Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-12 at 18:01

HEADLINES
Iran Restores 30 of 33 Missile Sites
4.6 Magnitude Quake Hits Pardis
Pahlavi Urges US Back Regime Change Iran

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, The New York Times reports on classified intelligence assessments from earlier this month showing that Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites, launchers, and underground facilities. US intelligence estimates that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, and that roughly 90 percent of Iran’s underground missile facilities are now partially or fully operational. President Trump wrote on his social media platform shortly before the report was published that when the Fake News says the Iranian enemy is doing well, militarily against us, it’s virtual treason in that it is such a false and even preposterous statement. He argued that such reporting aids the enemy and sows false hope, calling out what he described as American cowards rooting against the country. The article also notes the surrounding debate over Iran’s military capabilities. Separately, thousands of videos from Gaza in the last few days depict parties, nightlife, and normal life far beyond the familiar scenes of marathons, football, and restaurants, a claim tied to the outlet GAZAWOOD that suggests the mainstream media coverage is broken. In Tehran and Mazandaran provinces, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Pardis at 23:46 tonight, with a depth of 10 kilometers, and was felt in parts of the capital.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged the United States to back regime change in Iran, telling the POLITICO Security Summit in Washington, DC, that Western governments should abandon attempts to negotiate with the Islamic Republic and instead fully support a change in leadership. He argued that appeasement has failed and that Tehran is inherently incapable of coexisting with the democratic world, warning that its networks extend beyond the Middle East and include sleeper cells operating on European and Western Hemisphere soil, including the United States.

In Uplifting News, Israel’s Noam Bettan won a spot in the Eurovision final at the first semifinal in Vienna, delivering a dynamic performance of the song “Michelle” with five dancers and advancing as one of ten acts to the final on May 16. Bettan thanked supporters and spoke of unity and resilience in the face of boos, saying the message of love matters most as Israel presses on. Vienna’s allure is also explored as more than history and culture; the piece invites readers to find meaning in the city’s layered past. Late arrival coincided with heavy snowfall that closed the airport, and the city’s character is described through its architecture and institutions, including the Josephinum Medical Museum, founded in 1785 by Emperor Joseph II as a military academy for surgeons. Its restored 18th-century lecture hall and collections—featuring wax anatomical models and early surgical instruments—highlight Vienna’s enduring role in scientific advancement.

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://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76224
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76223
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76222
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895964
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-895951
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-895962