Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 18:03

HEADLINES
Kamal Kharazi dies from Israeli strike
Iran won't forfeit Hormuz rights, shifts policy
Syria Jordan Turkey sign regional trade corridor

The time is now 6:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In כמאל ח'ראזי המשמש כיו"ר הוועדה האיראנית האסטרטגית ליחסי חוץ (לשעבר שר החוץ האיראני) שנפצע קשה בתקיפה ישראלית ב 1.4 מת מפצעיו. ח'ראזי היה דמות מובילה (ונוקשה) בניהול מדיניות החוץ של איראן גם בתקופה הנוכחית., Kamal Kharazi, who had been a leading figure in Iran’s foreign policy management, has died of injuries from the April 1 strike.

In Iran will not forfeit its rights': Statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei read on state TV, Iran will move the management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz into a new phase. Iran is not seeking war but will not forfeit its rights and considers all resistance fronts as a unified entity, the written statement said. The statement, released on the 40th day since the assassination of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, praised the former leader, and quoted that Iran had emerged victorious despite the enemy’s aggression and losses, with the Iranian nation achieving victory and the rise of the Islamic Republic as a major power being evident.

In Regional Impacts, Syria, Jordan, Turkey sign deal to launch regional trade corridor. A trilateral memorandum of understanding was signed to develop transport and boost trade links, including a proposed railway link from Anatolia to the port of Aqaba and onward toward the Gulf, with a three-year roadmap and a joint framework for land, maritime, and rail transport to streamline procedures and boost investment and trade. In the north, air-raid sirens were activated in several communities along the border, including Adumit, Elon, and Ya’ara, as tensions persisted. Rumors circulated that Iran began charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump stating that if true, such tolls would be a bad idea and should stop.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, With Iran ceasefire set, IDF chief declares Hezbollah main front. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir said that the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon has become the main front and that Iran, from before the war, is not the same and is now weaker. He noted Hezbollah’s growing isolation within Lebanon and from Iran, emphasized that Israel had delivered its heaviest strikes on Hezbollah, and that the air force is freed from focusing on Iran to target Hezbollah. He added that if the ceasefire fails, Israel is ready to resume fighting with great power, and that Hezbollah’s position has been diminished as the war unfolds.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, רשת תסנים המזוהה עם המשטר: המשלחת האיראנית לא הגיעה לאסלאמבאד, זה שקר. המו״מ מושהה עד שארה״ב תמלא את התחייבותיה להפסקת אש בלבנון ושישראל תפסיק את תקיפותיה. A network aligned with the regime claims the Iranian delegation did not reach Islamabad, calling the report false, and says negotiations are suspended until the United States fulfills its commitments to a ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel halts its strikes. Also, על רקע הפסקת האש: דונלד טראמפ באזהרה נוספת לאיראן. President Trump weighed in on the Hormuz issue, warning Iran not to impose tolls on Hormuz transit and indicating any such move should stop, after earlier remarks suggesting a possible joint venture in the future between Iran and the United States.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, ‘Sold us illusions’: Opposition accuses Netanyahu of failing war goals, backs Lebanon talks. Opposition leaders argued that war objectives were not met after the Iran ceasefire was announced, with former prime minister Naftali Bennett contending that the stated goals—dismantling the nuclear program, regional terrorism, missiles, and enriched uranium—were not achieved, accusing Netanyahu of lying to the public and selling illusions; some opponents expressed support for direct talks with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, while others criticized the handling of expectations and the crisis.

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
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https://t.me/newssil/198599
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-892556
https://t.me/newssil/198601
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1307071
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20174
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-892558