Hezbollah Quadcopters Hit Iron Dome Platforms as US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Nears and France Bans Ben-Gvir (May 23, 1530 UTC, 1830 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Diplomatic Track

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held brief and highly productive meetings in Tehran on Saturday, according to the Pakistani Army Bint Jbeil News. He met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who told him that Iran would not back down from its national rights and that the US could not be trusted Al-Manar TV IRNA. Ghalibaf said Iran would pursue its legitimate rights “with intelligence and strength on the diplomatic front, just as on the battlefield” Al-Manar TV.

Araghchi also spoke by phone with his Omani counterpart, and both stressed the importance of resuming free and safe navigation IRNA. Qatar’s foreign minister expressed support for diplomatic efforts to end regional tensions in a call with Araghchi IRNA.

The Financial Times reported, citing mediators, that the US and Iran are close to extending the ceasefire by 60 days Bint Jbeil News N12 Chat Jerusalem Post. The extension would reportedly include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Jerusalem Post. A diplomatic source told Al Arabiya that Iran offered Pakistan two draft proposals, including opening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for US compensation payments and discussing sanctions and frozen funds before any agreement signing Behold Israel.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the US has “no role whatsoever” in the Strait of Hormuz and that the priority is ending the “imposed war” on Iran Al-Manar TV. He described the talks as progressing slowly due to shifting US positions, with Pakistan as the official mediator and Qatar and others assisting Al-Manar TV.

Iran’s UN mission accused Washington of “excessive demands” pushing peace talks toward collapse, while the White House said President Trump keeps all options on the table Al Jazeera Iran International. Reports indicate Trump is frustrated with the pace of talks and has reviewed possible targets for new strikes but has not made a decision Times of Israel.

Military Posture

Iran’s Army emphasized its readiness for a decisive and all-out confrontation with any threat or aggression IRNA. The IRGC Navy said it allowed 25 vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours under its coordination and security protection IRNA. The TLDR Iran SITREP reported that Hormuz transits remained at 0% of pre-war levels, with a 7-day average of 2% TLDR Iran SITREP.

Nuclear and Political Statements

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that securing the legitimate and lawful rights of the Iranian people remains Tehran’s primary objective in negotiations with the US IRNA. Iran’s ambassador to the UN said Persian Gulf states and Jordan bear responsibility for assisting the US and Israel in their aggression against Iran IRNA.

Assassination Plot

An IRGC-trained Iraqi operative, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, was recently arrested in Turkey and extradited to the US for allegedly plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, according to the New York Post Times of Israel Al Arabiya Iran International. Al-Saadi, a Kataeb Hezbollah operative, also allegedly carried out attacks on Jewish targets Times of Israel.

Hezbollah Quadcopter Attacks

Hezbollah’s military media issued a series of statements claiming coordinated quadcopter strikes on Israeli positions on Saturday. The group said it targeted two Iron Dome platforms in the Ramim (Hounin) barracks with two Ababil attack quadcopters, achieving confirmed hits Al-Manar TV. It also claimed a direct hit on an Israeli engineering vehicle in Bint Jbeil with an Ababil quadcopter Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News.

Israeli media reported sirens in the western Galilee, including Shlomi and Betzet, due to hostile aircraft infiltration N12 Chat News 0404 IL. The IDF confirmed the impact of a suspicious aerial target in the area of Adamit, with no injuries reported IDF Official. Sirens also sounded in Metula and Shtula due to hostile aircraft infiltration; the IDF said the incidents were under review IDF Official N12 Chat. Residents of Shlomi reported hearing an explosion after sirens sounded Bint Jbeil News. Israeli media said smoke was seen rising from an IDF military site in the western Galilee after it was targeted by a Hezbollah drone Bint Jbeil News.

Israeli Overnight Strikes

Overnight, Israeli fighter jets struck an underground Hezbollah compound in the Beqaa Valley used for weapons manufacturing, as well as Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Tyre from which terrorists planned and executed attacks against IDF soldiers IDF Official Times of Israel Israel Hayom. The IDF said steps were taken to mitigate civilian harm, including advance warnings and precise munitions IDF Official.

Lebanese media reported at least five killed in the strikes, with severe damage to a hospital in Tyre Times of Israel Al Jazeera. A drone strike targeted a vehicle in Maaroub, southern Lebanon Quds News Network Bint Jbeil News. Israeli aircraft also bombarded the towns of Jibshit and Sair Algharbyieh, with reports of a massacre in Sir al-Gharbiya after an airstrike on a house during a condolence gathering, killing children and women Quds News Network Bint Jbeil News.

Other Incidents

Five Israeli civilians crossed the border into Lebanese territory by a few meters; IDF soldiers returned them to Israeli territory and detained them until police arrived. The IDF condemned the incident as a criminal offense endangering civilians and soldiers IDF Official.

Hezbollah said it received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi reaffirming Iran’s continued support and insistence that Lebanon be included in any US ceasefire or war-ending agreement Times of Israel Al-Manar TV.

Israeli drones were reported flying over Beirut’s southern suburbs Quds News Network.

Israeli Strikes

An Israeli airstrike on a Hamas police post in northern Gaza killed at least five police officers and wounded others, according to a local hospital Times of Israel Al Jazeera. The IDF said troops of the Paratroopers Brigade and 14th Brigade operating in southern and northern Gaza identified and eliminated several terrorists who crossed the Yellow Line and approached troops, posing an immediate threat IDF Official.

Settler Violence

Israeli settlers stormed the outskirts of the village of Obouine, northern Ramallah, and opened fire on Palestinians Quds News Network.

Israeli Civilians in Area A

Twenty-three deaf and mute Israelis were extracted from Nablus after being invited for lunch by a local resident. They were detained by Palestinian security forces and transferred to Israeli forces Times of Israel Israel Hayom. Separately, six Israelis who rented a villa in Jericho were rescued by police and civil administration forces after residents reported hearing shouts in Hebrew N12 Chat.

US-Iran Ceasefire Talks

Mediation efforts intensified, with Pakistan’s army chief in Tehran and Qatar’s emir speaking with President Trump Behold Israel The National. The US and Iran are reportedly close to a 60-day ceasefire extension that would include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Jerusalem Post Financial Times.

France Bans Ben-Gvir

France banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory and urged EU sanctions after footage showed him abusing detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France would not tolerate threats or abuse against its nationals Ynetnews Al Arabiya Al Jazeera Quds News Network.

Other Diplomatic Moves

Iran and Oman stressed the importance of resuming free and safe navigation in a phone call between their foreign ministers IRNA. Qatar expressed support for diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region IRNA. Slovenia’s parliament appointed right-wing politician Janez Janša, a strong ally of Israel, as the new prime minister Behold Israel.

France Bans Israeli Minister

France banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country and urged EU sanctions over his treatment of Gaza flotilla activists Ynetnews Al Arabiya Al Jazeera.

Slovenia Appoints Pro-Israel PM

Slovenia’s parliament appointed Janez Janša of the Slovenian Democratic Party as prime minister; he is described as a strong ally and supporter of Israel Behold Israel.

US-Iran Tensions

The White House said President Trump keeps all options on the table regarding Iran, and reports indicate he is weighing new strikes amid frustration with the pace of talks Iran International Times of Israel.

Assassination Plot

An IRGC-trained Iraqi operative was extradited to the US for allegedly plotting to assassinate Ivanka Trump and carrying out attacks on Jewish targets Times of Israel Al Arabiya Iran International.

Pakistan Mediation

Pakistan’s army chief held meetings in Tehran as part of mediation efforts between the US and Iran The National IRNA.

Hajj Pilgrimage

Over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca for the annual hajj, surpassing 2025 numbers despite the Middle East war Times of Israel.

Turkey-Syria ISIL Arrests

Turkish and Syrian officials detained 10 individuals with alleged ISIL ties for involvement in terrorist attacks in Turkey Al Jazeera.