Hezbollah Drones Hit North as Israel Strikes Tyre; Smotrich Calls for West Bank Annexation (May 15, 1457 UTC, 1757 Israel) (Evening Edition)

BRICS Meeting and Distrust of US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, expressed his “distrust” of the United States regarding war negotiations and said Iran “only responds to the language of respect” Al Jazeera. Araghchi also claimed that the UAE blocked a joint BRICS statement due to Abu Dhabi’s ties with Israel Times of Israel. The BRICS meeting ended without a consensus on the US-Israeli war on Iran, marking the second consecutive BRICS gathering under India’s presidency to fail to produce a unified statement Al Jazeera.

Strait of Hormuz Remarks

Araghchi stated that “as far as we are concerned, the Strait of Hormuz is not closed, especially for friendly countries, and this restriction applies only to our enemies” IRNA. The comment came amid ongoing tensions over the strategic waterway, which has seen drastically reduced traffic.

Domestic and Diplomatic Developments

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a “failed TV host” playing “war minister” near the Strait of Hormuz IRNA. Separately, former IRGC commander Mohammad Ali Jafari emphasized that sanctions relief and war reparations must precede any negotiations IranWire. The FBI offered a $200,000 reward for information on a defected US Air Force counterintelligence officer, Monica Witt, who appeared at an anti-Israel event in Iran IranWire.

Hezbollah Attacks on Israel

Several explosive drones launched by Hezbollah struck Israeli territory close to the Lebanon border on Friday, triggering sirens in the Western Galilee. No injuries were reported IDF Official Times of Israel. The IDF called the drone attack “an additional violation of the ceasefire understandings” IDF Official. Hezbollah also fired a rocket at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, which was intercepted by the IDF without causing injuries Times of Israel.

IDF Strikes in Lebanon

The IDF launched a wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Tyre area after issuing evacuation warnings for several villages on the outskirts of the city IDF Official Manniefabian. Overnight, the IDF struck and destroyed a Hezbollah rocket launcher in Zebdine used to fire a barrage at Kiryat Shmona, along with several buildings used for military purposes IDF Official Times of Israel. The rockets had been intercepted or hit open areas, causing no injuries Manniefabian.

Hezbollah Claims

Hezbollah’s Military Media issued multiple statements claiming attacks on Israeli forces, including targeting a Merkava tank on the Al-Bayyada–Naqoura road with a loitering glider, achieving a confirmed hit; targeting gatherings of Israeli soldiers in Rashaf and near the Deir Seryan River; and confronting Israeli aircraft with surface-to-air missiles, forcing a helicopter to withdraw Al-Manar TV. These claims are attributed to Hezbollah and have not been independently verified.

Casualties and Ceasefire Talks

Staff Sergeant Negev Dagan, 20, was killed by Hezbollah mortar fire in southern Lebanon on Thursday, the IDF announced Haaretz. Israeli and Lebanese delegations held a “full day of productive and positive talks” in Washington and were set to reconvene on Friday, according to a State Department official Haaretz. The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that the US is expected to announce an extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, focusing on a gradual end to Israel’s presence in Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah Times of Israel.

Wider Violence

Despite the ceasefire, violence continues to escalate, with nearly 270 demolitions using heavy machinery or controlled explosions carried out in southern Lebanon, according to an analysis by The National based on ACLED, UNHCR, and Lebanese Health Ministry data The National. Israeli airstrikes were reported on multiple towns, including Qusaybah, Mayfadoun, and Burj Qalawiyah Al-Manar TV Quds News Network.

Smotrich Calls for Annexation

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the full annexation of the West Bank and the elimination of the division into Areas A, B, and C, stating “the time has come to erase the lines” during a speech at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem Jerusalem Post Times of Israel. Smotrich also praised the passage of a controversial death penalty bill for terrorists Jerusalem Post.

Clashes and Fatalities

The IDF said troops killed a masked Palestinian stone-thrower after opening fire on Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli vehicles; Palestinian media reported the victim was 15 years old and his body was detained Times of Israel. Israeli forces teargassed Palestinians in Al-Dhahiriya, south of Hebron Quds News Network. Settlers established new tents west of Al-Masoudiya, northwest of Nablus, and launched incendiary balloons that sparked a fire in agricultural lands in Deir Ballut, west of Salfit Quds News Network.

BRICS Meeting

A two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi ended without a consensus on the US-Israeli war on Iran, marking the second consecutive BRICS gathering under India’s presidency to fail to produce a unified statement Al Jazeera. Iran’s FM Araghchi held bilateral talks with his South African counterpart on the sidelines IRNA.

Trump-Xi Summit

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the Strait of Hormuz during talks in Beijing; the White House said Xi agreed the waterway “must remain open to support the free flow of energy” Al Jazeera. However, the two sides disagreed on what was agreed upon, with China saying it warned Washington over Taiwan and the US touting trade deals Al Jazeera. Trump indicated he could accept a 20-year halt to Iran’s nuclear activity, provided it is a “real” commitment Behold Israel News 0404 IL.

Honduras Designations

Honduras declared Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as terrorist organizations Behold Israel.

Finland

Finland temporarily closed Helsinki International Airport following the appearance of suspicious drones in the capital’s skies Behold Israel.

United Kingdom

Iran’s embassy in the UK called on the British government to reverse anti-Iran sanctions, calling them “baseless” IRNA.

Australia

Australia banned the neo-Nazi organization National Socialist Network under a new law criminalizing hate groups; it is the second group banned after Hizb ut-Tahrir in March Times of Israel.

United States

The FBI offered a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a defected US Air Force counterintelligence officer, Monica Witt, who appeared at an anti-Israel event in Iran IranWire. President Trump, returning from Beijing, said “the last thing we need right now is a war” News 0404 IL.

Australia

Australia banned the neo-Nazi organization National Socialist Network under a new law criminalizing hate groups Times of Israel.

Philippines

The Philippines vowed to hand a fugitive senator to the ICC following a shootout Al Jazeera.

UAE Oil Pipeline

The UAE announced it will accelerate construction of a second oil pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, doubling export capacity through Fujairah by 2027 The Guardian Times of Israel Al Arabiya. The project is part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to enhance energy security amid regional tensions and follows its exit from OPEC The National.

Iraq

Iraq is seeking assistance from the IMF and World Bank after its oil income was slashed by the Iran war; talks began in Washington last month and are expected to be finalized once a new government assumes power Times of Israel. Explosions were heard in the Baharka area of Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Al-Mayadeen War Monitors.