Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-13 at 04:02

HEADLINES
Iran Threatens All-Or-None Gulf Port Security
Turkey Leads Sunni Bloc to Rival Iran
Tehran Turns Into Military Camp

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, an Iranian defense spokesperson says the security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is a matter for all or for none, and that the United States cannot lawfully restrict movement of ships in international waters. He warned that if Iran’s port security is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman would remain safe. Iran’s armed forces emphasize defending the country’s legal rights as a natural and legal duty, adding that enemy vessels have no right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while other vessels may transit under Iran’s regulations. After the war, Iran intends to operate a fixed mechanism to control the strait in response to ongoing threats to the Iranian people and national security. The report notes heightened tension as Hezbollah and Iran are described as nearing a multi-front escalation, with the Israeli military on high alert and questions raised about whether a blockade alone would suffice. It also mentions that former officials are weighing additional moves toward Iran, and that a person who identified casualties from October 7 has published a book titled “In the End I Stayed There.” Police say there is no evidence in the case involving a person named Chani, and Netanyahu’s office warns the IDF that Iran could launch a preemptive strike against Israel.

In Regional Impacts, a Middle East analyst warns that behind Turkish President Erdogan’s public rhetoric lies a plan to build a new Sunni axis that could supplant Iran’s regional role. The analyst argues Ankara is quietly pursuing a Sunni bloc in the Middle East, aligning with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan to reshape regional power dynamics and fill a vacuum expected if the Shiite axis weakens. Erdogan has also accused Israel of atrocities against Palestinians and Lebanon, signaling possible military action similar to past interventions in Karabakh and Libya. Separately, China’s exports are expected to grow 8.6% year-on-year in March, according to a Reuters poll, but that would be a slowdown from January and February as markets weigh the impact of war in the Middle East and an energy shock from Iran’s actions. The Iran conflict injects uncertainty into demand for AI-related hardware and disrupts supply chains, with fuel and transport costs eroding buyers’ purchasing power. Even so, Chinese producers may still find opportunities in certain segments as exporters navigate the new headwinds. A third report offers a window into Tehran’s current atmosphere, describing a city transformed into a military environment: Toyota Hilux pickup trucks armed with machine guns, parks, schools, and mosques patrolled by special units, checkpoints at major intersections displaying flags of the Islamic Republic and allied militias, and a sense that Tehran has become a military camp for foreign militias under the Revolutionary Guards. Private companies are operating at full capacity, while government offices run at reduced staff; communications and transportation are strained, with traffic jams and limited public services, illustrating how security measures have reshaped daily life in the capital.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Holocaust survivors and delegations from around the world are gathering in Poland for the annual March of the Living. About 7,000 participants are expected to accompany fifty Holocaust survivors walking from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day, with ten survivors arriving from Israel despite rockets fired by Hezbollah at civilians and ongoing diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran. Speaking as part of the observance, survivors underscored the enduring importance of memory and education for future generations. Elder survivors Dorit Carmeli, a centenarian, and Naftali Fürst emphasized telling the stories of those who perished, and the responsibility to keep their memory alive for younger generations.

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-1309291
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892789
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892781
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74937
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892796