President Trump Calls for Increased Pressure on Iran Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions
As traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill, President Trump has urged for more pressure on Iran, highlighting the importance of achieving a “real deal.” This Saturday, April 11, 2026, Vice President Vance, Mr. Witkoff, and Jared Kushner are set to engage in peace discussions with Iranian representatives in Pakistan. The administration is contemplating potential repercussions for NATO allies that didn’t back Iran’s military efforts, especially amid a volatile ceasefire in the Middle East.
In related news, Israeli authorities have apprehended a 22-year-old man from Haifa in connection with a scheme allegedly backed by Iran to assassinate a senior Israeli official, reportedly targeting former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Ami Gaidarov, arrested last month, is suspected of working with Iranian agents to collect intelligence and create explosives for attacks on Israeli officials. Notably, Gaidarov was unaware of the specific identity of the intended target. His arrest was recently made public after a gag order was lifted, allowing the media to report on the matter.
Authorities revealed that Gaidarov made contact with his Iranian handler in August 2025, receiving around $23,000—mostly in cryptocurrency—to help facilitate the assassination plot preparations. He allegedly rented an apartment in downtown Haifa, which he utilized as a bomb-making facility.
Israeli police stated that to maintain communication with his handlers, Gaidarov purchased a special phone and even documented his activities through videos and photographs, which he then shared with his contacts as evidence of compliance.
In addition to Gaidarov, three other individuals have been arrested in relation to this plot, including Sergei Liebman and Edward Shovtiuk, with a fourth suspect whose name remains undisclosed. Charges against all four are expected to be filed “within the next few days.”
This incident is part of Operation Rolling Lion, a broader Israeli military initiative aimed at counteracting Iranian influence, which started on February 28 with the onset of war between Iran and Israel.
Significantly, Israeli authorities have now issued over 40 indictments against more than 60 individuals allegedly aligned with the Iranian government. Not long ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mandated the revocation of citizenship for any Israelis convicted of espionage for Iran.
Since the commencement of the conflict with Iran, incidents involving pro-Iranian factions tied to extremist groups have surged. Recently, French officials announced that pro-Iranian groups were involved in a failed bombing attempt at a Bank of America branch in Paris.
