White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff insisted today that, "A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal. Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East -- meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program. It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do."
Witkoff led the U.S. delegation which began direct negotiations with Iran over the regime's nuclear program this weekend.
President Trump reportedly held a meeting this morning in the White House Situation Room to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
Witkoff, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, CIA director John Ratcliffe and other top officials, attended the meeting, where they discussed the U.S.' stance ahead of the next round of talks planned for Saturday.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Trump said, "it's really simple, they [Iran] can't have a nuclear weapon. They've got to go fast because they're fairly close to having one. And they're not going to have one. If we have to do something very harsh, we'll do it. And I'm not doing it for us, I'm doing it for the world. And these are radicalized people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon."
Asked about whether his threat includes a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, he replied: "Of course it does."
Secretary of Defense Hegseth said in an interview the day before, "[Trump is] also dead serious that if we can't figure this out at the negotiating table, then there are other options, to include my department, to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear bomb. We hope we never get there."
Last Friday, Rep. Claudia Tenney led a House letter to Trump to express "strong support for your Administration's steadfast commitment to denying Iran nuclear weapons."
"The only acceptable outcome is complete and verifiable nuclear disarmament - permanently stripping Tehran of the ability to enrich uranium, develop nuclear-capable missiles, or engage in nuclear weapons-related research," the letter reads.
AIPAC supports time-bound talks to achieve the Trump administration’s stated goal of verifiably and permanently dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. To be effective, these talks must continue to be coupled with the implementation of maximum pressure and a credible threat of military force.
The IDF has taken control of about a third of Gaza as part of the effort to increase the pressure on Hamas to release the hostages.
The expanded security zone within Gaza also protects Israeli communities as Hamas continues to launch attacks against the Jewish state.
Israeli forces announced today that they killed a Hamas battalion commander, Muhammad al-Ajlah, in an airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday.
Ajlah was responsible for "arming the battalion's terrorists with weapons used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops."
Meanwhile, Hamas rejected an Egyptian ceasefire proposal to stop the war in exchange for the return of hostages and for Hamas laying down their weapons.
Israel reportedly put forward a new hostage-ceasefire deal, which Hamas is considering. However, "a breakthrough does not appear to be on the horizon," The Times of Israelreported, citing an official from one of the Arab mediating countries.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release the 59 hostages, including 5 Americans, still held captive in Gaza.
Freed hostage visits Western Wall
Freed hostage Eliya Cohen visited the Western Wall today for the first time since October 7, 2023.
Iran working to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah
Iran is attempting to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah by sea via the Port of Beirut, as it works to rebuild its terror proxy on Israel's northern border.
The Beirut port was damaged in August 2020 when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse exploded. Since then, the port has only been partially restored.
The smuggling is reportedly carried out by units of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Second U.S. aircraft carrier in Middle East on anniversary of Iranian attack
A second U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, is now operating in the Middle East, as the United States continues to strike the Houthis in Yemen and increase the pressure on Iran.
The Vinson joins the USS Harry S. Truman, which has been launching airstrikes against the Houthis since March 15.
Meanwhile, Sunday marked one year since Iran launched its first, unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing 300 missiles and drones at our ally.
The U.S. military played a key role in defending Israel and preventing these deadly weapons from murdering innocent civilians.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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