Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-22 at 20:01

HEADLINES
- US keeps options on Iran strike
- Iran closes airspace as Qatar brokers deal
- Trump cancels events to focus on Iran

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, sources with direct knowledge told CBS that no final decision has been made on striking Iran, but US military and intelligence officials have canceled weekend plans; the White House says Trump is keeping all options on the table. A separate CBS report notes that the US is preparing to resume strikes on Iran, though as of this afternoon no decision has been made, and defense and intelligence officials are updating recall rosters to move personnel out of the region, a step taken previously to limit US exposure to Iranian fire.

In Regional Impacts, Iran has issued a NOTAM closing its airspace until Monday; a Qatari government VIP transport plane has been seen leaving Tehran following a Qatari delegation’s trip to Tehran to facilitate a deal between the US and Iran. Pakistan’s chief decision-maker, Asim Munir, is set to meet Iranian counterparts tomorrow, but reports indicate only limited progress in the talks.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump canceled his agenda, including attending his son’s wedding, and flew back to the White House due to undisclosed government circumstances. He said he very much wanted to be with his son and his son’s future wife but could not because circumstances required him to stay in Washington during these historic moments. His remarks in Suffern, New York were to be followed by a trip to Bedminster and then to the Bahamas for the wedding, and he asserted that the conflict with Iran will be over soon and that oil prices will go down, without detailing the negotiations. Axios reported that Trump met with members of his security cabinet before traveling to Suffern to be briefed on various diplomatic and military options for dealing with Iran. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, has said that Trump told his aides at the National Security Team meeting that he wanted to give diplomacy, as it relates to Iran, more time.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, politicians must prioritize hasbara as Israel's global image crisis deepens, with rising global antisemitism and shifting US support shaping the election spotlight. An opinion piece argues that parties should engage native English-speaking voters in Israel and publish English-language platforms to address concerns of this audience, noting the diverse voices among English speakers and the need to translate attention into concrete political action.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an opinion piece argues that biased reporting on Israel is shaping a dangerous alternative reality with worldwide consequences for Jews. It contends that major outlets have shown a weakened professional and moral compass since the October 7 attacks and the war with Hamas, citing a New York Times article by Nicholas Kristof that the author claims contains severe and false accusations against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel, including claims of rape and sexual violence and references to “trained rape dogs,” warning that such framing feeds antisemitism and undermines credible 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://www.ynetnews.com/article/h14bzwckge
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20885
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20884
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897032
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20886
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896793
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896822