HEADLINES
Israel-US operation could spark Iran change
Trump launches Epic Fury into Iran
Hormuz Strait mines threaten shipping safety

The time is now 4:03 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel is described as creating conditions for internal change in Iran, with Religious Zionist Party MK Simcha Rothman telling The Jerusalem Post that while Israel can set the stage for change, the Iranian people must seize the moment, and that the joint US-Israeli operation could be a major historical event with implications for the United States and the broader Western world. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir then visited Tel Nof Airbase, where he met with aircrews, UAV operators, and technicians, received an operational briefing, and praised the crews for their role in sustaining the campaign, noting that the effort is ongoing around the clock and that the tempo must continue while acknowledging significant challenges ahead.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of US forces into Iran, describing the operation as "Operation Epic Fury" and offering multiple justifications for the mission, including eliminating Iran's ballistic missile capability, pursuing regime change, or mitigating nuclear threats; he said the war could last days or weeks and identified possible successors to the slain supreme leader, though initial air strikes had already influenced early assessments. CENTCOM says US forces are degrading the Iranian regime's ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping, a long-standing concern in waters vital to American, regional, and global security.

In Regional Impacts, US intelligence assets have seen early indicators that Iran may deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with estimates of the mine stockpile varying and Washington signaling strikes against mine-laying vessels while weighing options to escort ships through the strait; a two-million-barrel Iranian oil cargo recently sailed through the Strait, marking ongoing oil movement despite the disruption. Tehran residents are trying to adapt to wartime conditions, with daily attacks, shuttered schools, and stores, as the capital and other Iranian cities endure a level of disruption not seen since the 1980s conflict. Reports of powerful blasts in Tehran have circulated as the crisis widens.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an Israeli IDF spokesperson delivering messages in Arabic extended a hand of peace to Lebanon and reminded listeners of historical ties, including a nod to ancestors who helped build the Temple, with the familiar refrain of “Next year in Jerusalem.”

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israeli officials say Trump's definition of victory over Iran may differ from Israel's, though there is no clear sign of a shift in ongoing operations. Officials caution that while there is concern about the pace and end point of the campaign, there is no indication of a change in on-the-ground activity. Regarding the operation's objectives, Israeli officials say that ... and coordination, target selection, and overall strategy remain in place. Critics say Trump's Iran-war rhetoric has drawn backlash, including commentary about the tone from the top US military and political leadership. Trump has also claimed there are no reports that Iran has deployed naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but says if any are present they should be removed immediately; removal, he argues, would be a major step forward.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889521
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-889515
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/shifting-sands-trump-and-his-elastic-timeline-iran-war
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/72058
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889517
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/put-our-faith-god-tehran-residents-adapt-wartime
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/72054
https://t.me/abualiexpress/117208
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-889519
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889513
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/trump-teams-iran-war-rhetoric-fuels-backlash
https://t.me/DefenderDome/19007