CENTCOM Readies Strike Options as Hezbollah Drone Wounds 12 IDF Soldiers

CENTCOM Strike Options

• US plans: CENTCOM prepared a 'short and powerful' strike wave on Iran, likely targeting infrastructure, to break the negotiating deadlock, and a separate plan to seize part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it to commercial shipping, possibly involving ground forces Times of Israel.
• CENTCOM chief: Adm. Brad Cooper will brief President Trump on these options this week Al Arabiya English.
• International coalition: US seeks to form a coalition to restore navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz; embassies must deliver a demarche to partner nations by May 1, excluding Russia, China, Belarus, Cuba, and 'other US adversaries' Jerusalem Post.

Khamenei Declares 'New Chapter' for Hormuz

• Khamenei: Iran's Supreme Leader declared a 'new chapter' for the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran will determine 'new legal rules' to manage the waterway after US-Israeli aggression IRNA.
• New framework: In a written message for National Persian Gulf Day, Khamenei said the framework will advance comfort and development for all regional nations Mehr News.
• Pezeshkian: President warned any naval blockade threatens global peace and stability and is doomed to fail Al-Manar TV.

IAEA on Enriched Uranium

• Grossi: IAEA Director General said Iran's 440 pounds of 60% enriched uranium is likely still buried at the Isfahan nuclear site; inspectors need access Times of Israel.
• Iran's UN mission: Stated all enriched uranium is under full IAEA supervision with no diversion reported IRNA.

Iranian Military Claims

• Navy Commander: Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said Iran will soon unveil a new weapon that will 'terrify enemies' IRNA.
• Ghalibaf: Parliament Speaker rebuked Trump's claim that Iranian oil pipelines would explode within three days of a blockade, saying '3 days in, no oil well exploded' IRNA.

Hezbollah Drone Wounds 12 IDF Soldiers

• Drone strike: A Hezbollah explosive-laden drone hit an IDF position near Shomera, wounding 12 soldiers (two moderately, ten lightly) Times of Israel.
• The drone struck an armored cargo carrier, causing secondary explosions from ammunition Bint Jbeil News.
• Hezbollah claimed responsibility, saying it targeted a self-propelled howitzer Times of Israel.
• Fiber-optic investigation: The IDF is investigating whether the drone was guided by fiber-optic cable, immune to electronic jamming Times of Israel.
• Hezbollah has adopted fiber-optic drones, a tactic used widely in Ukraine Associated Press.

IDF Airstrikes and Ground Operations

• Airstrikes: The IDF launched a new wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah infrastructure across southern Lebanon IDF Official.
• Warplanes struck towns in Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, and Tyre districts, including a residential building in Nabatieh's Al Hamza neighborhood and a motorcycle in al-Shahabiya Quds News Network.
• Operative kills: Five Hezbollah operatives near Israeli forces in the western sector were killed in airstrikes on Wednesday IDF Official.
• Ground operations: Troops of the Alpinist Unit dismantled staging and missile launch positions used by Hezbollah in the Mount Dov area IDF Official.

Drone Interceptions and Shootdown

• Interceptions: The IDF intercepted three Hezbollah drones targeting troops in southern Lebanon in three separate incidents; most were intercepted, results for others under review IDF Official.
• Shootdown: Hezbollah claimed to have shot down an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over southern Lebanon with a surface-to-air missile; the IDF confirmed the downing and said no fear of information leaking Manniefabian.

Evacuation Warnings

• Warnings issued: The IDF issued evacuation warnings to at least nine towns in southern Lebanon, with Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee calling for immediate evacuation Al-Manar TV.
• Later, an additional 15 villages were reportedly warned Behold Israel.

Lebanese Political Reactions

• Defense Minister: Negotiations are for peace, not surrender, and called for unity among Lebanese Bint Jbeil News.
• Former President Gemayel: The time is right for direct talks with Israel Times of Israel.
• Speaker Berri: Called for international action to compel Israel to halt aggression Al-Manar TV.

IDF Expands Control Zone

New maps provided to aid groups show an expanded zone of IDF control in Gaza, with an orange restricted area comprising about 11% of the Strip's territory, bringing two-thirds of Gazan land under Israeli charge Times of Israel.

Hamas Operative Eliminated

The IDF struck and eliminated Ibrahim Abu Tzakar, a Hamas terrorist who operated under the cover of a paramedic and was planning an imminent sniper attack against IDF troops. He had led numerous attacks throughout the war IDF Official.

Flotilla Intercepted

The Israeli Navy detained approximately 175 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepting 21 of its 58 vessels overnight near Crete. The other boats were warned to change course Manniefabian. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel's takeover of the flotilla and demanded the immediate release of detained Italian citizens N12 Chat.

Incendiary Balloons

Two incendiary balloons from Gaza were detected in the Gaza periphery, reminiscent of pre-October 7 tactics Israel Hayom.

Demolitions

Israeli occupation forces demolished a Palestinian horse stable and three agricultural rooms near the entrance of Husan village, west of Bethlehem Quds News Network.

Attack on Nun

A Catholic nun was reportedly assaulted near the Tomb of King David in Jerusalem in a hate-motivated attack carried out by an Israeli settler. Police arrested a suspect Times of Israel.

US Seeks Coalition for Hormuz

The US is seeking to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with embassies instructed to deliver a demarche to partner nations by May 1 Jerusalem Post.

IAEA Access

IAEA Director General Grossi stressed the need for inspectors to access the Isfahan site where Iran's highly enriched uranium is stored Times of Israel.

Iran at NPT Conference

Iran's ambassador to the UN accused the US of falsely portraying Iran's nuclear activities as a danger to justify aggression, speaking at the NPT Review Conference Press TV.

UK Security Funding Boost

The UK government allocated an additional £25 million for Jewish community security following an attack the previous night News 0404 IL. No further details on the incident were provided in the evidence.

Ukraine Grain Ship Diverted

A ship Ukraine says carries stolen grain from Russian-occupied areas will not offload in Israel after a diplomatic row; an Israeli official said the decision was made by the importer, not the government Times of Israel.

Italy Condemns Flotilla Interception

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel's takeover of the Gaza-bound flotilla and demanded the immediate release of detained Italian citizens N12 Chat.

Pakistan Opens Trade Routes to Iran

Pakistan opened six overland transit routes for goods destined for Iran, allowing stranded cargo to move amid the US naval blockade. The Ministry of Commerce issued the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026 on April 25 Al Jazeera English.

Pakistan Fuel Prices Soar

Pakistan's fuel import bill surged from $300 million to $800 million, putting pressure on the economy Al Jazeera English.

Bahrain Citizenship Revocations

Iran condemned Bahrain's revocation of citizenship of dozens of nationals as a serious human rights violation IRNA.

Iran Rejects PGCC Claims

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected claims by the Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council regarding Iran's performance during the war IRNA.