The German flagship carrier Lufthansa has told employees to immediately prepare to leave Israel and will cancel all flights to and from the country beginning Thursday, due to heightened tensions in the region related to Iran.

“If Iran attacks, there will be no additional round, we will act to bring down the regime,” an Israeli security official told Channel 12 (N12).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking today during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier.

Baier: “If you have a message for President Trump, who obviously is and has talked about and is considering some kind of action to help the protesters on the ground, if you have a message for him, what is the message?”

Araghchi: “My message is do not repeat the same mistake that you did in June. You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result. You know, in June, yes, you destroyed the facilities, the machines, but the technology cannot be bombed, and the determination also cannot be bombed. Now Iran proved to be ready for war, for negotiation, for diplomacy. We have proved that in the past 20 years, in 2015, in 2025, every time. But it was the United States who always escaped from diplomacy, who cut the diplomacy and opted for war. My message is between war and diplomacy. Diplomacy is a better way, although we don't have any positive experience from the United States, but still diplomacy is much better than war.”

Saudi Al Arabiya channel quoting Israeli sources:

The American attack on Iran is expected to target the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij forces. The US may also carry out cyberattacks against Iran. This is a direct confrontation between the US and Iran, and Israel will not be involved. At this stage, it is unclear whether the American moves will be limited or dramatic. If Iran attacks Israel - we will not hesitate to act to destroy the Iranian regime.

@middleEastNews

President Trump: We were told that the killing in Iran stopped and that there would be no executions

***
I hope this is a deception tactic

📝 The earthquake in the Dead Sea area was of magnitude 4.2, so far no damage or casualties have been reported.

In addition to senior officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke to President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday and requested that he postpone any plans for an American military attack on Iran, concerned that an attack could lead to a wider regional conflict, worries seemingly shared by Gulf States, a senior U.S. official told the New York Times.

US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff:

The killing in Iran has stopped. Trump is the only one who holds the power to enforce discipline and deter. A diplomatic solution with Iran is still possible. We have been in contact with the Iranians regarding our concerns about the killings and mass executions.

We will be missing an opportunity to destroy the evil regime of Iran.

I hope this is a strategic statement.

David Barnea, the Director of the Israeli Intelligence Agency, known more commonly as Mossad, arrived in the United States on Friday morning for talks on the situation in Iran, with him expected to meet in Miami with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is currently managing a direct channel of communication between the Trump Administration and Iran, according to an Israeli source who spoke to Axios.

Shabbath Shalom

Be Blessed 🇮🇱❤️

Shavua Tov

Trump to POLITICO: It's time to look for new leadership in Iran.

About Ali Khamenei, Trump said:

"He is a sick man who needs to properly run his country and stop killing people.
His country is the worst place to live in the entire world - because of failed leadership."

"As a national leader, he is responsible for the complete destruction of his country and the use of violence on an unprecedented scale. For the country to continue functioning - even at a very low level - the leadership needs to focus on properly managing the country, not killing thousands of people to maintain control."

Senior U.S. officials tells Channel 12 in Israel: “The attack [against Iran] will happen, it's only a matter of time. The United States is preparing for action.”

Trump names Gaza’s ‘Stabilization Force’ commander who played key role in Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

Major-General Jasper Jeffers has decades of experience in the US military and has played a key role in the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.

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Prime Minister's Office Statement

The Prime Minister's Office, this evening (Saturday, 17 January 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister to contact the US Secretary of State on this matter.