Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-23 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Russia Warns Strikes Endanger Bushehr Plant
Iranian Attack Kills Dr Shamkadrdi in Tehran
Ford Returns to Crete Naval Gap Emerges

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Russia warns US-Israeli strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant are extremely dangerous and says Moscow has conveyed its concerns to Washington, urging a political and diplomatic settlement to defuse the tense regional situation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such strikes could have irreparable consequences and that the Russian side has repeatedly voiced worries about this issue. He added that the conflict in Iran, as recently as yesterday, should be channeled toward a political and diplomatic settlement, calling that pathway the only way to defuse the current catastrophe in the region. Peskov noted that Rosatom reported a strike near the metrological service building on the site of the Bushehr plant, and Russia condemned the strike on the plant’s territory and urged de-escalation around the facility.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran reports that Dr. Said Shamkadrdi was killed in an attack at his Tehran home, moments after the assault also claimed family members. Shamkadrdi was described as a specialist in control engineering, a dual-use field connected to developing advanced defense technologies, with emphasis on missiles and drones.

In US Military Role, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier and a central player in Middle East operations, has returned to a Crete naval base. The ship had previously taken on food, fuel, and ammunition at Souda Bay in February and was involved in a laundry fire on March 12 that injured two crew members. The United States and Israel conducted a large air campaign against Iran in late February after a major US buildup in the region that included the Ford and another carrier, the Abraham Lincoln. The Ford’s withdrawal leaves a gap for US forces in the area, with analysts noting the ship’s role in defending Israel remains significant, even as remaining assets help mitigate the immediate impact.

In Regional Impacts, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi says Oman is working intensively to put in place safe passage arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a focus on securing sea lanes amid the broader regional tensions.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump described recent discussions with Iran as “very good and productive” toward a permanent resolution of hostilities in the region and said he had instructed the Department of Defense to postpone planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, depending on ongoing discussions; oil prices fell following the announcement. Reports also indicate that Trump halted the planned attack for five days after two days of productive conversations, while Iranian media claimed there were no direct or indirect talks with Trump and suggested the move could be a tactic to calm markets. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Trump that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed and that ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice initiated by the United States, not Iran; he warned that no insurer or Iranian would be swayed by further threats and urged mutual respect, noting that freedom of navigation cannot exist without freedom of trade.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset Finance Committee approved Israel’s 2026 state budget ahead of final readings, with the second and third readings expected in the plenum on Thursday. If the budget fails to pass all three readings, the Knesset would automatically dissolve, triggering elections. The annual deadline for the vote is the end of March. The package includes an expenditure cap of about 699 billion shekels, with the Defense Ministry’s budget around 142 billion shekels, an increase of more than 30 billion due to the ongoing war; the Education Ministry’s budget near 97 billion, National Insurance about 64 billion, and Health around 63 billion. Overall government spending is planned to total about 850.59 billion shekels for 2026.

In Israeli Economy and Business, El Al issued a notice indicating forthcoming flight cancellations and stating that new restrictions prevent the operation of regular scheduled flights except in exceptional cases, adding that they cannot offer passengers a replacement flight for cancellations.

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/international/article-890896
https://t.me/newssil/196050
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/uss-gerald-ford-back-crete-naval-base-afp
https://t.me/selena_updates/59326
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890907
https://t.me/selena_updates/59328
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73582
https://t.me/newssil/196049
https://t.me/abualiexpress/118436
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1300115
https://t.me/abualiexpress/118435
https://t.me/selena_updates/59325
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890915
https://t.me/newssil/196048