Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-18 at 12:03

HEADLINES
- Iran’s supreme leader gravely injured; leadership shaken
- Marines enter Gulf as Hormuz tensions spike
- Yemen HRW: six protesters killed, displaced

The time is now 12:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, a number of Iran’s senior political and military figures have been eliminated as strikes targeting the Islamic Republic’s leadership compound. In the last two days, Israel killed Ali Larijani and former intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib. The section of the leadership that remains includes Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali after his death in an Israeli strike on February 28 and was formally confirmed on March 8 after a brief interim period. Close to IRGC leadership, Khamenei was believed to have been the IRGC’s preferred successor, and reports describe him as seriously injured in the strikes, with some suggesting a coma. His wife and at least one son were killed in the strike that killed his father. As supreme leader, he is described as wielding absolute power over Iran’s politics, policy, and military, with all political bodies ultimately reporting to his office. Masoud Pezeshkian has been serving as Iran’s president since July 2024, described as the leader of the Reformist Faction who was elected over other, harder-line contenders.

In Iranian Retaliation, the IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri issued evacuation warnings for civilians near Gulf oil facilities and warned that retaliation would extend to US-linked targets in the Gulf. The force said facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar should be evacuated, and warned that oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force. The threat followed an Israeli airstrike on facilities tied to Iran’s gas and oil industry in South Pars and Asaluyeh. Later, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted and destroyed at least two ballistic missiles launched toward its Eastern Region, underscoring the broader volatility in the area and the potential for further strikes.

In US Military Role, the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central front in the Iran conflict, with analysts describing moves by Iran to push the war’s frontline toward Iraq and the strait itself. The United States may need to act to keep vessels moving and stabilize global oil markets, a task that could fall more heavily on Washington than on Israel, given Israel’s focus on other leadership and strategic targets inside Iran. Washington has begun moving Marines into the region and may coordinate with Gulf partners on the next steps. The forecast notes that partners in the Gulf want the Iranian threat to the Strait ended and that securing freedom of navigation remains a priority. In the broader tally, US Central Command has asserted that it has destroyed around 100 Iranian Navy and IRGC Navy vessels, with officials signaling continued pressure as the campaign unfolds.

In Regional Impacts, President Donald Trump presses allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, urging partners to “get a grip” and step up, echoing an editorial approach from the New York Post shared on Truth Social. Some allies have said they have no plans to participate in any mission in the Gulf, while Japan is reportedly weighing Trump’s call for ships to escort oil tankers. The US military said it targeted Iranian sites near the strait, stating that Iranian anti-ship missiles posed a risk to international shipping and that it employed heavy munitions. Separately, a regional analysis suggests Iran’s attacks may shift Gulf states away from de-escalation toward backing a longer-term effort to defeat the regime, given Gulf states’ reliance on open air travel and uninterrupted oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz. While foreign states have not committed their armed forces, voices in the Gulf are increasingly open to a sustained approach to ensure regional security. In another development, Dana Gas evacuated all staff from its Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region as a precaution after Iran’s threats to attack Gulf oil and gas facilities in retaliation for an Israeli strike on South Pars; the field remains a critical energy source for the Kurdistan Region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Human Rights Watch reports that Yemen’s government forces killed at least six protesters and wounded dozens during February demonstrations in Aden and Shabwa against the December dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council. The HRW account notes that the leadership’s January decision to dissolve the STC was heavily influenced by Saudi Arabia, with Rashad al-Alimi announcing a 90-day nationwide state of emergency after the STC’s December gains in Hadramout. The broader Yemen conflict continues to drive humanitarian crises, with more than 17 million people food insecure and about 4.8 million internally displaced, underscoring the enduring toll of the regional volatility.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a new inquiry into prewar diplomacy presents a picture of significant progress in talks between the United States and Iran before the conflict, contradicting earlier reports of a collapse. Senior analyst Ehud Yaari notes that President Trump was prepared to stop the war as recently as a week before fighting began. The report suggests Iran was surprised by the outbreak of hostilities, and Israel confirms that a confidant of Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in a Tehran neighborhood, underscoring how the conflict has evolved despite earlier expectations of negotiations. The analysis also reflects the broader dynamic that diplomacy attempted to shape events even as the military action unfolded.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, alarms rang out across northern Israel with sirens sounding in Haifa and the Krayot as missiles were reported to be launched from Iran toward the country. The Israel Defense Forces said the Iron Dome and other defenses were active to intercept the threat, and the Home Front Command issued advisories to the public via mobile alerts urging people to seek shelter in protected spaces and remain there until officials say it is safe to emerge. Commentary from observers including Ehud Yaari notes that President Trump’s stance on international involvement has been a talking point in Israeli discourse, with some reporting that the United States was prepared to escalate or adjust its approach. In a separate note, financial life in Israel faced a potential practical impact as licensing fees are expected to rise in April, shaping daily costs for residents.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890371
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890424
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890425
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890413
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890416
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/dana-gas-evacuates-khor-mor-staff-iraqs-kurdistan-region-after-iran-threats
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890428
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298094
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298093