US Delays Iran War Powers Vote as Hezbollah MPs Sanctioned and Border Clash Kills Two (May 22, 0629 UTC, 0929 Israel) (Morning Edition)

• War Powers Vote Delayed — US House Republicans canceled a scheduled vote on a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to seek congressional authorization for military action against Iran. The resolution was on the verge of passing with Democratic support, but GOP leaders pulled it from the floor, postponing consideration until June Times of Israel. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the move “cowardly” Times of Israel.
• Diplomatic Track — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there are “some good signs” in mediated peace talks with Iran, but stressed that Iranian demands for tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would make any deal “unfeasible” Times of Israel. Iran’s state-affiliated ISNA reported that ongoing message exchanges with Washington aim to establish a framework for a possible agreement Iran International. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that gaps have narrowed, but uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain key sticking points Behold Israel.
• Uranium Stance — President Trump vowed that the US will retrieve Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, possibly destroying it, if talks fail Jerusalem Post. Iranian sources indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s son and influential advisor, rejects the idea of removing enriched uranium from the country War Monitors.
• Pasteur Institute Condemnation — Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a US-Israeli attack on the Pasteur Institute of Iran, calling it a “flagrant war crime” and warning of a threat to regional health security IRNA. The Lancet published a call by scientists for urgent restoration of the facility Press TV.

• Border Infiltration Attempt — IDF surveillance identified two armed individuals moving suspiciously hundreds of meters from Israeli territory in southern Lebanon. They were struck and killed in an aerial strike. IDF soldiers searched the area and found no additional threats. Residents in nearby Israeli communities were instructed to shelter in place during the incident IDF Official Times of Israel N12 Chat.
• Strike on Civil Defense Center — An Israeli airstrike targeted a Civil Defense location in Hanaweih, southern Lebanon, killing four paramedics identified as Mousa Kifl, Ali Taj Al-Din, Karim Haidar, and Mohammad Hassan Abdel Majid Quds News Network Al-Manar TV.
• US Sanctions on Lebanese Officials — The US Treasury Department designated nine Hezbollah-aligned officials, including MPs Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim Al-Moussawi, and Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan, as well as security officials, accusing them of obstructing the peace process and impeding Hezbollah’s disarmament Times of Israel The National Al Jazeera. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated, “Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and must be fully disarmed” Arab News. Hezbollah condemned the sanctions as an attempt to intimidate the Lebanese people Al-Manar TV. The Amal Movement also rejected the designations, saying they target its national role Al-Manar TV.
• Military Delegation to Pentagon — Lebanese media reported the composition of a military delegation scheduled to participate in Pentagon negotiations, including officers from various sects, though it remained unclear if the military attaché in Washington would join Bint Jbeil News.
• Hezbollah Operations — Israeli media reported that Hezbollah fighters monitored an IDF special forces operation in the Litani area this week, planted an IED, and detonated it, wounding four soldiers. The report described it as a precise guerrilla warfare simulation reminiscent of Hezbollah’s tactics during the 1985-2000 security zone period Bint Jbeil News.
• Rosh HaNikra Drone Alert — Sirens sounded in Rosh HaNikra due to a suspected hostile aircraft infiltration. The IDF identified a suspicious aerial target but lost contact before it crossed into Israeli territory. No injuries were reported IDF Official Times of Israel.

• Board of Peace Roadmap — Nickolay Mladenov, head of the US-founded Board of Peace for Gaza, published a 15-point roadmap calling for the gradual disarmament of Hamas and its removal from civilian structures, and for both parties to fulfill ceasefire commitments Jerusalem Post. He warned the UN Security Council that the deteriorating status quo risks becoming permanent Al Jazeera.
• Flotilla Incident — Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla described abuse by Israeli authorities after their vessels were intercepted in international waters while attempting to reach Gaza Quds News Network Al Jazeera.
• Disappeared Palestinians — UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese reported that 4,000 Palestinians have “disappeared” after arrest by Israeli forces, and called for European pressure on Israel and an end to Arab normalization Quds News Network.

• US Navy Capacity Warning — US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle admitted that securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during active confrontation with Iran would likely exceed the Navy’s operational capacity, calling it an “extremely challenging mission” Quds News Network.
• Taiwan Arms Pause — Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed the US is pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure sufficient munitions for operations against Iran Al Jazeera Responsible Statecraft.
• THAAD Interceptor Depletion — A report indicated the US used over half its THAAD interceptors defending Israel during the Iran war, with one official warning even more would be needed if a new war erupts because Israel sent its batteries for maintenance Times of Israel.
• Russia-Syria Military Shipments — Russia resumed military cargo shipments to Syria, according to an analysis by FDD FDD.

• German President Condemns War — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran as an “unnecessary war,” according to Iranian state media Press TV.
• UK Lifts Russian Energy Sanctions — The British government issued a general trade license allowing the import of diesel and jet fuel from Russian oil processed in third countries, and lifted sanctions on Russian energy products, marking a major policy shift Responsible Statecraft.
• Turkey Opposition Ousted — A Turkish court ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, who called the decision “a coup” and vowed to appeal Times of Israel Al Jazeera.

• US-Cuba Tensions — President Trump and Secretary Rubio hinted at possible US military action in Cuba, with Rubio saying a diplomatic deal is unlikely “given who we’re dealing with.” The US announced charges against former Cuban ruler Raul Castro Times of Israel.
• Greenland Consulate Protest — Hundreds demonstrated in Nuuk against the opening of a new US consulate in Greenland Al Jazeera.

Malaysia TikTok Order — Malaysia ordered TikTok to address “defamatory” content about the king, instructing the platform to strengthen moderation Al Jazeera.

Pakistan Mediation — Pakistan’s Interior Minister met again with Iran’s Foreign Minister to discuss proposals for resolving disputes, according to Hezbollah-affiliated media Al-Manar TV.