Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-12 at 03:01

HEADLINESTehran drone strike leaves Basij casualtiesUS warns Iran drone attack near CaliforniaOil spikes near $100 as Gulf attacksThe time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a mysterious Israeli drone attack in Tehran is being reported. Regime-affiliated Fars Agency says Basij members were killed at checkpoints in Tehran and quotes that “this is a joint effort of the Mossad and monarchist elements to infiltrate terrorists, this operation will fail,” they claimed. The report notes that before the attack, the Shah’s son asked his supporters to stay home.In Iranian Retaliation, US authorities warned of potential Iranian action in response to strikes. The FBI said in an alert circulated in early February 2026 that Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise drone attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the US coast, with possible targets on California if Washington acted militarily. The alert stressed that timing, method, target, and perpetrators remained unknown, and it referenced the broader context of US and allied operations in the region, including the later launching of Operation Epic Fury. Officials noted that Iran’s missile and drone capacity had been constrained by airstrikes on Tehran’s military assets.In US Military Role, President Trump says Iran is reeling from US and Israeli strikes, but asserts that the United States cannot exit the conflict prematurely and vows to finish the job.In Regional Impacts, a string of developments shapes the wider Gulf and Middle East picture. The British Maritime Trade Center updated the morning of another Iranian attack on a ship in the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. An Italian base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, was struck by a missile overnight; Italian officials said there were no casualties and that personnel were safe, with dozens of troops stationed in the area. Separately, Iran’s use of drone boats was linked to attacks on oil tankers near Iraq, with at least one crew member killed as ships were hit near the Strait of Hormuz and near a UAE port. A fire broke out at Bahrain’s airport following an Iranian drone attack, with reports of heightened security and widespread concern across the region. Meanwhile, Tehran residents described life amid the conflict, noting checkpoints and daily disruptions as the security situation remains tense. Oil prices surged again, climbing near $100 per barrel in response to the attacks on ships in Iraqi waters and ongoing Gulf shipping disruptions.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Defense Forces report observing Hezbollah activity across the Lebanon border. Footage from the Mountains Brigade (810), under the 210th Division, shows weapons, a launcher position, and storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah in the Mount Dov area in southern Lebanon; forces located and destroyed these arms as part of cross-border defensive efforts for northern Israel. Israeli authorities also noted that Hezbollah is believed to have fired more than 200 rockets and missiles at Israel overnight, with roughly 80 failing to cross into Israeli territory and landing in Lebanon.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a criminal complaint was filed in Argentina over a popular streamer who mocked President Javier Milei’s public support for Israel as Milei pursued ties during a visit to New York and his trip to the Western Wall.In Uplifting News, Bedouin feminist human rights lawyer Hanan Alsanah discusses her path as a peace builder and advocates for women’s leadership and Arab-Jewish partnership as essential for peace and social justice. Raised in Lakiya in southern Israel, she recounts breaking barriers to university and pursuing activism to broaden opportunities for others, describing her work as a bridge between communities and a force for 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. 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