State media framed the latest development as a victory - with a TV banner reading: "US president backs down following Iran's firm warning."
It's not yet known who was involved in the talks or how they took place.
Monday, March 23, 2026
Trump: 'If talks don't go well, we'll keep bombing our little hearts out'- Someone is lying!
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/424440
US President Donald Trump dismissed the denials from Iran's Foreign Ministry of his statement that the US and Iran had held "very good and productive" talks on ending the current conflict in recent days, remarking that Iran needed "better public relations people."
"We have had very, very strong talks. We'll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement," Trump told Fox News, saying that the talks were conducted by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. "They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it'll end that problem, that conflict."
He added: "We're dealing with the man who, I believe, is the most respected and the 'leader.' It's a little tough - we've wiped out everybody."
When asked if that 'leader' is the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Motjaba Khamenei, Trump replied: "No."
Iran denies claims: 'We reject all negotiations – US has failed and Hormuz will remain closed'
Iran's Foreign Ministry denied U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about "productive conversations" that took place in recent days between the countries.
"Iran maintains its position rejecting any type of negotiation before achieving its war objectives," according to a statement quoted by the Sabereen news agency. "Trump’s statement is a retreat from his earlier threats, but the Islamic Republic remains committed to its declared positions. Its position on the Strait of Hormuz has not changed and the passage will remain closed to the aggressors attacking Iran."
Spokesman for the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian Parliament, Ibrahim Rezaei, claimed: "The battle continues. Another defeat for Satan. Trump and the U.S. have failed again."
MAHA’s political power tested as surgeon general pick stalls
Casey Means faces pushback from some Republicans over her refusal to forcefully recommend vaccines.
The nascent Make America Healthy Again movement got one of its biggest wins last spring: Casey Means was selected to be the nation’s top doctor.
But more than 10 months later, the controversial surgeon general pick has yet to assume the position advising Americans on how to improve their health. Her nomination has stalled as some Republicans question her stance on vaccines, her medical credentials and her pushes against the medical establishment.
While she honed her message on the importance of healthy food — talking points that Kennedy has tried to amp up as the midterms approach — she is getting tangled in his prior controversial stances on vaccines and other aspects of the MAHA movement, which has tried to galvanize supporters to call on reticent senators.
Iran War Live Updates: Trump Says He’s Making Deal With Iran But Tehran Denies Talks
https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-live-update-power-plant-strikes-warning-trump-deadline-11718848
Trump says the U.S. and Iran have held discussions on ending the war and identified “major points of agreement.”
He claims the talks led him to postpone strikes on Iranian power plants; oil and gas prices fell sharply after his remarks.
Iran’s foreign ministry denies any talks, calling the claims inaccurate, according to CBS reporting from Tehran.
Don’t blame Trump’s stupid war on Israel
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/23/dont-blame-trumps-stupid-war-israel/
When a nation starts a war for dubious reasons and then suffers the consequences, there is inevitably a search for scapegoats. Conspiracy theories abound. It happened after World War I, when the favorite villains were “merchants of death” and international bankers. It happened again after the Iraq War, which some blamed on “neoconservatives” and Halliburton, the oil-services giant led by Dick Cheney before he became vice president.
It’s now happening with President Donald Trump’s foolhardy war against Iran. Operation Epic Fury may yet produce some positive results, but for now, it has gone spectacularly awry. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and targeted energy infrastructure across the region, causing oil prices to skyrocket and instability to spread. As so often happens, the Jews — or, if you prefer a polite euphemism, “Zionists” or “the Israel lobby” — make a handy fall guy.
Trump says U.S. is negotiating end to war with Iran
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/23/trump-iran-talks-strikes/
President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is negotiating with Iran to end the three-week-old war, declaring that the two sides had two days of “very good and productive conversations” that will continue throughout this week.
It was the president’s first acknowledgment of high-level talks between the two sides since the United States and Israel unleashing a withering bombardment of Iran on Feb. 28, hammering the country’s military and leadership but also leading to a global energy shortage that has brought economic pain around the world.
Trump delays strikes on Iranian power plants after ‘very good’ talks with Tehran
https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-23-26
Trump postpones strike threat: President Donald Trump says the US and Iran have held “productive conversations” and that he will hold off any military strikes against Iranian energy sites for five days, walking back his threat to strike if Tehran did not allow the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – a waterway crucial to the global economy – by tonight.
• Oil plunges on news: Oil prices have plummeted after Trump suggested that the “very good” talks could lead to the end of the war.
Lindsey Graham Faces GOP Fury—‘Needs to Be Removed From the Situation Room
Lindsey Graham Faces GOP Fury—‘Needs to Be Removed From the Situation Room
Senator Lindsey Graham is facing fury from his fellow Republicans after expressing support for the U.S. seizing Iran’s Kharg Island in an interview on Sunday.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, the South Carolina Republican, who is one of the leading advocates for the war, said: “This has been an amazing military operation. God bless the fallen.”
He added: “I trust DOD [Department of Defense]. We got two Marine expeditionary units sailing to this island. We did Iwo Jima. We can do this. The Marines—my money is always on the Marines.”
Hamas rebuilding rapidly in Gaza as Israel’s attention remains elsewhere, experts warn
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/424426
Despite heavy damage during the post-October 7th war, Hamas continues to recruit operatives, rebuild tunnels, and assert control over civilian life in Gaza, raising concerns along the Israeli border.
While Israel focuses on threats from Iran and the northern front, Hamas is quietly reconstructing its infrastructure and strengthening control over Gaza, according to security experts. Footage and intelligence reveal convoys guarded by armed operatives, tunnels being refurbished, and the organization reestablishing itself economically-raising concerns among residents near the Gaza border that warnings of Hamas’s collapse have been premature.
Despite significant damage to its infrastructure, Hamas is establishing new economic and organizational systems. Data shows that roughly 4,200 trucks enter Gaza weekly. Hamas charges a 15% fee on each shipment, reducing its dependence on Qatari aid, which had previously been its lifeline.
Hamas also remains Gaza’s largest employer, with tens of thousands of operatives in uniforms and civilian clothing receiving salaries while managing municipal services.
Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו's Post
Sara and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Norris, a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend.
Chuck brought martial arts and the warmth of his character to millions around the world.
May his memory be a blessing.
Half Shekel was Atonement for Sin of Golden Calf
Or HaChaim (Shemos 30:13) The alienation between Israel and its G'd resulted from the episode of the golden calf which affected the roots of all the Jewish souls. G'd therefore commanded that the people give a "half-shekel" to symbolise that their previous action had resulted in something whole having become divided. The contribution of this half-shekel was to repair the damage done to the whole through the people's participation in the sin of the golden calf. Every mitzva is meant to close a gap that may exist between man and G'd.
Moshe's defense of the making of the Golden Calf
Ramban (Shemos 32:11) ETERNAL, WHY DOTH THY WRATH WAX HOT AGAINST THY PEOPLE? Now when Moses prayed about this great sin, it would have been fitting that he do so by way of confession and supplication, similar to what he said later on, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and just as Ezra prayed and confessed because of the faithlessness of them of the captivity, and there is no reason why he should say, why doth the Eternal etc.? Our Rabbis, prompted by this difficulty have in various homiletic ways tried to mention several reasons for Moses’ minimizing the sin before Him.
Yalkut Shimoni (795) Moshe told G-d that the Golden Calf was a good thing and that it would assist Him. G-d asked how it would assist? Moshe answered “When You make it rain it will produce dew.When you make storms it will make lightning.”G-ds replied Moshe you also are mistaken about the Golden Calf . Moshe replied “If so why are You angry with Your people and say that they have sinned a great sin?” This can be compared to a king who was angry with his wife and sent her from his house. Her defender questioned the king for what he did and also asked his wife why she was upsetting the king
Devarim Rabbah (01:02) When Israel made the Golden Calf, G-d desired to destroy them, whereupon Moses said to Him: ‘Master of the Universe! This Calf will be of great help to Thee.’ God then asked him, ‘How can it help Me?’ Thereupon Moses replied: ‘Thou causest rain to fall, the Calf will produce dew; Thou bringest out the winds, the Calf will bring out lightnings.’ Said God to Moses: ' So you also are going astray after the Calf! ' Whereupon Moses exclaimed before God: ' Then," Why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people" seeing that the Calf is nought?’ To Israel, however, he said: ' Ye have sinned a great sin.’
Bamidbar Rabbah (02:15) Moses’ plea: Lord, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, etc. . Moses suggested: ‘This calf which Israel have made can now be of assistance to Thee.’ He can send down rain while Thou wilt produce the dew! ‘‘But,’ replied the Holy One, blessed be He, ‘is there any such hope from him?’ ‘Then,’ came Moses’ retort, ‘if there is no substance in him, why art Thou wroth? ' ‘Lord, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people... wherefore should the Egyptians speak... For evil did He bring them forth... Remember Abraham,’ etc. (ib.11 ff.). What follows in the text? And the Lord repented of the evil which He said He would do unto His people (ib. 14). ‘His people.’ Thus has been explained the text, ‘And it shall come to pass that, instead of that which was said to them,’ etc.
Berachos (32a) Moses spoke insolently towards heaven The school of R. Jannai learnt it from here: And Di-Zahab. What is ‘ And Di-Zahab’? They said in the school of R. Jannai: Thus spoke Moses before the Holy One, blessed be He: Sovereign of the Universe, the silver and gold which Thou didst shower on Israel until they said, Enough, that it was which led to their making the Calf.
Shemos Rabbah (43:10) When Israel made the Golden Calf, God intended to destroy them, but Moses pleaded: ' Lord of the Universe! Didst Thou not bring them forth from Egypt, a place of idol-worshippers?
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