Day 63 | Trump reviews military options to pressure Iran into deal
US President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized congressional efforts to restrict his war powers after the Senate rejected the latest measure aimed at limiting his military authority. The US president was also expected to receive an updated briefing from Pentagon officials on possible military options related to Iran.
Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued to rattle global markets, pushing the average price of gasoline in the United States to $4.30 per gallon, the sharpest single-day increase recorded in the past six weeks.
In Tehran, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei struck a defiant tone, insisting that Iran’s recent strategic gains are irreversible and delivering pointed messages to neighboring countries.
At the same time, tensions flared on the Lebanon border, where the Israel Defense Forces said several soldiers were wounded in Hezbollah attacks in the south. While no specific location was disclosed, the group said it carried out drone strikes in response to what it described as ceasefire violations.
‘Israel’ improvises defense against Hezbollah drone threat, NYT reports
‘Israel’ is urgently working to adapt its defenses against a growing wave of explosive drones launched by Hezbollah, according to a report by The New York Times citing Israeli officials and former National Security Council adviser Eyal Hulata.
The report says the drones are specifically designed to bypass electronic warfare systems, reducing the effectiveness of established interception methods.
Officials quoted in the report acknowledged that while the military anticipated evolving tactics, it was not fully prepared for the current level of adaptability.
With existing systems under strain, ‘Israel’ has begun deploying improvised physical defenses, including netting designed to block drones from reaching military sites, vehicles, and infrastructure.
US Congress extends provision that allows warrantless surveillance of foreign targets
The US Congress has approved a short extension to allow US intelligence agencies to collect information from foreign targets without a warrant, after a three-year extension failed to gather enough votes to pass.
President Donald Trump and intelligence officials have for weeks urged Congress to renew a key provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that allows agencies like the CIA, National Security Agency and FBI to conduct warrantless surveillance.
The temporary patch, which received wide support in the Senate and House, extends the programme through June 12.
It was approved hours before another temporary extension expired, and now goes to Trump for final approval.
“I don’t like kicking the can down the road. Not my jam. But that’s where we are,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Iran’s air defence activity related to engaging ‘small aircraft, drones’: Tasnim
Iran’s Tasnim news agency has reported that the air defence activity heard in Tehran is linked to efforts to counter “small aircraft and reconnaissance drones.”
It reports the air defence sounds are still being heard in some parts of the capital, including in western, central and southeastern areas.
Day 63 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 62 | Trump rejects Iran’s offer, says naval blockade will remain until nuclear deal
