Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-04 at 09:02

HEADLINESIAEA Reports No Radiological Danger After StrikesSubmarine Attack Kills 80 Aboard Iranian WarshipIran Hezbollah Strike Rattles Central IsraelThe time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the IAEA says there is no radiological danger after the Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, stating there is no damage to facilities containing nuclear material and no radiological release risk at this time, based on the latest satellite imagery. The agency also noted damage at two buildings near the Isfahan nuclear site, but emphasized there is no reported damage to facilities containing nuclear material and no current radiological release risk. The report follows earlier claims by the IDF that a secret Iranian nuclear weapons development site known as Min Zadai was destroyed. Iran’s Natanz facility was reportedly targeted during the Monday operations, and Russia warned that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant was under threat from US-Israeli air strikes, with explosions heard near its perimeter.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Reuters reported that at least 80 people were killed in an attack by an American submarine on the Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, according to Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister. The ship was said to be returning to Iran from a port in eastern India.In US Military Role, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the United States and Israel are about to achieve complete uncontested control of Iranian airspace during operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. He described a scenario in which the two air forces fly all day and all night to locate, fix, and finish Iran’s military capabilities, with the US Air Force and Israeli Air Force able to operate over Tehran and IRGC leadership with little to no resistance. Hegseth added that the United States would deploy B-2s, B-52s, Predator drones, and fighters to sustain this control, and he confirmed that the leader of the unit implicated in an attempted attack on the US president was killed in Operation Epic Fury.In Regional Impacts, Iran’s conflict may push Gulf states toward Israel, but anti-Israel sentiment persists, an expert said. Ohad Merlin, a Middle East analyst at MIND Israel, told The Jerusalem Post that Iran’s perceived loss of control and its broader campaign could create a platform for stronger Israel-Gulf ties, though caution remains. Merlin noted firmer positions from Gulf states, including actions such as the UAE closing its embassy in Tehran, Qatar indicating strikes in Iran and downed fighter jets, Saudi Arabia signaling readiness for potential conflict, Kuwait summoning the Iranian ambassador, and Oman condemning the attacks, all underscoring a nuanced and guarded shift in regional alignments.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, there is growing attention on Kurdish groups and their potential role. There are reports that the United States is reaching out to Kurdish Iranian opposition factions, with five groups forming a coalition on February 22 to coordinate against the regime; the coalition includes diverse ideologies, and there are indications that Washington has engaged with Kurdish leaders, including Mustafa Hijri of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan. Iran has intensified attacks on Kurdish opposition bases in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq, amid broader tensions in the region.Kurdish groups gamble on US support as militias discuss taking arms against the regime, an interview suggests. Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish analyst, warns that while cooperation with the United States could advance Kurdish rights, it also carries significant risks, and any decision to arm Kurdish militias would require careful consideration. Reports indicate discussions about US support and potential CIA assistance, though no final decision has been made and trust in the Trump administration has wavered amid shifting alliances.Sirens sound in central Israel as Iran and Hezbollah launch a coordinated attack. Iran and Hezbollah fired waves of projectiles toward central Israel, with an initial missile from Iran reportedly intercepted outside central Israel, followed by sirens from a second wave launched from Lebanon. Israel reported intercepts of additional UAVs and missiles, and police and bomb disposal teams secured affected areas; no injuries were reported as the situation remained fluid.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iran reached out to the CIA to discuss ending the conflict, but Trump says it’s too late. Iranian operatives reportedly contacted the CIA through another country’s intelligence service to discuss terms for ending the conflict, a move officials described as not serious for now. The White House and Iranian officials did not comment, the CIA declined to comment, and Israeli officials have urged Washington to disregard the overture as Israel presses ahead with a sustained campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and potentially bringing about regime change.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-888805https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1291954https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888815https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888812https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888814https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888811https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888809https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888816