Iran Can Produce Fissile Material for Nuclear Bomb within 2 Weeks – US: Iran can produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb in less than two weeks, the United States warned as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, October 1, held a security assessment with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that focused on threats from the Islamic Republic.
Israel has long warned that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is a top global threat, but the US stated that when it came to weapons of mass destruction, it was most concerned with China and Russia.
“It is assessed that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program at this time,” the US Defense Department stated in a report it published on Friday called the “Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction” in 2023.
The report noted that Iran in specific, “has the capacity to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear device in less than two weeks.” However, the fissile material is only part of what Iran needs to complete a nuclear bomb and other components such as a nuclear warhead that can be placed on a long-range missile have yet to be developed.
The US in its report also accused Iran of noncompliance with obligations made under the Chemical Weapons Convention, “For example, Iran has not submitted a complete chemical weapons production facility declaration.”
“The US is also concerned that Iran is pursuing dual-use central nervous system acting chemicals of offensive purposes,” the report added. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we pray that You stop Iran from starting a nuclear war and we ask for Your protection in the Middle East and around the world. We ask that Iran will not be permitted to use the materials that are already in its possession and that our allies realize the magnitude of this nuclear threat and act accordingly.”
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Iran to Trade Hezbollah Arms to Moscow, Arab Tribes in Syria – Report: An extraordinary article in a Kuwaiti newspaper has claimed that Iran is seeking to create a complex deal in Syria to transfer weapons from Hezbollah to Syrian regime-backed Arab tribes, as well as to send arms to Moscow. Hebrew media described this as a four-way deal, one that threatens both Israel and Ukraine.
If true, the move could result in a concerning weapons flow, especially new Iranian weapons to Hezbollah. While moving weapons away from Hezbollah and to the tribes or Russia appears counterintuitive – since Hezbollah tends to stockpile weapons – this could actually take the older munitions off of Hezbollah’s hands, setting it up to get the newer ones, while earning it gratitude from Moscow.
This move would also threaten US forces in Syria, giving Iran four wins: Aiding Russia, aiding Hezbollah, threatening the US, and threatening Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly carried out airstrikes near Damascus after midnight on Sunday, October 1, targeting an Iranian weapons shipment that appeared to be making its way to Lebanon. The airstrikes were reported by news sites affiliated with the Syrian opposition and were not confirmed by state media. (JPost / VFI News)
“They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, ‘Who will see it?’ They plot injustice and say, ‘We have devised a perfect plan!’” – Psalm 64:5-6
Israeli Forces Clash with Fire Bomber, Arrest 13 in Judea and Samaria Raids: Israeli forces exchanged fire with a fire bomber on Monday night, October 2, while raids extending into Tuesday morning ended with the arrest of 13 terrorist suspects throughout Judea and Samaria, the IDF said.
A terrorist threw a firebomb at a military post near Fawwar in the Hebron area. There were no casualties among the soldiers, who fired into the air as a warning and fired at the suspect.
On Tuesday morning, the Israel Police Counterterrorism Unit arrested a terrorist suspect in a raid on a Tulkarm cellphone store. The IDF, Shin Bet, and the Border Police detained four wanted suspects earlier, on Monday night in Nablus; Husan, near Bethlehem; and Seida, near Tulkarm.
Four more were arrested in Beit Kahil, near Hebron, where residents threw stones at the Israeli forces who responded with anti-riot measures. The other four terrorist suspects were arrested in Jalazone, near Ramallah; Ein Umm Ashrayit, and Kafr ’Aqab. Lastly, a terrorist suspect was arrested on Route 60 Monday night by troops who stopped him as he prepared to throw stones at passing vehicles.
Israeli forces also had to disperse clashes between Israeli and Palestinian civilians outside Jalud in northern Judea and Samaria on Monday night. The Israelis and Palestinians had thrown rocks and shot fireworks at each other. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we thank You for protecting our soldiers, and for allowing them to perform their duties efficiently and constantly arrest terrorists. We pray that Israel will not be a breeding ground for terrorism in the future and we hope that all known terrorist organizations will be dismantled and their members will face justice for their crimes.”
Israel Arrests Nine in Operation Targeting Online Terrorism Incitement: Nine people were arrested over seven months of operation by a special online terrorism incitement team established by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his office announced on Tuesday morning, October 3.
Since the unit was founded in February, twenty-five other people have been arrested, 100 incidents are under investigation, 40 other investigations were filed, and 759 posts were removed from social media.
The team was created in response to a wave of terrorism in 2022, which according to the ministry was fueled by incitement by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist elements. The incitement led to teenagers as young as 13 being inspired to carry out attacks.
The anti-online incitement team is composed of police officers, Shin Bet officials, the IDF, and prosecutors, and claims to be monitoring and reviewing online content. Ben-Gvir said that the results proved that the team was having an impact.
The head of the unit, Assistant Commissioner Shlomit Lands, stated “Unfortunately, incitement to terrorism permeates into online space and easily reaches affected parties, including teenagers and children.” (JPost /VFI News)
“God, we thank You for protecting us from terrorist attacks, for helping us feel safe, as well as for guiding children away from terrorism. We are also humbly grateful that our defense forces work tirelessly and manage to apprehend terrorists before they even have a chance to execute their plans.”
10,000 March to Joshua’s Altar to Protect Judea and Samaria Archaeological Sites: Some 10,000 people marched to Joshua’s Altar on Mt. Ebal on Monday, October 2, to demand protection for archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria and protest against declarations of sites in the region as “Palestinian heritage sites,” according to the Samaria Regional Council.
Mt. Ebal, located north of Nablus in northern Judea and Samaria, is believed to be the site where an altar was built by the Israelites shortly after they entered the Land of Israel after the Exodus. According to Deuteronomy, Moses instructed the tribes to gather on Mt. Ebal and a mountain situated across from it called Mt. Gerizim, with the Levites pronouncing a curse toward Mt. Ebal and a blessing toward Mt. Gerizim.
In the past year, settler groups have repeatedly warned of attempts by the Palestinian Authority to damage the site, including plans to build a new neighborhood on the mountain and to pave over the ancient altar at the site.
During the march on Monday, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan stated “In the face of the barbaric destruction that the Palestinian Authority is trying to carry out here, all this to erase the connection of the people of Israel to their land and their roots, we stand here and we say – the people of Israel will win.”
“We respect every people, every human being, but the Land of Israel and the State of Israel will exercise our sovereignty here, and in this place on Mt. Ebal, at the altar of Joshua ben Nun, there will be a heritage site worthy of a central place in the history of the people of Israel,” added Dagan. (JPost / VFI News)
“And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 27:4-6
Historic Reenactment of Levite Choir Resounds Near Temple Mount: Close to 1,000 Levites from around the world converged on Jerusalem’s southern wall near the Western Wall to partake in a momentous reenactment of the ancient Levitical choir of the Temple, 2,000 years after its destruction. Levites are Jewish males who claim descent from the Tribe of Levi, which descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah.
Amid the historic Huldah Steps, which served as the entrance to the Temple Mount during its existence, the Levites, divided by their vocal ranges, echoed songs from the Psalms, reminiscent of those sung during the Sukkot holiday in ancient times.
The spectacle was accompanied by the harmonies of an orchestra, and the sounds of trumpets, designed as it was during the time of the ancient Temple. In addition, participants adorned in costumes evocative of the Temple era.
Among the performers was renowned artist and singer, Yonatan Razel. The musical event was meticulously orchestrated under the guidance of Itzik Weiss, former director of the ‘Mizmor’ school, and overseen by Yotam Segal.
Commenting on Monday’s proceedings, Herzl Ben Ari, the CEO of the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem remarked, “This was a powerful event that opened our hearts, reminding us of our deep yearning for ancient days. It’s an occasion we may not have witnessed since the Temple’s destruction.” (JPost /VFI News)
“The Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.” – Joshua 21:4
Israeli Government Delegation Holds Jewish Prayer Service in Saudi Arabia: Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi participated in a morning prayer service in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning, October 3, complete with a Torah scroll dedicated to the ruler of the kingdom, as it strides toward normalization with the Jewish state.
The service, which included a quorum or minyan of at least 10 men, took place in Karhi’s hotel and included three Jews who were in Riyadh but were not part of Karhi’s delegation.
Pictures released by Karhi’s office showed participants wearing traditional prayer shawls and holding an etrog alongside palm, myrtle, and willow branches, part of a special rite for the Sukkot holiday.
They also read from a small Torah scroll, provided by a “local Jew”, according to Karhi’s spokesman. The scroll was wrapped in a felt cover, with stitching in English, Hebrew, and Arabic reading “The Jewish Congregation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, apart from Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi’s prior opposition, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah also spoke against the possibility of a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Nasrallah said that “any country that might sign a normalization agreement should be condemned and held accountable for its actions.” (TOI / VFI News)
“Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” – Proverbs 10:6
Saudi Soccer Team Refuses to Play in Iran over Statues of Slain General Soleimani: A Saudi soccer team refused to play a match in Iran on Monday, October 2, because of the presence of statues of a slain Iranian general placed on the sidelines, Saudi state media reported.
The Saudi Al Ittihad club was scheduled to play Iran’s Sepahan in the Asian Champions League, one of several matches made possible by a recent diplomatic rapprochement between the longtime Mideast rivals that has recently come under strain.
The Saudi team did not take to the field because of busts of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who commanded Iran’s elite Quds Force before he was killed in a US drone strike in neighboring Iraq in January 2020, and other political banners, Saudi Arabian media reported.
Soleimani was seen as playing a key role in arming, training, and leading armed groups across the region, including fighters from the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been at war with the Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen since 2015.
Three busts of Soleimani had been placed along the sidelines for the teams to walk past on their way out of the tunnel. After around 30 minutes of delay, the Saudi Arabian champion team left the Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium where an estimated 60,000 fans were waiting.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show angry Iranian fans chanting that politics should be kept out of soccer. Iranian media reported that the busts had been placed there three years ago and that Al Ittihad had practiced in the stadium on Sunday. There was no official comment from Saudi Arabia or Iran. (TOI / VFI News)
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
