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As we write this week’s edition of the Action Update, we are learning that our previous cautious optimism that another round of hostages may be released was, once again, tragically misplaced. What remains of Hamas continues to treat the hostages like Lucy and the football. It’s a grotesque reminder of the death-cult that defines Hamas.

**No Rest for The Wicked**

Jerusalem has been frustrated for months by Hamas’s intransience. And as would any other nation, Israel has reengaged the enemy that is

**still**holding hostages and

**still**launching terror attacks against innocent Israelis.

As such, Israel is operating in several areas throughout the Gaza Strip in an effort to root out Hamas terrorists (including perpetrators of the October 7th Massacre) and prevent Hamas’s unceasing efforts to reorganize itself as a fighting terrorist force.

Lest anyone think Hamas has changed a single one of its monstrous tactics, Gaza’s sole remaining properly functioning hospital was discovered to house, yet another, Hamas command facility. The military facility was destroyed by Israel.

Unsurprisingly, the mainstream and pro-Hamas (looking at you Al Jazeera) media condemned Israel for defending itself, rather than Hamas for using a hospital again as one giant human shield.

Moreover, those same journalists who aided and abetted Hamas since long before the 10/7 Massacre, have and will similarly fail to report that Israel’s strike was pinpoint, minimizing damage to anything not associated with Hamas’s terrorist base.

Regardless of how the talking heads feel about it, the strikes stop when Hamas releases the hostages and no longer threatens Israel with terrorism.

**The Head of the Snake**

Over the weekend U.S. Special Envoy Witkoff engaged in indirect talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister concerning the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. According to reports, The Iranian minister and the American envoy spoke momentarily after the formal, indirect discussions.

In the wake of that news, the White House released the following statement concerning the direct contact between the two negotiators, "Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to [Iranian Foreign Minister] Araghchi that [Witkoff] had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations' differences through dialog and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome." Mixed messages since then, however, opened up questions from administration allies on and off the Hill as too whether U.S. negotiators are willing to give away too much up front for the sake of a deal.

The regime in Tehran fears the U.S. for the first time in a long time, and as such the Trump Administration should stick to their guns and demand a full and verifiable dismantlement of its nuclear program. On top of this, Tehran has been worried about Israel for a while now, as they know the Jewish state possesses the capability to set Iran’s malign activities back decades (as the IDF did with Hezbollah).

**Two Front War**

Moreover, now Iran is facing what some of its own leaders call a two-front war: one set against the free world, the other against their own people.

In order to alleviate the pressure and peril associated with one of those fronts, Tehran will feign an extended hand to the West. But Iran’s goal in these (and all) discussions is not to resolve any points of disagreement.

In stark contrast to one acting in good faith, Tehran’s focus is exclusively on minimizing the emboldening impact that sanctions, embargoes, and/or kinetic action against the regime would have on the Iranian people (who are perpetually dying to take their country back from the Mullahs).

This fear of internal revolution sparked by Western aggression against the Islamic Republic is the preeminent motivation for Iran to engage in indirect negotiations, and why they are so fixated on keeping the talks focused only on the nuclear issue, to the direct exclusion of terrorism or human rights. But such is unacceptable.

For at least a decade, CUFI has made clear that if one compartmentalizes the nuclear issue and thereby alleviates economic pressure on Iran, Tehran will use that largess to oppress its people and fund massacres. And it appears Washington agrees.

** **

With two aircraft carriers, a half dozen B-2 stealth bombers, and numerous other offensive and defensive armaments being moved to the region, President Trump is making clear that he concurs with the axiom that “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

The Mullahs have a choice: end it all - the terror, the nukes, the tyrannical oppression of your people - or join Hamas and Hezbollah brethren on the ash heap of history.

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund Team

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