Reports from Iranian and Israeli media indicate that Israel’s laser-controlled air defense system, known as ‘Iron Radiation,’ has failed to intercept recent Iranian missile attacks. According to the Israeli publication Globes, the system, which was expected to protect northern Israel and occupied Palestinian territories from new-generation Iranian missiles, proved ineffective during a major Iranian strike on Tuesday night. The report described Israel’s efforts to counter the missiles as a nightmare scenario.

Globes further criticized Israel’s so-called ‘defense revolution,’ noting that the system could not even stop drones launched by Hezbollah. Despite being heavily promoted as a breakthrough technology worth several hundred million shekels, the system failed to perform as promised. The publication suggested that the weakness of the ‘Iron Radiation’ system was a key reason behind Israel’s inability to repel the Iranian assault.

The failure raises questions about Israel’s air defense capabilities against advanced missile threats from Iran and its regional allies, as highlighted in the report.

The Trump administration is struggling to manage an escalating crisis after miscalculating Iran’s response to U.S. military aggression. According to the report, Washington officials, including Energy Minister Chris Wright, had expressed confidence that a conflict with Iran would not disrupt Middle Eastern oil supplies or global energy markets. However, Iran has now threatened attacks on commercial oil tankers in the Hormuz Strait, halting shipments from Gulf countries and driving up oil prices.

The situation has forced the U.S. government to take emergency measures, including evacuating embassy staff from the region and drafting policies to stabilize fuel prices. During a closed briefing to Congress, Senator Christopher S. Murphy said the administration lacked a clear plan to reopen the strait or end the conflict. Some officials reportedly feel frustrated by the absence of a coherent exit strategy, though they remain cautious about voicing dissent as President Trump continues to claim military success.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that the administration had a firm plan before the war and expects oil prices to fall once the conflict ends, describing Iran’s market disruption as temporary.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to kill Iran’s new supreme leader, saying that neither Iran’s new Ayatollah nor Hezbollah’s leader should expect any guarantee of safety. He made the remarks during his first press conference since the start of the war, while defending Israel’s joint military operation with the United States against Iran.

Netanyahu stated that Israel’s objective was to prevent Iran from moving its nuclear and ballistic projects underground. He claimed that the attacks, which began on February 28, stopped Iran from relocating those programs. According to him, nearly two weeks of strikes have killed top Iranian nuclear scientists and inflicted heavy losses on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij forces.

The report also mentioned that Iran’s new supreme leader remains alive but seriously injured, as stated by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran has suffered major losses from joint Israeli and US attacks, asserting that his country is becoming stronger. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he declared that 'Iran is no longer the same Iran,' marking his first public comment on the ongoing conflict with Tehran. Netanyahu said that the strikes, which began on February 28, killed top Iranian nuclear scientists and inflicted heavy damage on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces.

He claimed that Iran failed to move its nuclear and ballistic programs underground before the attacks began. When asked about Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, Netanyahu said he would not take out 'life insurance' for them, implying no guarantees for their safety. He described Khamenei as a 'puppet of the Revolutionary Guard' who cannot appear publicly. Recently, Khamenei’s remarks were read on Iranian state television by a news presenter.

The comments underscore Israel’s portrayal of recent operations as a strategic success against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

U.S. officials told The New York Times that Iran began laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a vital maritime route through which about 20 percent of global oil supply—around 31 million barrels of crude daily—passes. The move reportedly surprised the Trump administration, even as President Donald Trump publicly claimed that U.S. forces had destroyed Iran’s navy.

According to CNN, senior Trump administration officials privately told lawmakers that they had not previously considered the possibility of Iran closing the strait in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. A former U.S. official who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations said that planning to prevent such a scenario had long been a core principle of U.S. national security policy, expressing astonishment that the administration had not prepared for it.

The incident underscores the strategic vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz and raises concerns about potential disruptions to global oil markets if tensions escalate further.

An Israeli airstrike on the Iranian city of Arak killed a woman and a child and injured 35 others, according to the city’s deputy governor. The attack occurred early Friday, and around the same time, loud explosions were heard in several parts of Tehran. State media reported that airstrikes were detected in two eastern districts of the capital around 5:15 a.m. local time, with residents describing their homes shaking from the blasts.

Semi-official Fars News Agency confirmed the intensity of the explosions, noting widespread alarm among residents. The incidents come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented that the war against Iran was progressing rapidly and effectively, labeling Iran a “nation of terror and hate” and saying it was paying a high price. He made the remarks at the White House on Friday.

A French soldier was killed and several others injured in an attack in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. This marks the first death of a French soldier in the ongoing conflict in the area. The French army earlier stated that its troops were engaged in training exercises with Iraqi partners when the drone strike occurred.

President Macron described the attack on French forces in Erbil as unacceptable. French troops have been stationed in the Kurdistan region as part of an international coalition fighting against the Islamic State (IS) group. Several hundred French soldiers are currently deployed there to support anti-IS operations and to train local forces.

The incident highlights the continuing security risks faced by coalition forces operating in northern Iraq, where sporadic attacks still occur despite the weakening of IS influence in the region.

The United States military has confirmed that one of its KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during ongoing joint operations with Israel against Iran. The incident occurred on Thursday in what officials described as friendly airspace under Operation Epic Fury. US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, said rescue efforts are underway but did not confirm whether there were any fatalities or survivors. The statement indicated that a second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely and clarified that the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

The crash follows a series of setbacks for US forces since the start of the campaign against Iran on February 28. Earlier, three F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences on March 1, though all six crew members survived. The Pentagon has reported seven US service members killed and 140 wounded so far, including eight with severe injuries. The conflict has also resulted in significant casualties in Iran and Israel, with violence spreading across the Gulf region.

Public opinion in the United States remains largely opposed to the war, with multiple polls showing a majority of voters disapprove of the offensive and reject the idea of deploying ground troops.

Qatar has rejected allegations from Israeli media suggesting it deliberately stopped liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to influence energy prices in the United States. A senior Qatari official told Al Jazeera on Thursday that such claims were an attempt to “drive a wedge” between Qatar and the US, emphasizing that the country prioritizes safety over political or economic gain. The official accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s media allies of exploiting global instability to create regional tension.

QatarEnergy, which supplies 20 percent of the world’s LNG, suspended production last week after an Iranian drone attack hit two sites in Mesaieed Industrial City and Ras Laffan. The Qatari Ministry of Defence confirmed the strikes targeted a water tank and an energy facility belonging to QatarEnergy. The official dismissed Israeli analyst Amit Segal’s assertion that the production halt reflected coordination between Iran and Qatar to pressure an end to the war.

Qatar warned that such narratives risk escalating regional instability and called for restraint and de-escalation amid ongoing tensions.

A United States KC-135 military refueling aircraft crashed in Iraqi airspace during Operation Epic Fury, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The incident occurred in friendly airspace, and rescue operations have been launched by CENTCOM forces. The statement confirmed that two aircraft were involved in the operation; one crashed in western Iraq while the other landed safely.

CENTCOM clarified that the crash was not caused by enemy fire or friendly fire. The KC-135 aircraft is typically used to refuel combat aircraft midair during extended military operations. The statement did not provide details about casualties or the cause of the crash.

The ongoing rescue efforts indicate that the US military is prioritizing recovery and investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A fire broke out aboard the United States aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, injuring two service members, according to a statement released by the US military on Thursday. The incident occurred in the ship’s main laundry space, and officials confirmed that the fire was not related to combat operations.

The US Central Command stated that the blaze was not caused by any hostile action or warfare. However, the military did not disclose the current location of the carrier at the time of the incident. The USS Gerald Ford is one of the US Navy’s major aircraft carriers, but no further details were provided about the extent of the damage or the condition of the injured personnel.

The military’s statement focused on clarifying that the fire was accidental and not linked to any external threat, while investigations into the cause and impact of the incident are expected to continue.

Thailand has demanded a formal apology from Iran after a Thai-flagged vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The Thai government made the demand following confirmation that the ship had come under fire, leading to damage. The incident prompted Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Iranian ambassador to seek clarification regarding the attack and the extent of the vessel’s losses.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the ship was targeted after it allegedly ignored a warning. In recent statements, Iranian officials have said that all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain prior permission from Iran. The situation has drawn attention to the growing tension surrounding navigation rights in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

The diplomatic exchange underscores rising friction between Iran and regional maritime partners, with Thailand seeking accountability and Iran asserting control over the strait’s passage.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first televised address after becoming Iran’s supreme leader, issued a stern warning to the United States and Israel. Speaking on Thursday, he declared that Iran would continue its struggle and avenge the blood of its martyrs. Khamenei stated that armed groups in Yemen and Iraq support the Islamic Revolution and will take action when instructed.

He emphasized that Yemen’s resistance fighters and Iraq’s armed factions are prepared to fulfill their duties in support of the revolution. While asserting Iran’s belief in friendship with neighboring countries, Khamenei said attacks on US military bases in the region would continue. He added that Iranian forces are targeting only American bases and demanded that all such installations be closed immediately, warning of further strikes if they remain operational.

At the start of his speech, Khamenei thanked Iran’s military for defending the nation during times of attack, praising the courage of soldiers who continue to fight for the country’s security and unity.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei stated that Iran remains committed to maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries but will continue targeting United States military bases. In a televised address on March 12, 2026, he said the attacks on US installations would persist as part of Iran’s defense strategy.

Khamenei emphasized the need for national unity to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty and security. He warned that strategic maritime routes would remain closed to exert pressure on those opposing Iran. The leader also reiterated the importance of improving ties with neighboring states.

His remarks followed a series of missile and drone strikes in several regional countries, which he claimed were directed solely at US military facilities. The statement reflects Iran’s dual approach of pursuing regional diplomacy while maintaining a confrontational stance toward US military presence in the region.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a stern warning to the United States in his first public statement since assuming leadership. Speaking after his election on March 8, Khamenei demanded that all U.S. military bases in the region be shut down immediately, warning that failure to do so would result in attacks. His recorded address was broadcast publicly, marking his first message to both domestic and international audiences.

Khamenei emphasized that Iran seeks friendly relations with neighboring countries but will continue to target American bases located within those nations. His statement follows a series of events beginning on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, was subsequently chosen as Iran’s new leader.

The warning signals a continuation of heightened regional tensions following the leadership transition and the earlier military strikes on Iranian territory.