Khamenei Bars Uranium Transfer as Iran Rebuilds Military and Hezbollah Strikes South Lebanon (May 21, 1613 UTC, 1913 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Uranium Stockpile Must Stay in Iran

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a directive that Iran’s near-weapons-grade enriched uranium stockpile must not be sent abroad, two Iranian officials told Reuters. The order directly contradicts a key US and Israeli demand—that the material be removed from Iran as part of any peace agreement. Israeli officials told Reuters that President Trump had assured Israel that the enriched uranium would leave Iran and that any deal would include such a clause. Oil prices surged on the news, with WTI rising 4% to $101.96 and Brent climbing $3.36, as markets priced in a higher risk of ceasefire collapse Reuters Times of Israel Jerusalem Post.

Military Recovery Faster Than Expected

US intelligence agencies now assess that Iran is rebuilding its military capabilities far faster than initial post-ceasefire estimates, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the assessments. Iran has resumed parts of its drone production during the six-week ceasefire that began in early April, with Chinese and Russian assistance helping Tehran exceed recovery timelines. The IRGC’s military reconstitution is proceeding at a pace that has surprised US intelligence officials [CNN via IranWire, Times of Israel, Al Arabiya].

Diplomatic Track

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran to facilitate indirect US-Iran negotiations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran has received the latest US position and is reviewing it, while stating that Iran’s conditions include an end to the war on all fronts—including Lebanon—release of frozen assets, and an end to the naval blockade. Mediators are reportedly finalizing an agenda for resumed talks, which could come as early as next week IRNA Al Jazeera The National Arab News.

Strait of Hormuz

The IRGC Navy claimed that 31 vessels were permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, though independent monitoring by TLDR Iran SITREP recorded zero transits, noting the 7-day average is just 2% of pre-war levels. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority published an official map of Iran’s supervision area and stated that 30 ships were issued transit permits after paying tolls and signing documents IRNA War Monitors TLDR Iran SITREP.

Other Developments

President Pezeshkian dismissed US threats, saying forcing Iran to surrender is “nothing but an illusion,” and vowed full support for strengthening the armed forces. Iran’s UN ambassador called on the Security Council to break its silence on US threats and war crimes. Russia expressed readiness to assist Iran and the US in reaching a solution on enriched uranium IRNA Al-Manar TV Mehr News.

Hezbollah Attacks

Hezbollah claimed a series of attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The group’s military media said fighters targeted a gathering of vehicles and soldiers in Rashaf with a swarm of Ababil loitering drones at 12:10 local time, and struck an engineering vehicle at Khallet Al-Raj in Deir Seryan with a loitering drone, achieving a confirmed hit. Earlier statements described heavy missile salvos and drone strikes on Israeli positions. An Iron Dome platform in the Shomera settlement was reportedly targeted with an attack drone Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News.

Israeli Air Activity

Israeli aircraft carried out a strike on the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon, according to Quds News Network. Sirens sounded in Misgav Am in northern Israel due to a suspected hostile aircraft infiltration; the IDF said contact was lost with the target and no injuries were reported Quds News Network IDF (English).

Casualties and Toll

The Lebanese Health Ministry updated the cumulative toll of Israeli aggression since March 2, 2026, to 3,089 killed and 9,397 injured. Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber told Reuters the economy is expected to contract by 7–10% this year due to the war, with damages estimated at up to $20 billion Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News.

Political Statements

Hezbollah MP Hasan Ezzeddine said ongoing Israeli attacks require a shift in the approach to direct negotiations, citing the recent Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr massacre that killed 13 civilians. The Lebanese government’s operations room announced the removal of fixed structures on the Beirut seafront to prevent random gatherings and permanent settlement Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News.

IDF Operations

The IDF said troops in northern Gaza identified and eliminated a terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line and approached forces, posing an immediate threat. Earlier this week, a Hamas Nukhba terrorist was eliminated in central Gaza. The IDF emphasized that forces remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to remove immediate threats. Quds News Network reported that a Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli drone fire in Al-Mahatta, western Deir al-Balah IDF (English) Quds News Network.

Flotilla and Deportations

Israel deported all 430 foreign activists from the intercepted Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla, while holding one participant with Israeli citizenship. Turkey sent planes to collect deportees, who arrived in Istanbul. The deportations followed international outrage over a video posted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing handcuffed, kneeling detainees while Israel’s national anthem played. The UK summoned the Israeli diplomat, France deported 37 nationals to Turkey, and Poland’s foreign minister said he would seek to ban Ben-Gvir from entering the country. Italy asked the EU for sanctions on Ben-Gvir Times of Israel BBC News Arab News Al Jazeera IRNA.

UN Security Council

The UN Security Council convened to debate stalled progress in Gaza, with UN envoy Ramiz Alakbarov and US-led Board of Peace representative Nickolay Mladenov briefing. Discussions focused on governance and recovery amid the fragile ceasefire UN News.

Counterterrorism Operations

The IDF and Border Police thwarted an attempt to smuggle 26 handguns and munitions across the eastern border overnight, following searches directed by field observers. In Hebron, IDF soldiers apprehended three terrorists affiliated with a Hamas-linked network who were planning an imminent shooting attack. An additional terrorist was arrested in Deir al-Ghusun for efforts to establish a terrorist network IDF (English).

Other Incidents

Israeli forces shot and detained a Palestinian in the town of Huwara, south of Nablus, according to Quds News Network. Palestinian detainee Mohammed Abu Tair, 76, was released after six months in detention in poor health, having spent 44 years in Israeli custody Quds News Network.

Diplomatic Pressure

The US is reportedly threatening to revoke visas of the Palestinian delegation to the UN unless the Palestinian ambassador withdraws his candidacy for vice-president of the UN General Assembly Quds News Network.

US-Iran Mediation

Pakistan continued its intermediary role, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meeting Iranian leaders in Tehran. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated it is exerting all efforts to bring Washington and Tehran together for a peace agreement. Mediators are finalizing an agenda for resumed negotiations, possibly as early as next week Al-Manar TV The National Arab News IRNA.

UN Security Council

The Security Council held a session on Gaza, with briefings on the stalled ceasefire and humanitarian needs. Iran’s UN ambassador urged the Council to break its silence on US threats and war crimes UN News Al-Manar TV.

US Naval Posture

The acting US Secretary of the Navy said aircraft carriers Lincoln, Bush, and Tripoli are in the Arabian Sea to protect commercial shipping. The USS Theodore Roosevelt has completed integration of F-35C Lightning IIs and is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in operations against Iran Bint Jbeil News War Monitors.

Flotilla Fallout

Multiple European nations reacted to the Ben-Gvir video. The UK summoned the Israeli diplomat; France deported 37 nationals to Turkey; Poland’s foreign minister said he would seek to ban Ben-Gvir from entering the country; Italy asked the EU for sanctions on the minister. Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and others also condemned the treatment of activists Times of Israel IRNA BBC News.

Russia Nuclear Drills

Russia rehearsed the use of nuclear forces in drills with Belarus, delivering nuclear warheads to sites in Belarus as part of a three-day exercise Al Jazeera.

Other

A French court found Airbus and Air France guilty of manslaughter in the 2009 crash, overturning a 2023 acquittal. The UK Labour Party faced internal turmoil, with Al Jazeera reporting on the “implosion of Keir Starmer’s Labour.” Al Jazeera.

US Politics

A Texas Democratic congressional candidate’s vow to castrate Zionists drew outrage from other Democrats, highlighting anti-Israel turmoil in US politics Times of Israel.

US Treasury

The US Treasury removed UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese from its sanctions list, a week after a federal judge struck down the sanctions on free speech grounds Times of Israel.

Australia Antisemitism Inquiry

A Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is underway in Australia, with reports of soaring antisemitism Times of Israel.

Afghan Women’s Cricket

The Afghan women’s refugee team will tour the UK in June and be guests at the World Cup final at Lord’s Al Jazeera.

Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming G7 Summit in France as a guest nation, marking Syria’s first participation since the forum’s establishment in 1975 Behold Israel.

Iran Executions

Iran executed two people under security charges, according to Haaretz Haaretz.