Israel Braces for Iran Fighting to Resume as Trump Briefed on Military Options

US Briefs Trump on Strike Options

• CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Cain briefed President Trump on new operational plans for strikes against Iran, according to two senior American officials Behold Israel.
• The briefing, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, included a request to deploy hypersonic missiles to the Middle East for potential use Times of Israel.
• The plans were presented as the administration navigates the War Powers Resolution deadline, with a senior official claiming hostilities with Iran have been 'terminated' amid the ongoing ceasefire Times of Israel.
• This interpretation has drawn scrutiny, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously described the ceasefire as a pause, not a termination Al Arabiya English.

Iran Prepares for Ceasefire Collapse

• Iran is reportedly digging out buried missiles and other weapons in preparation for a potential collapse of the ceasefire with the US and Israel Times of Israel.
• US intelligence assesses that Tehran may be ready to renew drone and missile attacks if the war resumes Ynetnews.
• The Iranian government is exploiting the truce to rehabilitate its missile forces, according to Israeli reports News 0404 IL.

Iranian Leadership Dismisses Blockade

• Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the feasibility of the US naval blockade, using a geographical comparison to challenge its effectiveness IRNA.
• President Masoud Pezeshkian called the blockade an extension of military operations against nations paying the price for independence IRNA.
• Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei stated that the US lacks a serious approach on the nuclear issue and sanctions IRNA.

Internal Political Tensions

• President Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf are reportedly seeking to dismiss Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his handling of negotiations with the US, alleging he acted more as a personal assistant to IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi than as a government representative News 0404 IL N12 Chat.
• Pezeshkian told associates that Araghchi did not properly update him on the talks and operated directly through Vahidi, warning he would fire him 'if this continues' N12 Chat.

Economic Impact of Blockade

• The naval blockade is showing effects inside Iran, with stores reporting empty shelves Behold Israel.
• The Hormuz chokepoint stress continues, with tanker traffic at 5.1 per day (9% of pre-war levels) and US gas prices at $4.30 per gallon (+43% year-to-date) TLDR Iran SITREP.

Hezbollah Drone Threat Escalates

• Hezbollah arsenal: Thousands of explosive-laden drones, including low-cost models purchasable online for a few hundred dollars, per Israeli army estimates Al-Manar TV.
• Israeli alert: The threat keeps Israeli security on high alert, depriving them of ease, KAN reported Al-Manar TV.
• Haaretz assessment: Lebanon is 'the most difficult and bloody arena currently,' with rising IDF casualties raising questions about risk from Hezbollah drones Al-Manar TV.

Israeli Security Official Calls for Deep Strikes

• Official statement: An Israeli security official told Channel 13 that Israel must 'penetrate deep into Lebanon, bomb Beirut, and not withdraw from there' Bint Jbeil News.

Expanded 'Red Zone' in Southern Lebanon

• Zone details: An expanded 'red zone' adjacent to the 'yellow line' extends to Nabatieh outskirts, over 35 km wide and 25 km deep, including dozens of villages subject to shelling or evacuation warnings, triggering displacement waves Bint Jbeil News.

Casualties from Israeli Strikes

• Nabatieh al-Fawqa: Two martyrs and 10 injured in an airstrike Bint Jbeil News.
• Harouf: One female martyr and three injured, including a child Bint Jbeil News.

Lebanese Leadership Responds to Netanyahu

• President Aoun: 'Let Netanyahu say whatever he wants, he does not even respond to Trump, and what matters is that we do not go to negotiations before the cessation of hostilities' Bint Jbeil News.
• US visit frozen: Efforts to arrange Aoun's US visit are frozen; he is wary of a photo with Netanyahu without gains on ceasefire and withdrawal Bint Jbeil News.
• US position: No guarantees of comprehensive ceasefire before Washington visit; withdrawal will be a negotiation item, not a precondition Bint Jbeil News.

US Urges Direct Talks

• US embassy: Urged Aoun to meet Netanyahu, suggesting direct engagement could mark national revival and lead to IDF pullout Times of Israel.

Hezbollah Supply Routes

• Continued arming: Despite pressure, Hezbollah arms itself with explosive and surveillance drones; Lebanese authorities seized only one truckload since June Arutz Sheva.

Flotilla Interception Sparks Condemnation

• Spain: Summoned Israeli chargé d'affaires, protested detention of 175 activists including 31 Spanish citizens Jerusalem Post Al-Manar TV.
• Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares contacted organizers and foreign ministers of countries with citizens aboard Jerusalem Post.
• Protests: Over 400 participants outside Israel's Consulate in Barcelona Jerusalem Post.

Global Protests

• Italy: Thousands demonstrated across several cities against the flotilla raid, with more than 200 protests organized worldwide Quds News Network.
• Sweden: Protests in Stockholm; police dispersed crowd, detained at least one person Quds News Network.

Journalists Detained

• RSF: Reporters Without Borders condemned Israel for 'kidnapping' three journalists on board the flotilla Quds News Network.

US Reaction

• Mayor Mamdani: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Israel, calling detentions unlawful and a violation of international law Arutz Sheva.
• FM Sa'ar: Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated participants would be transferred to Greek territory Arutz Sheva.

Gaza Economic Collapse

• Workers: On May Day, Gaza's workers find whatever income they can amid economic collapse, with unemployment soaring Al Jazeera English.

Settler Harassment

Israeli settlers drove their vehicle close to homes in the town of Raba, north of the occupied West Bank, as part of daily harassment against Palestinians Quds News Network.

FIFA Tensions

Palestinian soccer chief Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israel Football Federation VP at a FIFA event, accusing FIFA's president of failing to understand the 'deep suffering' of the Palestinian people Times of Israel.

Trump Backs Iran World Cup Participation

President Trump backed FIFA's decision to allow Iran to compete in the World Cup in the US, with matches remaining in the US Al Jazeera English.

London Stabbing Aftermath

• Charges: A 45-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder over the terror stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London Times of Israel.
• Classification: The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident by police BBC News.
• Suspect: The suspect is believed to be a British national originally from Somalia BBC News.

Community Demands Action

• Fear and anger: British Jews are expressing fear and anger, demanding the government do more to address antisemitic violence Times of Israel.
• Safety concerns: John Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, said many in the community feel the UK is no longer a safe place The Guardian.
• Accusation: A West Midlands community leader accused the government of abandoning the Jewish community following the attacks BBC News.

Neo-Nazi Plot Foiled

• Conviction: Alfie Coleman, a white supremacist from Essex, was convicted of preparing terrorist acts after plotting to use explosives, knives, and a gun to cause mass terror, including targeting the home of the Lord Mayor of London BBC News.

Spain Protests Flotilla Seizure

Spain summoned Israel's chargé d'affaires and strongly condemned the interception and arrest of 175 Gaza-bound Sumud aid flotilla activists, including 30 Spanish citizens Al-Manar TV Jerusalem Post. Protests were held outside Israel's Consulate in Barcelona Jerusalem Post.

UK Community Response

The West Midlands Jewish community feels 'abandoned' by the government following the Golders Green attack BBC News.

Russia-Ukraine War

Russia hammered targets across Ukraine overnight, with attacks on Black Sea towns and central Ukraine killing one and injuring several Al Jazeera English.

US-Venezuela Flight Resumes

The first direct US-Venezuela flight in seven years landed in Caracas Al-Manar TV.

Trump Signs Oil Pipeline Permit

President Trump signed a major presidential permit for a new oil transport pipeline, similar to the Keystone XL, to expand North American oil movement capacity Behold Israel.

Somalia Piracy Resurgence

Piracy is rising off Somalia, with at least four vessels hijacked in the past week or two, raising fears of a resurgence potentially linked to the Iran war Al Jazeera English.