Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-22 at 18:01

HEADLINES
- Iran Braces for Possible US Attack
- Iran Shuts Western Skies Under NOTAM
- Trump Cancels Wedding Focuses on 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 Iranian Retaliation, Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency says the Iranian Armed Forces are preparing for any possible US attack, and that a third round of fighting would bring new equipment, targets, tactics and war strategy, with fronts expanding beyond the Middle East.

In Regional Impacts, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran has issued a NOTAM closing most western airports in the Tehran Flight Information Region, leaving only a handful open for commercial flights from sunrise to sunset and requiring all flight operators to obtain permission for any flights over or into Iran during May 22, 2026 to May 25, 2026. A separate report written in Hebrew notes Iran announced a flight ban in the western airspace until Monday morning. Additionally, Japan is widening its public discussion of Taiwan, with officials signaling that a confrontation over Taiwan could become a direct security issue for Japan, highlighting concerns about the effectiveness of American deterrence in the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former US President Trump canceled his schedule to attend his son’s wedding and returned to Washington to focus on what he described as historic moments in Iran negotiations, saying he very much wanted to be with his son but could not due to circumstances requiring his presence in the White House. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told IRNA that US demands to discuss Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium are unreasonable and excessive, and that negotiations are centered on ending the war rather than detailing nuclear issues at this stage, with mediators in Tehran noting deep differences. A third report indicates Iran is pressing for a full end to the war, including in Lebanon, before nuclear talks begin, as Trump weighs a final strike and mediators warn fighting could resume within days while the White House fears a spike in gas prices.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues that politicians must prioritize hasbara, Israel’s global image efforts, as rising global antisemitism and waning US support push the image crisis into the election spotlight.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an opinion article asserts that biased reporting on Israel is shaping a dangerous alternate reality, criticizing a major newspaper’s coverage for repeating false accusations against Israeli soldiers and portraying Israel in a demonized light, warning that such framing amounts to antisemitic propaganda masquerading as journalism.

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/DefenderDome/20882
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20883
https://t.me/abualiexpress/122828
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896681
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897032
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-897029
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyqv00h0yzg
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896793
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896822