Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-21 at 22:02

HEADLINESIDF Strikes Malek-Ashtar Facility in TehranIranian Missiles Wound Dozens in Southern IsraelIran Fires at Diego Garcia Threatens USThe time is now 10:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the Israel Defense Forces intensified strikes on Iranian targets inside Tehran, including a research and development facility inside Malek-Ashtar University that is described as involved in ballistic missile and nuclear weapons components work. The operation follows approval by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir of a new wave of overnight strikes across all current theaters of war after Iranian ballistic missiles hit Arad and Dimona, wounding at least 88 in Arad and 78 in Dimona. The IDF said it is conducting strikes on Iranian regime targets in Tehran, with reports of loud explosions in the capital’s east and west. This is a developing story.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, analysts say Israel’s most important gains against Iran may be the hardest to see, because the campaign targets Iran’s systems, alliances, and long-term power rather than front-line hits. The visible fighting includes Iranian missiles strikes on southern Israel, which have wounded large numbers of people. Magen David Adom reported 51 injured in Dimona from a direct Iranian missile impact, including a 12-year-old boy in serious condition, with a breakdown showing 1 moderate, 29 light injuries, and 20 treated for shock. Earlier, Iranian missiles wounded more than 100 across two southern towns: Arad reported 84 wounded (10 seriously) and Dimona about 33 wounded; later footage showed the Arad strike injuring 88 people (10 serious, 19 moderate, 55 mild). The Israeli Air Force is investigating the failure to intercept the Arad missile, and the Home Front Command is also probing the Dimona incident.In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has reportedly fired two missiles toward Diego Garcia, a joint US-British base in the Indian Ocean, marking what appears to be its first overt effort to threaten US interests beyond the Middle East. The Spokesman for the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that if the United States attacks fuel or energy infrastructure in Iran, they will strike US and allied energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure across the Middle East.In US Military Role, President Donald Trump threatened that the United States will destroy Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened within 48 hours, posting on Truth Social that the biggest power plant would be hit first. The report notes Tehran has begun talks with Tokyo about potentially opening the Strait, and that the United States and allies have intensified efforts to reopen the Strait with aerial and naval moves. Separately, a CENTCOM commander released an update on Operation Epic Fury, and Trump asserted that the United States has blown Iran off the map and that goals have been met weeks ahead of schedule, a claim echoed in his social posts.In Regional Impacts, a new joint statement was issued by the leaders of a broad coalition including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia, addressing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Sirens were heard in the Galilee region, with reports that two Israeli soldiers were wounded moderately and lightly by mortar fire on the northern border. Other updates note an Israeli fatality and a Palestinian casualty in connected clashes in Samaria, along with reports of Hezbollah activity under consideration. A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured in Lahavim riding an electric scooter. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center also reported an attack on a commercial vessel about 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.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/defense-news/article-890724https://t.me/JewishNews24/51658https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890723https://t.me/JewishNews24/51661https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/iran-missile-strikes-wound-over-100-two-south-israel-townshttps://t.me/JewishNews24/51659https://t.me/JewishNews24/51657https://t.me/JewishNews24/51668https://t.me/DefenderDome/19558https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890725https://t.me/JewishNews24/51667https://t.me/JewishNews24/51664https://t.me/JewishNews24/51665https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1299449https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1299448https://t.me/DefenderDome/19557