Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-09 at 09:02

HEADLINESIsrael Targets Tehran IRGC in Broad AssaultNATO Intercepts Iranian Ballistic Missile Over TurkeySaudi Condemns Attacks on Airports and OilThe time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel has begun a new wide-scale wave of strikes against Tehran's regime, hitting targets across Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran, with the military saying it struck long-range ballistic missile launch sites and infrastructure tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The campaign targeted the Internal Security Force headquarters in Isfahan, the IRGC police force's headquarters, a Basij militia base, and a rocket-engine production facility, according to the army. Separately, the missile base Garmadra west of Tehran has been destroyed.In Iranian Retaliation, NATO air defenses shot down a second ballistic missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace, Ankara said, warning it will take any necessary steps against threats. The attack marks the second Iranian ballistic missile in the past week aimed at southern Turkey. Some ammunition parts fell in Gaziantep, but there were no casualties. It remains unclear where the missile was headed before interception by NATO defenses in the eastern Mediterranean. US air forces are stationed at Incirlik, and there is a NATO radar base in Malatya province.In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia warned Iran against further attacks, saying it would bear the heaviest diplomatic, economic, and strategic consequences if escalation continues and that Iran would be the biggest loser. Riyadh condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian airports and oil infrastructure as a violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region, while the Foreign Ministry noted that Saudi assertions Iran’s adversaries are involved in the conflict are unfounded and pushed back against claims about permissive actions that would facilitate Iranian operations.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis are described as being between a rock and a hard place, monitoring developments as Tehran’s war expands, weighing how far they should respond and whether to rely on Tehran’s ongoing support or risk shifts in US or regional pressure. Analysts say Iran’s decade-long assistance—drone and missile know-how—has shaped Houthi capabilities, and the group faces uncertainty about future backing as regional dynamics shift. Israel’s Lebanon operation is framed as part of a broader confrontation with Iran, with experts noting Hezbollah remains a central threat and predicting Israel will seek to degrade its leadership and military infrastructure to prevent interference on Iran’s behalf, even as civilians in border areas remain at risk.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States expressed surprise at the scale of Israeli strikes on Iranian oil depots, warning that targeting critical infrastructure could backfire strategically. Axios, citing American and Israeli sources, reported the disagreement marked the first significant rift since the start of Operation Roaring Lion and Operation Epic Fury, with some US officials saying the strikes may backfire and influence Iranian public support. It was noted that Israel had notified the US in advance, but the White House declined to comment publicly, and officials emphasized that the oil depots are connected to Iran’s military-industrial complex.In Israeli Economy and Business, Lessons from Iran stress the value of decentralized, renewable energy for Israel’s defense, arguing that when cities own their energy plans, a single strike is less likely to cripple the system. The commentary, from sustainability expert Lieutenant Colonel (Reserve) Ivri Verbin, highlights energy resilience as a national security concern, noting the strikes targeted oil storage rather than production sites as symbolically significant. Israel is also expanding its military readiness with a large-scale airlift, as the Ministry of Defense reported about 50 cargo aircraft delivering over 1,000 tons of weaponry, military equipment, and munitions to the IDF over the past ten days, with plans to scale up in the coming period.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-889350https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/71813https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-889355https://t.me/selena_updates/57715https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-889358https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-889353https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-889351https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889346https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889359https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-889349