Report Alleges Israel Ran Covert Base in Iraq During Iran War

A report published on May 12, 2026, alleged that Israel operated a covert military base in Iraq during U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The report said the facility served as a logistics hub supporting Israeli operations against Iran. Open-source analysts identified the site as being near Iraq’s border with Saudi Arabia. Social media videos purportedly showed military equipment at the base, including helicopters, tanks and other vehicles.

The allegation surfaced as officials and political leaders continued to trade claims over the durability of a ceasefire involving Iran. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was “on life support” and “unbelievably weak,” after he dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as “stupid.” He also said a diplomatic resolution remained “very possible.”

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, urged the United States to accept Iran’s proposal, saying other approaches would be “inconclusive.” He said the longer the U.S. “drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it.”

U.S. and UK announce new sanctions tied to Iran

In a separate step, the United Kingdom and the United States announced new sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities. The announcements came alongside the continued diplomatic dispute over competing proposals related to the ceasefire and the broader conflict.

The report on the alleged Iraq base and the sanctions measures added to signs of widening regional pressure points even as some leaders continued to signal interest in talks.

Cross-border fire continues along Israel-Lebanon frontier

Along the Israel-Lebanon border, exchanges of fire continued. Israeli air attacks in Nabatieh reportedly killed four people, including a 78-year-old grandmother and her 11-year-old grandson. Hezbollah said it carried out 20 attacks against Israel.

U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned about the impact of Israeli strikes on Lebanese civilians, citing what he described as “over 100 strikes in 24 hours.”

Officials have not released independent details to corroborate the reported base in Iraq, and the ceasefire’s durability and any further sanctions steps are expected to remain key developments to watch in the coming days.