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

HEADLINESIsraeli Air Crews Thrive Under Historic MissionKharg Island Could Trigger Hormuz CrisisIran backed drones strike Baghdad US facilityThe time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the Israeli Air Force continues its historic mission with a senior officer describing air crews' commitment and resilience amid heavy workloads and constant sorties. He says pilots are competing not just for jobs but for the privilege to fly and contribute, driven by a sense of pride in this historic effort, and notes the significance of their work is understood in the cockpit and could shape Israel's security for years to come, including reflections on working with the United States. Satellite imagery from Vantor confirms reports of an attack at Khatami Air Base northeast of Isfahan after strikes this past week by the Israeli Air Force, showing roughly a dozen Iranian aircraft destroyed, including several F-14 Tomcats and other fighters, along with hardened shelters penetrated and destroyed using bunker busters by Israel and/or the United States.In Regional Impacts, Kharg Island, a critical oil hub, handles almost all of Iran's crude exports. Analysts say seizing it would mark a major escalation in the conflict. The US and Israel have so far tread carefully around the island, but an Axios report over the weekend cited Trump administration officials saying capturing Kharg was on the table as the war in the Middle East persists. The island, located about 30 kilometers off the Iranian mainland, handles roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude exports, according to a JP Morgan note released Sunday. Any move on Kharg would likely halt bulk exports and trigger swift retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially affecting regional energy infrastructure. Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and have impacted energy facilities in other Gulf states, though Iranian energy assets have not been degraded so far.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a drone strike hit a major US diplomatic facility in Iraq near Baghdad airport and Iraqi bases in what officials described as retaliation by pro-Tehran militias. Six drones were launched toward the compound, one struck the facility while five were shot down. There were no confirmed reports of injuries. White House, State Department and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An internal alert said individuals at the facility were told to duck and cover. The strike is regarded as the work of Iran-backed factions within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Mamdani’s invitation to Mahmoud Khalil: Anti-Israel activism enters City Hall - editorial, argues that the mayor’s decision to host Khalil for an iftar at Gracie Mansion signals a political shift and raises concerns about embracing anti-Israel activism and alienating the Jewish community. Khalil has become a visible figure among anti-Israel activism that followed the Hamas attacks on October 7, with campus protests at times crossing from policy criticism into rhetoric that demonized Zionism and at times appeared to justify terrorism.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/israel-news/article-889547https://t.me/DefenderDome/19026https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/kharg-island-irans-vital-oil-hub-crosshairshttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889544https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889532