Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-18 at 07:01

HEADLINES
IRGC boats fire on tanker no injuries
Iranian tankers load oil amid blockade enforcement
US renews Russian oil waiver Iran excluded

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, two small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on an oil tanker. There are no reports of injuries or damage, and the crew and the vessel are safe.

In Regional Impacts, five empty Iranian tankers were sighted loading millions of barrels of oil at Kharg Island and Bandar Mahshahr, though they are no longer visible in the latest images. Three of the tankers were at Kharg Island, a hub where 90 percent of Iran’s oil is processed and shipped, while the other two were seen at Bandar Mahshahr, the northern port in the Persian Gulf. Earlier this week, another five tankers loaded with about nine million barrels were spotted in the Gulf of Oman and are no longer visible in the current imagery. US officials say no Iranian vessels have broken the blockade since it began on Monday, with CENTCOM reporting that 21 ships have complied and returned after being warned. The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy was photographed patrolling the Arabian Sea as part of the enforcement. Iran has not explained the reason for storing oil at Kharg and other terminals in this context.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, exiled Lebanese describe support for Israel’s efforts to defeat Hezbollah, while expressing fear that Iran’s proxy influence could return if Israel withdraws before the job is done. Refugees who fled southern Lebanon recount the long history of conflict in the region and say they understand the necessity of removing Hezbollah, even as they worry about the implications of a premature withdrawal. The conflict story is complemented by Fiji’s ambassador to Israel, who explains in an interview that Fiji’s support for Israel rests on strategic and spiritual grounds. Ambassador Jesoni Vitusagavulu notes Fiji’s recent milestone of appointing a resident ambassador to Israel and opening an embassy in Jerusalem, and he describes hopes to deepen partnership with Israel.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Washington renewed a Russian oil waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea through May 16, replacing a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excluding transactions involving Iran, Cuba, and North Korea. The move is part of efforts to cushion global energy prices amid the broader strains connected to the war environment around Iran. Just two days earlier, Treasury officials signaled that there would be no renewal for the Russian oil waiver and for another waiver covering Iranian oil, which was set to expire soon. Global oil prices fell about 9 percent on Friday to around $90 a barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz.

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://t.me/abualiexpress/120613
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893400
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893304
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-893183
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-893401