamenei,” he said.

According to a report in Yisroel Hayom, Larijani also claimed that Iran had struck American military targets. “Of the 14 missiles we fired, six struck a U.S. base with significant impact. Each carried a 400-kilogram warhead. We know exactly what happened, but let Trump keep dreaming,” he said.

In response to President Trump’s assertion that Iran’s underground nuclear facility in Fordow had been destroyed, Larijani dismissed the claim mockingly: “I won’t say anything about Fordow—let them enjoy their illusions.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s representative to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, declared that Tehran has no intention of halting its nuclear enrichment activities, insisting the practice is a protected national right that the country will continue to uphold.

During an appearance on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” host Margaret Brennan questioned Iravani directly about whether Iran aims to resume its uranium enrichment efforts domestically.

In response, Iravani referenced the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which grants nations that do not possess nuclear weapons access to peaceful nuclear technology, including the right to enrich uranium within regulated parameters.

“So the enrichment is our right, and an inalienable right, and we want to implement this right,” Iravani said.

“So you do plan to restart enrichment, that sounds like?” Brennan asked.

“I think that enrichment will not — never stop,” he said.

President Trump authorized military action over the weekend, targeting three nuclear-related facilities in Iran. The strikes came just as another series of negotiations was about to commence, part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reach a nuclear agreement with Tehran.

While the administration has promoted the mission as a major strategic victory, several Democratic lawmakers have expressed skepticism over the true impact of the operation.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior intelligence officials gave a classified briefing to members of Congress earlier this week regarding the June 21 attack. The Trump team has been aggressively promoting the idea that the strikes delivered a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, calling the sites “obliterated.”

However, on Tuesday, an early intelligence analysis began circulating suggesting the damage inflicted might only delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions by “a few months.” Trump administration officials rejected this assessment, with Defense Department spokespeople pushing back during a press briefing held Thursday.

{Matzav.com}

In a powerful display of gratitude to the Ribono Shel Olam for the miracles witnessed during the recent conflict with Iran, hundreds gathered this past Shabbos at Beis Medrash Mimizrach Shemesh in Beit Shemesh for a communal recitation of Nishmas Kol Chai, expressing thanks to Hashem for His protection and mercy.

The moving event took place following a halacha l’maaseh shiur delivered by the mara d’asra, Rav Dovid Cohen, which is regularly attended by hundreds of local residents each week. This time, even more community members joined to participate in the seudas hoda’ah for the miracles of the war.

In his remarks, Rav Cohen emphasized the magnitude of the hidden miracles that accompanied the war, many of which are still unknown to the broader public. “We witnessed hashgacha pratis in every step,” he said. “Hinei lo yanum velo yishan Shomer Yisrael.” He encouraged the tzibbur to not only express gratitude with words, but to make meaningful personal commitments—kabbolos tovos—as a gift of thanks to Hashem.

The emotional climax came when Rav Cohen opened the doors of the aron kodesh and the packed crowd, including a filled-to-capacity women’s section, stood united before the sifrei Torah. With deep feeling, the entire kehilla sang and recited every word of Nishmas Kol Chai aloud, voices lifted in song and thanksgiving.

Ahead of Shabbos, Deputy Minister and founder of Beis Medrash Mimizrach Shemesh Moshe Abutbul invited the community to attend the special gathering. He also shared a chilling anecdote that highlighted the depth of the miracle. Abutbul recounted testimony he had received from a rosh kollel in the city, who had taken his kollel on a trip to southern Israel just one day before the war broke out. During the trip, they witnessed 50 refrigerated trucks stationed by the IDF, prepared to hold up to 1,000 casualties in the event of mass fatalities. “In the end,” said Abutbul, “not a single truck was needed. That alone is a powerful window into the neis that occurred for Am Yisrael.”

“The miracle was immense,” he continued. “We must thank Hashem, the Gibor and Ish Milchamah. Others boast of their military success, but we, as maaminim bnei maaminim, know the truth: without Hashem’s mercy, this war could have ended in devastating loss. His chesed overwhelmed us, and we must respond with united hoda’ah and shevach.”

Abutbul also quoted the words of Rav Ovadiah Yosef zt”l on the verse in Tehillim (60:6), “Nasata lirei’echa nes lehisnoses—When Hashem performs a nes, and the recipient acknowledges it, he becomes worthy of more nissim in the future.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

CAN’T MAKE IT UP: A pro-Palestinian protester screams at virulently anti-Israeli socialist NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani – who publicly supports “globalizing the intifada – for not being anti-Israel enough!

The International Association of Fire Fighters said that three of their IAFF members were ambushed while responding to the north Idaho wildfire. Two of them were killed with another in surgery.

The scene now at the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZT’L. Shomrim from Far Rockaway (RNSP) are assisting a smooth line at the Ohel.

The Senate’s clerks concluded a marathon reading session on Sunday, going through every word of the Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending legislation. With that hurdle cleared, the chamber is now on track to proceed toward a final vote, expected to take place Monday.

In a bid to stall progress, Democrats demanded that the entire 940-page bill be read aloud, a process that stretched nearly 16 hours and wrapped up shortly after 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

“I objected to stop Republicans moving forward on their Big, Ugly Bill until they read every single word of it to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X last night.

Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) publicly recognized the effort of the staffers who carried out the task.

“I would like to start by just taking a moment to thank the clerks, who stayed up all night reading the amendment and getting us to this point. I know it was a long night and that we’re not finished yet, but I want them to know the Senate appreciates their dedication, their stamina and their service,” he said.

With the reading complete, the Senate will now enter a period of up to 20 hours of floor debate, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, before moving on to a potentially marathon session of back-to-back amendment votes known as a “vote-a-rama.”

Republican leadership is expected to waive much of their allotted debate time, potentially speeding up the process and allowing the vote-a-rama to begin during the early hours of Monday morning. If that happens, the final vote could take place later in the day.

During this next phase, senators may propose unlimited amendments as long as they pertain to the tax and spending legislation. Before the bill can reach a final vote, every amendment must be voted on and resolved.

Last night, the GOP successfully secured enough support to advance the bill following lengthy negotiations and a drawn-out voting session that remained open for over three hours. Even so, challenges remain.

Two Republican senators — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky — opposed the procedural vote and are anticipated to reject the bill itself, citing disagreements over Medicaid policies and the inclusion of a $5 trillion increase to the federal debt ceiling.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), known for her centrist positions within the Republican conference, backed the procedural step last night but has not yet decided how she will vote on the final legislation.

“That’s going to depend on whether the bill is substantially changed,” she said last night. “There are some very good changes that have been made in the latest version, but I want to see further changes and I will be filing a number of amendments.”

Last night’s vote was complicated by opposition from four conservative Republicans — Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Mike Lee of Utah — who delayed proceedings for nearly four hours over concerns that the Medicaid expansions in the bill were overly generous.

The conservative holdouts said they only agreed to move forward after receiving commitments from Thune and President Trump that Scott’s proposal to reduce the 90% federal match rate for Medicaid expansion enrollees would be supported.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a key moderate voice, also hesitated to commit, withholding her vote for several hours due to concerns about proposed changes to Medicaid and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the legislative framework.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Thom Tillis after announcing he won’t seek reelection while opposing Trump’s spending bill: “The people in the White House, the amateurs advising the President, they’re not telling him that the effect of this bill is to break a promise.”

IDAHO SHERIFF AMID STANDOFF WITH SHOOTER(S) ON MOUNTAIN: “They’re not showing any evidence of wanting to surrender. As soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot.”  

BREAKING: At least two dead after gunman ambushed firefighters in Idaho Firefighters were ambushed by a gunman while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard said. Two people are dead. The incident unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time after a small but growing brush fire broke out on Canfield Mountain Sunday afternoon. When fire personnel responded to the blaze about half an hour later, they started getting shot at by an unknown person in the woods, Howard said. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene, Howard added.

During the ongoing Am K’Lavi military operation, Israel’s Chief Rabbi, HaGaon Rav Kalman Meir Bar, visited an Israeli Air Force base, where he met with pilots, UAV operators, and members of the maintenance crew to offer encouragement and deliver a message of gratitude and inspiration.

The visit came amid wide-ranging operational activity and was intended to uplift the spirits of the soldiers and technical teams serving under demanding conditions.

Rav Bar spoke with drone operators about the critical role they play in defending Israel’s skies, particularly in the recent campaign. He emphasized that his visit was not only to personally thank them, but to acknowledge the profound impact of their efforts on the morale of the entire nation. “The Air Force,” he stated, “has consistently been a key factor in raising the spirits of the people of Israel during trying times.”

He also met with members of the maintenance unit, who presented their meticulous work in preparing aircraft for missions while upholding the highest standards of precision and safety. The Chief Rabbi expressed deep admiration for their dedication and professionalism.

At the conclusion of the visit, Rav Bar joined the soldiers in tefillah at the base’s shul and offered them brachos for peace and safety. In his closing remarks, he urged them to continue safeguarding both the physical and spiritual strength of the Jewish people. Drawing on the imagery of the operation’s name, he remarked: “Just like the lavi, the lion, who may appear to be resting but when he roars it becomes clear to all that he is the king of the jungle, so too, the IDF, and especially the Air Force, projects strength and confidence through Operation Am K’Lavi.”

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic closed-door session, top Israeli security officials told judges overseeing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial that there is “an opportunity to change the face of the Middle East and for Israel to expand its circle of peace, including with Syria,” according to a report by Kan News. Present at the confidential court hearing were the heads of the IDF Military Intelligence and the Mossad, who both emphasized the urgency and sensitivity of current regional developments. They explained to the judges why it was necessary to delay Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony hearings.

BREAKING: President Trump sends a message to “cost cutting Republicans” as he awaits passage of his Big Beautiful Bill “REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t get too crazy!”

SEN. RAND PAUL: “The bill increases the debt ceiling by $5 trillion…They know that the ensuing years will add trillions more…That doesn’t sound at all conservative to me, & that’s why I’m a ‘no.’”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued Fox News on Friday over alleged defamation, saying the network knowingly aired false information about a phone call he had with President Donald Trump around the time the National Guard was sent Los Angeles. The lawsuit alleges Fox News anchor Jesse Watters edited out key information from a clip of Trump talking about calling Newsom, then used the edited video to assert that Newsom had lied about the two talking. Newsom is asking for $787 million in punitive damages in the lawsuit filed in Delaware, where Fox is incorporated. That’s the same amount Fox agreed to pay in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. The company said Fox repeatedly aired false allegations that its equipment had switched votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden during the 2020 election, and the discovery process revealed the network’s efforts not to alienate conservatives in its audience in the wake of Biden’s victory. “If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case,” Newsom said in a statement. “I believe the American people should be able to trust the information they receive from a major news outlet.” He asked a judge to order Fox to stop broadcasting “the false, deceptive, and fraudulent video and accompanying statements” that Newsom said falsely say he lied about when he spoke to Trump regarding the situation in Los Angeles, where protests erupted on June 6 over Trump’s immigration crackdown. Fox News said in a statement that it would fight the lawsuit “vigorously” and looks forward to it being dismissed. “Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him,” it said. Newsom’s suit centers on the details of the phone call with the president. Both Newsom and the White House have said the two spoke late at night June 6 in California, which was already June 7 on the East Coast. Though the content of the call is not part of the lawsuit, Newsom has said they never discussed Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard, which he announced the next day. Trump said the deployment was necessary to protect federal buildings from people protesting increased immigration arrests. Trump later announced that he would also deploy Marines to the area. On June 10, when 700 Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area, Trump told reporters he had spoken to Newsom “a day ago” about his decision to send troops. That day Newsom posted on the social platform X that there had been no call. “There was no call. Not even a voicemail,” Newsom wrote. On the evening of June 10, Fox’s Jesse Watters Primetime show played a clip of Trump’s statement about his call with Newsom but removed Trump’s comment that the call was “a day ago,” the lawsuit said. Watters also referred to call logs another Fox News reporter posted online showing the phone call the two had on June 6. “Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him? Why would he do that?” Watters said on air, according to the lawsuit. The segment included text across the bottom of the screen that said “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call.” Newsom’s suit argues that […]

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has stirred controversy by sponsoring 1,000 Palestinian family members of terrorists to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, even as the kingdom remains under the spotlight for its potential normalization of ties with Israel.

This development was reported through Palestinian Authority outlets and highlighted by Palestinian Media Watch, raising new concerns about the Saudis’ stance toward Palestinian violence.

While there has been ongoing talk of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the latest move — a grant seen as honoring those tied to acts of terror — suggests that Saudi leadership has not turned its back on supporting individuals responsible for deadly attacks against Israelis.

Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, publicly expressed gratitude to Saudi leaders, saying, “thanked Saudi Arabia and its leadership for the generous grant they provided this year to 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims from among the families of the Martyrs, the prisoners, and the wounded” [Official PA TV News, June 9, 2025]. The term refers to Palestinians who were killed, captured, or injured while carrying out attacks — and their relatives were flown to Mecca under the king’s sponsorship.

According to Palestinian Authority television, this act symbolizes enduring “loyalty” to the attackers and a pledge of “constant sponsorship and honoring” their families.

The issue of providing material support to relatives of Palestinian terrorists has repeatedly complicated American-Palestinian diplomatic relations. Now, Saudi Arabia’s involvement adds another layer of complexity as it weighs potential diplomatic ties with Israel.

Observers note that while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, has shown greater willingness to explore a relationship with Israel and promote reforms within the kingdom, his father, King Salman, appears far more hesitant and continues to adhere to older policies rooted in support for the Palestinian cause — including controversial acts like this pilgrimage grant.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu expressed appreciation to President Donald Trump for his vocal support, after Trump denounced what he described as a “political witch hunt” designed to destabilize Israel’s leadership. Trump’s endorsement included a variation of his signature phrase, calling to “Make the Middle East Great Again.”

Responding on the platform X, Netanyahu thanked Trump and echoed the president’s phrasing, writing, “Together, we will make the Middle East great again!”

The wording mirrored President Trump’s recent slogan usage, which he employed to call for assertive and visionary leadership throughout the region.

This exchange came after President Trump posted on Truth Social, where he harshly criticized Israel’s legal proceedings against Netanyahu and advocated for the charges to be dropped.

“It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,” President Trump wrote. “He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran.”

President Trump also highlighted Netanyahu’s role in handling the crisis involving Israeli hostages held by Hamas, while condemning the legal case against the prime minister. “How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.). It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure.”

Trump also warned that the case could have serious repercussions on ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations,” President Trump wrote. “In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.”

He invoked the United States’ longstanding strategic alliance with Israel, stressing that American leadership would not tolerate what he sees as an injustice.

“We are not going to stand for this,” Trump declared. “We just had a Great Victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm — And this greatly tarnishes our Victory,” he concluded. “LET BIBI GO, HE’S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!”

President Trump’s latest remarks come amid his broader campaign to pressure Israeli authorities to end Netanyahu’s prosecution, arguing that it threatens critical joint efforts involving national security and diplomacy.

Breitbart News previously noted that Trump first demanded the case be dropped following the U.S.-Israel victory in the 12 Day War against Iran, highlighting that several charges had already begun to unravel.

This latest show of solidarity points to a growing trend among conservative voices who are raising alarms about judicial overreach and its potential impact on global leadership and Middle East stability.

Notably, just hours after President Trump’s renewed public comments, an Israeli court granted a one-week delay in Netanyahu’s corruption trial. While no formal link was drawn, the timing of the postponement sparked renewed speculation.

{Matzav.com}

The United States and China have reached an agreement — again — to deescalate trade tensions. But details are scarce, and the latest pact leaves major issues between the world’s two biggest economies unresolved. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that a deal with China had been signed “the other day.” China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed Friday that some type of arrangement had been reached but offered few details about it. Sudden shifts and a lack of clarity have been hallmarks of Trump’s trade policy since he returned to the White House determined to overturn a global trading system that he says is unfair to the United States and its workers. He’s been engaged for months in a battle with China that has mostly revealed how much pain the two countries can inflict on each other. And he’s racing against a July 8 deadline to reach deals with other major U.S. trading partners. The uncertainty over his dealmaking and the cost of the tariffs, which are paid by U.S. importers and usually passed on to consumers, have raised worries about the outlook for the U.S. economy. And although analysts welcomed the apparent easing of tensions with China, they also warned that the issues dividing Washington and Beijing are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. What did the two sides agree to? U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the Chinese had agreed to make it easier for American firms to acquire Chinese magnets and rare earth minerals critical for manufacturing and microchip production. Beijing had slowed exports of the materials amid a bitter trade dispute with the Trump administration. Without explicitly mentioning U.S. access to rare earths, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said that “China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China.” The Chinese have complained about U.S. controls on exports of advanced U.S. technology to China. But the ministry statement did not specifically say whether the United States planned to ease or lift those controls. In his interview on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” Bessent mentioned that the United States had earlier imposed “countermeasures” against China and ”had held back some vital supplies for them.” “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation under President Trump’s leadership,” Bessent said, without spelling out what concessions the United States had made or whether they involved America’s export controls. Jeff Moon, a trade official in the Obama administration who now runs the China Moon Strategies consultancy, wondered why Trump hadn’t disclosed details of the agreement two days after it had been reached. “Silence regarding the terms suggests that there is less substance to the deal than the Trump Administration implies,″ said Moon, who also served as a diplomat in China. Wait. This sounds familiar. How did we get here? The agreement that emerged Thursday and Friday builds on a “framework” that Trump announced June 11 after two days of high-level U.S.-China talks in London. Then, he announced, China had agreed to ease restrictions on rare earths. In return, the United States said it would stop seeking to revoke the visas of Chinese students on U.S. college campuses. And last month, after another meeting in Geneva, the two countries had agreed to dramatically reduce massive taxes they’d […]

Firefighters were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a “heinous” assault. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later. Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two people killed were fire personnel. He didn’t know if anyone else was shot. “We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a 4:30 p.m. news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.” People are still coming off the mountain, the sheriff said, so it “would be safe to assume” that others were still up there. Gov. Brad Little said “multiple” firefighters were attacked. “This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Little said on the social platform X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.” Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. “I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they’re not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,” the sheriff said. An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles (6.5 km) north of downtown Coeur d’Alene. The fire was still active, Norris said. “It’s going to keep burning,” he said. “Can’t put any resources on it right now.” The FBI has responded to the scene with technical teams and tactical support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said. “It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he wrote in a post on X. Coeur d’Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)