New intel suggests Israel preparing to strike Iran's nuclear facilities: Report
New intelligence reports suggest Israel could be preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, even as US President Donald Trump's administration remains under negotiation with Tehran for a diplomatic deal, CNN reported quoting US officials.
If Israel goes ahead with the strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, it could be a break on President Trump's diplomatic outreach to reach for a feasible solution with Tehran and would also play as an initiation for a broader regional conflict in the Middle East region, which US has sought to avoid since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
However, the US officials quoted in the report stated that it wasn't clear if Israel leaders have finalized their decision and the US government is reportedly divided over the likelihood of such an attack by their Israeli counterparts. The report adds that how Tel Aviv would strike Tehran would depend on US' negotiations with Iran.
My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank:
'We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday's announcement that Israel will allow…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025
A person familiar with the US intelligence on the issue states 'The chance of an Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility has gone up significantly in recent months. And the prospect of a Trump-negotiated US-Iran deal that doesn't remove all of Iran's uranium makes the chance of a strike more likely,' CNN reported.
The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't.
»
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 19, 2025
The heightened tension in the corridors of US administration doesn't only stem from the private and public messaging of the senior Israeli officials but also with the strategic movement of Israeli military and intercepted Israeli communications which suggests Tel Aviv striking Iranian nuclear facilities is imminent.
The report, quoting two sources stated, Israeli military movements which suggest a strike includes air munitions movement and air exercise being completed recently by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from its Western allies to allow aid supplies in Gaza and agree for an immediate ceasefire deal with Hamas, as the UK, France and Canada have issued a joint statement, supporting the formation of a two state in the region, i.e. a Palestinian state.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump signs orders to boost US drone defenses, supersonic flight; aims to counter threats; cut America's reliance on China
US President Donald Trump on Friday signed three executive orders aimed at enhancing drone security and promoting future air technologies, including electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House announced. The new orders will allow drones to operate beyond the visual line of sight of their operators—an important step toward enabling widespread commercial drone deliveries. They also aim to reduce America's dependence on Chinese drone manufacturers and advance the testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, benefiting companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation. To support these efforts, Trump is launching a federal task force to strengthen US control over its airspace. The task force will expand protections around sensitive sites, increase the government's ability to detect drones in real time, and provide support to state and local law enforcement. According to Reuters, Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy said that, Trump further aims to address the "growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in US airspace." "We are securing our borders from national security threats, including in the air, with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup on the horizon," Kratsios added. Sebastian Gorka from the National Security Council highlighted drone threats in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and at US sporting events. The issue of suspicious drones also gained significant attention last year after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey. The FAA receives over 100 monthly reports of drone sightings near airports, with incidents disrupting flights and events. "We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities," Gorka said. "We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots," Gorka added. The orders also instructed the FAA to remove the 1973 ban on overland supersonic transport. Environmental groups have criticised supersonic aircraft for higher fuel consumption per passenger compared to subsonic alternatives. "The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under four hours," Kratsios told the Reuters, further adding that, "advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable." The order directs FAA to repeal the supersonic speed limit as long as aircraft do not produce an audible sonic boom on the ground. Airplane manufacturer Boom Supersonic welcomed the move. Its CEO, Blake Scholl, said: "The supersonic race is on and a new era of commercial flight can begin." Commercial supersonic flights ended in 2003 with the retirement of the Concorde, used by British Airways and Air France for 27 years. The FAA has been instructed to eliminate the supersonic speed restriction, provided that aircraft maintain noise levels that prevent sonic booms from reaching ground level. The announcement received positive acknowledgement from Boom Supersonic, an aircraft manufacturing company. Its CEO, Blake Scholl, stated: "The supersonic race is on and a new era of commercial flight can begin." While Trump's orders do not explicitly ban Chinese drone companies, they come amid growing scrutiny of firms like DJI and Autel Robotics. DJI, the world's biggest drone maker, supplies over half of all commercial drones used in the US. Although legislation signed by former President Joe Biden last year could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new models in the country. The new orders reinforce the push to reduce US dependence on Chinese technology in critical sectors like aviation and drone operations. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
NDTV
41 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Went Off Cliff Faster Than Tesla": Late-Night Hosts On Trump-Musk Breakup
Washington: Just hours after Elon Musk and Donald Trump locked horns in a bitter online exchange, America's late-night comedy shows jumped at the chance to revel in the chaos of their very public fallout. A smouldering dispute between the president and the tech mogul over Trump's self-congratulatory 'big, beautiful bill' erupted into an all-out war of words. The break-up sent shockwaves across social media — and late-night television wasted no time in joining the spectacle. The Daily Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and Late Night With Seth Meyers were all live and ready, offering up sharp jabs and quick wit. Here's how they reacted. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Jimmy Fallon opened with, 'Trump and Elon have been brutally attacking each other all day. Seriously, their relationship went off the cliff faster than a self-driving Tesla.' He appeared stunned by how quickly the friendship had soured. 'I can't believe their relationship fell apart this fast. I mean, a week ago they were all over each other like Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner at a Knicks game,' Fallon said. Celebrities like Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and Kendrick Lamar also earned brief mentions in Fallon's monologue on the Trump-Musk bust-up. Watch here: The Daily Show Michael Kosta of The Daily Show may have coined the most fitting term for the feud — 'World War Douche.' He began saying, 'For a few days now, there's been a simmering tension between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the leader of the free world and the breeder of the free world.' Kosta landed another punchline with Musk's claim that Trump appears in the Epstein files. 'Of course Trump is in the Epstein files,' he said. 'That's like saying, 'Guys, there are aliens in the X-Files.'' Watch here: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert began with his trademark flair. 'My fellow Americans and all the ships at sea, I hope you've stocked your family shelter with potable water and dehydrated turkey chili, because, ladies and gentlemen, a full-scale flame war has broken out between the world's most famous besties.' He couldn't resist poking fun at Trump. 'So now Donald Trump is a Tesla owner who hates Elon Musk! He's never been more relatable.' Watch here: Late Night With Seth Meyers Seth Meyers dissected the irony of Musk investing so heavily — both financially and ideologically — in an administration that eventually turned on him. He pointed out the absurdity of it all, saying, 'It's as clear as ever that neither of these guys really believed in anything.' Summing it up with perfect comic timing, he added, 'Watching these guys destroy each other is both big and … beautiful.' Watch here: Jimmy Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel joked that he had to ditch an entire monologue about the NBA Finals and a newly appointed head of terror prevention to focus on what he called the biggest news of the day. 'It's like coming down the stairs on Christmas morning and finding a second tree,' he said. In his opening, Kimmel stated, 'I feel bad for Trump lately — he's running out of friends. First, he lost Jeffrey Epstein, now Elon.' Watch here: Musk labelled Trump's spending proposal a 'disgusting abomination' and warned that the so-called 'big, beautiful bill' would 'drive America into debt slavery.' Trump, irked by Musk's criticism, said he was 'very disappointed with Elon.' Musk, never one to retreat quietly, retaliated, posting on X, 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.' As the two former allies spiral further into public enmity, at least one group is benefiting — the late-night hosts, who have found comedy gold in this political implosion.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
192 migrants deported from US return to Venezuela
A flight carrying 192 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States arrived at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, which serves the capital Caracas area, the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace of Venezuela reported. According to a press release on Friday, the flight, operated by a US-registered aircraft, carried 156 men, 26 women, and 10 minors. The returned migrants were attended to under established medical, legal, and social protocols. Since February, Venezuela has been receiving two to three flights per week of individuals deported by US authorities, including those relocated from Mexico and Honduras, reports Xinhua news agency. So far in 2025, a total of 5,475 deported migrants have been processed under the government's Plan Vuelta a la Patria, designed to facilitate their return, official figures indicate. Earlier on Thursday, the South American country said that the United States government is carrying out a new campaign of "stigmatisation and criminalisation" against Venezuelans. The "stigmatisation" campaign is evident in a "new attack that restricts the issuance and validity of visas for Venezuelan citizens, without any justification and with obvious political purposes," Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement. "This operation has been promoted by the current Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, an official marked by his well-known hatred of the Venezuelan people," the ministry added. Venezuela's government reiterated its "unwavering commitment to defending the rights and interests of Venezuelans in any part of the world." The ministry also ratified a maximum travel alert for citizens planning to travel to the United States or residing in the United States. "What happened is not an isolated incident, but rather a new demonstration of the visceral hatred for the Venezuelan people that drives those who currently conduct Washington's foreign policy," it added. The US government announced it was restricting visas to nationals from several countries, including Venezuela.
