Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-08 at 09:02

HEADLINESIran vows to secure enriched uranium unilaterallyUS says Mojtaba Khamenei wounded, victory securedIsrael hits 100 Hezbollah targets in LebanonThe time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a statement attributed to a group warns that the enriched uranium buried in Iran would be secured by the United States, either as Iran provides it willingly or as they take it themselves, and that if needed they could act unilaterally, in a move reminiscent of a past operation, with the option kept open.In US Military Role, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described a decisive military victory against Iran, asserted that the Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded, and said Iran had “begged” for the ceasefire. He noted that the United States had used less than 10 percent of its military capacity in Operation Epic Fury and that roughly 800 strikes were carried out the night before the ceasefire, described as destroying Iran’s defense industrial base. He said the Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit under US oversight and that American forces will ensure Iran abides by the ceasefire’s terms and stay in the region. On the enriched uranium issue, he said Iran would either hand the uranium to the United States or the United States would remove it, and he thanked Israeli allies for standing with the effort.In Regional Impacts, regional states welcomed the ceasefire, with Oman and Saudi Arabia among the first to express support and Qatar likewise signaling approval, while they urged an end to attacks on Gulf facilities and demanded that the Strait of Hormuz be secured to protect global supply chains. Iranian proxy groups said they halted attacks in the region, though reports of missiles and drones striking Gulf targets continued, with casualties and a fire reported in Abu Dhabi and injuries in the United Arab Emirates. In Beirut, the Lebanese Red Cross and health authorities described hundreds of dead and wounded since the start of the current round of attacks, while Iran proclaimed victory and outlined terms it says the United States agreed to. A senior Iranian official suggested the Strait of Hormuz could be opened in a limited, controlled fashion ahead of a meeting in Pakistan, contingent on a framework for talks, with coordination by the Iranian military. Separately, a joint communiqué from Britain, France, Germany and the European Union called for all sides to implement the ceasefire in Lebanon as well.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Lebanese sources reported that Israeli strikes hit a cemetery in the village of Shmastār near Baalbek during a funeral, with unverified claims of around 20 deaths. Israel said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in a rapid, coordinated action—its largest strike of the war so far—and Israel’s military leadership pledged to continue the assault without pause. Reports also stated that another Hezbollah Sheikh, Mohammad Sbaiti, was killed alongside Sheikh Sasek Nabulsi in the Al-Zahraa complex in Sidon, Lebanon.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the US secretary of defense said he would welcome if Iran took advantage of the situation and stressed that the Revolutionary Guards would not possess nuclear weapons, while noting the United States would remain on the ground, prepared for both defense and offense, and would ensure that prohibited nuclear materials are moved out of the country. In a separate statement, US President Donald Trump said Iran would not enrich uranium and that the United States would work with Iran to remove the enriched uranium.In Israeli Domestic Politics, schools are being prepared for a phased return to in-person learning after the ceasefire announcement, with reopening rolled out unevenly by locality. Some cities will resume classes immediately, while others will delay as safety guidance remains in effect. In parallel, Eilat is included in the green tier, with a full return to in-person instruction anticipated to begin tomorrow.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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