HEADLINES
Ghalibaf mocks Trump as Iran deal nears
Saudi blocks US airspace halting Project Freedom
Hezbollah drones wound seven IDF troops

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf openly mocked US President Donald Trump, taunting his moves in the Hormuz crisis and ongoing negotiations. “Operation Trust Me Bro failed. Now back to routine with Operation Fauxios,” Ghalibaf wrote in a post on social media. The jab comes as reports suggest a possible US-Iran deal is nearing, even as Trump issued a stark ultimatum—warning Tehran to comply or face intensified strikes. Trump insisted Iran “badly” wants a deal and claimed its military capabilities have been largely destroyed, while reiterating that Tehran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Despite the escalating rhetoric, both sides appear to be inching toward an agreement—though tensions remain high and the threat of renewed conflict still hangs over the region.

In US Military Role, When US President Donald Trump abruptly halted the naval operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, questions quickly emerged over what forced the reversal. Pakistan said it had urged the pause to give diplomacy another chance, but reports point to deeper complications. According to recent reports, Saudi Arabia refused to allow US aircraft involved in the mission to use its airspace, effectively crippling “Project Freedom.” The setback exposed cracks with key regional allies, as Washington shifts back toward diplomacy amid fragile negotiations with Iran.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, One IDF soldier was seriously injured, and three others lightly injured after an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, with the soldiers evacuated to a hospital and their families notified. Earlier in the day, the IDF said two other soldiers were wounded when Hezbollah terrorists launched explosive drones and rockets toward troops operating in southern Lebanon, with two drones detonating near the soldiers and medical evacuation underway. In a separate development, the IDF announced that it had intercepted a hostile aircraft before it could cross into Israeli territory. Over the same period, Hezbollah drones wounded seven IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon in 24 hours, including a seriously wounded soldier and three lightly wounded, after earlier injuries, with intercepts of drones near Kiryat Shmona.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Saudi Arabia denied US access to airspace, pressuring Trump to pause Project Freedom, according to NBC News citing two US officials. Saudi leadership informed the US that it would not allow US aircraft to fly from the Prince Sultan Airbase or through Saudi airspace to escort stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman without success before the pause was enacted, underscoring the challenge of coordinating operations across Gulf airspace. Separately, Trump said he expected a swift end to the war as Tehran weighs a peace proposal that would formally end the conflict while leaving unresolved key demands, including Iran suspending its nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson indicated Tehran would respond, while a senior Iranian lawmaker dismissed the proposal as more of an American wish-list, and Trump suggested the possibility that a deal could come quickly despite lingering disputes.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, The Mamdani effect: Jewish resilience in face of NY antisemitism - editorial, New York’s Jewish community finds itself again at the center of demonstrations targeting synagogues and homes under protest linked to Israel and the Gaza war. The piece notes that while criticism of Israel and peaceful protest are legitimate in a democratic society, the targeting of Jewish communal and religious spaces crosses a line, erasing distinctions and forcing Jews to bear a conflict they are accused of embodying merely by identity. The Park East Synagogue is not the Israeli embassy, and a Jewish family’s home in Queens is not an IDF command center. Yet Jews from many backgrounds face pressure and intimidation, and the editorial calls for resilience and solidarity in the face of intimidation and fear.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://worldisraelnews.com/war-of-words-iran-mocks-trump-as-us-seeks-diplomacy/
https://worldisraelnews.com/betrayed-by-an-ally-why-trump-halted-hormuz-mission/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895400
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1lvjtka11x
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895397
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/trump-sees-swift-end-war-iran-reviews-us-peace-proposal
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895364