JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER. 1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)
US PENTEGON CHIEF SAYS MILITARY READY TO ENSURE IRAN NEVER GETS A NUCLEAR BOMB.
INVENTION OF THE ATOMIC BOMB.
2 PETER 3:10-11
10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
(NUKES) shall melt with fervent heat,(BLAST) the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up.(BUT ITS NO END OF THE WORLD
HOGWASH)
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,(BY
NUKES INCLUDING 3 BILLION PEOPLE) what manner of persons ought ye to be
in all holy conversation and godliness,
NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.
JESUS
SHED HIS BLOOD FOR US THAT WE CAN BE SAVED FOREVER.AND DURING WW3
PEOPLES BLOOD WILL BE SHED AS A JUDGEMENT FOR HATING HIM AND ISRAEL.GOD
IS NOT MOCKED.
ZEPHANIAH 1:2-3
2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
3
I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven,
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I
will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
PSALMS 97:3
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
EZEKIEL 5:15-17
15
So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an
astonishment unto the (ARAB/MUSLIM) nations that are round about
thee,(ISRAEL) when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in
fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.
16 When I
shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their
destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase
the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:
17 So will I
send upon you famine and evil beasts,(WHEN RUSSIA/MUSLIMS GET DEFEATED
THIER BODIES GET EATEN BY BIRDS,ANIMALS IN ISRAEL MIGRATION SEASON) and
they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through
thee;(NUKES) and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have
spoken it.
REVELATION 14:18-20
18 And another angel came out
from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to
him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and
gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully
ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of
the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the
city,(JERUSALEM) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the
horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.(200
MILES) (THE SIZE OF ISRAEL)
ISAIAH 66:15-18
15 For, behold,
the LORD will come with fire,(NUKES) and with his chariots like a
whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of
fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens
behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination,
and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18 For I
know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather
all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
ISAIAH 26:21
21
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants
of the earth for their iniquity:(GOD/ISRAEL HATE AND BRAKING OF HIS
COMMANDMENTS) the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more
cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die - 3 BILLION).
ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8
And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them;
they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed
one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of
the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land
desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For
the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their
light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall
not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for
their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the
arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the
terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of
her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his
fierce anger.
ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the
fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of
the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are
open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed
like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it;
and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass
in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that
are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they
shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and
shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be
visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed,
when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and
before his ancients gloriously.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
JOEL 2:3,30
ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the
people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume
away while they stand upon their feet,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and
their eyes shall consume away in their holes,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB)
and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(DISOLVED FROM
ATOMIC BOMB)(BECAUSE NUKES HAVE BEEN USED ON ISRAELS ENEMIES)(GOD
PROTECTS ISRAEL AND ALWAYS WILL)
13 And it shall come to pass in that
day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they
shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand
shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN
WW3)(THIS IS AN ATOMIC BOMB EFFECT)
EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say
to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the
Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour
every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall
not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be
burned therein.
ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor
their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath;
but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for
he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
MALACHI 4:1
1
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;(FROM ATOMIC
BOMBS) and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be
stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of
hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
REVELATION 8:7
7
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with
blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees
was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
REVELATION 9:18
18
By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the
fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their
mouths.(ATOMIC BOMBS)(RUSSIA CHINA DESTROYED BY ISRAELS ATOMIC BOMBS)
REVELATION 16:12-16
12
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river
Euphrates;(WERE WW3 STARTS IN IRAQ OR SYRIA OR TURKEY) and the water
thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be
prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of
the mouth of the dragon,(SATAN) and out of the mouth of the beast,(WORLD
DICTATOR) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.(FALSE POPE)
14
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth
unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to
the battle of that great day of God Almighty.(WERE 2 BILLION DIE FROM
NUKE WAR)
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a
great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is
done.
PROOF HALF ON EARTH DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD (8 BILLION ON EARTH)
REVELATION 6:7-8 (8 BILLION- 2 BILLION = 6 BILLION)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8
And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that
sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given
unto them over the fourth part of the earth,(2 BILLION) to kill with
sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE
DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).
REVELATION 9:15,18 (6 BILLION - 2 BILLION = 4 BILLION)
15 And the four(DEMONIC WAR) angels were loosed,
18
By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the
fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their
mouths.(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMBS)
HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
LUKE
17:34-37 (8 TOTAL BILLION - 4 BILLION DEAD IN TRIB = 4 BILLION TO JESUS
KINGDOM) (HALF DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD JUST LIKE THE
BIBLE SAYS)(GOD DOES NOT LIE)(AND NOTICE MOST DIE IN WAR AND
DISEASES-NOT COMETS-ASTEROIDS-QUAKES OR TSUNAMIS)
34 I tell you, in
that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken,(IN
WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other shall be left.(half earths population 4
billion die in the 7 yr trib)
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
37
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto
them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered
together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against
Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten
by the birds).THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-NOT RAPTURE
SCRIPTURES.BECAUSE NOT HALF OF PEOPLE ON EARTH ARE CHRISTIANS.AND THE
CONTEXT IN LUKE 17 IS THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION OR 7 YR TREATY PERIOD.WHICH
IS JUDGEMENT ON THE EARTH.NOT 50% RAPTURED TO HEAVEN.
MATTHEW 24:37-42 (THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-SURE NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
42 Watch therefore:(FOR THE LAST DAYS SIGNS HAPPENING) for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
NAHUM 3:13
13
Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are
wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.
DR DOCTORION-ANGEL OF THE MIDEAST
"The
angel showed me that the United Nations shall be broken in pieces
because of the crisis in the Middle East. There shall be no more United
Nations. The angel with the sickle shall reap the harvest.
US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb-Washington, April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025
The
US defense secretary reiterated Sunday that the United States hopes for
a diplomatic solution to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,
but if that failed the military was ready "to go deep and to go big."US
and Iranian diplomats opened indirect talks Saturday in Oman in an
effort to resolve Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program.US
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday described the first, tentative
contacts in Oman as "productive" and "a good step."He told CBS's "Face
the Nation" that while President Donald Trump hoped to never have to
resort to a military option, "We've shown a capability to go far, to go
deep and to go big.""Again, we don't want to do that, but if we have to,
we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran's hands."Trump said
Wednesday that military action was "absolutely" possible -- in
conjunction with Israel -- if the talks in Oman failed."If it requires
military, we're going to have military," he told reporters. "Israel will
obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that."That
followed a blunt warning in late March that "if they don't make a deal,
there will be bombing."Trump pulled the United States out of an earlier
multi-nation nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, during his first term
in the White House.Analysts say Iran may now be just weeks away from
producing a deliverable nuclear weapon -- though Tehran denies it is
building such arms.
Iran says talks with US to focus solely on nuclear issue, lifting sanctions.
Tehran,
April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025-Iran's foreign ministry said Sunday that
talks with the United States slated for next weekend would remain
"indirect" with Omani mediation, and be focused solely on the nuclear
issue and lifting of sanctions.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a first round of talks on
Saturday in Muscat, marking the highest-level Iran-US nuclear
negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 accord.They agreed to meet
again in seven days."Negotiations will continue to be indirect. Oman
will remain the mediator, but we are discussing the location of future
negotiations," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in an
interview with state TV.He said the talks would only focus on "the
nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions", and that Iran "will not
have any talks with the American side on any other issue".Analysts had
said the US would push to include on the agenda discussions over Iran's
ballistic missile programme, along with Tehran's support for the "axis
of resistance" -- a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.Tehran
has, however, maintained it will talk only about its nuclear
programme.Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal
between Iran and world powers during his first term as US president.He
reimposed sweeping economic sanctions against Iran, which continued to
adhere to the agreement for a year after Washington's pullout but later
began rolling back its own commitments.Iran has consistently denied
seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.Saturday's negotiations came weeks
after Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei urging nuclear talks while warning of possible military action
if Iran refuses.Iran and the US separately described Saturday's
discussions as "constructive".Iran said the talks were held indirectly,
with Oman's foreign minister acting as intermediary.The negotiators,
Araghchi and Witkoff, spoke directly for "a few minutes" after the
talks, Tehran's foreign ministry said.Another round of talks will be
held on Saturday, April 19. The official IRNA news agency reported that
they would be held in Europe, without elaborating.Asked about the talks,
Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK.
Nothing matters until you get it done."The process took place in a
"friendly atmosphere", Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said.-
'Turning point' -Several Iranian websites that track the unofficial
exchange rate reported Sunday a strengthening of the Iranian rial to
around 850,000 to the US dollar, from more than one million in recent
days.Iran, reeling from Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in
Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions
hobbling its economy.Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking
at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of ramping up sanctions and
repeated military threats.On Sunday, Iranian media largely welcomed the
talks as a "decisive turning point" in relations between the longtime
foes.Iran's conservative Javan daily praised the US for "not seeking to
expand the negotiations to non-nuclear issues".The government-sponsored
Iran newspaper described the discussions as "constructive and
respectful", quoting Araghchi.Meanwhile, the reformist Shargh newspaper
said it was a "decisive turning point" in Iran-US relations.The hardline
Kayhan newspaper, which was largely sceptical in the days leading up to
the talks, lamented that Iran does not have a "plan B" while there was
"no clear prospect for an agreement with Donald Trump."It however lauded
the fact that the American side did not bring up "the dismantling of
nuclear facilities" and "the possibility of a military attack" during
the discussions.Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations
since shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the
Western-backed shah.Iran has been wary about engaging in talks with the
United States, often citing previous experience and undermined trust.
US in hurry for nuclear deal, Iran says after high-stakes talks.
Muscat,
Oman, April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025-The United States wants a nuclear
agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday,
as US President Donald Trump threatens military action if they fail to
reach a deal.The long-term adversaries, who have not had diplomatic
relations for more than 40 years, are seeking a new nuclear deal after
Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in
2018.Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key
architect of the 2015 deal, and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff led
the delegations in the highest-level Iran-US nuclear talks since the
previous accord's collapse.Araghchi, who briefly spoke face-to-face with
Witkoff, a real estate magnate, during the otherwise indirect meeting
in Oman, said the talks would resume next Saturday."The American side
also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon
as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on
both sides," Araghchi told Iranian state television."I think we came
very close to a basis for negotiation... Neither we nor the other party
want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time
wasting or talks that drag on forever," he added.The White House called
the discussions "very positive and constructive"."Special Envoy
Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a
mutually beneficial outcome," it said in a statement.Asked about the
talks, Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One: "I think they're
going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."Oman's foreign minister
acted as an intermediary in the talks in Muscat, Iran said. The
Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face.However, the
negotiators also spoke directly for "a few minutes", Iran's foreign
ministry said. It said the talks were held "in a constructive and
mutually respectful atmosphere".The two parties were in "separate halls"
and "conveying their views and positions to each other through the
Omani foreign minister", Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil
Baqaei posted on X.The process took place in a "friendly atmosphere",
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said.- Witkoff open to
'compromise' -Iran, weakened by Israel's pummelling of its allies
Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from
wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy.Tehran has agreed to the
meetings despite baulking at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of
ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats.Meanwhile the United
States, hand-in-glove with Iran's arch-enemy Israel, wants to stop
Tehran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb.There were
no visible signs of the high-level meeting at a luxury hotel in Muscat,
the same venue where the 2015 agreement was struck when Barack Obama was
US president.Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal earlier that the US
position starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its
nuclear programme -- a view held by hardliners around Trump that few
expect Iran to accept."That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin
we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two
countries," Witkoff told the newspaper."Where our red line will be,
there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," he added.The
talks were revealed in a surprise announcement by Trump during a White
House appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on
Monday.Hours before the talks began, Trump told reporters: "I want Iran
to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can't have a nuclear
weapon."Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani
said Iran sought "a real and fair agreement".Saturday's meetings
followed repeated threats of military action by both the United States
and Israel."If it requires military, we're going to have military,"
Trump said Wednesday when asked what would happen if the talks fail.-
'Survival of the regime' -The 2015 deal that Trump abandoned aimed to
make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic weapon, while
at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme.Iran,
which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes,
stepped up its activities after Trump withdrew from the agreement.The
latest International Atomic Energy Agency report said Iran had an
estimated 274.8 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent, nearing
the weapons grade of 90 percent.Karim Bitar, a Middle East Studies
lecturer at Sciences Po university in Paris, said the Iranian
government's very survival could be at stake."The one and only priority
is the survival of the regime, and ideally, to get some oxygen, some
sanctions relief, to get their economy going again, because the regime
has become quite unpopular," he told AFP.
Saltzman details Space Force's international partnership strategy at Space Symposium-by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James.
Los
Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 14, 2025-Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance
Saltzman gave insights into a new, soon-to-be-released International
Partnership Strategy to unify like-minded nations' efforts in the space
domain during his keynote at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado
Springs, April 9.Saltzman described this strategy as a critical
evolution in response to growing threats and rapid technological
advancements, declaring space to be "the central nervous system of joint
and combined operations."The document will serve as a roadmap for
building a "seamless multinational space coalition," with core
objectives to empower partners, improve interoperability, and fully
integrate allied capabilities."Space superiority is now a prerequisite
for battlefield success," Saltzman stated. "Regardless of whether or not
you believe space superiority will win the next war; it must be
recognized that we will most certainly lose without it."Saltzman noted
that space capabilities are integral to global military operations,
enabling everything from air superiority to maritime coordination. He
cautioned that America's critical advantages, like space, could turn
into "strategic vulnerabilities" if not safeguarded.The new strategy
prioritizes international integration in three main areas: capitalizing
on partner strengths, improving data and system interoperability, and
aligning service-level force development across allied nations. It also
builds on previous Department of Defense and Space Force international
and commercial space initiatives.Saltzman cited examples of successful
cooperation, including the Joint Commercial Operations Cell and the
increasing involvement of allied nations in ride share satellite
programs. He also highlighted the work of Guardians supporting U.S.
Southern Command in partnering with Latin American countries for
tracking, disaster relief, and countering foreign
interference."Spacepower is the ultimate team sport," he said. "The
domain is too big, too complex, too dynamic for a single nation to
secure alone."Additionally, Saltzman described plans to develop the
Objective Force, an ever-evolving document that details the Space
Force's future operating environment and outlines investment priorities
to global partners and industry."The real power is in sharing it
broadly," he said. "It will shape national investment, inform research
and development, and provide a starting point for collaboration and
innovation."Saltzman also advocated for faster declassification of space
intelligence to improve allied coordination and announced plans to
embed more international partners into the Space Force's force design
processes and exercises.Reflecting on the 66th anniversary of NASA's
Mercury Seven, Saltzman connected their legacy of innovation and
cooperation to the Space Force's mission today."The Mercury Seven were
pioneers of space exploration," he said. "Today's Guardians carry that
legacy forward - not just by protecting the space domain, but by
building the partnerships that will define its future."With increasing
global interest and mounting security challenges in space, Saltzman said
the success of the Space Force will depend not just on technological
edge but on collective resolve."This is our moment to lead - not alone,
but together," he said.
The war to cut off Hezbollah: HTS
battling against Iran-backed smuggling routes - Washington Post-Syrian
armed forces and patrols are facing frequent fire from Hezbollah
terrorists seeking to rearm after its war against Israel.By JERUSALEM
POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 18:12
Deadly clashes have broken out
between the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group and Syrian armed forces
as the latter attempted to destroy smuggling routes used during the
Assad regime, the Washington Post reported on Saturday after speaking
with a number of soldiers involved in the operations.The terror group
has reportedly attempted to tighten its grip on previous routes as a way
to rearm following its war with Israel, which saw much of Hezbollah’s
arsenal and senior leadership destroyed in strikes and a limited land
operation.Syrian patrol cars have come under frequent fire, and the
patrolmen shot, according to the report. Last month, three soldiers were
reportedly killed in the conflict.While Syrian forces are attempting to
guard the 233-mile border with Lebanon, Iran has reportedly begun
expanding its smuggling contacts in Syria - allegedly trying to
destabilize the new HTS government, which replaced Bashar al-Assad’s
regime. European officials reportedly denied knowledge that Iran was
directly trying to destabilize the country’s new leadership, in contrast
with statements given by Syrian authorities.Behind Hezbollah's
smuggling“They are trying to open gaps,” Maher Ziwani, the Syrian army
commander, said, speaking on the recent border clashes.Despite his
efforts, the Syrian commander told the American newspaper that he didn’t
trust the border’s security “even 1%.”“It’s quite difficult to draw a
clear line between the clans and Hezbollah. There’s clear and strong
cooperation between the two,” said Haid Haid, a Syria analyst with
Chatham House who tracks transnational smuggling routes, told the
Washington Post.Ahmed Adbelhakim Ammar, the head of security for Qusayr,
claimed the new Syrian government had halted more than a dozen
shipments to Hezbollah.“There is a huge stockpile in Syria that
Hezbollah is trying to move out of Syria,” Haid said. “They know where
those are, and they are working with Syrian networks to get them
out.”Beyond Syrian efforts, the IAF has frequently targeted Hezbollah
strongholds around the border. Despite this, the Washington Post
reported local officials finding stockpiles of Iranian weapons in
Qusayr, just six miles from the Lebanese border.Sharing photographs of
the weapons, Samer Abu Qassim, head of general security for Qusayr, said
all the local shops had been used as a storage facility for Tehran. A
nearby school had also been used as a training base for Hezbollah,
according to the source, who claimed boxes of munition were discarded in
the building’s stairwell.
Yemeni gov't reportedly preparing
80,000 man assault on Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port-"We might be at
the stage of counting down the end of the Houthis," a leading expert
said as the Yemeni government prepares a massive 80,000 soldier assault
on Hodeidah.By YUVAL BARNEA-APRIL 13, 2025 01:11
Yemen's
government is reportedly preparing to launch a massive assault to
recapture Hodeidah Port in western Yemen from the Houthis, according to a
Friday report in Emirati state media.Yemen's internationally recognized
government is preparing to mass nearly 80,000 troops for what would be
the largest offensive of the civil war, according to statements by Dr.
Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center based in Saudi
Arabia, on Friday."To my best knowledge, there is a preparation of
almost 80,000 soldiers from the legitimate Yemeni government in
different locations in order to take over [Hodeidah]," Dr. Sager said.
80,000 soldiers would represent a majority of all non-Houthi forces in
Yemen. This would constitute the largest offensive of the civil war and
would also set the stage for an assault on the capital city Sana'a,
which has been under Houthi control since 2014.Airstrikes paving the
way-Emirati state newspaper, The National, reported on Friday that
renewed airstrikes on the Houthis generally, but in particular on
Hodeidah, had helped pave the way for an upcoming assault, with reports
indicating that strikes had killed several key Houthis.Hodeidah is
considered one of Yemen's key ports and was a major source of food
imports before the war.Dr. Sager pointed to the meeting between US
Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla and the
Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Sagheer Hamoud Ahmed
Aziz in Saudi Arabia last week. Kurilla visited several Middle Eastern
countries in the first week of April, including Israel, Jordan, Qatar,
the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.He continued by saying that the US would be
providing air cover and drone surveillance to the Yemeni government
forces."I think we might be at the stage of counting down the end of the
Houthis," Dr. Sager said. "They've had every chance for a political
discussion and be a part of a government that would save Yemen from all
this suffering."He warned, however, that the assault on Hodeidah would
face serious challenges in the form of international scrutiny.UN
intervention-The previous assault in 2018 involved a coalition of
Yemeni, Saudi, and Emirati troops who encircled Hodeidah and began
cutting off supplies to Houthi fighters trapped in the port city.The UN
and several states became concerned that this would lead to a
deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which would have
led to a famine.Significant pressure was applied to the coalition forces
and the Houthis, leading to the signing of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement
in which all military forces were to withdraw and allow for
humanitarian corridors to be opened.By at least 2019, the Houthis had
violated this agreement with separatist troops present in Hodeidah; by
2021, they had retaken the entire city and expelled all non-Houthi
forces.Dr. Sager warned that any new assault on the port will be met
with similar pressure and that due to the recent cuts to the American
and British foreign aid budgets, it may be more difficult to prevent a
humanitarian disaster.
Targeting terror from the sea': How
Israel Navy operates on Gaza's shores-"We will continue to operate from
the sea against the terrorist organizations operating in the Strip in
order to return the hostages," said IDF Navy Commander Vice Admiral
David Saar Salama.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 18:07
The
Israel Navy published documentation of its operational activities in
the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon.The footage included missile ship
activity in the Gaza Strip and observation of Israeli forces maneuvering
on the ground."We will continue to operate from the sea against the
terrorist organizations operating in the Strip in order to return the
hostages and eliminate Hamas terrorists," said IDF Navy Commander
Vice-Admiral David Sa'ar Salama. "We maintain close cooperation with
maneuvering Israeli ground forces and the Air Force."Our soldiers at sea
continue to operate 24/7, in near and far arenas, in both many
defensive and offensive missions," Salama added.The Israel Navy official
also held a situation assessment alongside other IDF commanders this
week on the Navy's multi-front activity while having the Navy maintain
the highest level of preparation for any terrorist attacks during the
Passover holiday.Warships increasing for the Navy-The publication of its
operational activities comes nearly two months after the Defense
Ministry and Israel Shipyards began production of new warships for the
navy, with the two starting to manufacture five advanced ‘Reshef’ naval
vessels.The deal was brokered by now-IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who
was the director-general of the Defense Ministry at the time of the
announcement.Nearly two weeks earlier than the production announcement,
the Israel Navy conducted an operational test launch of the Gabriel 5
sea-to-sea missile. The test involved the launching of a missile at a
vessel simulating an enemy ship.
Dozens of terrorists killed by
IDF as northern Gaza fighting continues-The IDF also assisted Gazan
civilians to evacuate via organized routes during the operation.By
JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 21:32
The IDF killed dozens
of terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure in between Friday
night and Saturday morning, the military said.Operational activities in
the area began in order to enhance the IDF's security control and expand
its security zone, the military added.The IDF also assisted Gazan
civilians to evacuate via organized routes, the statement said.Other
recent IDF activities in the enclave-The military operational update
came hours after Defense Minister Israel Katz told Gaza residents in an
official statement that "the IDF would soon intensify its operations
across most of Gaza."Those who are interested will also be able to
voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with
the vision of the US President, which we are working on," he added.The
military said that the IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza's
Rafah, as part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza
Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.The same
day, the military called for the immediate evacuation of the southern
neighborhoods of Khan Yunis following the interception of three rockets
launched from the southern Gaza city earlier in the morning.Reuters
contributed to this report.
IDF orders evacuation of Khan
Yunis's south after Gaza rocket launch-The demand evacuations from Khan
Yunis neighborhoods was announced by IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson,
Col. Avichay Adraee.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 12:32
The
IDF called for the immediate evacuation of the southern neighborhoods
of Khan Yunis following the interception of three rockets launched from
the southern Gaza city on Saturday morning. The IDF's Iron Dome air
defense system intercepted three rockets launched after sirens sounded
in the Nir Yitzhak, Sufa, and Holit areas.'Final warning' on
evacuations-The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col.
Avichay Adraee, issued on Saturday a "final warning" of evacuation for
the Khan Yunis neighborhoods of Qizan al-Najjar, Qizan Abu Rashwan,
al-Salam, al-Manara, al-Qurain, Maan, al-Batn al-Sameen, Jurt al-Lot,
and al-Fakhar."We will attack with great force every area from which
rockets are launched," Adraee posted on X/Twitter."Once again,
Palestinian terrorist organizations are launching their senseless
rockets among civilians and bear full responsibility for their
suffering."For your safety, you must move immediately west to the known
shelters in Al-Mawasi."This is a developing story.
IDF
establishes Morag Corridor, separating Khan Yunis and Rafah-The IDF has
completed the encirclement of Rafah in southern Gaza, establishing
control over the Morag Axis to separate Rafah from Khan Younis.By
JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS-APRIL 12, 2025 12:21
The IDF has
completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the Israeli military said on
Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza
Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.The IDF
has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of
Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March
18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea.Israel said
on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag
Corridor, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located
between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.Hundreds of
thousands of Palestinians have since fled Rafah, a 60 square km area
that borders Egypt to the south."Over the past 24 hours, the 36th
Division's troops completed the establishment of the Morag route,
separating Rafah and Khan Yunis," the military said on
Saturday.Following the IDF’s takeover of the Morag Corridor, Defense
Minister Israel Katz addressed Gaza residents, stating: “This is the
final opportunity to dismantle Hamas, release all the hostages, and
bring the war to an end.""The IDF will soon intensify its operations
across most of Gaza. Those who are interested will also be able to
voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with
the vision of the US President, which we are working on," he
added.Bring them back home-The Israeli offensive in Gaza was launched
after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel on
October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage,
according to Israeli tallies.Israel restarted the offensive in March
after effectively abandoning a ceasefire in place since January. The
campaign will continue, it says, until the remaining 59 hostages are
freed and Hamas is stamped out of Gaza.Hamas says it will free hostages
only as part of a deal that will end the war and has rejected demands to
lay down its arms. A Hamas delegation was expected in Cairo over the
weekend to discuss new truce proposals, according to a source in the
terror group.
Component in F-35 stealth fighter jets creates
safety issue in aircraft-F lights on the aircrafts were approved after
the component was inspected and a series of tests were performed.By AMIR
BOHBOT-APRIL 11, 2025 18:29
There is likely a safety issue with
one of the components in the Israeli Air Force's recently acquired F-35
fighter jets, referred to as the Adir model, Walla learned
Friday.Following information provided by the US manufacturer, flights of
all newly received aircraft were delayed. After the component was
inspected and a series of tests were performed, flights on those
aircrafts were approved.“No grounding of the Adir fleet was carried out
in the past week,” the IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated. A source familiar
with the details said that scans were conducted on the aircraft, and a
single component was replaced.According to the source, the operational
capability of the air force was not affected.Israel's fleet in the
future-Last year, the Defense Ministry signed a procurement deal with
the US government for the third squadron of F-35 fighter jets. The
Defense Ministry’s procurement mission in the US to acquire the third
squadron was for the IAF.The deal includes 25 aircraft manufactured by
Lockheed Martin. Once completed, it will expand the IAF's fleet of the
world’s most advanced stealth fighter jets to 75.The IDF will receive
three to five aircraft per year beginning in 2028.During the current
war, the F-35 has flown over 15,000 flight hours on all war fronts.Its
stealth technology allows it to strike targets throughout the Middle
East with impunity. Its surveillance and intelligence capabilities far
exceed those of Israel’s older aircraft models.Yonah Jeremy Bob
contributed to this report.
IDF to reinforce Judea and Samaria
Division with six companies over holiday period-Over the past week, the
IDF apprehended nearly 100 terror suspects, confiscated weapons, and
demolished homes of terrorists in the West Bank.By JERUSALEM POST
STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025 14:46
The IDF will reinforce the Judea and
Samaria Division with six companies that will operate during the
holidays and Hol Hamoed as part of preparations for the holiday period,
the military announced on Friday.IDF troops apprehended approximately 85
terror suspects, and several weapons were confiscated throughout
several brigade-level overnight operations across the West Bank in the
past week.IDF soldiers operated in Balata and Tubas, where they detained
dozens of suspects.Security forces demolished the home In Deir Ibzi of
the terrorist that carried out a shooting attack next to the
Talmon-Dolev Junction in the West Bank, in which Sgt.-Maj. Ilay David
Garfinkel was killed, and seven others were wounded in March of last
year. The military killed the terrorist after soldiers, along with a
helicopter and a drone, pursued him and engaged in a firefight for
several hours. Demolitions of terrorist homes in TulkarmIn Tulkarm,
security forces demolished the home of terrorist Muhammad Shakhur, who
took part in the shooting attack at the Beit Lid Junction in the West
Bank in which Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Elhanan Ariel Klein was killed in
November 2023. Klein, 29, was married with three children from Enav in
the West Bank. The home of another terrorist who had partaken in the
same attack, Mahmoud Salit, was demolished in January of this year, also
in Tulkarm.
Israeli Air Force joins 'Iniochos' air exercise in
Greece with international allies-IAF Squadron 122 represented Israel in
Greece's "Iniochos" exercise, strengthening military ties with Greece
and other international allies.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025
14:02
The Israeli Air Force participated in an international air
exercise called "Iniochos", which was held in Greece last week under the
leadership of the Hellenic Air Force.Dozens of aircraft and units from
foreign militaries - including Qatar - took part in the exercise, which
trained together on air combat scenarios, air-to-ground strikes, dealing
with advanced surface-to-air missile threats, and diverse combat
scenarios.Squadron 122 represented the IAF, which operates "Eagle"
reconnaissance aircrafts.The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the
exercise aimed to "strengthen strategic cooperation with foreign
militaries, enhance the readiness of participating forces, and provide
aircrews with professional challenges in unfamiliar flight environments
and under evolving threat scenarios."Israeli-Greek military cooperation
Israel has previously held talks with Greece to help the country
modernize its military. In late 2024, Greek defense officials announced
that they were in talks with Israel to develop a 2 billion euro
anti-aircraft and missile defense dome."Our effort is for a quick
transition of our armed forces to the 21st century," Greek defense
Minister Nikos Dendias said.Former defense minister Yoav Gallant said
that Israeli-Greek relations proved to Iran that there was a regional
alliance against the so-called axis of resistance. "Our close relations
between the countries sends a clear message to our friends and to our
enemies [Iran] - Israel and Greece stand side by side for regional
stability," said Gallant.Reuters contributed to this report.
Trump
envoy: Ukraine could be divided like post-war Berlin-Keith Kellogg
proposed a partition of Ukraine resembling post-WWII Berlin, with the UK
and France controlling the western zone, Russia in the east, and a
demilitarized buffer zone in between.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12,
2025 11:51
One of President Donald Trump’s representatives,
retired General Keith Kellogg, suggested a plan to divide Ukraine into
different zones, each controlled by a major world power, in an exclusive
interview with The Times of London. He stressed this solution could
bring an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia.The proposed
partition plan included no US ground forces, the Dnipro River as a
natural dividing line, a demilitarized zone of 18 miles, and peace
enforced by a “coalition of the willing” nations, led by Anglo-French
troops.Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from four regions and abandon
NATO plans, and Zelensky refuses to cede territory.Kellogg explained in
the interview, “We could do it like we did with Berlin after World War
II, where there was a Russian, French, British, and American zone.”The
Berlin analogy is seen as symbolically provocative, especially near the
80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. Ukraine might reject
comparisons to Nazi Germany, considering Russia’s justification of the
war, according to the Times.Ukraine, Russia might reject plan-Under this
idea, the British (UK pledged £4.5 billion in aid to Ukraine) and
French troops would be sent to western Ukraine to help keep the peace,
while Russian soldiers would stay in the eastern areas they now
control.A special area with no fighting, called a demilitarized zone,
would sit in between. Ukrainian troops could be present in that
zone.This suggestion comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir
Putin said Ukraine should be placed under "external management"—meaning
other countries would help run it.At the same time, a Ukrainian official
recently said that Russia offered the West a deal: it would stop the
war if the world accepted the land Russia now controls and agreed that
Ukraine would not join NATO. The deal also included putting
international peacekeepers along the fighting line.Ukraine’s President
Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly rejected this idea. He said Ukraine
would not give away any of its land to make peace. Kellogg acknowledged
Putin might also reject the plan, The Times reported, but he insisted
monitoring the demilitarized zone would be feasible. He proposed
elections in Ukraine after a ceasefire, noting that this decision lies
with Ukrainians.Another Trump envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in
Moscow on Thursday. The Kremlin confirmed that they talked about “issues
related to Ukraine” but didn’t share details. Trump publicly pressured
Russia to end the war. However, the Kremlin warned not to expect
breakthroughs.The war has now gone on for more than three years. Russia
controls about 20% of Ukraine, mostly in the east. Millions have been
forced to leave their homes, and many lives have been lost.It is not yet
clear if Kellogg’s plan will go forward, according to the report, but
many Ukrainian officials are against it - arguing it would reward Russia
for using force and would go against the idea that countries should be
free to decide their own future.
South Korea establishes
diplomatic ties with Syria, a North Korea ally-South Korea and Syria
have formed diplomatic relations, marking a shift from Syria’s past
alignment with North Korea.By REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12,
2025 07:06
South Korea and Syria have signed an agreement in
Damascus establishing diplomatic relations, the South Korean foreign
ministry said on Friday, opening new ties with a traditional ally of its
rival North Korea.The event marks a milestone for South Korea now
having established diplomatic ties with all 191 UN member states and
opening "a new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria, which had
long remained distant due to its close ties with North Korea," the South
Korean foreign ministry said.South Korea established diplomatic
relations with Cuba last year, another old ally of the North.North
Korea's state media ceased mentions of Syria since the overthrow of
former President Bashar al-Assad in December except leader Kim Jong Un
once referring to "the Middle East crisis" in passing.A joint communique
was signed by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syria's
Asaad al-Shibani on Thursday, and Cho expressed willingness to share
South Korea's development experience to support Syria's reconstruction,
the ministry said.Cho later met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, it
said.Priorities of Syria's new government-Syria’s transitional
government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, held its first meeting on April 7,
focusing on reconstruction, national unity, and addressing the country’s
widespread devastation after years of civil war.The cabinet, formed in
late March, includes members from various backgrounds, including former
affiliates of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as well as minority
representatives.Al-Sharaa outlined plans to revitalize the economy,
restore infrastructure, and prioritize the needs of returning citizens,
emphasizing civil peace and inclusive governance.In a sign of growing
international engagement, Syria also took part for the first time in the
Anatolia Forum in Turkey, signaling a potential shift in its regional
diplomacy.The new government, which does not yet control all of Syria,
faces major challenges, with parts of the country still under the
control of Turkish forces and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF).The administration is also working to dismantle militias, curb
armed groups, promote public-private partnerships, and boost domestic
tourism as displaced Syrians begin to return home.
US, Iran
confirm further discussions to be held next weekend-Trump envoy Witkoff
and Iranian FM meet after first round of nuclear talks in Oman-White
House calls meeting ‘a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial
outcome’; Iran’s top diplomat says US wants to reach a new agreement
ASAP but ‘that will not be easy’By Jacob Magid-and Agencies Today, 7:27
pmUpdated at 9:58 pm-APR 12,25
US special envoy to the Middle
East Steve Witkoff met briefly with Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
shortly after their two countries held their first round of talks on
Tehran’s nuclear program in Oman and agreed to hold a second round next
week.The first known meeting between US and Iranian officials in years
appeared to be a way for both sides to save face after US President
Donald Trump announced at the beginning of the week that the talks would
be direct, while Araghchi insisted that they would be
indirect.Regardless, both the over two-hour-long session mediated by
Oman — with the US and Iran delegations in separate rooms — and the
subsequent minutes-long conversation between Witkoff and Araghchi
represented a potentially major tipping point in ties between the US and
Iran.Trump has warned that the failure of these talks could lead the US
to strike Iran’s nuclear program. The US president said earlier this
week that Israel would participate in such a strike, if not lead
it.Meanwhile, Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue
a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near
weapons-grade levels.But initial comments from Iran indicated that the
sides were trending toward de-escalation. “After the end of more than
2-1/2 hours of indirect talks, the heads of the Iranian and American
delegations spoke for a few minutes in the presence of the Omani foreign
minister as they left the talks,” Araghchi posted on his Telegram
channel.He said the talks — a first between Iran and the Trump
administration, including his first term in 2017-21 — took place in a
“productive and positive atmosphere.”Araghchi later told Iranian state
TV that the next round of talks will take place on April 19. He added
that the location of next weekend’s talks may not be in Oman, but will
still take place under Omani intermediation.“Neither we nor the other
party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions’ sake,
time-wasting, or talks that drag on forever,” Araghchi clarified.He also
said the US wants an agreement on a new nuclear deal “as soon as
possible.”“That will not be easy and will require a willingness on both
sides,” he said.American officials did not immediately acknowledge the
Iranian reports, which Tehran likely sped out to its public ahead of a
possible Trump post on social media. But declaring that the two sides
spoke face-to-face — even if briefly — suggests the negotiations went
well.The White House later put out a statement that characterized the
discussions as “very positive and constructive.”While noting the “very
complicated” issues at hand, the White House said Witkoff’s “direct
communication” with Araghchi “was a step forward in achieving a mutually
beneficial outcome.”The White House statement also confirmed that the
sides “agreed to meet again next Saturday” and thanked Oman for hosting
the talks.Witkoff told Araghchi “that he had instructions from President
Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and
diplomacy, if that is possible,” according to the the White House
statement.Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who mediated Saturday’s
talks, tweeted they were held in a “friendly atmosphere” and launched a
quest for a “fair and binding agreement.”Talks between Iran and the US
were focused on de-escalating regional tensions, prisoner exchanges, and
limited agreements to ease sanctions in exchange for controlling Iran’s
nuclear program, an Omani source told Reuters.The talks began at around
3:30 p.m. local time. The two sides spoke for over two hours at a
location in the outskirts of Oman, ending the talks around 5:50 p.m.
local time. A convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff returned to Muscat,
the capital of Oman, before disappearing into traffic around a
neighborhood that is home to the US Embassy.AP journalists saw Witkoff’s
convoy leave the Omani Foreign Ministry earlier Saturday afternoon,
speeding off into the outskirts of Muscat where the indirect talks were
held at an undisclosed compound. A few minutes later, Iranian Foreign
Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that
the “indirect talks” had begun.“These talks will be held at a location
planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic
of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying
their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani
Foreign Minister,” Baghaei wrote before the meeting.About an hour later,
Baghaei appeared on Iranian state television and acknowledged the talks
had been going on all that time.“The objective of the Islamic Republic
of Iran is very clear — we have only one goal, and that is to safeguard
Iran’s national interests,” he said. “We are giving a genuine and honest
opportunity to diplomacy, so that through dialogue, we can move forward
on the nuclear issue on one hand, and more importantly for us, the
lifting of sanctions.”Baghaei added: “Look, this is just a beginning. So
it is natural that, at this stage, both sides will present their
foundational positions through the Omani mediator. Therefore, we do not
expect this round of negotiations to be lengthy.”Araghchi also spoke
earlier to Iranian journalists.“If there is sufficient will on both
sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk
about that,” Araghchi said in an audio clip published by IRNA. “What is
clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on
the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to
reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the
national interests of the Iranian people.”Trump and Witkoff both had
described the talks as being “direct” in the days before the meeting..“I
think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is
our position today,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his
trip. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going
to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.”He
added: “Where our red line will be, there can’t be weaponization of your
nuclear capability.”That red line indicated a degree of flexibility in
the Trump administration’s position and a potential break with Israel,
whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that he will only
accept the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear facilities.Iran “can’t
have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said ahead of high-stakes weekend talks
over the state’s nuclear program.“I want Iran to be a wonderful, great,
happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” the US president
told reporters aboard Air Force One, hours before Witkoff’s meeting in
Oman.While the US side can offer sanctions relief for Iran’s beleaguered
economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to
concede. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small
stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%.Today, Tehran’s stockpile could
allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses, and it has
some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from
weapons-grade levels. Judging from negotiations since Trump unilaterally
withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep
enriching uranium up to at least 20%.One thing it won’t do is give up
its program entirely. That seemingly makes Netanyahu’s proposal of a
so-called Libyan solution — “you go in, blow up the facilities,
dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American
execution” — unworkable.Iranians, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have
held up what ultimately happened to the late Libyan dictator Moammar
Gadhafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the country’s 2011
Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust
the United States.
White House says 'all hell to pay' should
Iran develop nuclear weapon-Trump warned Iran to abandon its nuclear
program or face harsh consequences.By REUTERS-APRIL 11, 2025 21:29
President
Donald Trump wants Iran to know that there will be "all hell to pay" if
it does not abandon its nuclear program, his press secretary told
reporters on Friday ahead of talks on Saturday between US and Iranian
delegations.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's
"ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear
weapon" and that Trump believes in diplomacy, but that "all options are
on the table" if diplomatic efforts fail."But he's made it very clear to
the Iranians, and his national security team will as well, that all
options are on the table, and Iran has a choice to make. You can agree
to President Trump's demand, or there will be all hell to pay, and
that's how the president feels. He feels very strongly about it,"
Leavitt said.US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set for talks on Saturday
with an Iranian delegation in Oman.Iranian state media said Iran would
be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Omani Foreign
Minister Badr al-Busaidi as intermediary.Maximum pressure campaign-Trump
in February restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, which
includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero, in order to stop
Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.He said earlier this week that
if the talks are unsuccessful, "Iran is going to be in great danger."
Back
to Muscat: Oman is the Venue for last-chance US-Iran talks -
analysis-With Iran's alliances weakening and US military threats rising,
Oman provides a discreet, neutral venue for a possible last bid to
resolve the nuclear standoff.By HUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE-APRIL
11, 2025 16:17
Negotiations between the United States and Iran
are expected to take place in Oman on Saturday, with the Iranian nuclear
issue as the primary focus. This is not the first time the Gulf
sultanate, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, has hosted these
negotiations. Oman was also the site of negotiations that led to the
signing of the Iranian nuclear agreement with the administration of
President Barack Obama in 2015.Uncertainty regarding the talks remains.
President Donald Trump has said that direct talks with Iran will take
place, while Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that they
would be indirect.The talks are taking place amid President Trump’s
threats to bomb Iran and impose additional sanctions on its oil sector
if diplomatic efforts fail. Tehran is also facing internal pressures due
to the deteriorating economic situation and divisions among the various
influential parties in Iran.What differs from previous negotiations is
that Iran has lost much of its regional influence. The ongoing war in
Gaza, which expanded to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, has drastically
diminished Iran’s regional proxies. Hamas has been almost completely
destroyed, and multiple of its leaders have been assassinated, including
Ismail Haniyeh in the heart of Tehran and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.After
the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, the
killing of many other Hezbollah’s leaders, and the near-total
destruction of the group’s infrastructure, Iran also lost its influence
in Lebanon. This was in addition to the fall of Syrian President Bashar
Assad, who was aligned with Iran, and the resulting dominance in Syria
of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.Iran also withdrew its
leaders from Yemen, abandoning its support for the Houthi group, against
which US forces are launching airstrikes. Meanwhile, Iranian influence
in Iraq has declined significantly, with the disintegration of many of
its loyal militias, their shift toward economic activities, and their
refusal to engage in defending Iran against successive attacks.On March
5, President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
In a television interview, he said that he had written, “I hope you
will negotiate, because if we have to intervene militarily, it would be a
terrible thing.”Since then, the president has continued to push for
talks while escalating sanctions and suggesting a military strike by
Israel or the United States against Iranian nuclear sites.Iranian
President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected direct negotiations with the
United States over Tehran’s nuclear program, saying that the US must
first act to rebuild Iran’s trust.“We are not avoiding talks,” he said
in televised remarks during a cabinet meeting. “It is our broken
promises that have caused us problems so far.”Supreme Leader Khamenei
said in a statement: “They are threatening to commit sabotage, but we
are not entirely certain that it will happen. We do not believe it is
very likely that trouble will come from abroad. However, if it does
happen, they will undoubtedly face a strong retaliatory
strike.”According to a report from the state-run Tehran Times in early
April, Iran has prepared missiles “capable of striking sites linked to
the United States” and has increased its naval capacities.Why Oman?
According to a source from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry who spoke to The
Media Line, Iraq offered to host the talks between the US and Iran. “The
US administration rejected the request, considering it a non-neutral
and unsafe country for such negotiations, and that the Iraqi government
is taking orders from Iran,” the source said.Unlike Iraq, Oman is
broadly seen as a neutral country. It refused to participate in
Operation Decisive Storm in 2015, which was led by Saudi Arabia against
the Houthis in Yemen. It also maintains good relations with the United
States, Europe, Iran, Russia, China, and other major powers.Oman’s
ruling family adheres to the Ibadi sect, which differs from both the
Sunni sect to which all Arab countries’ rulers adhere and the Shiite
sect of Iran. This distances it from the sectarian divisions in the
region. It is also geographically close to Iran, sharing the Strait of
Hormuz.Although Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which
generally has an uneasy relationship with Iran, it has enjoyed good
relations with Iran for more than two decades and has not entered into
the Gulf-Iran conflict. Rather, it has attempted to mediate numerous
times between other Gulf states and Tehran. It previously mediated
dialogue between Egypt and Iran, and in 2016, it hosted talks between
Washington and the Houthis.Omani journalist Ahmed Al-Jawhari emphasized
that Oman is “not a party to the negotiations.” “It is merely presenting
common ground and trying to bring viewpoints closer together,” he told
The Media Line. “The sultanate of Oman has always been a mediator in
conflicts and tries to resolve them through the negotiating table.”He
characterized the Omani environment as one with “complete
confidentiality and freedom” without pressure exerted on any party.Will
the talks succeed? Moqtada Maqdisi, an Iranian political analyst, said
that Iran “resorts to war” only when attempts to seek negotiations and
peace have failed. “We are not warmongers, but peaceniks,” he told The
Media Line.“The problem with these negotiations is that America is
always threatening,” he continued. “You cannot use the carrot and stick
approach against Iran. We are not a weak country, but a strong one, and
we can repel any attacks against it. We have not been able to break the
siege over the past years. We have fought long wars, and our internal
front is cohesive.”Maqdisi rejected the idea that Iran has lost regional
influence. “The resistance is still present and will remain until all
its goals are achieved. Hezbollah will regain its strength, Hamas will
too, and the Houthi Ansar Allah are destroying ships that aid Israel in
killing the Palestinian people. Iraq is still strong, and Iran is still
strong,” he said.“We have allies who will not abandon us,” Maqdisi said.
“All countries reject President Donald Trump’s aggressive policy, and
we have all seen how upset they are by his attempt to destabilize the
global economy.”The ball is now in America’s court, he said. “If it
wants the negotiations to succeed, it must abandon its arrogance,
respect Iran, and not attempt to impose any conditions on it. It must
recognize that Iran is an important country in the region and the world,
and deal with it accordingly,” he cautioned.Saudi political analyst
Khaled Al-Dosari expressed skepticism about how successful the
negotiations will be. In the US, there’s clarity around the intended
outcomes of the talks—getting Iran to halt its ballistic missile
program, avoid obtaining nuclear weapons, and stop supporting armed
groups in the region—but in Iran, there’s internal disagreement about
the agenda, Al-Dosari said.“Iran always uses negotiations to buy time.
It always tries to evade and uses all means to achieve this. We may see
an announcement from Tehran that it is close to fully enriching uranium,
in order to gain more in these negotiations,” he added.If Iran doesn’t
take advantage of these negotiations, it will face the same fate as many
of its proxies, he warned. “The US and Israel are very serious about
preventing Tehran from continuing its approach, even if it costs them a
war or an airstrike,” he said, noting that Israel has successfully
carried out dozens of intelligence and assassination operations against
Iran.Iraqi political analyst Mohammed al-Najfi, on the other hand,
predicted that the negotiations would succeed.“Iran will make all the
required concessions, given that it has lost everything in the region,”
he said. “Hezbollah and Bashar Assad no longer exist. The militias in
Iraq have disintegrated and fear Trump’s sanctions, and the Houthis in
Yemen are receiving daily blows.”Like Al-Dosari, he pointed to internal
decisions within Iran. “Tehran will try to save itself, but the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard may have other ideas,” he said. “And we may witness
provocative operations from it in the Arabian Gulf during these
negotiations, especially since it is the most hardline faction within
the Iranian leadership, refuses to make any concessions, and believes
that President Donald Trump must be punished for the killing of Iranian
Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.”
IDF fully
surrounds Rafah as Katz warns Gazans of ‘final moment to remove
Hamas’Army says it is in complete control of Morag Corridor, cutting off
Strip’s southernmost city from Khan Younis, where some Gazans ordered
to leave after 3 rockets fired at border town shot down-By Emanuel
Fabian,ToI Staff and Agencies Today, 1:17 pm-APR 12,25
The Israel
Defense Forces announced at noon Saturday that it had completed the
capture of the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip, cutting off
the city of Rafah from Khan Younis.The military said Rafah was now
surrounded by its forces, with the 36th Division holding the Morag
Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphi Corridor
along the Egypt-Gaza border area.Defense Minister Israel Katz called on
Palestinians to “remove Hamas and release all the hostages” before the
military further expands its operations in the Strip.“This is the final
moment to remove Hamas and release the hostages and bring about an end
to the war,” Katz said in a statement. “Intensive IDF activity will soon
expand to additional places in most of Gaza, and you will have to
evacuate the combat zones.”Also on Saturday, three rockets launched from
Gaza at the border community of Nir Yitzhak were intercepted by air
defenses, the military said. The rocket fire set off alerts in open
areas but not in any towns. No one was hurt.In response to the rocket
fire, the IDF issued an evacuation order for Palestinians in the Khan
Younis area. In a post on X, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col.
Avichay Adraee, published a map of the area to be evacuated, saying that
it was a “final warning” before the IDF carried out strikes
there.Inside Gaza, the 36th Division’s 188th Armored Brigade pushed into
the Morag Corridor from the northwest, while the division’s Golani
Infantry Brigade entered from the border in the southeast. Overnight,
the two units joined up.Engineering forces were now constructing a road
along the corridor, similar to other Gaza corridors captured by the IDF
during the war.The military said it would now operate inside areas of
Rafah that it had not previously entered to defeat the remaining Hamas
forces there. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for civilians in Rafah
nearly two weeks ago.Eventually, the IDF’s buffer zone in southern Gaza
will stretch from the Egyptian border to the outskirts of Khan Younis —
more than 5 kilometers away — and include the entire city of Rafah
within it, totaling around 20% of the Strip.The IDF’s buffer zone
elsewhere along the border with Gaza has also been expanded from several
hundred meters to around 2 kilometers in most areas.Katz, in his
Saturday statement to Gazans, said, “Hamas is unable to protect the
residents or the territory. Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with
their families and in luxury hotels abroad with billions in their bank
accounts and are using you as hostages.“It is time to stand up and
remove Hamas and release all the Israeli hostages. This is the only way
to end the war,” he continued, adding that “those interested will also
be able to voluntarily move to various countries around the world, in
accordance with the vision of the US president, which we are working to
carry out.”Over the past week and a half, during operations in the Morag
Corridor area, the IDF says it has eliminated dozens of terror
operatives and destroyed Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels.On
Friday, two soldiers were wounded in southern Gaza, one of them
seriously, as troops expanded control in the area. An officer was
moderately wounded in an exchange of fire with gunmen, with three gunmen
killed. Separately, a soldier was seriously injured, apparently from an
accidental discharge of a bullet.The IDF also said Friday that a Hamas
sniper commander in Rafah was killed in a recent strike. Ahmad Iyad
Muhammad Farhat, the commander of the Hamas terror group’s sniper forces
in the terror group’s Tel Sultan Battalion in Rafah, was responsible
for advancing and carrying out numerous attacks on Israeli troops in
Gaza and against Israel, the IDF said.The military has struck dozens of
targets across Gaza in the past few days, including cells of operatives,
buildings used by terror groups, weapons, and other
infrastructure.Also, on Friday, the IDF issued an evacuation warning for
Palestinians residing in some areas of eastern Gaza City.In a post on
X, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, published a
map of the area to be evacuated, which includes the neighborhoods of
Shejaiya, Zeitoun, and Tuffah.He said that the military would soon
operate “with great force” there to “destroy terror infrastructure.”
Civilians were called to head for shelters in western Gaza City.On
Saturday, the IDF said it expanded operations in area overnight, with
troops pushing into Tuffah and the Daraj neighborhood.The military said
the operation was intended to expand the buffer zone along the Gaza
border.So far, the IDF said troops killed several terror operatives and
destroyed observation posts, tunnels, and other Hamas infrastructure.The
IDF added that it was enabling Palestinian civilians to evacuate the
area “for their safety.”The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when
some 5,000 Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel from the Gaza
Strip, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages amid acts of
brutality and sexual assault.Terror groups in the Gaza Strip are still
holding 59 hostages — 24 of whom are believed to be alive, and 35 of
whom have been confirmed dead — including 58 of those abducted on
October 7.According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than
50,000 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the
fighting so far. The toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate
between civilians and fighters.Israel assesses it has killed about
20,000 combatants in Gaza as of January, as well as some 1,600
terrorists inside Israel during the Hamas onslaught.Israel’s toll in the
Gaza ground offensive and military operations along the border stands
at 410.
Ten murders in just three days as violence grips Arab
society-Ten people were murdered in different parts of the country as
violence gripped the Arab community, with most of the murders occurring
as part of family and criminal feuds.By ALON HACHMON-APRIL 13, 2025
17:54
Ten people were murdered over the past three days in the
Arab sector, raising the number of those killed in the community to 76
this year, according to the Abraham Initiatives nonprofit
organization.In the latest incident, Elias Motran, 31, was murdered on
Sunday in Nazareth. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and
was pronounced dead upon arrival.Motran was on his way to work when he
stopped at a bakery to buy pastries and a drink while the shooters, who
were apparently ambushing another family member, decided to shoot this
father of two instead – at close range.A large police force arrived on
the scene and opened an investigation into the circumstances of the
murder, which was marked as criminal. Investigators collected evidence
from the scene, including security cameras, and police began extensive
searches in an attempt to track down the suspects in the act.Following
the incident, Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Daniel Levy visited
Nazareth and met with police officers who were securing the city during
the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter).“I have
instructed that the North District continue to be reinforced by a large
presence of police forces and special units in order to ensure the
general public’s safety,” Levy said.“Special units will operate there in
order to combat serious crimes. We will not allow criminals to disrupt
the daily lives of normative citizens – and we will act with all our
might to stop criminals, bringing them to justice.”A wave of
violence-Several hours before Motran’s murder, Mohammed Abd Tarabieh, a
28-year-old resident of Sakhnin, was shot dead in the city while sitting
in a car also outside a bakery.Tarabieh was critically wounded and
taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The police believe
that the killing was part of a conflict between criminal gangs. Large
police forces arrived at the scene and began an investigation, including
an attempt to track down the suspects.Also on Saturday, Anan Younis
Nassar, 49, from Arrabe, was killed by an explosion of a bomb that was
planted in his car. Police are investigating the incident.In the midst
of this wave of murders, a triple murder took place in Ramle when two
shooters riding electric bicycles and wearing helmets arrived at the
entrance to a hookah business.They opened fire with automatic weapons,
spraying bullets in all directions, although there were passersby
present. Their aim was to kill Bilal Abu Ghanem, a member of a
well-known crime family who was present in the store.Abu Ghanem was
killed along with two employees in the shop – Saleh Afifi and Baha Amira
– who were both residents of Ramle.A police investigation found that
Ghanem was not involved in the criminal aspects of the family and that
he was murdered only because of his family ties.The police believe that
the murders occurred in the context of a bloody clan conflict. After the
shootings, they arrested a Lod resident in his 20s on suspicion of
smuggling. This came after carrying out various investigative actions,
including the use of advanced technological means.Simultaneously, task
forces from the Central District, together with the Gidonim Unit for
intelligence gathering and special operations that operate as part of
the Lahav 433 Unit, as well as the Border Police, acted against criminal
strongholds in Ramle and Lod.A day earlier, two brothers – Jalal and
Matin al-Shamali – were killed as part of the clan war in Ramle. A
number of suspects in connection with these latest murders were
arrested.Central District police forces under the command of Commander
Maj.-Gen. Yair Hetzroni arrested three suspects.The incident in question
is suspected to have led to a revenge killing in the hookah business in
which three Ramle residents lost their lives; only Ghanem, as
mentioned, allegedly belonged to one of the families involved in this
bloody conflict.Another killing took place in Shfaram, where a
60-year-old man was shot to death in his vehicle near his home.Police
arrived at the scene and began an investigation, during which suspicions
grew that this was a direct continuation of the war between two clans
in the city – a conflict that has already claimed quite a few lives.In
addition to the deaths, two different violent events were recorded in
Tira on Sunday, in which two people were wounded, one moderately and the
other critically, after being shot while in their vehicle. The police
have opened an investigation into this incident.
IDF strikes
Hamas command center inside Al Ahli Hospital, patients evacuated-Army
says dozens of terrorists killed in other parts of Gaza as the cities of
Rafah and Khan Yunis are cut off.By REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL
13, 2025 03:56
The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency)
struck a Hamas command and control center located within the Al Ahli
Hospital in northern Gaza on Sunday, the military announced.The center
was reportedly used to plan and coordinate attacks against Israeli
civilians and soldiers.Medics claimed that two Israeli missiles hit a
building inside a main Gaza hospital, destroying the emergency and
reception department and damaging other structures.Health officials at
the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated the patients from the
building after one person said he received a call from someone who
identified himself with the Israeli security shortly before the attack
took place.Measures were taken to minimize civilian harm, including
advance warnings, precise munitions, and aerial surveillance, the IDF
claimed.The military emphasized that Hamas continues to violate
international law by operating within civilian infrastructure and using
the population as human shields.Military officials reiterated their
demand for an end to terrorist activity in Gaza’s medical facilities,
saying that their operations against Hamas would continue to protect
Israel.Hamas condemns attacks-Images circulating on social media, which
Reuters could not immediately authenticate, showed dozens of displaced
families leaving the location. Some of them dragging sick relatives on
hospital beds.In its statement, the Hamas-run government media office
condemned the attack as a “heinous and filthy crime,” saying that Israel
“deliberately destroyed and rendered out of service 34 hospitals as
part of a systematic plan to dismantle what remains of the healthcare
sector in the Gaza Strip.”In October 2023, an attack on the Al-Ahli Arab
Baptist Hospital killed hundreds of people. Palestinian officials
blamed an Israeli air strike for the blast; Israel said the blast was
caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
terrorist group, which denied blame.British Foreign Minister David Lammy
condemned the strike in a post on social media.“Israel’s attacks on
medical facilities have comprehensively degraded access to healthcare in
Gaza,” Lammy said.“Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since
the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy, not
more bloodshed, is how we will achieve a lasting peace.”
IDF
kills deputy head of Hamas sniper cell in Deir el-Balah-The IDF also
announced it completed its encirclement of Rafah over Passover, seizing
an area it called the Morag Corridor.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13,
2025 19:16
The IDF killed Ubayd Allah Na'im al-Hadhud Musa, who
served as the deputy head of a Hamas sniper cell in the Deir el-Balah
area, the military announced Sunday."Prior to the strike, steps were
taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise
munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," the IDF
said.The military had confirmed earlier on Sunday that it had targeted a
Hamas command and control center in the area in a joint operation with
Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency)."At the time of the strike, numerous
Hamas terrorists were operating from within the compound, planning
terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. The targeted
terrorists had further plans to carry out additional attacks," the IDF
and Shin Bet said in a joint statement.IDF activity in Gaza over
Passover-The IDF completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the Israeli
military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more
areas of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the
population.The IDF has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds
of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in
Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the
sea.Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it
called the Morag Corridor, a reference to a former Israeli settlement
once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern
Gaza."The more Hamas continues to refuse, the more the IDF will
intensify its operations—targeting its operatives and destroying its
infrastructure," Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X/Twitter."Gaza
will become smaller and more isolated, and more of its residents will be
forced to evacuate combat zones."
Manchester Arena terrorist
attacks three with weapons, hot oil-Two of the three officers are
reportedly in life-threatening condition as a result of the attack.By
DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD-APRIL 13, 2025 07:32
One of the
terrorists responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing attack in 2017,
which saw 22 people killed while attending an Ariana Grande concert,
allegedly attacked three prison officers with weapons and hot oil,
according to British media reports on Saturday.Hashem Abedi reportedly
left two of the officers with life-threatening injuries. He reportedly
used makeshift weapons to stab the officers and then burned them with
hot cooking oil at HMP Frankland in Durham.One of the officers was
reportedly stabbed in the throat and face, resulting in him being
airlifted for immediate treatment at the James Cook University Hospital
in Middlesbrough. One female officer has since been released from the
hospital, although the other two continue to receive treatment.It is
currently believed that Abedi either stole the weapon from the kitchen
or constructed it himself, according to the Telegraph.This is not the
first time that Abedi was said to have attacked prison staff, as he was
sentenced in 2020 to three years and 10 months for an attack on an
officer in Belmarsh prison.A prison service spokesman said: “Three
prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a
prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating, so it would be
inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be
tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for
attacks on our hard-working staff.”Criminal history-Abedi was also found
to have helped his brother Salman carry out the bombing attack on the
Manchester Arena. He was found guilty in 2020 of 22 counts of murder,
attempted murder, and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to
endanger life and sentenced to a minimum term of at least 55
years.Greater Manchester Police said Abedia persuaded close
acquaintances to purchase chemicals on his behalf that could be used to
manufacture explosives, sourcing metal drums that were used to build
bomb prototypes and buying a Nissan Micra that was used to store the
bomb components back in Manchester whilst the brothers were in Libya.
Mossad
veterans, reserve medical officers sign letters calling for deal to end
war, return captives-Both letters have added to the growing list of
letters addressed to the government, calling for a swift end to the war
and the return of all hostages.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025
22:50
A group of more than 250 Mossad veterans and nearly 200
reserve medical officers have signed letters calling for the end of the
war, Israeli media reported on Sunday.The two new letters add to the two
already existing letters signed by veteran pilots and Unit 8200
veterans published on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.The Mossad
veteran's letter included three former Mossad heads, Danny Yotam,
Ephraim Halevi, and Tamir Pardo; a former deputy head of the Mossad; and
dozens of department heads and deputy department heads. The initiative
is reportedly led by David Midan and Gail Shoresh."We, the Mossad
intelligence and special services veterans, who have dedicated many
years to safeguarding the country's security, will not continue to stand
by. We express our full support for the pilots' letter, which also
reflects our deep concern for the future of the country, and we join the
call to act immediately to reach an agreement to return all 59
abductees home, without delay, even at the cost of ceasing
fighting."They concluded the letter saying, "The sanctity of life, Mr.
Prime Minister, takes precedence over 'God of Revenge.'"The letter was
organized through a Mossad veterans society, which Ynet confirmed also
exists in the security services.Medical officers join the call-Around
200 reserve medical officers signed a similar letter on Sunday, calling
for an end to the war and the return of the hostages."We will return [to
service] and stand firm whenever necessary. We feel with pain that the
continued fighting in Gaza is intended primarily to serve political and
personal interests without a security purpose. The continued fighting
does not advance the achievement of the goals of the war declared from
the beginning and only endangers IDF soldiers and the lives of our
citizens being held hostage.""As medical officers, we serve in the
reserve force out of a commitment to the sanctity of life, to the spirit
of the IDF and the doctor's oath, and as an expression of mutual
guarantee in Israeli society. We warn that the continued fighting and
abandonment of the kidnapped is contrary to these values and to the
Medical Corps' commitment not to leave any of our people behind.""The
continued fighting and abandonment of the kidnapped, as wounded people
abandoned on the battlefield, irreversibly erodes the values of the
sanctity of life and the commitment to the security of the state and its
residents. We call on the Israeli leadership to come to its senses and
act in accordance with the values of the State of Israel and the
spirit of the IDF."The medical officers specified that they had
addressed the letter only to the political echelon.Both letters have
added to the growing list of letters addressed to the government,
calling for a swift end to the war and the return of all hostages.
US
House resolution calls for curriculum reforms to strengthen Abraham
Accords-US lawmakers introduced a resolution urging the expansion of the
Abraham Accords through education reforms promoting peace and
tolerance.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025 18:46
US House
of Representatives lawmakers introduced a bipartisan resolution on
Wednesday in Washington, DC, calling on the State Department and civil
society to promote peace and tolerance through education as part of
efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. The resolution closely mirrors
the mission of the Israeli research institute IMPACT-se, which advocates
for educational reform as a cornerstone of regional normalization.
Introduced by Abraham Accords Caucus co-chairs Representatives Brad
Schneider, Ann Wagner, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Craig Goldman, the
resolution promotes the expansion of the Abraham Accords through
curriculum reform that fosters peace, tolerance, and mutual
understanding.The resolution explicitly recognizes the role of civil
society organizations—such as IMPACT-se—in supporting textbook reform
throughout the Arab and Muslim world.The resolution cites Saudi Arabia,
Indonesia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco as countries that have
implemented “transformative and positive changes” in national curricula.
It underscores how education can shape long-term regional
peace.'Education rooted in peace'Rep. Goldman warned, “If left
unaddressed, extreme, antisemitic, and hateful curricula will continue
to fuel instability and violence in the region.”“The Accords offer the
region a chance to break free from the gravity of history, to move
beyond conflict and toward connection,” said Rep. Schneider. “That
future depends on education rooted in peace, tolerance, and mutual
recognition.”The resolution also calls on the State Department to
prioritize curriculum reform in diplomatic dialogues—especially with
countries like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia—and encourages US partners and
civil society to continue collaborating on education for
peace.“Encouraging and investing in those principles in classrooms
throughout Abraham Accords countries is one critical way to build a
safer world,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.“This resolution encourages
the State Department to proactively engage with regional countries to
build new and stronger relationships that will enhance and entrench the
Abraham Accords,” added Rep. Wagner.IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff welcomed
the resolution, stating, “We commend the countries that have taken
meaningful steps toward curriculum reform and urge others to follow. Our
research highlights the critical link between education and
normalization. We applaud the Abraham Accords Caucus co-chairs for
advancing this important resolution.”
Judicial reform, 'deep
state,' and more: Netanyahu tightens his grip on Israel - analysis-A
bitterly divided country, already at war for a year and a half, could be
facing even more challenging times ahead.By MARK WEISS-APRIL 13, 2025
19:51
The Knesset’s winter session, which ended early in April,
was dominated by the return of the government’s controversial judicial
reform and the upcoming summer session promises more divisive
legislation.Despite the fact that the country is still at war and 59
hostages remain in captivity in Gaza for more than 500 days, it appears
that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more determined than ever to
push through a radical political agenda, removing the gatekeepers of
Israeli democracy and replacing them with people he considers more
loyal.The first year of Netanyahu’s government in 2023 was dominated by
efforts to shift the balance of power away from the judiciary to the
executive. Opponents of the radical reforms claimed the measures would
undermine Israeli democracy by weakening the traditional system of
checks and balances, and hundreds of thousands took part in weekly
protests. In response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October
7, 2023 the coalition suspended the judicial overhaul legislation, as it
urged the country to unite around the war effort.Pushing out the key
independent gatekeepers critical of the government-But in recent months
the coalition renewed the legislative drive while acting against key
independent gatekeepers critical of the government. Ronen Bar, the head
of the Israel Security Agency (ISA) Shin Bet, was dismissed (pending a
High Court ruling on the move) and efforts are also underway to replace
Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara.Justifying the decision to remove
Bar, the prime minister said he had lost confidence in him since the
events of October 7th.Bar wrote that his dismissal was an attempt to
interfere with the ISA’s ability to perform its job in a nonpartisan way
for the benefit of the citizens of Israel and not for anyone’s personal
benefit. He accused the cabinet of attempting to prevent the “pursuit
of truth” regarding the events that led to the October 7 massacre and
the ISA investigation into the affair known as Qatargate, in which
senior advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office are suspected of
receiving payments from Qatar, a hostile state with close ties to
Hamas.The attorney-general described the decision to sack Bar as
“fundamentally flawed,” but the real bombshell was a letter that was
written by Bar himself, which was appended to her statement.Bar made
several accusations against Prime Minister Netanyahu in the letter,
including a demand by the prime minister that Bar make implicitly
illegal use of the Shin Bet and its powers against Israeli citizens, and
that he act to get Netanyahu out of testifying in his corruption trial.
Bar wrote that he surmised that it was his refusal to accommodate
Netanyahu’s wishes about his trial that spurred Netanyahu’s decision to
expedite his removal from office.Bar has accepted personal
responsibility for the failures related to the Hamas attack but the Shin
Bet report into the events of October 7 reportedly included a
recommendation for a state commission of inquiry that would also examine
the role played by the political echelon, a move fiercely resisted by
Netanyahu, who has refused to accept any personal culpability.A few days
after Bar’s dismissal, the cabinet approved a no-confidence motion
against attorney general Gali Baharav–Miara and after the vote, Justice
Minister Yariv Levin called on her to resign, saying “substantial and
prolonged differences of opinion” prevented effective cooperation
between the government and its chief legal adviser. “A way to restore
trust no longer exists,” Levin said in a statement. “This situation
seriously harms the functioning of the government and its ability to
implement its policy.”However, the attorney general has refused to step
down and any step to remove her is likely to face administrative hurdles
and an appeals process that could delay it for months.The return of
judicial reform-At the center of the legislative onslaught in the winter
session was the bill changing the system of appointing judges,
increasing political control over the process, a key element of the
right wing coalition’s judicial overhaul.After a marathon debate the
measure passed 64-0 following a boycott by opposition lawmakers and will
go into effect when the next Knesset is elected.The new legislation
reduces the influence of justices and removes members of the Israel Bar
Association from the selection panel. The judges selection committee
will now be comprised of three supreme court justices, the justice
minister and another minister, one coalition Knesset member and one
opposition lawmaker and two civilian representatives who are lawyers –
one chosen by the coalition and one by the opposition.Demonstrations
were held outside the Knesset and elsewhere across Israel against the
measure, the culmination of eight days of consecutive protests. Critics
described the bill as an attempt by the government to seize control over
the judiciary.Justice Minister Yariv Levin argued that the measure was
an attempt to address a longstanding constitutional imbalance that
granted excessive power to the judiciary. “When you vote for the Knesset
and discover that your vote has been taken by the courts; when you
elect a government and discover that its ability to govern has been
taken away from it – it is predictable that in a case such as this, at
the very least it would be given – via its elected officials – the
ability to influence the election of judges,” he said.Opposition party
Yesh Atid, along with pro-democracy NGOs, petitioned the High Court
against the legislation, and opposition leaders published a joint
statement saying they would repeal the law when the next Knesset takes
office.A bill was also passed granting the government de-facto power to
appoint the next ombudsman of the judiciary, who is responsible for
hearing complaints against judges. Levin, the architect of the judicial
overhaul, also tried to postpone the appointment of Isaac Amit as
Supreme Court chief justice. After he failed, Levin refused to recognize
Amit’s appointment and will not cooperate with him, leading to deadlock
on pending judicial appointments and other key decisions.Netanyahu,
addressing the Knesset, denied democracy was under threat. “Democracy
isn’t in danger; rule by bureaucrats is. The deep state is. A small
group of bureaucrats who are fighting to retain control over the levers
of state power. In a democracy, the people are sovereign; that demands
that their votes at the ballot box gain expression in terms of policy,”
he said.The war on KAN and Army Radio-The Knesset summer session will
likely be dominated by another key element of the government’s radical
agenda: the reform of public broadcasting, spearheaded by Communications
Minister Shlomo Karhi, who has both the KAN public broadcaster and Army
Radio in his crosshairs.Karhi seeks to cut funding to KAN and privatize
its news section, effectively closing it down. He is also working
together with Defense Minister Israel Katz to close Army Radio.Another
bill expected to be advanced in the summer session, after the measure
passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset, will impose an 80% tax on
any donation from foreign governments to civil society organizations.
Many NGOs, especially human rights organizations, receive the bulk of
their financing from donations from abroad and receiving only 20% of
these funds would effectively shut them down.There is no doubt that the
election of Donald Trump for a second term as US president provided a
tailwind for Netanyahu.He was the first foreign leader invited by Trump
to visit the White House and came back from Washington impressed by the
president’s attack on what Trump terms the “Deep State” and his moves to
limit the influence of the judiciary. For Netanyahu, this was a model
to be copied.In a telling social media post, Netanyahu compared himself
to Trump.“In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins
an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to
thwart the people’s will,” he wrote. “They won’t win in either place! We
stand strong together.”While the focus remains for now on the judicial
overhaul, opposition lawmakers have already expressed concern that the
coalition could make a major effort ahead of the next election, which
has to be held at the latest by October 2026, to ban Arab parties and/or
Arab Knesset members from standing by changing the legal definition of
what constitutes support for terror and, in parallel, limit the Supreme
Court’s authority over the Central Elections Committee.A bitterly
divided country, already at war for a year and a half, could be facing
even more challenging times ahead.
Netanyahu says he disagrees
with son's style of response to Macron-Netanyahu outlined his view that
Macron's call to establish a Palestinian state was a "grave mistake" and
that the sole ambition of a Palestinian state was "the destruction of
Israel."By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025 21:48
Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday evening on X/Twitter that
while he loves and supports his son Yair Netanyahu, whom he called a
"true Zionist," he disagrees with his son's response to French President
Emmanuel Macron's calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu then outlined his view that Macron's call to establish a
Palestinian state was a "grave mistake" and that the sole ambition of a
Palestinian state was "the destruction of Israel."He highlighted that
until now, no Hamas or Palestinian Authority figure had condemned
October 7, which indicated their true intentions.He ended by saying that
Israel would not accept "moralizing sermons" about the establishment of
a Palestinian state, which would pose a threat to Israel, from those
who also oppose the independence "Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guinea,
and other territories," whose independence would not pose a threat to
France."Screw you!"Yair Netanyahu had tweeted on Sunday night telling
Macron, "Screw you!" and then called for independence for several French
territories.Screw you! Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to
independence to French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica! Yes to
independence of the Basque Country! Yes to independence of French
Guinea! Stop the neo imperialism of France in west Africa!
https://t.co/Vwa3a8fN2c— Yair Netanyahu (@YairNetanyahu) April 12,
2025This came after Macron had said that France could recognize a
Palestinian state as early as June, which was followed by a tweet
clarifying his position.In his clarification, Macron said he supported a
Hamas-free Palestinian state and wanted progress on the peace process
as part of a two-state solution.
Peace between Israel and Syria
is possible, Damascus businessman tells 'Post'Syrian-born businessman
Yahya Kirdi told the 'Post' that the new Syrian regime is an extremist
Islamist regime.By OHAD MERLIN-APRIL 11, 2025 21:01
Yahya Kirdi, a
Syrian businessman and owner of several sports clubs, lays down his
vision for the prospects of a new Syrian-Israeli peace.Syrian-born
businessman Yahya Kirdi envisions a future where Syria and Israel can
coexist peacefully despite decades of hostility. In an extensive
interview, he shared his background, thoughts on Syria’s political
landscape, and aspirations for regional peace.Born in Aleppo, Syria, to
parents of Turkish descent from Kilis, Kirdi’s identity straddles some
of the multiple cultures that are Syria’s hallmark. After being stripped
of his Syrian citizenship by the Assad regime, he now holds Canadian
citizenship and has built a successful business career.“I own soccer
clubs in Europe and Dubai, as well as companies specializing in sports
marketing and petroleum trade,” Kirdi explained. His professional
background includes being a former professional soccer player and
working with UNICEF in 2009.When asked about his willingness to speak
with Israeli media, Kirdi expressed no reservations. “Israeli media are
advanced, developed, and free, pursuing truth regardless of where it
leads,” he stated. “This presents an opportunity to convey my voice and
that of Syrians to the Israeli and Jewish people – that we desire to
live peacefully alongside our Jewish neighbors.”Kirdi rejected the
notion that Arab populations are inherently hostile toward Israel,
characterizing this as “a deception perpetuated by Arab rulers to
prevent their people from seeing the truth.”When prompted to describe
the reasons for the fall of the Assad regime in his view, Kirdi spoke
frankly about what he sees as the geopolitical realities behind recent
developments.“The collapse of [Bashar al-]Assad was essentially a
convergence of American, Turkish, and Russian interests,” he commented.
“To be realistic, the fall involved surrendering territories without
fighting. Additionally, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah and the
withdrawal of Iranian militias played a crucial role in bringing down
Assad’s regime.”Kirdi expressed concern about the rise of Ahmed
al-Sharaa’s administration in parts of Syria. “A man unknown to Syrians
before, yet on terrorist watch lists and wanted by international
justice, who pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda leaders Ayman al-Zawahiri
and Osama bin Laden,” Kirdi said with evident frustration, questioning
the international community’s relative silence about Sharaa’s rise to
power despite his connections to ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, and Hay’at
Tahrir al-Sham.“His current rule is totalitarian and sectarian, knowing
only the language of bloodshed,” Kirdi asserted about the new Syrian
leader. “We should understand that changing Afghan-style clothing
doesn’t mean changing the ideology within al-Sharaa himself.”The
Islamists backing Sharaa's admin.The businessman criticized Sharaa’s
administration for relying on non-Syrian, hardline Islamists, including
“elements from Hamas and Islamic Jihad among his fighters, as well as
militants from Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Uyghurs, Egyptians, Moroccans,
Tunisians, Algerians, and Libyans.”Kirdi questioned whether such a
diverse array of foreign fighters could truly represent Syrian
interests.“This is an Islamic jihadist movement with no connection to
Syrian identity,” he argued. “We rose against Assad senior and then
Assad junior and sacrificed our lives. There are thousands of honorable
military personnel who defected from Assad’s regime and paid a heavy
price – they are now marginalized under a one-color totalitarian rule
that gives no space for others to participate in political life.”The
businessman emphasized that Sharaa’s rule fails to respect Syria’s
diverse fabric, which includes “Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Armenians,
Druze, Circassians, Kurds, and Syrian Turkmen.”He characterized the new
Syrian leader’s inclusive gestures as “merely theatrical performances
for global media,” while the reality remains “a totalitarian Islamic
rule – an extremist Islamic emirate relying on non-Syrians for
governance.”Kirdi revealed he had filed complaints against the UN
secretary-general and UN envoys to Syria Geir Pedersen and his
predecessor Staffan de Mistura, accusing them of corruption and
collusion with certain Syrian opposition members. He also mentioned he
is promoting legal action against Bashar Assad and “4,000 members of
Assad’s gang” through Canadian courts, with the case reportedly
transferred to the International Court of Justice.The Syrian-Canadian
businessman also referred to the role of Qatar as a mediator in Middle
Eastern conflicts, particularly after October 7. Kirdi expressed
skepticism. “My point of view, which I shared with close friends in the
US and Canada, was that Israel should be careful, very careful. Because
first, Qatar relies on information from people who are not Qataris. It
has Palestinian, Arab, European, and even American political advisers.
Even media professionals who hold Israeli citizenship through media
outlets it [Qatar] owns. This is clear to everyone. How can this be a
mediator and a judge at the same time? With all due respect to the
Qataris, you cannot succeed with this mediation, because it will not be
fair. Qatar succeeded in moving the World Cup it hosted from June in the
summer to winter, but it failed in the negotiations on the Hamas and
Israelis case.”Kirdi suggested Canada would be a more suitable mediator
than Qatar, claiming the war might have ended sooner with different
facilitation.“I, personally, have a solution and plan to stop the war
that would benefit all parties and end the conflict in Gaza – a very
suitable solution for the Israelis and Prime Minister [Benjamin]
Netanyahu, which friends in Israel appreciated,” he claimed, without
providing further information.When discussing the future political
landscape of Syria, Kirdi advocated against federalization or division
into multiple states.“We are deeply concerned that the current policies
pursued by authorities may lead to partition, which benefits no one,
neither internally nor externally. Partition or federalism would make
Syria available to extremists and radicals who threaten regional
security,” he warned.Instead, Kirdi envisioned “a single Syrian state
led by an authority built on modern foundations, where businessmen
contribute significantly to reconstruction and improving the economy.”He
stressed the need for “wise leaders who understand the people’s
interests and how to protect them, who are aware of international
conditions and work diligently with others to prepare Syria and the
region for peace.”On the possibility of peace between Syria and Israel,
Kirdi was optimistic.“Yes, we believe peace is possible and see that the
Syrian people are ready for a peace process with Israel,” he stated.
“We don’t believe that the long-term incitement carried out by the
regime has established eternal hatred. The people have become rational
and aware, knowing their interest lies in peace, provided there is a
reasonable leadership capable of securing Syrians’ rights
diplomatically, and Israeli cooperation with the idea of peace that
guarantees people’s peace, not regimes’ peace.”Kirdi highlighted the
potential role of business leaders in fostering peace.“We believe that
businessmen can play a major role in this, and historical experience has
proven that the best to lead peace are sincere businessmen surrounded
by a rational group of politicians and thinkers,” he said. “We hope to
have a role in peace because this serves Syrians and all peoples of the
region.”Regarding his own political future in Syria, Kirdi distanced
himself from the current administration, despite rumors of being offered
a high-ranking position.“We don’t see a political role for ourselves
under an authority that seeks to entrench dictatorship, and we don’t
accept holding a position in such an atmosphere. We want a civil,
democratic state,” he affirmed. He would participate only when the
system genuinely serves Syrian society and fulfills its aspirations, he
indicated.On the Kurdish question in Syria, Kirdi acknowledged strong
fraternal relations between his community and Kurdish Syrians but
expressed concern about certain Kurdish political factions.“Everyone
knows our relationship with the Kurdish component is fraternal, with
unbreakable ties between us, having lived side by side in this region,”
he said. “However, the problem is that there are Kurdish political
parties that want to carve out a part of Syrian territory and attach it
to separatist projects that threaten Syria’s national security and the
security of our neighbor Turkey and other neighboring countries.”On
regional dynamics, Kirdi referred to Turkey’s significant influence in
Syria.“Turkey has a tremendous ability to influence Syria, exceeding any
neighboring country,” he said, citing shared borders, social
interconnections, and history. “I cannot imagine a solution and
stability in Syria without reaching an understanding with Turkey. We
must address their concerns and accept their soft contribution to
reconstruction and stability, but also stand against any hegemonic
tendencies.”Perhaps most striking were Kirdi’s views on peace with
Israel. “Peace has always been possible if it were from people to
people,” he asserted. “There is no enmity between Syrians and Jews; the
dispute between the Syrian state and Israel concerns the Golan Heights,
which can be managed through dialogue.”He characterized the current
moment as a “historic opportunity” for peace between the two peoples,
contingent upon Israel’s willingness and international support for
developing a moderate, democratic civil authority in Syria.Kirdi
highlighted the role of business leaders in fostering peace.“You cannot
talk about the triumph of democracy without a free economic system,” he
stated, emphasizing that economic development would be decisive in
gaining popular support and shaping politics.”Kirdi spoke warmly about
Syria’s cultural heritage and openness. “The Syrian people are simple
and kind. They love others, love goodness, love work, and hate wars,” he
said. “In all Syrian cities, from Latakia to Aleppo to Damascus to Deir
el-Zor to Raqqa to Hasakah, we have neighborhoods and streets named
after Jewish quarters. Jews were our neighbors.”His message to readers
emphasized the Syrian people’s exhaustion with both authoritarianism and
war.“Trust the Syrians, for they are the children of ancient
civilizations. They are not extremists and are open to all cultures of
peoples who seek peace,” Kirdi concluded.
Iran's water crisis at
tipping point in threat to Islamic regime's stability-Iran expert Dr.
Sharona Mazalian Levi says prolonged water outages, empty reservoirs,
and crop failures may be a recipe for social unrest.By OHAD MERLIN-MARCH
30, 2025 19:06
“Iran is drying up,” Dr. Sharona Mazalian Levi
from The Alliance Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University
affirmed, painting a grim picture of what she described as one of the
most pressing environmental challenges facing the Islamic Republic
today.“Iran is facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens the
nation’s stability,” Mazalian Levi said. She explained that multiple
factors have converged to create this critical situation, with several
major provinces now reaching what she deemed “a tipping point.”Has Iran
reached the tipping point in its water crisis? A thread It’s no secret
that Iran is drying up. For years, the country has been facing a severe
and widespread water crisis, but recently it has reached its peak:
prolonged water outages >> pic.twitter.com/5wX5EG1LL0- Sharona
Mazalian (@SharonaMazalian) March 27, 2025-According to Mazalian Levi,
the Iranian Energy Ministry declared last week that the provinces of
Tehran, Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, and Yazd are facing a severe water
crisis. She highlighted the alarming state of the Karaj Dam, which
supplies water to millions in Tehran and the surrounding areas.“The
Karaj Dam is now at only 6% of its capacity,” she noted, referencing
reports from Tasnim news agency that 94% of the reservoir is empty.
“This isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a potential catalyst for
civil unrest and disorder that could lead to national instability.”Two
of the main catalysts for the crisis are what Mazalian Levi named “poor
management of the water sector,” as well as a population growth of more
than 250% in only 50 years. “This includes over-extraction from natural
water sources and aquifers to the point of depletion,” she
added.However, Mazalian Levi traced the origins of the crisis further
back in history. According to the researcher, following the 1979
revolution, Iran found itself internationally isolated and was forced to
develop an autarkic economic system. Religious leaders, including
then-supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini, encouraged citizens to embrace
farming and agriculture as a way of life, drawing from texts regarding
the Prophet Muhammad himself.“This agricultural push significantly
increased water usage at a time when the country was still relying on
outdated and inefficient irrigation technologies,” she explained.
“Simultaneously, Iran experienced tremendous population growth, from
approximately 37 million on the eve of the revolution to around 90
million today.”Mazalian Levi also pointed out that the influx of
millions of undocumented Afghani migrants has further strained
resources, creating an exponential rise in demand for water. Urban
migration has compounded the problem, with rural residents moving to
major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Karaj, placing even greater
pressure on urban water supplies.“The most important river in
Afghanistan, the Helmand, flows into Iran,” Mazalian Levi
explained.“According to a 1973 agreement, the Afghans pledged to
transfer around 820 million cubic meters of water to neighboring Iran
yearly (with an option to lower the quantities in case of water
scarcity). However, recently, the Afghan government violated the
agreement and blocked the flow to the Islamic Republic, which
intensified the already tense relations between the Shi’ite and Sunni
neighbors,” the Iran expert added.Social upheaval and frustration -The
consequences of these developments are being felt across Iranian
society. Mazalian Levi described a dire situation where authorities
deliberately cut off water supply lines, often for extended periods and
without prior notice.“People are left with murky water and even mud
coming out of their taps,” she said, citing video evidence from the city
of Ahvaz. “Water tankers are being dispatched across the country,
medical teams find themselves preparing for surgery without water, and
household activities are disrupted without warning.”She shared an
example from a news report about a frustrated resident in the city of
Pardis in Tehran Province who complained that water flows through taps
for only two hours per day.The agricultural sector has been hit
particularly hard. Farmers are being forced to abandon water-intensive
crops like wheat and rice in favor of varieties more suited to drought
conditions. Many are giving up farming altogether and migrating to
cities in search of alternative employment.“Crop variety is shrinking,
and the country’s food security is being undermined,” Mazalian Levi
warned. “There are real shortages of fruits, vegetables, legumes,
grains, and oils, leading to rising food prices and increased dependence
on imported food.”This dependence is especially problematic given the
hyperinflation Iran has experienced in recent years, making imported
food prices increasingly volatile and unaffordable for many
Iranians.Nature directly affected-Another actor directly affected by the
water crisis in Iran is nature itself, as demonstrated by Lake Urmia, a
salty lake located in northwestern Iran between the provinces of West
Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan.According to Mazalian Levi, in the past,
the lake was one of the largest salt lakes in the world and the largest
in the Middle East at about 5,700 square kilometers. However, according
to estimates, its area is now less than 1,000 sq.km.“Over the past few
decades, Lake Urmia has experienced significant drying, which has led to
a drastic decrease in its size,” Mazalian Levi explained.“The reasons
for this are varied. First, the country has built many dams on the
rivers and streams that flow into the lake for the benefit of the
agricultural and irrigation industries in the region and industrial
plants. In this way, the diversion of water sources has reduced the
amount of water flowing into the lake."“Secondly, climate change and the
decrease in precipitation have also reduced the amount of water
reaching the lake. Thirdly, over-pumping of groundwater and salt in the
area for the production of industrial salt and food [has impacted the
water level].”According to Mazalian Levi, the drying up of Lake Urmia
has also damaged the regional ecosystem that existed there.“The lake was
an important and central habitat for a wide variety of animals,
including Persian ibex, goats, sheep, fish with special tolerance to the
salty environment of the water, birds such as pelicans, ducks,
flamingos, and more” the researcher elaborated. “Some of the unique
animals became extinct or disappeared from the regional landscape, and
the diversity of the fauna has decreased dramatically.”However, this was
not the only damage; it also affected the residents of the area. The
decrease in the water level has brought with it new phenomena that have
made it difficult for the residents of the area, such as salt and dust
storms, which cause respiratory diseases and burning eyes.“Local tourism
and fishing have also been affected. Over the past decade, the Iranian
government has promised to restore the lake, but this is a very complex
challenge. Dams have been opened to restore natural flow to the lake,
but this does not seem to be enough to turn the tide.”Finally, Mazalian
Levi emphasized that water – the most fundamental source of life – has
become a critical factor that could determine Iran’s future stability
and resilience. The government’s appeals for water conservation appear
to have had limited impact in a society where, as she put it, “It’s
every person for themselves in the face of this escalating crisis.”
