Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-22 at 04:01

HEADLINESIsrael Iran clash escalates weeks of warSaudi expels Iranian diplomats amid escalating attacksUK excludes Cyprus base from defense pactThe time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, an IDF official warned that there will be no return to normal soon and weeks of war lie ahead as the conflict with Iran intensifies. Schools across Israel remain closed and limited in-person learning has been canceled as missile barrages continue.In Iranian Retaliation, Saudi Arabia informed Iran's military attache, his assistant and three embassy staff that they must leave the kingdom within 24 hours after being declared persona non grata, amid continued Iranian attacks that officials say could escalate and have significant consequences for relations. Saudi authorities say hundreds of missiles and drones have been launched toward Saudi territory since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, most intercepted, and the attacks have disrupted oil and natural gas exports.In US Military Role, Britain says RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus would not be involved in its defense agreement with the United States to use UK bases in collective self-defense of the region. The statement followed a call between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, after London authorized the US to use RAF Fairford in England and Diego Garcia for defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz. A Shahed drone caused slight damage at Akrotiri on March 2, with two others intercepted, and Cyprus officials noted Starmer’s emphasis on Cyprus’s security. Separately, HMS Anson, a British nuclear-powered submarine equipped with Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, has taken position in the Arabian Sea after traveling roughly 5,500 miles from Perth, giving Britain long-range strike capability if regional hostilities escalate; the deployment comes after Downing Street authorized the US to use British bases for strikes on Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz, with no immediate comment from the Ministry of Defence.In Regional Impacts, Iran open to maritime safety talks, says Strait of Hormuz accessible with coordination, Iran’s representative to the UN maritime agency said the Strait remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to Iran's enemies, and passage can be arranged by coordinating security and safety with Tehran, framing diplomacy as Iran's priority even as Israeli and US attacks are cited as the root of the current Strait of Hormuz situation. Voices from the Arab press note Iran’s move to disrupt global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the threat as a strategic card after Tehran began targeting Western and regional vessels with aerial and maritime drones, while Washington has said it destroyed dozens of Iranian vessels and targeted others believed to mine the strait; US Central Command said American forces have sunk at least 60 Iranian warships, and reports describe preemptive strikes against Iranian naval forces and Revolutionary Guard maritime bases. Alarms activated.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://worldisraelnews.com/idf-official-no-return-to-normal-soon-weeks-of-war-ahead/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890742https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890744https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890735https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890741https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890432https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73458