Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-21 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Iran unveils untested weapons threatening retaliation
Beijing delays Pentagon visit over Taiwan arms
Iran forms Strait of Hormuz supervision zone

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran possesses modern weapons that have not yet been used, tested, military source claims. An Iranian military source told RIA Novosti that Tehran has domestically produced weapons not yet used in battle and not actually tested, warning Iran would not act with restraint if US strikes resume. The source said Tehran “does not lack” in ways to repel attacks and that there are no shortages preventing defense. “This time, we don’t intend to act with restraint,” the official concluded. The report notes that on Monday, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that leaders of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia asked him to postpone his plans to resume strikes on Iran, and that Trump said he planned to resume the strikes the next day and instructed the Pentagon to cancel the planned attack.

In US Military Role, Beijing is holding up a proposed visit this Summer by Pentagon officials, including Elbridge Colby, Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy, as China attempts to pressure President Donald J. Trump over a major advanced weapons package – worth over $14 billion – for Taiwan, according to an exclusive report by the Financial Times.

In Regional Impacts, Iran’s newly announced Persian Gulf Strait Authority says it has established a controlled maritime supervision zone in the Strait of Hormuz and released an official map outlining the area that falls under its oversight.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Trump administration warned Palestinian diplomats that visa sanctions could follow if Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour proceeds with his General Assembly vice presidency candidacy. A State Department cable instructed diplomats to convey that Mansour’s bid “fuels tensions,” risks undermining Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and would invite consequences from Washington, with language noting a 2025 decision to waive visa sanctions for Palestinian officials assigned to the UN mission in New York. Separately, Pennsylvania governor race insights place Josh Shapiro, a pro-Israel Democrat, against Stacy Garrity, who has also shown strong support for Israel through investments in Israel bonds. The US State Department’s oversight body is examining a $30 million grant to the now-defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to assess emergency aid spending. In diplomatic maneuvering, Trump and Netanyahu are described as clashing over Iran strikes as diplomacy stalls, with reports that Netanyahu pressed Trump to resume attacks while Trump opted to give talks more time as Tehran reviews terms and Saudi Arabia urges de-escalation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Hebrew-language coverage portrays the 2026 campaign around Gadi Eisenkot as having strong momentum but a notable flaw: excessive negativity that could hamper broad appeal, with calls for a hopeful, plan-based message and reminders of recent lethal incidents near the Shoresh interchange and in Lebanon, including a drone-bomb incident that injured multiple IDF soldiers, as well as investigations into who knew about an civilian left in Gaza and a car found near the Dead Sea. A separate report of Maariv polling suggests the opposition bloc’s momentum has weakened, while new developments around the political landscape continue to unfold. Another piece notes that as the Likud’s position shifts, right-wing and religious Zionist currents could gain ground, potentially altering the contest dynamics for Naftali Bennett’s space in the coalition’s future.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Shavuot reflections emphasize the danger of false witness in media and highlight the Ninth Commandment, following a Tucker Carlson interview that drew scrutiny for its portrayal of Israel. Another column discusses the phenomenon of “covering”—Jews seeking to lessen public visibility of their identity to stay safe or employed in a hostile environment, describing how individuals press editors to obscure or remove affiliations from public-facing works, not renouncing their identity but reducing public exposure.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the piece argues that Elon Musk’s rapid expansion in space signals a broader technological revolution, while Israel remains underfunded and lagging in space strategy. The author contends Israel must assume a leading role in space technology to participate in the forthcoming economic and technological frontier, criticizing current government measures as insufficient to seize the opportunity.

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-896923
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20843
https://t.me/selena_updates/64125
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896922
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-896920
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-896919
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkvw3b2yfx
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323978
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323973
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323972
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896857
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896901
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323975