Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-02 at 23:01

HEADLINESNetanyahu says Iran unreformable and strikes neededDrone intercept near Erbil as Iran retaliatesUS weighing relocation of air defense systemsThe time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran’s leadership as unreformable and “totally fanatical about destroying America” during a Fox News interview, saying ongoing US-Israel strikes against the Iranian regime are necessary to counter Tehran’s attempts to rebuild nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles after prior damage. He said the Iranian terror regime is at its weakest point and predicted that military actions will be quick and decisive, with the aim of creating conditions for change in Iran, and he thanked President Trump for his participation in the strikes. In broader remarks, Netanyahu warned of great danger and urged prompt action by the “good guys,” arguing that protecting humanity and the free world from this “theological thuggery” requires decisive measures. Other statements reiterated that Iran has spent 47 years chanting death to America and that the intended strike responded to Tehran’s alleged efforts to immunize its nuclear and missile programs, noting there were no injuries in a series of overnight Iranian barrages against Israel. US briefings cited estimates that Iran’s total stockpile of fissionable material stands at about 10,000 kilograms, including roughly 460 kilograms enriched to 60%, about 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20%, and the remainder at 3.67%. A separate update reported that the Israeli air force has gained greater freedom to operate over Tehran as the conflict continues, with broader regional implications discussed for possible action near Lebanon.In Iranian Retaliation, video footage shows an Iranian one-way attack drone being intercepted by a US Army C-RAM near Erbil International Airport in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq. In Saudi Arabia, the US Embassy in Riyadh was struck by two suspected Iranian drones, causing a fire but limited damage; Saudi defense officials said eight drones were intercepted near Riyadh and Al-Kharj, and the US issued shelter-in-place guidance for citizens and staff in several cities as officials assess further threats and potential responses.In US Military Role, reports indicate the United States is weighing the relocation of air defense systems and other assets from South Korea to the Middle East as part of the broader response to the Iran crisis. The items under consideration include Patriot batteries, THAAD systems, and surveillance assets such as the MQ-9 Reaper, with discussions that the THAAD battery in Seongju could also be moved to the region.In Regional Impacts, Russia distances itself from Iran as Gulf tensions rise, placing the onus on both Israel and the United States for the outbreak of hostilities while noting Tehran’s broader attacks have complicated Moscow’s position. Qatar’s defense ministry has published updated totals on Iran’s attacks since Saturday that have been intercepted by Qatar’s forces: 98 of 101 ballistic missiles, 24 of 39 drones, 3 of 3 cruise missiles, and 2 of 2 Su-24 aircraft.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli authorities released Arabic-language guidance calling residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately from designated areas and surrounding neighborhoods as the situation on the border with Iran grows more tense and preparations for potential cross-border action increase.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed unwavering support for Donald Trump, saying there has never been a president like him and praising his resoluteness, decisiveness, and clarity. He asserted that Trump’s approach returns the United States to a leading role and emphasizes taking decisive action. A separate exchange recounted Netanyahu’s remarks about meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago, with Netanyahu recalling Trump’s insistence on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.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. 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