HEADLINES
Iran-Israel clash escalates after Tehran strike
NIC warns Iran unlikely toppled Trump involved
Oil tops $100 per barrel amid war

The time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, air-raid sirens sounded in the north after Iranian activity, and explosions were reported in the Gulf with accounts of a rare strike on Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards HQ linked to a Lebanon-focused operation, alongside claims of the covert Shaldag mission and the ongoing search for Ron Arad. The IDF said the attack produced no casualties and did not disclose whether the missile was intercepted. In the north, two Israeli soldiers were wounded moderately by fire from Lebanon as cross-border exchanges continued. Washington issued a pointed message and Israel signaled its readiness to respond to threats against Beirut, while reports reference discussions and drills tied to doomsday weapon scenarios.

In US Military Role, a classified US National Intelligence Council assessment reportedly warned that the Iranian regime was unlikely to be toppled even by extensive assaults, and unlikely to yield an opposition government. The assessment, described by the Washington Post and confirmed by three people familiar with its contents, was completed about a week before Israel and the United States launched their attack on Iran on February 28. It laid out scenarios in which Iran could be hit by small- and large-scale actions. The report surfaced as President Donald Trump pressed to be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed earlier in the campaign, and as Trump said he wanted to “clean out everything.” The White House declined to say whether Trump had seen the NIC analysis before ordering the strike.

In Regional Impacts, Gulf leaders are weighing a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape the Middle East as drone and missile attacks from Iran add pressure on neighboring states. Diplomatic language has shifted from restraint to condemnation of the regime, then back toward caution about widening the conflict. Inside the Gulf, Dubai and other capitals have seen influencers post messages of resolve, while investors reassess risk as evacuation flights and tourist activity respond to the crisis.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, two IDF soldiers were wounded by anti-tank missiles during forward defensive operations in southern Lebanon and were evacuated. The attack came amid a sequence of similar incidents that have raised the total number of Israeli soldiers wounded in southern Lebanon to 14. The IDF said the assailants were engaged soon after, and it imposed a curfew on nearby communities to heighten alertness, while officials stressed there were no confirmed infiltrations into Israeli territory. Earlier on Friday, five Givati Brigade soldiers were badly wounded by anti-tank missiles near the Lebanon border in northern Israel, with three others lightly wounded in the same incident.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the White House indicated that the aim of the conflict would be pursued with an expected time frame of four to six weeks to reach key objectives, signaling an approach that anticipates a defined period for military goals.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel extended nationwide wartime restrictions until Monday, with gatherings limited to 50 people and access to shelters, workplaces allowed near protected spaces, schools closed and beaches shut as security concerns persist across the country.

In Israeli Economy and Business, traders warn that oil could reach 100 dollars per barrel if the war with Iran persists. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz largely disrupted, oil and gas prices have risen, Brent crude trading above 90 dollars a barrel, and some industry officials warn that supply constraints and dwindling tankers could force further hikes unless the conflict de-escalates.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293202
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjoif1qywx
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293197
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293196
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-intel-assessment-before-war-said-assault-on-iran-unlikely-to-topple-regime-report/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889142
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-889155
https://t.me/newssil/194563
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ngqnte7yt
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/energy-and-infrastructure/article-889152