Iran: US and Israel ‘cannot do a damn thing’ against us
Iran says US and Israeli threats against it are a blatant violation of international law: When it comes to a country like Iran, they cannot do a damn thing.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
Talks on Gaza:
Rubio, Saudi Crown Prince emphasize regional security in talks on Gaza
Secretary of State visits Riyadh, tells Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that any resolution for Gaza must enhance regional security. State Department statement makes no mention of Trump's Gaza plan.
Mike Waltz:
Mike Waltz: Trump ‘dead serious’ about stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions
US National Security Advisor states that “all options are on the table” to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Report:
Report: Saudi Arabia seeks to broker new nuclear deal between Trump and Iran
CNN report: Saudi Arabia has expressed openness to mediating between the Trump administration and Iran in the efforts to negotiate a new agreement aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.
Yemeni government thwarts smuggling of weapons to Houthis
US Central Command says that the internationally recognized Yemeni government had thwarted an attempt to smuggle Iranian weapons to the Houthi rebels on February 12.
Hezbollah leader:
Hezbollah leader: No justification for Israeli troops in Lebanon after Feb. 18
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem states that Israeli forces must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory by February 18: Any Israeli military presence on Lebanese soil beyond the deadline will be considered an occupation.
Strike in Syria:
US army eliminates senior member of Al-Qaeda offshoot in strike in Syria
CENTCOM announces that its forces eliminated a terrorist from the Hurras al-Din organization, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
Trump on ultimatum to Hamas:
Trump on ultimatum to Hamas: Up to Israel what to do next, in consultation with me
US President comments on the ultimatum he gave to Hamas that it must release all the hostages. "I told Bibi, you do whatever you want...the next step is up to Israel, in consultation with me."
Iran’s President:
Iran’s President: Iran will rebuild its nuclear sites if attacked
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian unfazed by reports of possible strikes on his country’s nuclear facilities: If you strike a hundred of those we will build a thousand other ones.
Erdogan:
Erdogan: Trump’s Gaza plan a major threat to peace
Turkish President again criticizes Trump's plan for Gaza: Nobody can take Gaza away from Palestinians.
Rubio:
Rubio: Arab states must present Gaza plan if they reject Trump’s proposal
Secretary of State says the United States is open to hearing new proposals from Arab nations regarding Gaza: All these countries say how much they care about the Palestinians, but none of them want to take any Palestinians.
'We won't bow to pressure'
Iranian President criticizes US dual approach, vows to resist pressure
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticizes US policy towards Tehran, after Trump says he's interested in a deal with Iran.
White House spokesperson:
White House spokesperson: Trump won't waiver from Gaza relocation plan
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt acknowledges that Trump and King Abdullah II of Jordan hold differing views on Trump's proposal to relocate Gazans, but says Trump won't waiver from the plan.
State Department:
State Department: Rubio's Israel visit to center on Phase II of hostage deal
US State Department issues official statement about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Middle East from February 15-18, which will include a stop in Israel.
'Reckless and inflammatory'
Iran protests Trump’s ‘bombs or deal’ comment: Reckless and inflammatory
Iran’s UN mission criticizes Trump's comments suggesting that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons could be achieved either through negotiations or military action.
Macron against Trump plan:
Macron against Trump plan: Mass displacement of Gazans ‘not the right answer’
French President rejects Trump’s plan for Gaza: The right answer is not a real estate operation, this is a political operation.
Jordanian King:
Jordanian King: We are against the displacement of Palestinians
After meeting Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah II says he reaffirmed his country’s firm stance against the displacement of Palestinian Arabs in Gaza and Judea and Samaria.
Egypt to present its own Gaza reconstruction plan
Egypt announces it intends to present a "comprehensive proposal" for rebuilding Gaza, rejects any proposals that would involve relocating Gaza residents outside the Strip.
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘Are you kidding me?’ British journalist floored by activist’s Hamas 'kindness' claims
Pro-Palestinian Arab activist Yvonne Ridley cites Hamas' "goody bags" that were given to freed hostages as examples of Hamas' kindness. Journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer: The hostages must have had a wonderful time at that holiday camp that Hamas ran for them for the last 16 months.
Moscow waits for clarity on Trump’s Gaza plan
Kremlin spokesperson says Russia is awaiting further details regarding US President Donald Trump's proposal to purchase the Gaza Strip.
Trump:
Trump: Iran is scared, and a deal is the best option
Trump reiterates his position that he would rather reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear program than have Israel attack Iran’s nuclear facilities: I think they're scared. I think Iran would love to make a deal.
Trump:
Trump: I could conceivably withhold aid to Egypt and Jordan
US President says he could “conceivably” withhold aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refuse to take in Gazans as part of Trump’s plan for the Strip.
Trump threatens Hamas:
Trump threatens Hamas: Release all the hostages by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday
US President warns Hamas that if all hostages in Gaza are not released by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, the ceasefire should be cancelled, but leaves the decision to Israel.
'Nothing worth discussing'
Erdogan rejects Trump’s Gaza proposal: Nothing worth discussing
Turkish President blasts Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, claims it was influenced by "the Zionist leadership".
‘Silence is complicity’
‘Silence is complicity’: Schwimmer calls for Kanye West’s ban from X
Jewish actor David Schwimmer urges billionaire Elon Musk to remove Kanye West from X following West’s latest series of antisemitic posts.
In pre-election debate:
German Chancellor condemns Trump’s Gaza proposal as a ‘scandal’ in pre-election debate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly criticizes Trump’s idea that the US could take control of the Gaza Strip, calling it a “scandal” .
Trump:
Trump: The three hostages looked like Holocaust survivors
US President says Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, who were freed from Hamas captivity "looked like Holocaust survivors” and warns Hamas: At some point, we're going to lose our patience.
Trump:
Trump: I am committed to buying and owning Gaza
US President tells reporters aboard Air Force One that he remains committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could give sections of the Strip to other Middle East countries: I will take care of the Palestinians and ensure they are not killed.
Amid rise in antisemitism
Australia introduces tough anti-hate crime laws amid rise in antisemitism
Australia enacts stringent anti-hate crime laws in response to sharp uptick in incidents of antisemitism in the country.
Egypt leads regional pushback against Trump’s Gaza relocation plan
Egypt launches behind-the-scenes diplomatic effort against Trump’s Gaza relocation proposal, warns it could jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel.
US Secretary of State:
US Secretary of State: Countries criticizing Trump should aid Gaza
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responds to nations criticizing Trump’s plan for Gaza: There are countries in the region who express a lot of concern about the Palestinian people. We encourage them to step forward and find a solution and answer to their problem.
'Illegitimate, baseless actions'
Trump signs executive order imposing sanctions on ICC: Illegitimate and baseless actions
Trump officially signs executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC: The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel.
Iran’s military drill features Russian-made defenses
Iran deploys its domestically built Bavar-373 air defense system and Russian-made S-300 during a military exercise.
'A fantasy of ethnic cleansing'
Saudi official condemns Trump’s Gaza plan: A fantasy of ethnic cleansing
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal rips Trump’s proposal for Gazans to relocate to other countries: The problem in Palestine is not the Palestinians. It is the Israeli occupation.
White House clarifies:
White House clarifies: Trump plan includes temporarily relocating Gazans
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issues clarifications on Trump’s plan for Gaza: The President is committed to rebuilding Gaza and to temporarily relocating those who are there. The President wants these individuals to live in peace.
Pentagon:
Pentagon: Hegseth told Netanyahu the US is 100 percent committed to Israel's security
Pentagon issues statement summarizing meeting between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Prime Minister Netanyahu: Hegseth made clear that the United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel to pursue peace through strength.
UN chief: Ethnic cleansing must be avoided in Gaza crisis
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responds to Trump’s Gaza relocation proposal: In the search for solutions, it is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.
Hamas official:
Hamas official: We are ready for contact with Trump administration
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouq tells Russian news agency: We are ready for contact and talks with the Trump administration. We are open to talks with all international parties.
Saudi Arabia clarifies:
Saudi Arabia clarifies: No normalization with Israel without a Palestinian state
Saudi Arabia reaffirms that normalization with Israel is conditioned on a Palestinian state, after Trump responded "no" when asked by Arutz Sheva whether the Saudis are expecting a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization with Israel.
Sweden:
Activist convicted of hate crimes over Quran desecration in Sweden
Swedish court sentences anti-Islam activist to suspended sentence and a fine over Quran burning. Another activist who burned the Quran was shot dead last week.
