Tag: News

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Ellie Cohanim, former Deputy Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism during the first Trump administration, says the president deserves a peace prize for his decision to destroy three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday.

Cohanim, who is also an Iranian refugee, joined “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Sunday to discuss her thoughts on the strikes.

“President Trump has truly saved the world and I certainly hope that we will see recognition for what he has accomplished for the entire world. He deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for this,” she said, in part.

She also said that destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities gives “a new hope” for the Middle East and she hopes to see peace between Israel and its neighbors one day.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., pushed for lawmakers to return to Washington, D.C., to sign the War Powers Resolution following President Donald Trump’s
strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday.

“Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump’s strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk,” Khanna said.

The bipartisan War Powers Resolution, introduced by Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the House of Representatives seeks to “remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic State of Iran.” It also directs Trump to “terminate” the deployment of American troops against Iran without an “authorized declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military forces against Iran.”

The legislation was introduced this past week as strikes between Israel and Iran raged on.

Khanna said lawmakers need to return to the capital immediately to “ensure there is no further conflict and escalation.”

“Americans want diplomacy, not more costly wars. We need to deescalate and pursue a path of peace,” he said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine will brief reporters at the Pentagon on Sunday following the strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, according to the Defense Department.

The press briefing will take place at 8 a.m. in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room and will have 60 seats available for reporters. It will also be on camera.

“The seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one seat per news organization is authorized,” the DoD said.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned the United States’ strikes on three of its nuclear sites, describing the operation as “savage military aggression” against its “peaceful nuclear facilities.”

“The Islamic Republic holds the warmongering and lawless #USA government fully responsible for the extremely dangerous consequences of this grave crime,” the foreign ministry stated, in part.

The statement accuses the U.S. of conducting the strikes in collusion with “the genocidal Zionist regime,” which is Israel.

“The U.S. assault on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, committed in the early hours of the tenth day of Israel’s military aggression against Iran, has laid bare the criminal collaboration and direct participation of the United States with the Zionist regime in planning and executing military attacks against Iran,” the statement said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry
also called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn America’s aggression against Iran and to hold the U.S. accountable for violating “international norms and principles.”

Toward the end of the statement, Iran’s foreign ministry said the United States has “launched a dangerous war against Iran” and said it’s clear that America does not adhere to rules or ethics.

Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom
, agreed with President Donald Trump’s decision to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and called on the country to “return to the negotiating table.”

“Iran’s nuclear programme(sic) is a grave threat to international security,” Starmer wrote on X on Sunday. “Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.”

Starmer said the Middle East “remains volatile” and the priority is now to create stability in the region.

“We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis,” he wrote on X.

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More than a dozen injuries were reported in Israel on Sunday morning after Iran launched more missiles toward the Jewish State, striking at least 10 impact sites.

Approximately 30 missiles were used in Iran’s latest attack and about 10 made it through Israeli Air Defenses, Fox News senior correspondent Mike Tobin said in an update live from Tel Aviv.

At least 20 people were injured in the attack and 11 of them went to the hospital. A 30-year-old man is described to have moderate to severe injuries after shrapnel struck him in the chest.

“There’s a tremendous impact when these missiles do make impact so when we talk about the assessment of injuries, understand that is preliminary,” Tobin said.

Tobin shares more on the damage and injuries caused by Iranian missile strikes in the video above. Fox News Digital’s Lorraine Taylor contribute to this report.

Israel’s former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said President Donald Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites in Iran was “courageous” and made Israel and the Middle East safer.

In an X post Sunday morning, Gallant wrote, “President Trump made a courageous decision tonight for the United States, for Israel, and for all of humanity.”

Gallant also said Israel and the Middle East are safer after the U.S. military’s targeted attacks on three key Iranian nuclear sites.

He thanked the IDF and the Mossad, and “close cooperation with the security establishment,” for making the strikes possible.

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Israel’s air force has started a new wave of strikes against military targets in western Iran, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday morning.

The IDF also said the Israeli Air Force struck missile launchers prepared to launch toward Israel and Iranian Armed Forces’ soldiers, in addition to neutralizing launchers that sent missiles toward Israel earlier in the morning.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said off-site radiation levels have not increased following the strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.

“Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran – including Fordow – the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,” the IAEA wrote in a post on X Sunday morning.

The agency said it will continue to assess the “situation in Iran” and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The IAEA serves as the “world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field,” according to its website.

Amir Saeid Iravani, permanent representative of Iran to the United Nations, issued a letter Saturday night castigating President Trump’s airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns and denounces in the strongest possible terms these unprovoked and premeditated acts of aggression,” Iravani wrote.

“Undoubtedly, the United States’ military aggression against sovereignty and territorial integrity constitutes a manifest and flagrant violation of international law and the peremptory international norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” Iravani continued, before calling on the U.N. Security Council to convene an immediate, emergency meeting over so-called “savage and criminal actions” by the U.S.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran urgently requests the Security Council to convene an emergency meeting without delay to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms, and to take all necessary measures under its Charter-mandated responsibilities that the perpetrator of such heinous crimes is held fully accountable and does not go unpunished,” Iravani further wrote.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked President Donald Trump and America for bombing three of Iran’s nuclear sites on Saturday.

“This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world,” Herzog wrote in a post on X. “I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East — and help advance the urgent release of our hostages held in captivity in Gaza.”

Herzog went on to say liberty, responsibility and security have triumphed.

“A decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope,” he wrote.

Fox News has obtained a memo sent by the White House to Congressional Republicans containing justifications for striking Iran.

The first justification given was that Iran was a nation on the threshold of having a nuclear weapon. The memo cited CENTCOM Commander Army Gen. Erik Kurilla saying Iran had enough material to produce ten nuclear weapons in three weeks.

The second justification was that Iran cannot have a nuke because that would be a threat to Americans. The memo said President Donald Trump was clear about this throughout his campaign, saying it dozens of times.

The memo highlighted that Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and has targeted Americans since the regime took power in 1979. The memo listed at least 10 instances in which Americans were either killed or injured by attacks carried out by Iran.

The memo mentioned Iranian proxies, including the Houthis, attacking American troops. One drone attack, according to the memo, killed three American service members.

The final justification in the memo was that Iran has conducted cyber attacks against the U.S. and the Iranian regime is accountable for the deaths of more than 1,000 American soldiers and civilians. It concluded by saying that in 2013, Iran’s president said: “Saying ‘Death to America’ is easy. We need to express ‘Death to America’ with action.”

Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

Following the U.S. strikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner, D-Va., said President Donald Trump “took steps” that could drag the United States into another war.

He described the decision as being made “without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what’s at stake,” according to a statement.

While acknowledging Iranian nuclear capabilities could impact regional stability, Warner said the U.S. launching direct military strikes without authorization from or consultation with Congress raises urgent questions.

“The Constitution makes clear that the power to authorize war lies with Congress,” he wrote. “There are more than 40,000 U.S. service members deployed across the region, as well as American diplomats, contractors, and aid workers, and the safety of our personnel must be paramount. With American lives and our national security on the line, any action that could draw the United States into a broader conflict demands transparency, accountability, and a clear strategy. So far, the president has offered none of these.”

Warner said Trump needed to go before Congress “immediately” to relay strategic objectives, plans to protect American lives and ensure the U.S. isn’t drawn into another lengthy war.

Amir Ohana, speaker of the Knesset – Israel’s parliament – expressed gratitude toward the Trump administration and the U.S. writ large following Saturday night’s strikes on three of Iran’s top nuclear sites.

“President Trump didn’t wait for another Pearl Harbor to confront the forces of darkness,” Ohana, a member of Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party, posted on X late Saturday night.

“He acted decisively, courageously, and with monumental moral clarity,” Ohana continued. “Today, America saved the free world.”

Ohana thanked Trump, the “leader of the free world,” and Netanyahu, “defender of Israel.”

“God bless America,” Ohana’s post concluded. “God bless Israel.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz lauded President Donald Trump for his “historic” strikes on Iranian nuclear sites Saturday night.

“I commend U.S. President Donald Trump for his historic decision to destroy Iran’s three nuclear sites, continuing the Israeli operation and ensuring that Iran will not possess nuclear weapons that would endanger Israel, regional countries, and the national security interests of the United States itself,” the defense minister said in a statement.

He also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for leading Operation “Am Kelavi,” “and the fight against Iran’s nuclear program, as well as the close coordination with the U.S., for this significant and historic achievement.”

“The alliance between the United States and Israel is stronger than ever — serving the peace and security of both nations and the entire free world,” he added.

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said Saturday night that “Peace through strength is what President Trump has been talking about from day one.”

“I can tell you everyone of our allies in that region is extremely thankful,” he told Sean Hannity of the Trump administration’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“All of our enemies around the world are extremely fearful right now.”

He said that President Donald Trump’s strikes on three nuclear sites have Russia, China and North Korea all paying attention.

“They understand we can deliver when we need to and we can destroy things and targets that threaten the United States.

”He said making sure Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon he been a priority for the president, adding that Trump has made it clear Iran is “done bullying us and chanting death to America.”

Mullin added, “This is well within the president’s authority to be able to do exactly what he’s doing” under Article II of the Constitution.

“He’s keeping America safe,” he added. 

Following President Trump’s announcement of a direct U.S. military strike on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, questions have swirled about who was in the room when the decision was made.

While official White House images
captured some of the high-level meeting, Fox News has confirmed with a senior White House official that several key players were also present but not pictured.

Among those already confirmed to be in the Situation Room were President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine.

Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, was present as well, though not shown in the official photos a senior White House official confirmed to Fox News. Her presence comes just a day after Trump, during an exchange with reporters, said Gabbard had been “wrong” about aspects of Iran’s nuclear program.

Others in the room included CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chiefs of Staff Dan Scavino and James Blair. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, NSC’s Andy Baker, General Counsel David Warrington, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were also confirmed in attendance.

Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.

The Israel Airports Authority on Sunday morning announced that it was closing the country’s airspace for incoming and outgoing flights following the U.S. strike on Iran nuclear sites Saturday night.

“The Israel Airports Authority announces that due to recent developments in the situation, the airspace of the State of Israel is closed to both incoming and outgoing flights,” the agency said in a statement. “The public is advised to check with the airlines for updates.”

It added, “Land crossings to Sinai and Jordan are operating as usual.”

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Authorities in New York and Washington are on high alert after U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night. 

“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran,” NYPD said in a post on X. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”

Shortly thereafter, the Metropolitan Police Department released a similar statement on the social media platform.

“The Metropolitan Police Department is closely monitoring the events in Iran,” the statement said. “We are actively coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to share information and monitor intelligence in order to help safeguard residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia.”

MPD said there are no known threats to the District, but that it will increase its presence at religious institutions across the city. Paul Mauro is a Fox News contributor and former NYPD Inspector who monitored terror cells in the city. 

“[NYPD] will put out special attention patrol cars at locations that could track to the conflict in places that have an Israeli connection, and there’s a couple of Shia mosques – Iran, is Shia – and there are a couple of Shia mosques,” Mauro told Fox News Digital. “You never know what’s going to develop. So [they’ll] liaise with those communities. They’ll talk to them, they’ll put special patrol, special attention patrol.” 

“In some instances, they’ll even put out what they call a ‘HOW’ car, which is called a ‘house of worship car,’ which is, they’ll park a marked car right in front of the location.”

More than anything, Mauro said, the authorities are monitoring online chatter from potentially dangerous bad actors.”You’re going to look very closely online,” he said. “You’re going to be monitoring a lot of the online stuff. NYPD has a very robust cyber counterterrorism program, and you’re going to do that very heavily.”

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News’ Peter D’Abrosca.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli people following the U.S.’s attack on three sites in Iran Saturday night, saying the country has achieved “unprecedented accomplishments.”

“Dear citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters, through Operation ‘Am Kelavi,’ we have achieved unprecedented accomplishments in the history of Israel,” Netanyahu said in Hebrew on-camera early Sunday morning. “You may recall that from the very beginning of this campaign, I promised that Iran’s nuclear facilities would be destroyed — one way or another. That promise has been fulfilled.”

He said that he and Trump had been in “full coordination” before the attack along with the Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. military before the attack on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

“With this, the United States powerfully and decisively continued the IDF and Mossad’s assault on Iran’s nuclear program — a program that threatened our very existence and endangered the peace of the entire world,” Netanyahu said.

He added that Trump called him immediately after the attack. “It was a very warm and emotional conversation. He congratulated me, praised our military, and extended his admiration to the people of Israel. I, in turn, thanked him, the American pilots, and the American people.”

“President Trump is boldly leading the free world,” he said. “He is a tremendous friend of Israel — a friend like no other. On behalf of myself, the citizens of Israel, and the entire Jewish people, I thank him from the bottom of my heart. And I know, fellow citizens, that I speak from the depths of each and every one of your hearts. We stand together. We fight together.”

Netanyahu continued, “And with God’s help — we will prevail together. As this week’s Torah portion says: ‘We shall surely go up and succeed against them.’”

President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that he had long resolved to end Iran’s reign of terror, telling the nation that the Islamic regime’s decades of violence and provocation would no longer be tolerated.

Speaking after U.S. forces successfully struck three Iranian nuclear sites, Trump said the time had come to put a stop to a pattern of bloodshed.

“For 40 years, Iran has been saying ‘Death to America,’ ‘Death to Israel,’” Trump said.

“They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs. That was their specialty. We lost over a thousand people, and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate.”

“In particular, so many were killed by their general, Qassem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue.”

Iran has been responsible for a number of attacks which have resulted in the deaths of Americans.

For instance, in 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck packed with explosives into a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen.

During the Iraq War, Iran under Qassem Soleimani’s direction supplied Shiite militias with deadly roadside bombs that killed or maimed hundreds of U.S. troops.

Additionally, Iran held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days from 1979 to 1981. Although no hostages were killed by captors, eight U.S. military personnel died during the rescue attempt.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin accused President Donald Trump of going back on the anti-war message he delivered during his January inauguration to criticize the military action in Iran.

“In January — speaking to the entire nation at his Inauguration – Donald Trump proclaimed ‘We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into,’” Martin said in a statement.

“Today, against his own words, the president sent bombers into Iran,” Martin continued.

Martin said that Americans “overwhelmingly” want to avoid war and the safety risks to U.S. troops overseas that military action poses.

He further called on Trump to immediately bring his case for military action in Iran to Congress.

“Americans do not want a president who bypasses our constitution and pulls us towards war without Congressional approval,” he said. 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., slammed President Donald Trump Saturday night, calling his strike on Iran “unconstitutional.”

“The United States should not wage war against Iran,” the Democratic senator wrote on X. “Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran is unconstitutional. Only Congress can declare war — and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war. This is a horrific war of choice.”

An official told Fox News that the White House gave Congressional leaders a “heads up” before launching strikes against three sites in Iran.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted a message of support for the strikes the U.S. carried out in Iran.

“Tonight, President of the United States Donald Trump etched his name in golden letters in the annals of history. Through his courageous decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, he has proven beyond doubt that he deserves the title ‘Leader of the Free World.’ He will forever be remembered as a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” Sa’ar wrote.

During his address to the nation, President Donald Trump said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “worked as a team, like perhaps no team has ever worked before.”

Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has condemned President Donald Trump for striking Iran’s nuclear sites and says the action is an impeachable offense.

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X late Saturday.”

“He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claimed on Saturday night that President Donald Trump has failed in his promise to bring peace to the Middle East in the wake of the U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. 

“Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise,” Jeffries said in a statement. 

The Democrat leader claimed that Trump’s action in Iran has “dramatically increased” the risk of war. 

“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries said in the statement. 

Jeffries said that the Trump administration must explain the military action to the American people, and brief Congress “fully and immediately” in a classified setting. 

He added that Trump “shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action.”

The White House gave Congressional leadership a “heads up” before President Donald Trump decided to launch strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, an official told Fox News Saturday night.

The president said Saturday night that the U.S. had completed a “very successful” strike against sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Trump said Iran must now “agree to end this war.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated President Donald Trump
in a formal statement following the U.S. strikes in Iran. He said that the U.S. “acted with a lot of strength” in its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said. “In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things, but in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

The statement comes after reports that the two leaders spoke following the U.S. strikes.

As details continue to emerge about the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, a senior U.S. official tells Fox News that the strike on Isfahan may have been the most challenging of the three targets, even more so than the widely discussed Fordow site.

“This was the hardest target,” the official said on background. “Everyone was talking about and focused on Fordow, but Isfahan was actually the hardest target.”

The Isfahan facility, like Fordow, is believed to be built underground, and required precision targeting and extensive intelligence to successfully strike.

The official noted that while Fordow had been at the center of public and diplomatic discussions for years, the operational complexity and fortified structure of Isfahan made it uniquely difficult to hit.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

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Reporting from Israel, Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst said the country had been bracing for American involvement.

“This has been the talk of Israel for the past several days,” Yingst noted, as Israeli officials waited to see if the U.S. would act.

Shortly after, President Trump confirmed on Truth Social that U.S. bombers had hit three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Yingst reported Fordow as the main target, a site “deep underground outside of the Iranian capital of Tehran.”

It’s where Iran has been enriching uranium at levels approaching weapons-grade. “The bottom line here is that people are talking about enrichment,” Yingst said. “They understand that this decision was made because the Iranians were increasing their uranium enrichment capabilities.”

According to Israeli officials Yingst spoke with, the strikes were seen as necessary. Iran had demonstrated it could hit major Israeli cities with ballistic missiles, and a nuclear warhead could push that threat to a new level.

“You can imagine that having a nuclear warhead… would clearly be a direct threat to the Jewish state,” Yingst said.

Yingst also detailed failed diplomatic efforts that preceded the strikes. “There was that 60-day window that President Trump gave the Iranians to come to the table,” he explained. Talks happened in Oman, involving Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, but “the Iranians did not want to finish a deal.”

As U.S. involvement deepens, Yingst says the region is now in uncharted territory. “This is a historic moment in the Middle East tonight,” he said. “A decision was made that will change the reality of the current war between Israel and Iran.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson was briefed ahead of the U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital. 

Johnson wrote in a post on X following the strikes that they show Trump’s “America First policy in action.”  

“The military operations in Iran should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says,” Johnson wrote. “The President gave Iran’s leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement.” 

Johnson said that Trump’s “decisive action” is stopping “the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism” from “obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet.”

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly spoke after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear sites, a senior White House official told Fox News. The official also said that the U.S. gave Israel a heads up before it carried out the strikes.

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Sean Hannity said on Saturday night that President Donald Trump gave him details on the U.S. strikes in Iran. According to the “Hannity” host, the U.S. used six bunker buster bombs —each of which weighs 15 tons — in its strikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility. The bombs were dropped from American B-2 stealth bombers.

Fordow had two entrances and one ventilation shaft, which likely served as the entrance points for the Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs).

Additionally, 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines were used in the attacks on the Nanatz and Isfahan facilities. There is speculation that the missiles were shot from Ohio Class Submarine, but there has been no confirmation.

Israel has shifted its Home Front Command instructions to allow only essential activities for its citizens after the United States’ strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night. 

Minister of Defense Israel Katz determined that the change would be made immediately at 3:45 a.m. local time, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. 

The changes include limits on educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, except for essential sectors, the IDF said. 

The IDF said that the public in Israel is required to follow the Home Front Command instructions.

The NYPD announced on Saturday night that it was deploying more resources to religious, cultural and diplomatic sites in New York City following the U.S. strikes in Iran.

“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC,” the NYPD wrote on X.

Israel reportedly “knew for several days” that the U.S. was planning to strike Iran, Daphna Liel
from Israel’s News 12 reported. She also said that the two countries deliberately made it seem as though they were at odds to lull Iran into a false sense of security. According to Liel, the goal was to prevent Iran from taking actions to minimize damage from the strikes.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised President Donald Trump following the U.S. strikes on Iran.

“President Trump took a bold decision for the United States, for Israel, for all of humanity,” Gallant wrote on X. “The world is now a safer place.”

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President Donald Trump broke from routine on Saturday by offering no public remarks or taking questions from the press as he headed into a high-stakes national security meeting at the White House.

The president, who typically speaks with reporters before major events or foreign policy meetings, remained silent as he entered the Oval Office.

His meeting with the National Security Council comes as Israel’s war with Iran enters its 10th day, with U.S. involvement still on the table.

The White House has yet to release official readouts or additional information regarding the meeting’s agenda, though the ongoing Israeli air campaign against Iran, potential U.S. military involvement, and efforts to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon are expected to be at the forefront.

The unusual lack of comment from the president stands out amid escalating tensions and speculation over possible American intervention.

Trump has previously stated he would make a decision within two weeks on whether to authorize military action.

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As the war between Iran and Israel continues, Fox News confirmed earlier reports that B-2 stealth bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and headed to Guam. 

A Reuters report, quoting one U.S. official, said no order was given to move the planes beyond Guam.

Reuters said it wasn’t clear if the deployment was linked to the rising tensions in the Middle East. 

The UK Defense Journal reports the stealth bombers were accompanied by eight KC-135 Stratotankers, which would allow for midair refueling.

The journal suggests the bombers’ ultimate destination may be Diego Garcia, a U.S. base in the Indian Ocean.

Retired Navy Cdr. Jim “Puck” Howe told Fox News Digital the stealth bombers “can easily make it” to Guam in a single flight with one mid-air refueling. Howe said the Stratotankers’ fuel capacities are unlikely to keep the B-2s aloft if their ultimate destination is the “significantly farther” island base of Diego Garcia. 

Howe says that while the U.S. “could attack [Fordow] from Guam,” it “makes a lot more sense” to launch an attack from Diego Garcia due to its proximity to Iran.

Diego Garcia is a base 2,400 miles south of Iran. Its strategic value lies in its deep-water port, a long runway that is “capable of accommodating heavy bombers and advanced satellite communication systems,” Aero-News Journal reports.

The U.S. has utilized the base when managing threats from
Iran in the past. Two B-2s were deployed to Diego Garcia in March. The Islamic Republic of Iran threatened to attack the U.S. base in April. 

It is unclear whether any Iranian ballistic missiles are capable of reaching Diego Garcia. U.S. troops across the Middle East are said to face increased risk of attack should the U.S. enter the conflict.

Each stealth bomber is capable of carrying two 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, which are believed to be the most effective means of destroying the Iranian nuclear site at Fordow, which may be dug in between 300 feet and 2,600 feet below a rocky mountain.

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital “destroying [Fordow] from the air is a job only the U.S. can do.”

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News’ Beth Bailey 

The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday said it had killed an Iranian commander who for years helped arm and fund Hamas on behalf of the regime. 

Saeed Izadi, commander of the Palestine Corps in the Quds Force, was killed early Saturday during an Israeli strike in the city of Qom. 

Izadi was also “one of the orchestrators” of the Oct. 7, 2023, unprovoked Hamas attack on Israel, according to BBC News. 

“The blood of thousands of Israelis is on his hands,” IDF chief Eyal Zamir said in a statement, calling it a “tremendous intelligence and operational achievement.”

Following the killing of Mohammed Sinwar, the head of Hamas’ armed wing, at a hospital in Gaza in May, a joint operation between the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) discovered an underground command center underneath the hospital.

Israeli troops found documents in the command center revealing that Hamas’ military wing had maintained contact with Izadi in recent months, including Sinwar. 

Correspondence between Sinwar and Izadi planning an operation in which Izadi would arm Hamas with $21 million in weapons followed by an additional $25 million in weapons was found in the command center, the IDF said. 

“Due to the intensive efforts of the Southern Command, the Intelligence Directorate and the ISA, these two projects to arm Hamas’s military wing in the Gaza Strip with advanced weapons worth tens of millions of dollars did not come to fruition,” the IDF said.

Izadi had been sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K. over his ties to the Palestinian militant faction Islamic Jihad, which also helped plan the Oct. 7 terror attacks. 

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News’ Brie Stimson.

Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of United States Richard Grenell is calling on Elon Musk to activate Starlink internet over Iran as the country remains in a near-total blackout amid war with Israel.

“My friends inside Iran don’t have regular access to information right now,” Grenell posted on X. “Can you turn on @Starlink for free in Iran for the next few weeks, @elonmusk? I’ll chip in a donation and I think others would, too.”

The call comes as Iran has cut internet access across the country, leaving many citizens in the dark about incoming Israeli strikes and unable to reach family.

According to reporting from the Associated Press, the blackout has lasted over 36 hours, with only a few able to connect via VPNs.

Digital rights experts say this is no accident. “The Iranian regime controls the information sphere really, really tightly,” Marwa Fatafta of Access Now told the AP. “It wants to control information.”

Iran has fired more than 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, but most have been intercepted. At least 24 Israelis have been killed.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “waging a war on truth,” while blocking foreign media, an ironic claim from one of the world’s worst regimes for jailing journalists, the AP noted.

Internet freedom advocate Mehdi Yahyanejad told the AP that the regime is trying to “hide how badly it’s been hit.” He warned that unrest could erupt once citizens learn the truth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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As tensions escalate in the Middle East, lawmakers in Washington are divided over whether President Donald Trump has the authority to authorize U.S. military intervention in Iran without congressional approval.

“I will be supportive of whatever that call is that is made by President Donald Trump,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, showing strong backing for the president’s potential use of force.

Even some Democrats are siding with the administration. “I really think it’s absolutely appropriate to use our capabilities to destroy the nuclear facilities in Iran,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.

But others insist that any military move beyond defense requires congressional authorization. “If it’s going on offense in any way, congressional authorization is needed,” argued Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who plans to force a vote on U.S. involvement. “We shouldn’t be in a war if Congress doesn’t have the guts to debate it and vote on it.”

The constitutional debate centers on Article II, which names the president commander-in-chief, and Article I, which gives Congress the sole power to declare war. The U.S. hasn’t formally declared war since 1942, but has repeatedly authorized military action through congressional resolutions, including in Vietnam and Iraq.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., warned of escalation. “If there’s one strike, there’ll be more military involvement, if only because Iran will retaliate,” he said.

Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump’s attempt to quietly open a diplomatic backchannel with Iran collapsed this week after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went off the grid, Axios reported Saturday, citing three U.S. officials and a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

According to Axios, Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had worked to arrange a direct meeting between senior U.S. and Iranian officials in Istanbul amid the growing war between Israel and Iran.

The effort reportedly included Trump offering to send Vice President J.D. Vance and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and offering to attend himself.

But plans unraveled when “Khamenei, who has been in hiding for fear of being assassinated by Israel, couldn’t be reached,” Axios reported.

Without his sign-off, Iranian officials told the Turks they could not proceed, and the meeting was canceled.

In the hours that followed, Trump posted a pointed message on Truth Social: “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

While a senior White House official told Axios there was “no direct correlation” between the failed talks and the post, the official confirmed the message reflected Trump’s “desire to protect Iranian lives.”

Axios reported that the U.S. had received “signals” from Iran prior to the call with Erdoğan suggesting Tehran was open to talks. Erdoğan relayed the American offer to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but without Khamenei’s approval, the effort stalled.

According to Axios, Trump has grown “less confident that a diplomatic solution was possible — and more convinced the U.S. would have to join the war to eliminate the Iranian nuclear program.”

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment or separate confirmation.

​

The IDF says it struck deep inside Iran overnight, hitting key military targets as part of Operation “Rising Lion.”

About 60 Israeli fighter jets took part in the operation, targeting missile storage sites, air defenses, and radar systems in central Iran.

An Israeli jet also struck three Iranian F-14 fighter jets on the ground. “The strike was carried out in the heart of Iran,” IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said in a Saturday briefing.

The IDF says it’s focusing on dismantling Iran’s missile production and launch networks. “We are hitting every element in the missile production chain,” Defrin said. He added that Iran’s launch capabilities have been sharply reduced.

The IDF also announced the killing of Saeed Izadi, a senior Quds Force commander linked to Hamas and the October 7 terror attack. Izadi had worked to smuggle weapons and funds to Hamas. His connection to Mohammad Sinwar, a top Hamas leader also killed by the IDF, was confirmed through documents seized in Gaza.

In a separate strike, the IDF eliminated Behnam Shahriyari, responsible for arming Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups across the region.

Over the past week, Iran launched more than 1,000 drones at Israel, according to the IDF. Most were intercepted outside Israeli airspace.

Israeli jets, helicopters, and naval forces continue to target UAV infrastructure, destroying around 950 drones before launch.

In the north, the Israeli Navy and Air Force hit Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, including rocket sites and Radwan force structures.

​

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Saturday that its air force targeted and struck three Iranian F-14 fighter jets in central Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

“An air force aircraft recently attacked three Iranian military F14 fighter jets in central Iran,” the IDF originally wrote in Hebrew in a post on X.

The military also released video footage from the operation, showing the precision airstrike on what appear to be parked aircraft.

In addition to the F-14 strike, Israeli fighter jets are currently engaged in further attacks on military infrastructure elsewhere in central Iran. The IDF has not provided additional details about those ongoing strikes.

The Iranian government has yet to respond publicly.

The move follows a wave of IDF operations targeting Iranian missile launchers, UAVs, and military installations over the past 48 hours.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the IDF’s 136th Aerial Defense Battalion on Friday, thanking the troops for protecting Israeli civilians from ongoing missile and drone attacks launched by Iran and its allies.

Zamir was joined by Brig. Gen. ‘G’, the Commander of the Aerial Defense Array.

“We are hunting their launchers,” Zamir said. “(Friday), we intercepted three of four launchers just minutes before launch and neutralized them using our systems directly over their heads.”

He praised the soldiers for their efforts and said the world is watching. “The entire world is watching your performance, our performance, and this array’s performance with extraordinary admiration.”

Zamir emphasized the importance of their work. “Without your work, the damage to Israel’s home front and our infrastructure would have been catastrophic,” he said.

“You are saving lives. You are defending the people of Israel. You are a vital shield for this nation,” he added.

He ended with a warning to Israel’s enemies: “Anyone who threatens or challenges the State of Israel will pay a heavy price.”

The IDF’s air defense units have played a key role in recent weeks, intercepting missiles and drones as the conflict with Iran continues.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed on Sunday and is opening on Monday for “limited in-person consular operations” to help those without valid U.S. passports get update documents. The State Department is now advising Americans seeking to leave Israel to “take the first available option, even if it is not your first choice of destination.”

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on Saturday that the State Department started assisted departure flights for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents in Israel or the West Bank.

In its announcement, the State Department also provided information for those looking to depart through Egypt or Jordan.

Head of the Israeli Air Force Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar spoke with UAV technicians and operators to thank them for their work in the country’s conflict with Iran. He said that they “surprised the Iranians” by blocking a number of missiles.

“If I had the time, I would personally shake the hand of each and every one of you and say: keep it up. This is our generation’s mission— the responsibility is on your shoulders — and you’re performing it brilliantly,” Bar told the troops.

The Israeli Air Force has played a large role in the conflict, carrying out strikes in Iran and countering Iranian fire.

​

On Saturday, the IDF released footage of an Israeli Air Force jet intercepting a UAV that it says was “launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.”

JERUSALEM—The family members of Israeli hostages held in captivity by the U.S.-designated terrorist movement Hamas published an open letter on Thursday to President Trump, urging him to intervene to help free the 53 remaining people held in Gaza.

“As Iranian missiles streak across the sky above us, our hearts remain consumed by thoughts of our beloved family members enduring brutal Hamas captivity. 53 precious souls—our children, parents, siblings, and spouses—remain trapped in hell.

“For over 620 endless days, they have had no shelter, no family’s embrace, no whispered words of comfort. Their time is running out. We write to you united in this unique anguish, yet bound by unshakable faith in your leadership and commitment to bringing our loved ones home,” wrote the Israeli group Hostages and Missing Families Forum on the social media platform Truth Social -Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) is the parent company of Truth Social.

The family members urged the President to “seize the opportunity while Iran and Hamas are at their weakest point.”

President Trump secured the freedom of the 21-year-old American-Israeli Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity on May 12. Eden returned to his hometown in New Jersey on Thursday after nearly 600 days in captivity.

Fox News Digital sent press queries to the White House and the U.S. State Department, seeking comment about the open letter published on Truth Social to President Trump.

This is an excerpt from an article by Benjamin Weinthal.

As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, most are focused on traditional battlefields: air, land, and sea. However, this battle is playing out on a digital battlefield as well. Lionsgate Network CEO and Founder Bezalel Eithan Raviv spoke with FOX Business about the recent Nobitex hack and its implications on the future of geopolitical conflicts.

“I think it’s a game-changer. I think geopolitical efforts and war as we see it is right now playing in different avenues,” Raviv said. “We always said that when you trace the funds, you are able to see what’s behind the curtain. And now this is another escalation or evolution of how factors or actors or entities within the space are able to target the actual source of funding and change the game for the entire system.”

Nobitex, one of Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, was recently the victim of a hack that led to nearly $90 million in losses. The hacking group Gonjeshke Darande, which has ties to Israel, claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Reuters, Gonjeshke Darande has a history of attacking Iran through sophisticated cyber hacks. Though the Israeli government has never formally acknowledged its ties to the group, Israeli media says Gonjeshke Darande is “linked” to the country.

Gonjeshke Darande’s latest apparent anti-Iran hack comes as long-escalating tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem erupted on June 13 with Israel’s historic preemptive attacks. Now, Raviv says that the world is witnessing a new form of warfare with virtually zero lives lost.

“This is a war of codes, really, where casualties in human life are zero and the efforts are only behind the curtain, no ammunition whatsoever,” Raviv told FOX Business.

This is an excerpt from a FOX Business article by Rachel Wolf.

Amid a week of daily attacks between Middle Eastern juggernauts Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump has repeatedly drilled home a key point.

“IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” the president wrote on social media.

And speaking with reporters in the Oval Office at the White House, Trump highlighted, “I’ve been saying for 20 years, maybe longer, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

It’s a stance U.S. presidents have taken for a couple of decades. And it appears most Americans agree with Trump and his presidential predecessors when it comes to the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of registered voters questioned in a new Fox News national survey said they think Iran poses a real security threat to the U.S. That’s a 13-point boost since Fox News last asked the question six years ago.

And the poll, conducted June 13-16, indicates wide support across the partisan spectrum. Majorities of Republicans (82%), Democrats (69%) and Independents (62%) agreed that Iran poses a threat.

The survey also showed that 78% of those questioned said they were very or extremely concerned about Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb. And eight in 10 said what happens in the Middle East does matter in the U.S.

This is an excerpt from an article by Paul Steinhauser.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters that it would be “very dangerous” if the U.S. were to get involved in Tehran’s war with Israel.

“It is obvious I cannot go into negotiations with the United States when our people are under bombardments under the support of the United States,” Araghchi said in a video uploaded by the Associated Press. “Unfortunately, we have heard that the U.S. may join this aggression. That would be very unfortunate, and I think that would be very, very dangerous for everybody.”

President Donald Trump has yet to decide whether the U.S. would get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. However, on Saturday B-2 stealth bombers appeared to be heading for Guam, but it is not clear if this is a sign of upcoming action. Trump is expected to return to the White House on Saturday afternoon where he will receive intelligence briefings.

​

IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told FOX News’ Mike Tobin that Israel’s goal is to ensure that Iran is “in disarray.”

Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khmenei, appeared to threaten the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a post on X.

“Once the war is over, we will deal with Grossi,” Larijani wrote on X, according to a translation by Grok. The post is referring to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded on X, writing, “It would have been unbelievable if it weren’t about Iran. Now they’re openly threatening the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. A mafia state!”

On Friday, Rossi addressed the U.N. Security Council about the state of the conflict. He called for “maximum restraint” and warned that “military escalation threatens lives and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.”

IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Saturday that the assassination of Saeed Izadi was “one of the key points in the war” with Iran.

“The blood of thousands of Israelis is on his hands. He was the driving force behind the Iran-Hamas axis and a close confidant of [Yahya] Sinwar and [Mohammed] Deif,” Zamir said. “His elimination marks a key point in the multi-front war and makes the entire Middle East a safer place.”

According to Israel, Izadi, who was the commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, was instrumental in planning and executing Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre. The IDF said Izadi was “responsible for military coordination between the senior commanders of the IRGC and the Iranian regime with key figures in Hamas.”

The IDF claims to have taken out several Iranian commanders since its preemptive attack against Tehran on June 13.

As the Iranian regime reels from sustained Israeli strikes on military and nuclear infrastructure, debate is intensifying over what could come next.

Experts say the end of the Islamic Republic is no longer unthinkable — but warn that what replaces it could either lift the country toward a freer future or plunge it into instability.

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran and a prominent opposition figure, posted yesterday, “Sources inside Iran say that the regime’s command and control structures are collapsing at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, the international community is beginning to realize that the Islamic Republic has no future. Our discussions about a post-Islamic Republic Iran have begun.”

“The first thing is revolution is too broad a word,” said Behnam Taleblu, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “The better words are evolution and devolution, meaning if you get something better or something worse. Because this is the Middle East, and fundamentally, things can get worse, not better, when you introduce an exogenous shock.”

Taleblu cautioned that both the Iranian opposition and Western governments have failed to prepare for regime collapse because of a long-standing reluctance to engage with the idea of regime change. “By not being able to articulate the necessary political strategy… we are most unprepared,” he said.

This is an excerpt from an article by Efrat Lachter and Caitlin McFall.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly picked potential successors in case he is assassinated in the escalating conflict with Israel, according to the New York Times. The outlet said Khamenei made the “unusual decision” to call on Iran’s Assembly of Experts to choose his successor out of three options he provided.

Iranian officials
allegedly told the Times that Khamenei is aware that he is at risk of being assassinated by the U.S. or Israel and that he would view it as a martyrdom.

The outlet said that he also selected replacements for military leaders in case more of them are killed.

Six B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force base in Missouri are heading towards a U.S. Air Force
base in Guam, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News. However, it is not immediately clear whether this is related to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The B-2 can carry two 15-ton bunker buster bombs — something only the U.S. possesses — which experts say could be key in destroying Iran’s most heavily protected nuclear facility.

President Donald Trump, who said that he would make a decision on involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, is expected to return to the White House on Saturday afternoon.

The Israeli Air Force said on Saturday that in the overnight hours it intercepted 40 UAVs and struck multiple launchers in Iran that it said was aimed at Israel.

“Overnight (Saturday), 40 UAVs launched from Iran toward the State of Israel were intercepted by the IAF. With this latest interception, the total number of UAVs intercepted since the start of the operation exceeds 470, maintaining a 99% success rate,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

On Saturday, the State of Israel’s official X account posted a video tour of a mosque in Haifa that suffered severe damage in an Iranian missile
. Amro Hossein, the muezzin of Al-Jarina Mosque, walks through the damage and condemned Iran’s actions.

“When [Iran] shot the missile they don’t [see a] difference. They don’t ask you if you are Muslim, if you are Jewish, if you are Christian, if you are anything,” Hossein said. “They attack everyone in this country just for one thing: to smash this country.”

Hossein also expressed his faith in Israel’s ability to defend itself and to “smash every enemy.”

The head of the Palestinian Division in the Quds Force from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards was killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian city of Qom, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.

The IDF said Saeed Izadi was also a “key coordinator between the Iranian regime and Hamas, and one of the main orchestrators of the October 7 massacre.”

“He was responsible for military coordination between the senior commanders of the IRGC and the Iranian regime with key figures in Hamas,” it said.

“As part of his role, Izadi was responsible for increasing the financial funding from Iran to Hamas for terrorist activities against Israel,” the IDF said. “During the war, he was also responsible for directing Hamas forces operating from Lebanon. Since then, he has been committed to rebuilding Hamas’ military wing and ensuring that Hamas remains the controlling authority in Gaza.”

The Israel Defense Forces said it killed a commander of the Quds Force’s Weapons Transfer Unit in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in a strike in western Iran.

Behnam Shahriyari “was responsible for all weapons transfers from the Iranian regime to its proxies across the Middle East in order to directly advance the Iranian regime’s plan to destroy Israel,” the IDF said.

“Shahriyari also commanded the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars annually to various terrorist organizations,” it continued. “Furthermore, he led the extensive effort to finance and arm these terrorist organizations—an effort that has resulted in the deaths and injuries of many Israeli civilians and soldiers.”

He was killed while traveling in western Iran, the IDF said.

“His elimination represents a severe blow to the ability of the terrorist organizations surrounding Israel to regroup and strengthen after being heavily damaged by the IDF during the war,” the IDF said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently made a proposal on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which was detailed by Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the U.N.

The proposal includes the position that promoting a ceasefire and ending hostilities is an urgent priority, the stance that ensuring the safety of civilians is of the utmost importance, stressing that opening dialogue and negotiation is the “fundamental way forward” and ensuring that efforts by the international community to promote peace are “indispensable.”

Cong reiterated Xi’s proposal at Friday’s Security Council meeting called by China, Pakistan and Russia.

The U.S. Embassy in Iraq
is urging Americans not to travel to Iraq and avoid large gatherings if they must be in the country after US interests in Iraq have been targeted by Iran.

The U.S. State Department maintains a level four “do not travel” advisory for Iraq, saying that Americans should not travel to the country for any reason.

The embassy advises Americans who must travel to Iraq to avoid large gatherings and crowds, keep their phone charged and update their loved ones of their status as well as enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate them in an emergency overseas.

Americans were also encouraged to prepare a plan for emergencies.