BBC News reports that an Iranian official has confirmed that thousands of machines used to refine nuclear material were destroyed in an attack at one of the country’s key nuclear sites in Natanz. Another official noted that the attack targeted machines 50m underground. Iran blamed Israel for the attack, with one Iranian official commenting on TV, “Is it normal that today they reach a pit of our electricity system and take actions so that several thousand centrifuges are damaged and destroyed in one instant?”

The Financial Times, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and The Associated Press all report that Iran plans to begin enriched uranium to 60 per cent, up from 20 per cent, in response to the attack on its nuclear facility in Natanz. The announcement comes amid ongoing talks to salvage the JCPOA nuclear deal in Vienna. According to the JCPOA, Iran is limited to enriching uranium to 3.67 percent.

Kasra Naji writes for BBC News about the impact of the Natanz attacks on the ongoing nuclear talks. Naji writes: “In Vienna, the latest sabotage attack, which Iran described as ‘nuclear terrorism’ and for which it blamed Israel, is a reminder to all sides that there is urgency, and that any outcome of the talks will have to satisfy not only Iran, the US and other world powers, but also Israel and Iran’s neighbours. The attack has also blown a hole in Iran’s negotiating strategy of rapidly expanding its nuclear programme to gain leverage at the talks.”

The Economist reports on the Natanz attack, and Israel’s likely involvement. The paper notes: “It is not yet clear whether the incident was a cyber-attack, like the American-Israeli Stuxnet worm which ravaged the same centrifuges a decade ago, or a physical act of sabotage involving explosives placed by operatives on the ground. What is clear is that Mossad has shown astonishing freedom of manoeuvre on Iranian soil.”

Frank Gardner writes for BBC News about the dangerous developments in the shadow war between Iran and Israel following the Natanz attack. He breaks down the shadow war into three fronts: Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime shipping, and Syria and Lebanon. He writes: “This [Natanz attack] is not an isolated incident. It follows a gradually accelerating pattern of hostile, tit-for-tat actions by both countries as they step up their covert war while being careful – so far – to avoid an all-out conflict which would be hugely destructive for both nations … the underlying theme of this shadow war is brinkmanship. Neither side can afford to look weak but both Iran and Israel know they need to carefully calibrate their actions so as not to trigger an all-out war.”

BBC News reports that Israel may be reaching heard immunity as most of the population has received some form of protection against COVID-19. A leading Israeli doctor said heard immunity was “the only explanation” for the steady decline in cases, even as the country eases restrictions.

The Associated Press reports that Israel stepped up its settlement expansion at a rapid speed during the Trump administration. According to satellite images and data, Israel pushed for settlement constructions deep into the West Bank in an unprecedented way. The report says: “The huge number of projects in the pipeline, along with massive development of settlement infrastructure, means Biden would need to stage an intervention with Israel to keep faint hopes for a two-state solution alive.”

Bel Trew writes for The Independent about how a crystal meth epidemic is ravaging Iraq. She writes, “An increasing number of Iraqis are turning to crystal meth to escape the difficult reality of soaring unemployment, corruption ravaging the economy and the crumbling infrastructure of a country that has veered from conflict to conflict since the US-led invasion in 2003.”

BBC News reports that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has said a Syrian air force helicopter was responsible for dropping a chlorine bomb on the opposition-held town of Saraqeb in 2018. The report from the OPCW finds that “the cylinder ruptured and released a toxic gas, chlorine, which dispersed over a large area, affecting 12 named individuals”.

BBC News, The Independent and The Guardian report that Egypt has detained the Ever Given cargo ship which blocked the Suez Canal last month. Egyptian authorities said the ship would not be allowed to leave the country until a compensation amount was agreed between the ship’s owners and the Egyptian government due to the financial impact of the blocked canal. A judicial official said the country was seeking $900 million (£655 million) in damages. Lt Gen Osama Rabei, the head of the Suez Canal Authority, said: “The vessel is now officially impounded. They do not want to pay anything.”

Jassar al-Tahat and Richard Spencer write for The Times about “how Jordan’s royal family went to war with itself”. They write that “figures close to the regime are warning the king that he had better keep family squabbles behind closed doors in future”. “This issue is over now, thanks to the wisdom and courageous decision of his majesty the king,” said Rida Btoush, a former head of military intelligence, using a loyalist’s formal language.

In the Israeli media the papers are predominately focusing on Memorial Day. At 11am local time, a siren was sounded around the country, followed by nationwide Memorial Day services at cemeteries and memorials to remember fallen soldiers. The main state ceremony will be held at Remembrance Hall on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. At 1:00pm local time, the official state memorial service to honour victims of terrorism will take place. Since 1860, 23,928 people have died in defence of Israel, and 4,176 people have died in terrorist attacks. Since last Memorial Day, 46 soldiers have died in the line of duty and two Israeli civilians were killed in terrorist attacks: Esther Horgan, who was murdered while jogging in a forest near her home in Samaria, and Rabbi Shai Ohayon, who was murdered at the Segula Junction near Tel Aviv. At 8pm local time, Israel will make the rapid transition from mourning to celebration, as Independence Day ceremonies and festivities begin.

Channel 12 News reports the Jordanian ambassador to Israel protested the Jerusalem District Police’s decision to cut off the loudspeakers that serve the Muezzin’s call to prayer in al-Aqsa Mosque so as to avert a possible disruption of the Memorial Day ceremony that was held in the Western Wall plaza yesterday evening. That decision was also protested by the Waqf, the administration responsible for the Temple Mount, as the Muslim world marked the first day of Ramadan. The article also notes the reasons for why Jordanian crown prince’s cancelled his visit to the Temple Mount last month. The Jordanian delegation that arrived at Allenby Bridge included a large number of people who hadn’t been approved for entry. Furthermore, the Jordanians demanded to be allowed to have armed Jordanian bodyguards enter the Temple Mount. Israel refused on the basis that only the Israeli security forces can be armed in the compound.

Yediot Ahronot runs two contrasting Independence Day columns this morning. Sima Kadmon mourns the state that Israel is in because of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s personality, politics, and legal status. Kadmon writes about the “people who view Netanyahu’s rule as being built on a lack of stateliness, sowing division and enmity between one part of the people and the other, which creates the sense that the country is either ‘ours’ or ‘theirs.’ There isn’t any desire to bring people together, only a desire to defeat. And yes, with the passage of time, people who do not identify with what Netanyahu dubs ‘right wing’ no longer feel that this is their country. So, anyone who feels a sense of suffocation today, and not just on account of the tens of thousands of youngsters who fought for the country they believed in and are buried today in the cemeteries. That sense of suffocation also stems from what has become of this country.”

Alternatively, Ben-Dror Yemini remarks about Israel’s successes and the general sense of satisfaction felt by Israelis with their country. He notes the disparity between much of what is written about Israel (by Israelis) and the way Israelis actually feel, writing: “The sourpusses play a prominent role in public discourse, but they are not reflective of the general public… ninety-five percent of what we write and say is criticism of the government and politicians. That is the way it works in a democracy. The day we begin praising the regime — we ought to begin to worry. Criticism is an important condition for change and improvement. But every once in a while, we ought to zoom out to get a sense of where we are. And there is no better opportunity than the eve of Independence Day to tell ourselves: despite everything and in spite of everything, when we look back and recall where we were on the day that Israel was first established, we have every reason to be proud.”

Yediot Ahronot reports that Sudan is planning to send its first official delegation to Israel next week to firm up bilateral ties that were established last year under US mediation. One unnamed source said the Sudanese delegation would comprise security and intelligence officials. Israel has already sent a delegation to Sudan, which was headed by Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen that also featured representatives from the country’s National Security Council. Last week, the Sudanese cabinet voted to repeal a 1958 law that forbade diplomatic and business relations with Israel, in what was perceived to be the political establishment’s endorsement of the normalisation agreement with Israel signed last year.

Maariv follows the latest developments in the political negotiations taking place between Yamina and the Likud to try and form a government. Naftali Bennett and Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office, a week after their first meeting. This time, the leaders were joined by negotiators from both parties: Michael Ravillo from for Likud, and Shalom Shlomo and Tal Gan-Zvi for Yamina. Maariv claims that Bennett was offered the defence, culture, and the foreign ministries to join the coalition. Sources close to the negotiations say the main disagreement is about Bennett’s demand for an alternative premiership arrangement with Netanyahu, with [Bennett] serving second and for just one year. Netanyahu has refused, saying the ultra-Orthodox parties object to the idea of Bennett serving as prime minister on principle.

Kan Radio reports that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has told the Prime Minister that there will be limitations to government committees until a justice minister is appointed. The coronavirus cabinet and the security cabinet will be permitted to meet but not to make decisions. The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee will be permitted to address emergencies and to make decisions only if all political blocs are represented equally. Mandelblit said that the tenure of the acting justice minister (Benny Gantz) expired at the beginning of April and that the absence of a permanent replacement could cause serious damage to a range of critical public interests that the justice minister is responsible for, including activities of ministerial committees that the law requires him to serve on.

Israel Hayom notes that Israel will start letting tourist – who have either been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 – visit the country again from 23 May. At first, groups only will be allowed to enter the country and their movements will be tracked as far as possible. Tourists will be required to take COVID tests before their flights. Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein said: “Israel is the first vaccinated country, and the citizens of Israel are the first to enjoy this result. After opening the economy, it is time to allow tourism in a careful and calculated manner. Opening up tourism is important for one of the fields most hurt during the COVID year. We will continue to look at easing regulations in accordance to the health situation.”