Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-09 at 22:02

HEADLINESIntercepted Iranian sleeper cell alert after KhameneiBarksdale lockdown as unauthorized drone buzzes baseSaudi intercepts missiles and drones from eastThe time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Iranian Retaliation, the US may have intercepted an encrypted transmission intended for Iranian sleeper cells or covert operatives, ABC News reported. The transmission was relayed internationally shortly after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli airstrike. The alert described the transmission as potentially intended to activate or provide instructions to prepositioned sleeper assets outside the originating country. The alert noted there was no specifically known threat to law enforcement, but the appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics warrants heightened situational awareness. Experts warn of the potential activation of Iranian sleeper cells across the West amid the ongoing US-Israel military action. The concerns were amplified after two Iran-related violent incidents last week in Austin, Texas, and Toronto. Iran had threatened to activate US-based sleeper cells should Donald Trump order strikes on Iran.In US Military Role, Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, was placed on a base-wide lockdown early this morning after an unauthorized drone was spotted over the base, triggering a shelter-in-place order. Unauthorized drone flights over military installations have been a catalyst for the Department of Defense to issue new guidance to base commanders on how to secure their installations from these overflights, following last year’s drone epidemic in Europe.In Regional Impacts, Saudi defense authorities said they intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile aimed at the eastern province, along with two drones coming from the east toward the al-Kharg district. They also reported nine drones shot down in the empty district en route to the Yaiba oil field. The Saudi Foreign Ministry underscored its right to defend sovereignty and deter aggression. Iran’s air force commander warned that missiles weighing less than a ton would not be launched, as concerns about a prolonged conflict mount and Israeli officials seek exit options from Iran. In the north, alarms and tensions have underscored a sense of heightened risk. In Egypt, the government announced dramatic increases to fuel and gas prices for cars and public consumption in response to the oil crisis tied to the regional conflict, with the ministry citing disruptions to supply chains and higher energy costs as drivers of the move. Iraq’s prime minister reiterated his government’s commitment to protect diplomatic missions and embassies within Iraqi territory. In Israel, chaos erupted at Ben Gurion Airport after outbound passengers were denied boarding due to last-minute changes in flight quotas, with authorities confirming outbound capacity remains capped at 100 passengers per flight under Civil Aviation Authority guidelines. Iran was reported to have attacked the Millennium Tower, a high-rise civilian building in Manama, Bahrain, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. Australia said it would deploy a mid-air surveillance aircraft to the Middle East and supply missiles to the United Arab Emirates, framing the move as defensive support and not a deployment of ground troops in Iran.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham on Fox News stated, “And to all those who died in this endeavor called Epic Fury, you're protecting America, because I believe with all my heart and soul if the regime in Iran still stands when this is over, we've made a mistake.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told PBS News Hour that negotiations with the United States are no longer on the table, arguing that Washington has repeatedly attacked during talks and that the current effort to pressure Iran through oil production has destabilized the region. Araghchi said Iran only defends itself, denying plans to pressure oil shipments and insisting that the war has been imposed on Iran.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Tasnim News Agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published material promoting speculation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have been killed or wounded, assembling circumstantial points such as gaps in recent footage, reported security build-ups around his home, and other fragments without presenting evidence of an attack. The piece also cited a secondhand claim attributed to a former US intelligence officer via Russian media alleging Netanyahu’s hideout had been bombed and that his brother had been killed, though Tasnim itself noted the speculation had not been officially confirmed or denied.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-889413https://t.me/DefenderDome/18964https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1294276https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1294274https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1294273https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1294272https://www.timesofisrael.com/chaos-at-ben-gurion-airport-after-outbound-passengers-refused-boarding-due-to-war/https://t.me/selena_updates/57779https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889412https://t.me/DefenderDome/18963https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889411https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889415