Terrorism

Donald Trump has promised to reinstitute “maximum pressure” on the Islamic Republic.

Amelie Botbol

(JNS)

Britain, France and Germany have agreed to continue nuclear negotiations with Tehran following a meeting on Friday in Geneva and amid threats by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to reinstitute a “maximum pressure” campaign on the Islamic Republic once he assumes office in January.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and senior nuclear negotiator Majid Takht-Ravanchi met with top diplomats from the European nations, known collectively as the E3.

The talks came after the European countries joined the United States to have Iran censured by the U.N. atomic watchdog for its lack of cooperation.

The resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors notes an “essential and urgent” need for Iran to provide “technically credible explanations” for the uranium traces at undeclared facilities. It also urges the IAEA to compile “a comprehensive and updated assessment on the possible presence or use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”

According to a November report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran had 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since its last report in August. This level of enrichment is a technical step short of 90% enrichment, considered weapons grade.

Iran condemned the censure as “politically motivated” and announced the launch of “new advanced centrifuges” to produce additional enriched uranium.

Last week, Britain’s foreign intelligence chief said that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions posed a major global threat. “Iran’s allied militias across the Middle East have suffered serious blows,” said Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) chief Sir Richard Moore, adding, “But the regime’s nuclear ambitions continue to threaten all of us.”

Similarly, the head of France’s DGSI intelligence service warned of the risk of Iran’s nuclear breakout, noting that Paris and London were preparing for such an eventuality.

“Our services are working side by side to face what is undoubtedly one of the threats, if not to say the most critical threat, in the coming months—the possible atomic proliferation in Iran,” Nicolas Lerner said. “The intelligence will be crucial to enable our authorities to make the right decisions and define the right strategies.”

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper published on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that his country was considering altering its nuclear policy.

The threat came after an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said earlier this month that Tehran has the capacity to develop nuclear weapons, should it choose to do so.

“We now have the technical capabilities necessary to produce nuclear weapons,” Kamal Kharrazi told the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen outlet.

In May, Kharrazi told the ISNA news agency: “If the Zionist regime dares to damage Iran’s nuclear facilities, our level of deterrence will be different. We have no decision to produce a nuclear bomb, but if the existence of Iran is threatened, we will have to change our nuclear doctrine.”

In August, Iran International reported that the Islamic Republic was advancing its secret nuclear program, bringing the mullahs closer to building atomic bombs.

Three independent sources in Iran told the London-based opposition media outlet that the regime was moving forward with its nuclear weapons program “by restructuring the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), retaining Mohammad Eslami as the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and resuming tests to produce nuclear bomb detonators.”

The Biden administration privately warned Tehran in June about its research and development activities, Axios reported on July 17, citing three Israeli and U.S. officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Jerusalem would do “everything” to stop Tehran from acquiring the bomb.

“I will do everything to prevent it from becoming a nuclear [power], I will use all the resources that can be used,” the premier said.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu told a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting that Israel would review its ability to act against Iran once the Trump administration takes over.

During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Obama-era accord more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which he said did not sufficiently prevent a pathway to an Iranian bomb.

In October, Israeli airstrikes on Iran destroyed a secret nuclear weapons research facility in Parchin, 19 miles southeast of Tehran, according to Axios. The clandestine site held sophisticated equipment used for testing explosives needed to detonate nuclear devices.

Image: New-generation centrifuges on display in Tehran during Iran’s National Nuclear Energy Day, April 10, 2021. Credit: Iranian Presidency Office/WANA.

Thirteen-year-old Eitan Yahalomi describes abuse, hunger, and being subjected to disturbing content.

(Israel Hayom via JNS)

In a poignant interview for the “Children of October 7” social media project, 13-year-old Eitan Yahalomi from Kibbutz Nir Oz shared the harrowing details of his captivity at the hands of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

The French-Israeli survivor, who was released in November, then aged 12, as part of a prisoner exchange deal, recounted instances of physical abuse, persistent hunger, and being forced to watch disturbing footage.

Yahalomi was kidnapped from his home during the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught. His father, Ohad, who was shot during the abduction, remains in captivity, while his mother, Batsheva, and little sister Yael managed to escape an attempted kidnapping.

“When we arrived in Gaza, many people beat us. We heard gunshots and shouting in Arabic. They were waiting for us. They were civilians,” Yahalomi said, describing his entry into Gaza.

When asked if he had felt scared, he responded candidly, “A bit, to be honest.”

Throughout his captivity, Yahalomi faced constant hunger. “My daily ration was a pita and a cucumber,” he revealed. He also spoke of being subjected to disturbing content. “They showed me videos of them killing people. They seemed happy about it.”

When asked whether he tried to avoid watching, Yahalomi explained, “No, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, he wouldn’t have allowed it. I saw even worse things. These images are constantly in my mind.”

As for his ability to sleep at night, Yahalomi added with stark honesty, “Not much. I’ve been through the worst, and that’s that.”

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

Image: Hamas terrorists kidnapped Eitan Yahalomi from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Screenshot: “Children of October 7.”

The pro-Israel materials were reportedly found in the large King’s Cross, Old Street and South Kensington stations.

(JNS)

A group called London Against Hamas posted materials in Tube (train) stations in the capital city on Monday, the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel, calling attention to “Hamas rape tunnels” in Gaza.

“The posters features a mock Tube map of Gaza, highlighting Hamas’s underground tunnels with labels like ‘Hostage execution tunnel’ and ‘Hamas rape Tunnel,’” the Jewish Chronicle (London) reported.

The posters state: “On Oct. 7th, 2023, Hamas murdered hundreds and kidnapped many more. The U.K. government must do everything possible to secure the release of the 100 hostages still unaccounted for after 365 days of terror.”

The group superimposed the posters over tube maps without permission from the government entity that runs the London Underground. Transport for London has said the unauthorized posters will be removed.

The Jewish Chronicle reported that the posters “have been seen in major stations including King’s Cross, Old Street and South Kensington, as well as in Redbridge and Southgate.”

Image: A general view of Liverpool Street underground tube station entrance on June 4, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images.

“Why are we giving $157 million to a semi-failed state overrun by Iranian-backed terrorists? Let the ayatollahs fix their own mess,” wrote Sen. Tom Cotton.

(JNS)

The Biden administration plans to send $157 million in new funding to “populations affected by conflict in Lebanon and the region,” drawing criticism, including from members of Congress, that the the monies are being misdirected.

“The United States will provide nearly $157 million in new U.S. humanitarian assistance to support populations affected by conflict in Lebanon and the region,” stated U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday. “This funding will address new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations inside Lebanon and the communities that host them. The assistance will also support those fleeing to neighboring Syria.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee for president, stated on Saturday that “the people of Lebanon are facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation.”

“I am concerned about the security and well-being of civilians suffering in Lebanon and will continue working to help meet the needs of all civilians there. To that end, the United States will provide nearly $157 million in additional assistance to the people of Lebanon for essential needs such as food, shelter, water, protection and sanitation to help those who have been displaced by the recent conflict,” she stated. “This additional support brings total U.S. assistance to Lebanon over the last year to over $385 million.”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) allowed that the Lebanese people “have indeed suffered badly—at the hands of Iran.”

“So why are we giving $157 million to a semi-failed state overrun by Iranian-backed terrorists?” Cotton wrote. “Let the ayatollahs fix their own mess.”

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sending $157 million of your tax dollars to Lebanon and only sending $100 million to communities devastated by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina,” wrote Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.). “This shows you their priorities are not America first.”

“Read the room madam vice president,” wrote Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). “Americans are in need and we should take care of our own first.”

David Friedman, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, wrote that the Lebanese people “are subjugated by Hezbollah, as they have been for more than 20 years.”

“Your policies, especially funding Iran for the past three years, has only increased Hezbollah’s power and weaponry,” Friedman wrote. “But sure, send them more money.”

Marc Zell, chairman of the Republican Overseas Israel, wrote that the Biden administration’s decision “is outrageous for at least three reasons.”

“The Harris-Biden administration should be using the $157 million to fund FEMA’s rescue operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Geogria and Tennessee,” Zell wrote.

He added that “the Lebanese should not receive a dime in U.S. aid until they force Hezbollah to abandon southern Lebanon so that Israeli evacuees can return to their homes” and that “giving aid to Lebanon in the midst of Israel’s fight to survive is a betrayal of America’s most loyal ally and the only democracy in the Middle East.”

Image: Vice President Kamala Harris surveys the impact of Hurricane Helene in Georgia on Oct. 3, 2024. Credit: White House.