Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-02 at 01:01

HEADLINES
- US Hormuz Blockade Drains Iran Revenue
- Wise Money Israel CEO Declares Miracle Economy
- Dead Sea Wellness Weekend Jewish Heritage Resilience

The time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is taking a toll on Iran’s oil revenue and reshaping regional shipping. DoD estimates place Iran’s lost oil revenue at nearly five billion dollars since the blockade began on April 13. Officials say more than 40 vessels carrying oil and other contraband have been redirected by the US military during the operation. Two ships have been seized by the United States, and 31 tankers carrying about 53 million barrels of Iranian oil are currently stuck in the Gulf of Oman, a value of over 4.8 billion dollars. Iran is running out of storage capacity and could reach capacity within 15 to 60 days, according to The Jerusalem Post. A US official told The Post that the blockade is working to perfection and that there is no economic trade into or out of Iran. Very Large Crude Carriers, or VLCCs, are being used in the effort, with Iran storing oil onshore and on floating storage aboard vessels, and VLCCs typically carrying about two million barrels.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Evan Liberman, CEO of Wise Money Israel, describes Israel’s economy as a miracle, saying you don’t have to be religious to understand that there’s something miraculous going on here that’s beyond all odds.

In Uplifting News, from the heart of Jerusalem to the lowest and most healing place on Earth, a 35-minute trip highlights a new rhythm for weekend planning as a city-dweller escapes to the Dead Sea for wellness. The account follows a 24-hour Wild Wellness expedition to the northern Dead Sea with guide Eldad Hazan Ganan of the Einot Tzukim Nature Reserve and mind-body specialist Eitan Baum, offering a perspective that the Dead Sea can be reached quickly from Jerusalem and experienced beyond the typical spa routine, inviting a reevaluation of how a weekend is spent. Also in this segment, Jewish American Heritage Month is noted with a reflection on resilience and belonging as American Jews face renewed challenges and questions of unity. The piece recalls arrival in 1654 in New Amsterdam seeking the freedom to live openly and participate in civic life, while acknowledging periods of exclusion and hostility and emphasizing a continued contribution to law, science, culture, and public life as part of the American project, even as unity is tested in uncertain times.

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.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894867
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkn7ooo6wl
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-894803
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894378