Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-01 at 11:02

HEADLINESKhamenei Assassinated as Iran Struck HardIsrael Strikes Tehran HQs to Bolster ProtestsUS Sinks Iran Corvette Yemen Toll ClimbsThe time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the opening strike against Iran is already being described as an incredible operation that will be studied by military historians worldwide. With reports the hardline regime’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed assassinated in the strike, the day’s events saw sirens in Israel persist through Sunday as missiles continued to land. Israeli officials said roughly 40 top military commanders were killed, including the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and they said US and Israeli jets hit hundreds of ballistic missile sites, launchers, and multiple weapons manufacturing plants, potentially hampering Tehran’s ability to produce rockets, drones, and missiles. Iran’s retaliatory strikes continued with intensity through Sunday, including a direct hit on a Beit Shemesh building outside Jerusalem that authorities say killed at least a dozen people. Analysts are weighing what has been achieved so far and what Israelis and others in the region should expect from a weakened Iranian regime.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF said it hit dozens of Iran regime headquarters used to oppress protesters. Two major headquarters struck were the Interior Ministry headquarters and the Tharallah headquarters in Tehran. Dozens of other headquarters were also struck to hinder the IRGC and Basij from organizing and to remove some heavier weapons, as Israel and the US work to gain air supremacy in Iranian airspace. The campaign is described as a shift that could help anti-regime protesters by targeting specific regime forces that have long been used to suppress demonstrations.In Iranian Retaliation, diaspora voices described a complex mix of relief that the regime’s leader was removed and anxiety about the conflict’s costs. Some in the Iranian diaspora argued the strikes should have happened earlier, after what the regime did to protesters, while others stressed the broader risks and uncertainties of the confrontation. As the fighting continued, perspectives varied from celebration of the regime’s removal to concern over regional fallout and long-term consequences.In US Military Role, the United States confirmed it struck an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette in the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Epic Fury, with CENTCOM stating the vessel was sunk and noting the president’s call for Iran’s armed forces to lay down their weapons and abandon ship. CENTCOM also pushed back on Iranian claims of a hit on the USS Lincoln, saying the carrier was not struck. The campaign has also seen three US soldiers killed and five others wounded in Yemen as part of ongoing operations against Iran-backed targets, with additional personnel reporting minor shrapnel injuries and concussions. Washington says operations in the region remain fluid as US and Israeli efforts to degrade Tehran’s capabilities continue, and reporting indicates the overall decision to pursue war was reached later than some narratives suggested, reflecting a complex process and late intelligence that shaped timing.In Regional Impacts, regional voices describe a widening set of consequences as the confrontation unfolds. Emirati journalist Nadim Koteich told The Jerusalem Post that every surviving member of the Iranian regime is alive for a purpose, underscoring a sense that Tehran’s actions aim to extend the fight beyond borders. An emergency alert in the UAE during discussions underscored the immediacy of threat perceptions, while commentators suggested Iran’s behavior is expanding targets and compressing space for states wishing to stay out of the conflict. In the region, Hezbollah’s potential role is discussed as limited by recent developments, even as parties across the Gulf and Levant watch closely for further moves.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.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888398https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888401https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888402https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888399https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888400https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888393https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888395