Feed aggregator

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a press conference on Sunday evening following the U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He emphasized that Israel has no intention of being dragged into a prolonged war with Iran and declared: “We are close to completing the two objectives of Operation ‘Am K’Lavi’ (Like a Lion).” At the start of his remarks, Netanyahu said the following: “When I first took office, I participated in the March of the Living at Auschwitz. I felt a strong need to wrap myself in a tallis and said: שמע ישראל ה’ אלוקינו ה’ אחד. “Ten days ago, just hours before launching the historic mission against the evil regime of Iran, I visited the Kosel and again felt a strong urge to wrap myself in a tallis. I prayed for the success of our heroic pilots, our soldiers and commanders, for the security of our nation, and for the peace of our people. I placed a note in the Kosel that read: הן עם כלביא יקום ‘Behold, a people rises like a lioness and lifts itself like a lion.’” “Today, ten days later, I returned to the Kosel with my wife. Again, I wrapped myself in a tallis and offered a prayer of thanksgiving and a request for continued success. Gratitude for the incredible bravery of the IDF and Mossad, for the resilience of our people on the home front, and for the unprecedented partnership with my close friend, President Trump. We’ve taken our teamwork and cooperation to historic heights. As President Trump said so clearly — there has never been such coordination between two leaders.” Later on in the press conference, Netanyahu said the following: “I said it from the depth of my heart and belief – the most important party in the Knesset is Siyata Dishmaya. We witnessed incredible courage from our fighters and citizens, and immense help from our allies — but above all, we had the help of the Ribbono Shel Olam. And for that, I give thanks on behalf of generations of Jews who longed to establish our state and hoped we would protect our future. That’s exactly what we are doing.” Netanyahu also said: “We are fully committed to two main fronts — eliminating the Iranian threat and defeating Hamas while bringing all our hostages home, both living and fallen. Just two days after the war began, I said we would change the face of the Middle East. That is exactly what we’re doing. Even if there are difficult days ahead, with Hashem’s help, greater and better days await — days of unity, strength, and peace.” When asked about the success of the U.S. strike on the Fordo underground nuclear facility, Netanyahu responded: “We must tip our hats to Trump for the outstanding job done by the U.S. Air Force. We salute their pilots. They inflicted massive damage on Fordo. We’ll evaluate the situation, but one way or another, we will ensure there is no threat from those nuclear facilities. We will do whatever is necessary to meet our objectives — and we will achieve them all.” “We are advancing step by step toward accomplishing the two main goals of the operation,” he added. “We are very close. Our focus remains on achieving those goals. Once we do — we will not […]

The U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide alert due to the Israel-Iran conflict. Americans are warned of global travel disruptions, potential airspace closures, and possible anti-U.S. protests.

U.S. calls on China to prevent Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global oil flows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to prevent Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes. About 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. China is Iran’s biggest oil customer and maintains friendly relations with the Islamic Republic.

While having supper Thursday evening, I received a call from a 212 number claiming to be from Chase Bank. Normally, I don’t answer calls during dinner — especially not from unfamiliar area codes — but for personal reasons, I made an exception this time. The caller identified himself and immediately asked about a couple of Zelle transactions on my account. Each was for several thousand dollars and had been flagged by the bank as potentially fraudulent. The money was being sent to someone whose name I didn’t recognize. After confirming with my wife that she hadn’t authorized any transactions either, the caller assured me he would mark them as fraudulent and “freeze” my Zelle account for 24 to 48 hours for my protection. He then provided a case number, cancellation codes for each transaction, and the name of the person assigned to handle my fraud case. After that, he transferred me to someone claiming to be a Zelle representative to continue processing the cancellation. The Zelle rep, “Doug Marshall,” was professional and courteous. He explained the next steps and seemed genuinely focused on helping me cancel the charges. But something didn’t sit right. Even as I followed along, I had a nagging feeling that something was off. I googled the number that had called me — it was indeed a Chase Bank number. Still uneasy, I logged into my online banking accounts — Chase and others — to double-check if any of these Zelle transactions had actually posted. Nothing. No record of them anywhere. Doug continued walking me through the process, explaining that the transactions were supposedly sent from an iPhone Pro Max 11 in Buffalo, NY — a detail that matched what the Chase agent had told me earlier. It sounded convincing. But then things took a turn. Doug asked me to create a Zelle user named “Noel Peralta,” using the 10-digit case number as the Zelle ID. I was instructed to input the cancellation codes from Chase into the dollar amount field, and to type “StpPmnt1500mnt” into the reason field. That was the moment my gut instinct screamed: Stop. I told Doug I wasn’t comfortable going forward with the transaction and that I would hang up and call back to verify everything. He remained calm and understanding and even offered to transfer me back to the original “Chase agent.” When that agent returned, I explained my hesitation and my plan to verify the situation directly with the bank. He tried to discourage me. At some point, he placed me on hold — and that’s when I hung up. I immediately called the official Chase fraud department. Sure enough — it was all a scam! As someone who considers himself fairly tech-savvy and cautious, I was surprised by how sophisticated and convincing this scam was. The level of detail, the smoothness of the handoffs, the professionalism of the callers — all of it was crafted to lower your guard. Signed, J.L. The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.

In a chilling backchannel warning just days before last night’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran reportedly threatened President Donald Trump with domestic terror attacks if the United States launched any offensive action, NBC reports. The threat, delivered through an intermediary at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada last week, warned of sleeper-cell operatives embedded within the U.S. who could be activated in retaliation. Trump abruptly departed the summit on June 16 to deliberate on military options amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Sources include two senior U.S. officials and an individual with direct knowledge of the classified threat, who confirmed that the communique made clear Tehran’s intent to target the U.S. homeland if provoked. In a statement posted to social media following the overnight strikes, Trump delivered a stern message: “Any Iranian retaliation against the United States WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.” Federal agencies remain on high alert. The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin today warning that the Iran conflict “is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States.” The alert raised the possibility of terrorist attacks on American soil, especially in the event that Iranian clerical leadership issues a religious edict—or fatwa—authorizing such violence. The bulletin also outlined concerns over potential Iranian cyberattacks and assassination attempts targeting U.S. officials connected to the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. Despite struggling previously to carry out major plots on American soil, Iran has long sought to build networks capable of acting when ordered. DHS officials say these threats must be taken seriously amid a volatile geopolitical moment. Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed the administration is “looking very closely” at the possibility of an Iranian-backed attack within the U.S. homeland. Vance pointed to national security vulnerabilities tied to the southern border, stating, “We know that some of those people who crossed during the Biden administration were on terrorism watch lists.” He added that there is not yet a “full accounting” of all individuals who may have entered without proper vetting. A senior European diplomat familiar with Iran’s capabilities warned that Tehran’s reach extends well beyond the Middle East. “The U.S. and its allies believe Iran retains the operational ability to strike American and European nationals abroad—far outside traditional conflict zones,” the diplomat said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the press that one of the reasons why Russia is not aiding Iranians in the war is that “Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country,” Ynet reported. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Putin said that the Kremlin “traditionally enjoys good and friendly relations with the Arab world. It has been said here that we must show a certain solidarity—and that is true. But in any case, every conflict is rather unique. I want to draw your attention to the fact that almost two million Russian-speaking people live in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today.” “Who said that we were supposed to do more?” Putin continued. “What else? Start combat operations?” “We defend Iran’s right to nuclear energy in the name of peace. We built a nuclear reactor in Iran and signed contracts for two more. We continue that work; we haven’t evacuated our people from there. Isn’t that support for Iran?” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi presented a rare review on Sunday to members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, including political and operational details behind the scenes of the ongoing war with Iran. “On the ninth night of the war, something dramatic happened in Iran—in both senses of the word,” Hanegbi began [a reference to the Hebrew expression נפל דבר, which literally means “something fell,” but also means “something momentous occurred”]. Hanegbi revealed that US President Donald Trump recently asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu if he would support a “good” nuclear agreement with Tehran. According to him, Netanyahu replied, “A good agreement is the best—but it won’t happen, because the Iranians will not give up any nuclear aspirations.” Hanegbi said that when a senior Biden administration official was presented with the possibility that Iran would obtain nuclear power, he dismissed it, saying, “I’ll sit with a cocktail on the beach.” Hanegbi added that Israel aspires to include the issue of ballistic missiles in a future agreement with Iran—an issue that the Iranians insist on presenting as a defense capability and not an offensive weapon. “They can quickly restore their missile capabilities, but the nuclear issue will take them longer,” he emphasized. Regarding the international arena, Hanegbi noted that “the Russians were businesslike—they condemned us only declaratively, but beyond that they didn’t act against us.” Hanegbi referred to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a “dead man” but clarified that “currently he is not defined as a target for execution. And ‘currently’ is 60 seconds,” hinting at the possibility of a targeted strike at any time. Hanegbi concluded with a reference to Israel’s southern front: “Hamas is not currently responding to proposals for a hostage deal—not even to the Qataris. They are standing aside and want to see which way the wind is blowing.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The B-2 Spirit bombers used in the assault on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility were equipped with basic creature comforts — including toilets, microwaves, and coolers — to help pilots endure the grueling 37-hour round-trip flight from Missouri.

These advanced stealth aircraft, originally developed to deliver nuclear payloads during the Cold War, launched from Whiteman Air Force Base near Kansas City on Friday. The marathon flight to Iran and back involved multiple mid-air refuelings, according to military officials.

Because the mission involved nearly two full days in the air, the planes’ interiors were outfitted with conveniences such as small refrigerators and microwave ovens, allowing the two-man crews to stay nourished and focused throughout the journey.

To accommodate the long-haul nature of the mission, the planes also featured an onboard toilet — a necessity for such extended flights.

Each aircraft also had a designated area that allowed one pilot to rest while the other remained at the controls, taking turns to operate the jet during the long hours aloft.

Introduced into service in 1997, each B-2 stealth bomber comes with a staggering price tag of over $2 billion. The U.S. Air Force maintains a fleet of 19 aircraft, following the loss of one in a crash back in 2008.

With their sweeping 172-foot wingspan and a crew limited to just two, these high-tech jets depend heavily on automated systems to carry out extended missions across the globe.

According to The Telegraph, the seven bombers assigned to Operation “Midnight Hammer” maintained radio silence for nearly the entire duration of their flight. Pilots alternated sleep shifts during the tense hours leading up to and following the strike.

The raid on Fordow represented the longest continuous B-2 mission since the early stages of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

To prepare for such grueling operations, B-2 crews train specifically for extreme endurance flights. As reported by The Atlantic, some past missions have seen crews bring along makeshift sleeping setups like cots or full-length camping pads.

The bombers didn’t fly solo the entire time. As they neared Iranian airspace, they were joined by fighter jets and other support aircraft to coordinate the complex strike.

“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,” Gen Daniel Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, touted in a statement.

Caine said the attack inside Iranian territory began at 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday and lasted 25 minutes. The lead bomber dropped a pair of GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs on “the first of several aim points 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 added.

This mission marked the first instance of the U.S. deploying the 15-ton GBU-57 bunker busters in active combat.

“There is not another military in the world that could have done this,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social when revealing the attack on Iran.

{Matzav.com}

An anti-Semitic attack shook the Crown Heights kehilla on Shabbos afternoon, as a yeshiva bochur was viciously attacked in a brazen, hate-driven assault. The incident occurred around 1:00 PM near Eastern Parkway and Brooklyn Avenue. Witnesses say the perpetrator was running through the neighborhood screaming anti-Semitic threats, including references to Gaza, while chasing visibly Jewish men. He ultimately singled out an innocent bochur walking along the street and unleashed a violent barrage of punches and kicks, leaving the victim unconscious on the sidewalk. The attacker had already fled the scene by the time emergency responders arrived. The suspect was later connected to two earlier incidents in the neighborhood — an unprovoked shoving attack on Thursday evening near Eastern Parkway and Albany Avenue, and deliberate traffic obstruction on Friday morning at Crown Street and New York Avenue. Despite prior complaints, the individual had not been taken into custody. There have also been additional reports of attempted assaults on other Jewish residents earlier in the day, heightening community concern and prompting a renewed search. Following a coordinated search effort, the suspect was located and arrested by the NYPD later that same day. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force has been notified and is expected to take over the investigation. Community members are urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

צו דאונלאודן די דברות קודש בכתב דריקט דא צו הערן דורכ’ן טעלפאון רופט: 718.689.1363  ארה”ק: 0723982560

After the U.S. carried out its major military operation targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited the Kosel in Yerushalayimon Sunday. Their visit was marked by a heartfelt tefillah of thanks to the Almighty for the wonders witnessed, as well as a prayer for the well-being of the President of the United States, in appreciation of his unwavering backing of Israel during these trying times.

The gathering was held in the presence of Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel, along with Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, who heads the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. Tefillos were recited to express gratitude for the evident and ongoing miracles that have unfolded throughout the course of the “Rising Lion” war.

Before the onset of the conflict, Prime Minister Netanyahu had made his way to the Kosel, seeking divine assistance. At that time, he inserted a handwritten note into the cracks of the Wall with the verse, “Am kelavi yakum – a nation shall rise like a lion,” expressing hope for Israel’s strength and triumph.

During Sunday’s visit, Rav Rabinowitz joined the prime minister in reciting a special prayer specifically dedicated to the President of the United States. The prayer was offered in sincere recognition of his firm support for Israel and the vital role he has played in ensuring regional stability and security.

At the end of the prayer service, Prime Minister Netanyahu placed yet another note into the Kosel, this time inscribed with the words: “Am Yisrael kam – Am Yisrael chai!”

The prime minister remarked: “Ten days ago, on the eve of Israel’s historic action, I stood here and placed a note that read: ‘Behold, a nation shall rise like a lion’. Now, ten days later, I return to the same place and leave a note that reads: ‘Behold, a nation has risen like a lion – the Nation of Israel lives!’”

{Matzav.com}

Trump plays coy in a Truth Social post addressing the flurry of speculation surrounding potential regime change in Iran

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)