Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-21 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Trump mulls Iran strike amid stalled talks
Iran Oman tolls eyed in Hormuz
Hezbollah reveals Ababil attack drone

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the question of whether President Trump will order a strike on Iran remains unresolved. As of Wednesday afternoon, no final decision has been announced, and capitals across the Middle East are watching developments closely. Some outlets have floated a 50-50 chance of action, but those estimates reflect uncertainty rather than a policy choice. There is a sense that Trump does not want to attack Iran, even as Tehran’s stance in ongoing talks shapes the calculus. The reporting notes that there is no clear path forward at the moment. Notably, not a single civilian aircraft is visible in Iranian airspace.

In Regional Impacts, Iran is negotiating with Oman to set up charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said they are looking at it and that Oman has a prior relationship with Iran; he added that the United States has total control of the Strait of Hormuz with its blockade.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah has for the first time announced the use of a new attack drone type Ababil, as mentioned in multiple statements today. The drone has not yet been shown publicly, but the claim of its use is being reported.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump vowed that the United States will retrieve Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and will not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon, saying the material will be retrieved and likely destroyed after. He stressed that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, and that Tehran’s leadership insists it will not be allowed to develop a weapon, with discussions also touching on ending the nearly three-month conflict and Pakistani mediation efforts continuing. Trump also reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz should be free of tolls and that the United States has total control of the strait. Additional remarks noted that negotiations are active, with the aim of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and that questions about attending personal events, such as his son’s wedding, reflect the weighing of Iran-related priorities.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two of Ahmed Al Ahmed’s brothers were charged with threatening communications in New South Wales, accused of attempting to extort him for money. The brothers, aged 33 and 35, were arrested and appeared in Bankstown Local Court. The reporting notes that Ahmed Al Ahmed was wounded while disarming one of the attackers during the December Hanukkah attack that killed 15 people, and mentions a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than AUD 2.6 million to support him.

In Uplifting News, Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, is explained with its biblical background, prophetic significance, and lasting relevance. Amir guides viewers through the significance of this Divinely-appointed celebration and how it connects to the church today.

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
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https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyv2l2hjmx
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