Iran Israel Updates Tuesday May 19

- In Israel, it is estimated that Trump will attack Iran at the end of the day. Sources to i24NEWS: "Netanyahu and Trump are aligned and coordinated on everything and will continue to be so.”

-  In Israel, it is estimated tonight that an attack on Iran is "not a question of if – but when." - N12

- VP JD Vance : "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon... Iran would really be the first domino in what would set off a nuclear arms race all over the world. That's very, very bad for the safety of our country."

- After 7 failed attempts, the US Senate has advanced a measure that would require congressional approval for continued military strikes on Iran.In a 50-47 vote, the Senate has now officially advanced the Iran War Powers Resolution.

- Trump sets a deadline for Sunday: "Iran has limited time to reach a deal, they have a few days – maybe until the beginning of next week."

- IDF reservist killed in Southern Lebanon Itamar Sapir, Hyd 27 from Ariel

- Trump on Iran: "Whether it's popular or not popular, I have to do it — because I'm not going to let the world be blown up on my watch. It's not going to happen."

- Q: "How close were you to striking Iran?"

Trump: "I was an hour away. We were all set to go... it would have been happening right now."

- WSJ reported that officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE say they were not aware of any imminent planned strike on Iran when Trump made his Monday (May 18, 2026) announcement. According to the Journal's Gulf sources, they were not briefed on any imminent attack and therefore could not have asked Trump to pause it.

- Iran is preparing for a short but high-intensity conflict. It is expected to launch dozens, even hundreds, of missiles per day, and Gulf states must prepare for extensive attacks on their energy infrastructure, refineries, and ports. Another possibility is the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by the Houthis - NYT

- NATO is considering assisting vessels in passing through the obstructed Strait of Hormuz, should the passage remain closed beyond early July. According to a NATO official cited by Bloomberg, backing for the operation is increasing, but certain member states are hesitant to become more involved in the conflict.

- At least two people were lightly wounded on Tuesday when a drone launched by Hezbollah hit a parked vehicle and exploded in northern Israel without a siren sounding beforehand.

- Reuters: Iran's new proposal to the US to end the war includes:

Withdrawal of American forces from areas near Iran

Payment of war reparations by the US

Lifting of sanctions on Iran

Release of frozen Iranian assets

End of the US Naval blockade

- British Airways and Iberia Express have announced further postponements for resuming their flight services to Israel citing the ongoing security situation in the Middle East. The flights have been pushed back tp August 1.  

- Dozens of American military refueling aircraft are expected to continue operating out of Ben Gurion Airport until at least the end of 2027

- The IDF says it destroyed a Hamas weapons warehouse and a rocket launch shaft overnight in the northern Gaza Strip that it says posed a threat to troops and Israeli civilians.

- The United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry says that a drone that caused a fire at its nuclear power plant on Sunday had been launched from Iraq.