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

HEADLINES
US Pauses Hormuz Naval Moves for Peace
UN Draft Sanctions Iran Potential Force Considered
Hezbollah Not Israel Drives Regional Chaos

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that US operations to facilitate the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused because great progress toward a peace deal with Iran has been made. The pause in Project Freedom is intended to be temporary to see whether a final agreement can be signed, and the US blockade of the Strait remains active. Trump noted that requests from Pakistan and other countries also played a role in the decision. On Monday, the US military said it had destroyed six Iranian small boats in addition to intercepting Iranian missiles and drones as part of Project Freedom. The CS Anthem chemical tanker exited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, becoming the second US-flagged vessel known to transit under protection of the US military, according to its operator. Maersk said Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier, had exited earlier. Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions said CS Anthem has safely completed its transit. Three other US-flagged ships remain in the Gulf after the start of the conflict, including the Stena Imperative, which was hit by two unknown projectiles in Bahrain earlier this month and is in dry dock. CENTCOM said US Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf under Project Freedom as the effort helps restore commercial shipping through the Strait.

In Regional Impacts, Secretary Rubio fired back at a reporter, saying he cannot understand why anyone would think it's a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon, and asking, "Look what they're doing with the Strait right now. They're holding the whole world hostage." He added, "What do you think they would do if they had a nuclear weapon? They would hold the world hostage with that nuclear weapon," and concluded, "I think the president's point is how anyone cannot see that as an unacceptable outcome and an unacceptable risk is beyond him. It's puzzling." Rubio on Tuesday also urged against vetoes as Washington pushes a UN-backed action for Hormuz, calling a US-proposed Security Council resolution demanding Iran stop attacks and laying mines in the Strait a test of the United Nations' utility. He said China and Russia should not veto. Diplomats said the United States drafted a text with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, and the Security Council began closed talks on Tuesday. If passed, the resolution could lead to sanctions against Iran and potentially authorize force if Tehran fails to halt attacks and threats to shipping. Fresh exchanges of fire on Monday underscored the stakes as the US and Iran contend for control of the waterway, and a previous Bahraini resolution backed by the US that would have opened a path to action failed last month after Russia and China vetoed. The new draft avoids explicit language authorizing force while still operating under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Rubio said, "The problem with Israel and Lebanon is not Israel or Lebanon — it's Hezbollah. Hezbollah operates from inside Lebanese territory; they terrorize and attack Israelis, but they also are inflicting tremendous damage on the Lebanese people."

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/international/article-895240
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895238
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53936
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895237
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53937