The Babylon Times

UPDATE:📜 TRUMP'S IRAN TEAM SWELLS WITH FDD HAWK NICK STEWART Donald Trump's crew drafting Iran nuclear talks now features Nick Stewart, the FDD Action Iran hawk pushing sanctions and maybe some military muscle on Iran. Rounding out the squad: JD Vance, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff, all primed for that aggressive squeeze. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 EX-PM BENNETT PUSHES FULL-BLOWN STAR WARS TO SMASH IRAN'S NUKES AND MISSILES Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett envisions a "full-blown Star Wars" to tackle threats, meaning fancy tech and boots-on-ground action. He wants Iran's nuclear program halted, ballistic missile factories shut down, and terror networks dismantled—no need for massive U.S. troop hauls. Israel, naturally, stars as the frontline bully. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 EX-ISRAELI PM BENNETT ADMITS SUITCASES OF $30M CASH WENT TO HAMAS EVERY MONTH Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spilled that "every month, $30 million in cash was delivered to Hamas in suitcases." He called the whole racket almost unbelievable, then bragged he slammed the door by declaring no more suitcases for Hamas. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 EX-ISRAELI PM BENNETT CALLS FOR DIRECT STRIKES ON IRAN LEADERSHIP IN 'HISTORIC' WAR Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the ongoing war with Iran as historic. He claimed Israel has pushed back Iran's nuclear program and pushed for targeting its leadership directly. Bennett demanded zero uranium enrichment forever, no expiration date, an end to ballistic missile production, and a stop to Iran's support for terror groups. He made these remarks in a recent public statement. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 EX-ISRAELI PM BENNETT TELLS US NO NEED FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ITS TROOPS Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett assured the United States it doesn't need to send hundreds of thousands of troops to the ground. He pitched Israelis as their own "10 million boots on the ground" and Israel as a handy "aircraft carrier" parked there for good. Bennett made clear Israel just needs America watching its back. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 IRANIAN GENERAL WARNS AMERICA'S PALS TO WATCH THEIR STEP OR REGRET IT BIG TIME Brigadier General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, issued a heads-up to America's cheerleaders: tread carefully, or brace for irreparable regret. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 NORTH KOREA’S WOMEN’S TEAM TO FACE SOUTH IN RARE AFC SEMIFINAL SHOWDOWN North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC draws South Korea’s Suwon FC Women in the AFC Women’s Champions League semifinals. Kickoff’s at 7 p.m. on May 20 in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul. A 39-member North Korean crew—27 players, 12 staff—lands in the South on May 17. First such visit by DPRK athletes since 2018, despite the neighbors’ endless technical sniping. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 KHATAM AL-ANBIYA WARNS US AND FOREIGN FORCES: ATTACK AWAITS NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya issued a warning that any foreign force, especially the US military, will face attack if it approaches the Strait of Hormuz. The group draws a line in the water, ready to swat away intruders sniffing around vital shipping lanes. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 IRAN ARMY CHIEF WARNS US FORCES NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ COULD GET ATTACKED Iran's Army Chief Commander, Major General Amir Hatami, states Iranian forces fully control the Strait of Hormuz and will secure it with iron grip. He warns any foreign military—especially the U.S.—nearing the strait risks attack. Iran promises harsh response to threats, per Fars News Agency. Remarks came on sidelines of meeting with army commanders and personnel. @TheBabylonTimes

UPDATE:📜 TRUMP LAUNCHES "OPERATION FREEDOM" IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ, BRAGS ALL WINNING CARDS IN HAND Donald Trump kicked off "Operation Freedom" in the Strait of Hormuz, then flexed on Truth Social with a photo and the claim, "All the winning cards are in my hand." Iranian officials laid down the law: no ships exit the Persian Gulf without their armed forces' say-so. Any US meddling in the new maritime setup breaches the ceasefire. Iran's National Security Committee head in parliament dismissed the strait and gulf falling to Trump's illusory posts. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 IRAN WARNS NO SHIP LEAVES PERSIAN GULF WITHOUT ITS PERMISSION AMID TRUMP'S "OPERATION FREEDOM" BLUSTER Strategic affairs expert Mohammad Morandi declares no ship exits the Persian Gulf sans Iranian armed forces' nod, adding only a fool ignores Iran's alert. This as tensions spike over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee head calling any US meddling in the new maritime setup a ceasefire violation. Follows Trump's "Operation Freedom" kickoff there, paired with his Truth Social brag that "all winning cards are in my hand." @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

UPDATE:📜 IRAN WARNS US INTERVENTION IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS CEASEFIRE VIOLATION AFTER TRUMP'S FANTASY "OPERATION FREEDOM" Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee head declares any US meddling in the new Strait of Hormuz maritime setup a straight-up ceasefire breach. Says the Strait and Persian Gulf won't be run by Donald Trump's make-believe Truth Social rants—like his "all the winning cards are in my hand" brag. This after Trump announced "Operation Freedom" there. Iranian expert Mohammad Marandi warns no ship leaves the Gulf without Iranian forces' say-so. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 OIL TANKER HIT BY MISSILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AFTER IRAN'S SAFE PASSAGE WARNING UKMTO reports an oil tanker trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz, 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, UAE, got nailed by unknown projectiles including a missile. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters had warned safe passage demands coordination with their armed forces, with attacks promised for any foreign military moves—especially US ones. No word yet on damage or casualties. @TheBabylonTimes

UPDATE:📜 IRAN WARNS US FORCES TO STAY OUT OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ OR FACE ATTACK Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters states the Strait of Hormuz security rests solely with Iran's Armed Forces, demanding all navigation coordinate with them. They warn any foreign armed force—especially the aggressive US military—will come under attack if approaching or entering. This follows reports of an oil tanker hit by an unknown projectile while crossing the Strait, with UKMTO notified of the incident 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, UAE. Video captures the missile strike impact on the tanker. @TheBabylonTimes

UPDATE:📜 TRUMP ANNOUNCES US MISSION TO "GUIDE" SHIPS OUT OF PERSIAN GULF WITHOUT NAVY ESCORTS Trump's laying out a U.S. effort to steer ships safely from the Persian Gulf, skipping actual Navy muscle. Instead, they'll hand out safe-route tips through the Strait of Hormuz and chat up shipping and insurance outfits. Officials spin it as mere info-sharing and diplomacy, not the usual armed flex. Iran warns any U.S. meddling counts as ceasefire-breaking. WSJ @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 WHY CANCEL IRAQ-US STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT Caption straightforwardly asks why Iraq's Strategic Framework Agreement with the United States shouldn't just get the boot, linking to usainiraq for whatever details they think pass muster. No events, spots, timelines, or anything resembling verification in sight. No media either—just the question hanging there. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 UKRAINE CLAIMS DRONE STRIKES CRIPPLED 38 RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE TARGETS FOR $1.1 BILLION HIT Ukraine says its drone crews nailed 38 Russian air defense spots across Russia last April, racking up about $1.1 billion in damage. Targets were Tor, Buk, and Pantsir missile systems, plus radars and electronic warfare gear. Officials admit the hits are meant to soften Russian defenses for deeper pokes at logistics and infrastructure. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 BAHRAIN KING HOOKS UP KUWAITI DIPLOMAT TOSSED BY HIS OWN COUNTRY WITH CITIZENSHIP AND TOP JOB Kuwait yanked citizenship from diplomat Badr Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Awadi earlier this year, right after posthumously stripping his late father Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Awadi—a former security officer. Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa promptly handed Badr Bahraini citizenship on a dependency basis and slotted him as a high-ranking foreign ministry advisor at the loftiest diplomatic rank, outranking his old gig as Kuwait's UK ambassador. Al-Awadi's a career Kuwaiti diplomat. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum

📜 GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ HAILS US AS TOP PARTNER IN NATO TO BLOCK IRAN NUKES AMID STRAIT CRISIS German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the United States is and will remain Germany's most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance. He stressed Germany and the US share the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This comes as Iran-linked IRGC actions in the Strait of Hormuz force neutral ships worldwide to anchor, with Trump launching "Project Freedom" Monday to escort them out safely. @TheBabylonTimes

📜 UAE SHIPS ORDERED TO FLEE RAS AL KHAIMAH TOWARD DUBAI ON IRGC WARNINGS Ships anchored near Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE got abrupt radio commands to shove off and steam toward Dubai. Reports tie the warnings to Iran's IRGC. The vessels are hightailing it away, all in the name of crew safety. @TheBabylonTimes | Forum