U.S.-Iran Cease-fire
April 12, 2026
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount on Sunday with Rabbi Elisha Wolfson, in his first visit to the site since the end of the war with Iran, wearing a pin linked to Israel's proposed death penalty legislation for "terrorists."
"You know, Rabbi, I remembered when I came here at 14 or 15 – what a change from one end to the other," he said. "Back then, they didn't stop shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and surrounding us, and if a Jew so much as muttered something, he would be arrested. Today, you feel like the master here."
He added that there is "still more to do," saying he continues to press the prime minister "to do more and more things" and that "we have to go even higher and higher."
Rabbi Elisha Wolfson said from the site that Ben Gvir was driving "historic change," adding, "This is not just a change for those who ascend the Temple Mount, but a change for the entire Jewish people who have been waiting 2,000 years."
Iran has arrested at least 50 people accused of sharing sensitive information with the United States and Israel, according to the state-linked SNN news agency.
The report said the suspects were detained for alleged "mercenary" activities, including providing locations of service facilities and infrastructure. Authorities also seized electronic devices, satellite equipment and weapons.
Iran has carried out a wave of arrests on espionage allegations during the current conflict, following similar detentions after last year's 12-day war with the United States and Israel.
Under a recently expanded espionage law, those convicted can face the death penalty and confiscation of property.
52 minutes ago
Dozens of protesters gathered outside Israel's Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on Sunday, calling on the government to "stop the looting of public funds" and implement an emergency plan to rehabilitate those affected by the war.
"It is unacceptable that while Israelis are serving in the reserves and residents of the north continue to take shelter, the government is passing a sectoral, disconnected and shameless budget," the protesters said.
"There is no money for healthcare, education or welfare — people are struggling to make ends meet — while the government distributes vast sums to sectors that do not serve or contribute," they added.
Iran's emergency services chief Jafar Miadfar said U.S.-Israeli attacks have killed 26 healthcare workers and wounded 118 others, according to Iran's Mehr news agency.
Miadfar said the casualties include 78 emergency responders, adding that more than 400 medical units were damaged, along with 57 emergency bases and 47 ambulances, as well as two air ambulance helicopters and a sea ambulance.
Miadfar added that 2,115 people under the age of 18 were wounded in the attacks, including 124 children under five and 24 under two, according to Mehr. He added that about 5,000 women were wounded, with most of the attacks occurring in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Ilam.
Two empty supertankers made U-turns near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday just as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Islamabad broke down, according to Bloomberg, citing ship-tracking data.
Bloomberg reported that a group of very large crude carriers, all without direct links to Iran, approached the narrow waterway from the Gulf of Oman and reached waters near Iran's Larak island before two vessels reversed course.
The tankers were reportedly heading toward Iraq and the United Arab Emirates before turning back at what appeared to be a checkpoint near the entrance to the Persian Gulf, while a third vessel continued through the strait via an Iran-approved route.
The reasons for the abrupt change in course were not immediately clear, though Bloomberg noted the movements coincided with the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran and rising uncertainty over access through the waterway.
Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry says operations have been restored at two energy sites following attacks on its oil and gas sector.
In a post on X, the ministry said full pumping capacity through the East-West Pipeline has returned, amounting to seven million barrels per day. Authorities have also recovered production of about 300,000 barrels per day at the Manifa oilfield.
Work is ongoing to regain full operations at the Khurais site, the ministry added, which would add another 300,000 barrels daily.
On Thursday, Saudi announced the halting of operations at several energy facilities after attacks targeted oil, gas and electricity sites in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu Industrial City.
Iran is not planning an immediate return to nuclear negotiations with the United States after talks brokered by Pakistan broke down, while saying diplomatic channels remain open, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, according to IRNA, that "diplomacy never ends," adding that contacts with Pakistan and other partners would continue despite the collapse of talks.
IRNA, citing sources close to the Iranian negotiating team, said the United States had demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and transfer enriched nuclear materials – demands that echo positions previously stated by the U.S. side. The sources also said Iran views sanctions relief as a core issue in the negotiations.
Vice President JD Vance said the United States had presented its "final and best offer" before leaving Islamabad, after 21 hours of talks that ended without agreement.
Read the full articleAn Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Qana killed five people and wounded others, Lebanon's National News Agency reported on Sunday. The agency also said separate Israeli strikes hit other communities across the Tyre district, wounding at least three people in Ma'raka.
According to the report, civil defence teams were working to evacuate the wounded and transfer them to hospitals in the nearby city of Tyre.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health says at least 2,020 people have been killed and 6,436 others wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2. Among those killed are 165 children, 248 women and 85 medics. The ministry said Israeli forces killed 97 people and wounded 133 others on Saturday.
Israel's State Attorney's Office said on Sunday it has agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to cancel his testimony in court this week, citing "the circumstances described and with no alternative."
According to the statement, Netanyahu had requested on Friday that the court postpone his testimony for at least two weeks, though prosecutors said they are only prepared to approve cancellation of the three hearings scheduled for this week. Any request to cancel hearings next week would be examined separately.
The prosecution also said it had received details regarding the "political-security circumstances" cited in Netanyahu's request. In a letter to the judges, Netanyahu said the request was based on "classified security and diplomatic reasons connected to the dramatic events that have taken place in Israel and across the Middle East in recent period."
The trial had been scheduled to resume this week following the end of a state of emergency, with judges previously ruling that hearings would continue as planned. Netanyahu has sought to reduce his testimony schedule since it began, citing his role as prime minister during wartime.
The proceedings also come amid renewed political pressure from members of Likud calling for President Isaac Herzog to grant Netanyahu a pardon, as well as renewed calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for the case to be dropped.
Protesters attempted to block vehicles while lying in the road, addressing officers deployed at the scene with "hateful chants."
Keren Terner had served as director-general of the Communications Ministry, and Liran Avisar Ben Horin served as director-general of both the Finance and Transportation Ministries.
The alleged target was named as Rabbi Michael Khoury by KAN and Radio Free Syria.
The ruling followed a procedurally fraught stretch in which the state repeatedly sought additional time and drew open judicial criticism.