Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-11 at 04:02

HEADLINES
New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Wounded
Hormuz Strait Impassable From Mines
China To Deliver MANPADS To Iran

The time is now 4:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is continuing to recover from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the start of the war. Three people close to his inner circle told Reuters that his face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's compound in central Tehran and that he sustained a significant injury to one or both legs. The 56-year-old remains mentally sharp and is taking part in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing, and is involved in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations with Washington. The timing comes as high-stakes peace talks with the United States open in Islamabad on Saturday. Reuters notes that these accounts from the inner-circle sources provide the most detailed description of the leader's condition for weeks, though Reuters could not independently verify.

In Regional Impacts, US officials told the New York Times that Iran lost track of mine locations in the Strait of Hormuz and has no clear idea of where all the mines were placed, with decentralized forces using small boats to lay mines. The result is a strait that is nearly impassable, forcing ships to detour into Iranian waters where a toll of about $2 million could be charged to cross, according to a 10-point negotiation demand sent to the United States. Officials describe the mining as haphazard, and both sides lack reliable tools to clear the mines: the United States does not have its main minesweeping vessels in the area, and Iran has no concrete plan to reopen the waterway.

US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within weeks, including shoulder-fired anti-air missiles known as MANPADS, with shipments possibly routed through third countries to conceal their origin. The report notes Iran may be using the ceasefire to replenish certain weapon systems with help from foreign partners. The briefing also references a price tag in Washington's latest stance, with President Trump announcing a 50% tariff on imports from countries supplying military weapons to Iran, with no exemptions, in the lead-up to the ceasefire. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington provided a brief statement in response.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an Iranian negotiator accompanying the Pakistan mission posted a tweet criticizing Lebanon's prime minister, Nawaf Salam, saying he delays the arrival of a ceasefire in Lebanon and insisting the agreement should be reached in direct talks with Israel that would cover normalization, not within Iran's talks with Washington. The Iranian delegation’s public commentary was framed as challenging Lebanon’s leadership over the Lebanese ceasefire process.

Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun released a formal statement confirming talks with Israel: last night at 21:00 a first call took place among Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States Nada Maouch, Israel’s ambassador to the United States Yehiel Lechter, and the US ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa. They agreed that a meeting would be held at the US State Department in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and the start of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

Delegations have arrived in Pakistan. The Iranians walked in with a posture of victory, prepared to press their demands, while American officials described their stance as a “historic victory.” From Israel’s perspective, the outcome could mean either a return to war or a very challenging agreement. Israel has been striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including missile launchers used to attack northern Israel the day prior, and continued those operations into the following morning.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the president on negotiations with Iran, said that if they say no now, it shows how crazy they are. If you are dealing with murderous, cold-blooded adversaries, you must speak the language they understand.

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-892624
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892622
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https://t.me/ILtoday/18621
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https://t.me/abualiexpress/120080