Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-18 at 03:02

HEADLINESIsrael strikes Tehran, IRGC leaders killedUSS Ford damaged and flagship withdrawnDubai's crypto sector endures amid regional warThe time is now 3:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the Israeli military said it completed a round of strikes across Tehran on Tuesday, targeting several command centers used by Iran’s security forces. The sites included the IRGC Security Unit headquarters, a General Logistics and Support Department of Internal Security Forces maintenance center, and a ballistic missile array command center. The IDF said air defense systems were destroyed and framed the operation as part of a phase aimed at deepening damage to the core systems and foundations of the Iranian terror regime. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike overnight, and the IDF confirmed the assassinations of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the IRGC Basij militia, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi, in a makeshift tent area arranged to hinder pursuit. The two were described as killed in a location designed to be harder to follow than if they had been based at their headquarters. Separately, the Wall Street Journal published a report describing a fear-inducing exchange between a Mossad agent and a Basij commander, in which the agent warns that they know everything about him and that he is on a blacklist, urging him to stand with his people or face the fate of their leader; the commander replies that he is dying and asks for help.In US Military Role, the United States Force saw its newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, damaged by a fire that burned for about 30 hours and forced the Navy to withdraw the ship from the Red Sea. The incident marks a setback for the fleet’s flagship. Separately, US Central Command said it carried out bunker-busting strikes using approximately 2.5-ton bombs along the Iranian coast near the Hormuz Strait to destroy missiles positioned there that threatened shipping through the strait. Alarms were reported in the Tel Aviv area and in the Shfela, and a separate overnight report described a deadly rocket strike in Ramat Gan that killed an elderly couple. In Regional Impacts, the UAE crypto sector shows resilience amid war in the Middle East, with life in Dubai described as largely normal even as interceptions of projectiles remind residents of the conflict nearby. The government’s promotion of the crypto industry has helped sustain activity, and firms rely on cloud-based infrastructure and global operations, even as attacks on Dubai have occurred. Ukraine’s interceptor drones are gaining attention for Gulf security, with Ukrainian-made interceptors such as the STING seen as a potential, lower-cost option to counter Iranian Shahed drones. Private firms say Gulf clients have expressed interest, but export deals require Ukrainian government approval before any contracts are signed, as Kyiv and its allies seek to bolster defenses against drones in the region.In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump shared a post from Joe Kent from several years ago in which Kent expressed support for an attack on Iran, reflecting ongoing discourse on the approach to Iran among US political figures.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Lucy Aharish received international recognition when the Anti-Defamation League awarded her the Abraham Award in New York for her work advancing dialogue and combatting antisemitism and racism. Separately, a fragment from a missile struck the Savidor Central Tel Aviv railway station during the night, temporarily halting service on the line toward Jerusalem; trains were set to resume at 06:00 with adjustments, with the Jerusalem line operating only between Jerusalem Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv, and other routes continuing to run with modifications as staff worked through repairs.In Israeli Economy and Business, Mia Dynamics is advancing next-generation unmanned ground vehicles built on a civilian-tested platform. The company, founded by Itzik Calderon, has shifted from micro-mobility to defense applications, with more than half of R&D now devoted to defense. The platform supports heavy loads and rough terrain, enabling remotely operated vehicles to assist front-line teams as part of a broader defense-tech effort.In Uplifting News, an official holiday was proclaimed in Venezuela after the national baseball team defeated the United States 3-2 in the 2026 Baseball World Cup held in Florida. The victory sparked nationwide celebration. Separately, reports quoted affirmations that Iranian people are reportedly pleased with actions by Israel and the United States they see as helping liberate their country, describing them as friends.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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