LiveLive Updates May 20, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 20, 2026UpdatesRECAP: Iran says renewed war will extend outide Middle East; slain IDF soldier laid to restHere are Wednesday's updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said a renewed war with the United States will extend beyond the Middle East.■ Major (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, who was killed in Lebanon on Tuesday, was laid to rest in a military cemetery in Raanana, central Israel.■ Ahead of its and the United States' joint attack on Iran, Israel developed a regime change plan that envisioned installing former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the country's leader, The New York Times reported.■ The Israeli military said it detained three people near the Dead Sea overnight, adding that they had an AK assault rifle and a knife in their vehicle.■ The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that all 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla had been transferred to Israeli vessels and were en route to Israel.■ The U.S. Senate advanced a war powers resolution on Tuesday that would end the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains Congress' authorization.IDF reservist killed in Lebanon laid to rest in central IsraelMajor (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, who was killed in Lebanon on Tuesday, was laid to rest in a military cemetery in Raanana, central Israel.Major (res.) Itamar Sapir and his wife, Roni.Major (res.) Itamar Sapir and his wife, Roni.Sapir was born in the West Bank settlement of Eli, lived in the settlement of Ariel, and studied electrical engineering and computer science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife, Roni, and their son, Maayan, aged one and a half.IDF says it detained three men with assault rifle, knife near Dead SeaThe assault rifle the IDF said it found in the men's vehicle overnight. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitThe assault rifle the IDF said it found in the men's vehicle overnight. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitThe Israeli military said it detained three people near the Dead Sea overnight, adding that they had an AK assault rifle and a knife in their vehicle.South Korea’s Lee criticizes Israel detentions, says actions ‘way out of line’South ‌Korean President Lee ‌Jae Myung on Wednesday said ⁠Israel had arrested ⁠South Korean nationals in international waters, calling the action "way out of line".In a cabinet ‌meeting, Lee said ‌the South Korean citizens had been detained for reasons not valid under international law, questioning whether such actions could be allowed ⁠to pass without protest.Lee said he believed many ‌European ⁠countries were willing ‌to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under International ⁠Criminal Court warrants but that Seoul must make its own ‌judgment on the matter.Report: Israel, U.S. planned reinstating former Iran President Ahmadinejad during warAhead of its and the United States' joint attack on Iran, Israel developed a regime change plan that envisioned installing former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the country's leader, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials briefed on the plan.Ahmadinejad was reportedly consulted on the plan, which the United States supported, with U.S. President Donald Trump believing he could replicate in Iran a regime change similar to the U.S. overthrow of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives an interview to The Associated Press at his office, in Tehran, Iran, in 2017. Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives an interview to The Associated Press at his office, in Tehran, Iran, in 2017. Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP According to U.S. officials and an associate of Ahmadinejad cited in The Times' report, Israel planned to strike the former president's Tehran home, killing the guards watching him and freeing him from house arrest. Israel's jailbreak strikes reportedly wounded the former president, leaving him disillusioned with the regime change plan. Ahmadinejad's whereabouts and conditions are unknown, according to The Times.Read the full articleRussia ready to help out with U.S.-Iran talks, deputy foreign minister tells TASSRussia is ready to help out with talks between the United States and Iran over their ongoing military conflict, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by TASS state news agency on Wednesday."Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance in resolving this conflict, and the parties involved are well aware of this," Ryabkov said.13 hours agoU.S. Senate advances symbolic measure curbing Trump's Iran war powersSenator John Fetterman (D-PA) heads into the Senate Chamber to vote on the war powers resolution in March. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFPSenator John Fetterman (D-PA) heads into the Senate Chamber to vote on the war powers resolution in March. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFPThe U.S. Senate advanced a war powers resolution on Tuesday that would end the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains Congress' authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader although the measure remains several steps from going into effect.This was Senate Democrats' eighth effort to advance a war powers resolution and the first one to pass. The vote was 50-47 in favor. Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his Louisiana primary after Trump disavowed the Republican Senator, joined Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul in breaking party ranks by voting for the resolution.Though the vote means little in practice, since it is outside the 60-day window from the war's launch, it is still a symbolic rebuke by Democrats of Trump's handling of the war. As in previous votes, Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.Trump, meanwhile, told lawmakers at the White House on Tuesday that the United States "will end the war very quickly" with Iran.All 430 flotilla activists now on way to Israel, Foreign Ministry says; denies using live fireThe Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that all 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla had been transferred to Israeli vessels and were en route to Israel, adding that the activists would be allowed to meet their consular representatives.Israel also denied using live ammunition during the interception of the vessels."At no point was live ammunition fired," the Foreign Ministry said. "Following multiple warnings, non-lethal means were employed toward the vessels - not toward protesters - as a warning. No protesters were injured during these events," it added.See full story.RECAP: IDF says officer killed in southern Lebanon in clashes with Hezbollah operativesHere are Wednesday's updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ The IDF announced that Major (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, was killed during clashes with Hezbollah operatives while scanning buildings in a village in southern Lebanon. Sapir, a deputy company commander in the IDF's 551 Brigade, is survived by his wife and young son.■ The U.S. seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean overnight, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing three U.S. officials. The tanker was sanctioned by Washington in March for transporting Iranian oil and was reportedly carrying more than one million barrels of crude loaded at Iran's Kharg Island in February.■ U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are making "a lot of progress" in ongoing talks and that neither side wants a renewed military campaign. "We think the Iranians want to make a deal," Vance told reporters at the White House.■ The U.S. imposed sanctions on four individuals linked to the Gaza-bound flotilla movement, accusing them of ties to Hamas-aligned networks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the flotilla initiative was an attempt to undermine U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and vowed Washington would continue targeting Hamas' international financial support networks.■ Prosecutors agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to cancel Wednesday's hearing in his corruption trial, citing security and diplomatic considerations outlined in confidential materials submitted to the court.■ Somaliland announced it will soon open an embassy in Jerusalem after Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared republic. Israel is also expected to establish an embassy in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa.In the NewsNetanyahu Minister to Reform Rabbi: 'You're Marrying Dogs in Your Synagogues'Israel Critic Chris Rabb Gives Progressive Democrats Pennsylvania Primary WinIsrael Demands to Disarm Its Regional Enemies, but Refuses to Pay the PriceItaly, France Summon Israel Envoy Over Ben-Gvir's Video of Flotilla ActivistsDone Right, Israel's Opposition Could Win Religious Zionist Votes From NetanyahuRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHundreds Protest at New York Times HQ Over Column Alleging Abuse by IsraelisEverybody Loses in the Cynical Israeli-Palestinian Sexual Violence CompetitionICC Prosecutor Seeks Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, Other Israeli OfficialsIsraeli Settler Filmed Abusing Palestinian-owned Dog in West BankWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter Attacked