HEADLINES
Tehran Synagogue Hit in Escalating Clash
US Strikes Kharg Island Threatening Exports
Istanbul Besiktas Consulate Attack Linked to ISIS

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a central Tehran synagogue was damaged in a missile strike attributed by Iranian media to the ongoing US-Israeli campaign. Iranian outlets identified the site as the Rafi Niya Synagogue near Palestine Square in central Tehran. Footage circulated by state and semi-official outlets showed damage inside the building, with religious items such as siddurim visible among the debris. An Iranian Jewish representative condemned the attack, noting that Torah scrolls remained buried under the rubble. Independent sources cited by The Jerusalem Post said a member of the Tehran Beit Din, Rabbi David Sasani, had been seen at the site evaluating the damage. Iranian state media reported that the synagogue near Palestine Street had been targeted by Israeli fighter jets and described the damage as significant.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on X that he was ready to sacrifice his life for Iran, saying more than 14 million Iranians had already declared their readiness to do so. At the same time, an Iranian official urged young people to form human chains around the country’s power plants as fears rose of possible US strikes on civilian infrastructure. Alireza Rahimi, identified on Iranian state television as secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, called on “young people, athletes, artists, students, university students, and their professors” to gather at 2 p.m. around power plants, framing these facilities as national assets and future hope. The messages came as President Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran escalates.

In US Military Role, the US military conducted strikes on military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, according to Axios, which cited an unidentified senior US official. The report notes the strikes were carried out in the context of ongoing hostilities and without detailing the targets publicly.

In Regional Impacts, discussion has focused on Kharg Island's strategic significance to Iran’s oil exports, with an opinion piece arguing it is the heart of Tehran’s energy leverage. The author notes Kharg handles nearly one billion barrels of oil annually and accounts for about 90% of Iran’s exports shipped from that terminal, highlighting the potential consequences if flows are disrupted. Separately, a Jerusalem Post roundup summarized top regional stories as the deadline for potential action loomed and noted Russia’s posture toward the crisis. In Istanbul, gunmen opened fire near the Israeli consulate in Besiktas; Turkish authorities said three gunmen were involved and that one was killed, another wounded, with two police officers injured. The consulate building was not staffed at the time, and Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said the attackers appeared to have ties to ISIS. In a Hebrew-language report from the north, sirens continued as Hezbollah fired toward Israeli towns Yaaron, Avivim, and Mal’khiya, with Iran signaling that the historical balance would shift in the crisis and concern growing over Iran mapping sensitive targets across the country.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iranian-linked drones and missiles continued to be deployed in the region, including a drone attack in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq that killed a Kurdish couple. Iraqi Kurdish authorities described the strike as part of a broader campaign by Iran and Iran-backed militias, noting more than 500 attacks since February 28 when Israel and the United States began strikes on Iran. Iraqi Kurdish leaders called the assault a terrorist act and urged Baghdad to stop allowing such groups to operate from Iraq. Observers in the region say Tehran’s campaign seeks to move the conflict into neighboring territories, with analysts stressing the potential for broader spillover.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a JP Morgan energy paper projects that US policy choices in the Iran crisis could hinge on hydrocarbon costs, given higher fuel and shipping costs tied to the Straits of Hormuz closure. The paper notes potential Iranian revenue from a Hormuz toll of 100–130 vessels per day, which could total roughly 70–90 billion dollars annually, depending on which commercial vessels are affected and how the toll is structured. The analysis underscores the economic pressures shaping strategic decisions as Iran seeks to leverage its geographic position in a broader confrontation.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Rio de Janeiro reported a wave of antisemitic incidents during Passover, including a bar displaying a sign banning Israelis from entry and a deli that refused to sell Matzah to a Jewish customer. StandWithUs Brazil’s André Lajst said the incidents underscore the urgent need to adopt the international IHRA definition of antisemitism. City Hall and the PROCON consumer protection agency fined Partisan Bar R$9,520 for discrimination, and the establishment could face a license suspension. Some local venues publicly supported Partisan, while the Bar contended the episode reflected political expression rather than a discriminatory policy, emphasizing it should not be read as a directive restricting access.

In Uplifting News, amid the strain of war, 53 of Israel’s future scientists showcased their projects in Jerusalem as part of the Young Scientists and Developers in Israel competition during National Science Week. The 29th edition featured 46 projects spanning history and social sciences, life and environmental sciences, technology and computer science, mathematics, and the natural sciences, presented by students from across the country. The event was organized by the Bloomfield Science Museum in partnership with the Education Ministry, Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and other organizations, with judges led by Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund. Also on the calendar, Passover candle lighting times for Israel and the United States were published, showing locales with varying evening times for candle lighting and holiday end times, reflecting the local observances across communities.

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-892314
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892305
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-strikes-military-targets-irans-kharg-island-us-official-says
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-892304
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-892313
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892312
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306163
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892319
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892317
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306158
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-892318
https://www.jpost.com/science/article-892127
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-892310