Elad Benari

Report:

Report: Senior Iranian official moves to reopen US negotiations

Iran’s Ali Larijani reportedly seeks to reopen nuclear talks with the US after joint US-Israel strikes. Larijani denies the report.

Saudi Arabia denies lobbying Trump to strike Iran

Saudi Arabia denies a Washington Post report claiming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lobbied President Trump to strike Iran, insisting Riyadh consistently supported diplomacy.

Eurovision Song Contest to enforce strict security in Vienna

Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna will feature tight security, with 500 personnel deployed. Sniffer dogs will be used throughout the city for safety.

Family of UN’s Francesca Albanese sues US over sanctions

Francesca Albanese’s family sues the Trump administration over sanctions imposed after her criticism of Israel, claiming the penalties violate her First Amendment rights.

Iranian FM:

Iranian FM: Progress made in 'intense' talks with US

In a post on social media, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reports progress in US-Iran talks in Geneva, with technical teams set to meet in Vienna soon.

Housing, immigration discussed

Trump meets NYC Mayor Mamdani to discuss housing and immigration concerns

President Trump meets with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to discuss housing and the release of a Columbia student detained by ICE. Mamdani shares details on social media.

'Send them back':

'Send them back': Trump slams Omar and Tlaib for heckling during State of the Union

Trump blasts Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib for heckling him during the State of the Union, calling them "mentally deranged" and demanding they be sent "back from where they came."

PA envoy drops UN presidency bid, Israel applauds decision

PA envoy Riyad Mansour withdraws bid for UN President after diplomatic pressure. Israel's Ambassador Danny Danon hails the move: The PA should focus on stopping incitement.

Rubio:

Rubio: Iran poses grave danger to the US, beyond its nuclear ambitions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran poses a grave threat beyond its nuclear program, citing ballistic missiles and naval capabilities ahead of US-Iran talks in Geneva.

Vance:

Vance: US has evidence Iran is rebuilding nuclear program

Vice President JD Vance says the US has evidence Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear program, stresses Trump prefers diplomacy but retains other options.

Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Raqqa, kill its leader

Syrian security forces dismantle an ISIS cell near Raqqa, killing its leader and arresting several terrorists following deadly attacks on checkpoints.

'Blood libel'

'Blood libel': Jeremy Corbyn shares unfounded Gaza organ harvesting claims

Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused of spreading a "wild blood libel" after claiming that the IDF harvested organs from dead Palestinian Arab women’s bodies.

Trump sues UCLA over antisemitism on campus

The Trump administration sues the University of California, alleging it ignored antisemitism during anti-Israel student protests.

Iranian FM:

Iranian FM: Deal with the US is possible if diplomacy leads the way

Ahead of Geneva talks, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says a deal with the US is possible if diplomacy is prioritized, reiterates Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear technology.

Trump:

Trump: Iran wants to make a deal more than I do

Ahead of his State of the Union address, Trump tells TV anchors that Iran wants a deal but refuses to commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Iran warns of wider consequences if attacked

Iran’s deputy foreign minister warns of wider escalation if attacked by the US, following Trump’s threat over Iran’s nuclear program.

Following Bondi Beach attack

Royal Commission into antisemitism begins work following Bondi Beach attack

Australia’s royal commission into antisemitism begins public hearings, investigating the causes of antisemitism and the deadly Bondi Beach shooting. An interim report is expected by April.

'I make the decision'

Trump denies top general is against Iran strike: I make the decision

Trump rejects media reports claiming General Caine opposed strikes on Iran, reiterating his position that without a deal, the situation could escalate into a devastating outcome for Iran.

Report:

Report: Iran signs deal with Russia for advanced air defenses

The Financial Times reports that Iran has secured a €500 million deal with Russia for advanced Verba missiles to rebuild its air defenses.

Maine university cancels conference featuring anti-Israel UN rapporteur Albanese

The University of Southern Maine cancels a "Consequence of Palestine" conference due to Francesca Albanese's inclusion as a speaker, after learning she is sanctioned by the US government for anti-Israel remarks.

Fetterman on Iran: You can't negotiate with cancer

Senator John Fetterman speaks out against a potential Iran deal, calling the country a “cancer" and urging the US to take forceful action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Officially:

Officially: EU designates Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization

The European Union officially designates Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization. The decision includes financial sanctions and highlights ongoing tensions following Iran’s crackdown on protests.

Report:

Report: Trump weighing limited strike to force Iran into a deal

President Trump is reportedly weighing a limited strike on Iran to force a nuclear deal, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Ex-diplomats to France:

Ex-diplomats defend UN’s Albanese, urge France to retract calls for resignation

More than 150 former diplomats urge France to retract calls for UN’s Francesca Albanese to resign over her remarks against Israel.

After wearing PLO flag

Spike Lee denies slight against Deni Avdija after wearing PLO flag

Spike Lee denies that wearing a PLO flag at the NBA All-Star Game was a slight against Israeli star Deni Avdija, claiming he was unaware of Avdija's nationality and only meant to show "concern for Palestinians."

US Energy Secretary:

US Energy Secretary: We will stop Iran’s nuclear march one way or the other

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright warns that the United States will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons "one way or the other," as President Trump mulls military action.

Rubio to visit Israel February 28 for Iran talks with Netanyahu

US Secretary of State will visit Israel on February 28 to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and discuss the Iranian threat as US regional forces prepare for full deployment by mid-March.

UN body rejects resignation calls for anti-Israel rapporteur Francesca Albanese

UN body defends special rapporteur Francesca Albanese against calls for her resignation from European ministers who cited her latest attack on Israel.

'Ban him from all arenas'

New York host slams Spike Lee for PLO flag at NBA All-Star: Ban him

WFAN's Craig Carton calls for Spike Lee to be banned from NBA arenas after the director wore a Palestine Liberation Organization flag at the All-Star Game while Israeli star Deni Avdija made history.

Citing Israeli 'aggression'

Hezbollah rejects Lebanese disarmament plan, cites Israeli 'aggression'

Hezbollah rejects the Lebanese government's four-month disarmament timeline, claiming the plan serves Israeli interests.

Iran's Pezeshkian:

Iran's Pezeshkian: 'We are open to verification' of nuclear program

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian states Tehran is open to nuclear verification, insists the country is not seeking nuclear weapons.

Lebanon plans:

Lebanon plans four-month timeline for second phase of Hezbollah disarmament

Lebanon's army says it needs at least four months to implement the second phase of disarming Hezbollah, whose leader condemns the government's disarmament efforts.

'They want to make a deal'

Trump to play indirect role in Iran talks: They want to make a deal

Trump stresses the importance of Geneva talks with Iran. Despite labeling Iran a "bad" negotiator, he believes Iran wants a deal to avoid serious consequences.

After Indonesia:

After Indonesia: Morocco to send soldiers to Gaza for multinational force

Morocco, along with Greece and Albania, is in advanced talks with the United States to send soldiers to Gaza, with the base for the foreign forces to be established between Rafah and Khan Yunis.

Resigned over antisemitism

Former UPenn President who resigned over antisemitism remarks to head Georgetown Law

Liz Magill, former president of the University of Pennsylvania, named the new dean of Georgetown Law, starting in August 2026. She faces scrutiny over her controversial remarks on antisemitism.

Bondi Beach terrorist appears in court for first hearing

Naveed Akram, accused of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre, appears in a Sydney court via video link.

Deni Avdija makes history as first Israeli NBA All-Star

Deni Avdija makes history as the first Israeli to play in the NBA All-Star Game. He finishes with 5 points, 4 assists, and plays key minutes for Team World, marking a historic achievement for Israel.

Iran’s FM arrives in Switzerland for nuclear talks with US

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, leads a delegation to Geneva for the second round of indirect nuclear talks with the US. Key issues include uranium stockpile and sanctions relief.

Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC set for trial in 2027

US judge rules that President Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over the editing of his January 6, 2021 speech will proceed to trial in 2027.

WJC President joins calls for removal of UN rapporteur Albanese

World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder calls for the removal of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese due to her anti-Israel statements. Austria, Germany, and France also demand her resignation.