YNET

מכתב רודף מכתב בקרב על המינוי הבכיר: התגובה של נתניהו לעקיצה של השופט סולברג

3/17/2026, 6:15:52 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg, who chairs the Central Elections Committee, are locked in a public dispute over the appointment of attorney Yifat Siminovsky as the committee's legal adviser. After Solberg publicly told Netanyahu to "learn the subject" before criticising the appointment, Netanyahu fired back, calling the remark "unnecessary mud-slinging." The committee has defended Siminovsky, saying she was stronger than the other candidates for the role.

פיזור חלקי פצצה ליותר מ-100 קמ"ר וחשש מנפלים שלא התנפצו: ההנחיות המעודכנות

3/17/2026, 6:10:07 PM

Israel's Home Front Command is reviewing its differential defence policy after rocket strikes scattered debris across more than 100 square kilometres, raising concerns about unexploded ordnance. Local authority heads have petitioned the IDF to be included in zones where educational activities are permitted. Bomb disposal teams are dispatched to every impact site where a missile with a splitting warhead has struck.

ארה"ב קראה לסוריה לצאת למבצע נגד חיזבאללה בלבנון, א-שרע מהסס

3/17/2026, 5:52:50 PM

According to Reuters, the United States asked Damascus to send forces into eastern Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah, a request made in parallel with the opening of the military campaign against Iran. The Syrian government under Ahmad al-Sharaa is reportedly hesitant, fearing that such an operation would invite Iranian missile strikes and drag Syria into the wider regional war.

מול משבר האמון בצפון, כ"ץ שוב מבטיח ביטחון: "תושבי דרום לבנון לא יחזרו לבתיהם"

3/17/2026, 5:19:00 PM

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz visited Nahariya, where a Hezbollah rocket wounded 15 people, and pledged that some half a million displaced Lebanese residents would not be allowed to return to their homes in southern Lebanon until security for northern Israel is guaranteed. Katz told Ynet that Israel would continue to degrade Hezbollah's fire capacity, adding "the home front is strong." Former PM Naftali Bennett also visited the site, backing the government's stance and calling for the north to be "freed from the burden."

הבניין ספג טיל, המדינה רוצה שהדיירים יחזרו: "אין חלונות, אמרו לנו 'שימו שקיות'"

3/17/2026, 4:15:13 PM

A residential building in Ramat Gan was struck by an Iranian missile, yet after just ten days in a hotel, the state ordered displaced residents to return to the heavily damaged structure. Residents describe returning to what they call a "construction site" — with no windows and gaping holes — after authorities said they could not verify structural damage. The Tax Authority insists no damage to the building's structural frame was found, while the municipality says directives come from the Treasury and the Property Tax Authority, leaving residents with nowhere to turn.

בג"ץ קיבל את בקשת נתניהו לדחות את הדיון בפיטורי בן גביר - ומתח ביקורת

3/17/2026, 4:02:51 PM

Israel's Supreme Court (High Court of Justice) granted Prime Minister Netanyahu's request to postpone the hearing on the dismissal of Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, scheduling it for next month. However, the justices sharply criticised Netanyahu, noting that the request came very late despite the fact that the court had issued its order before the war began. Netanyahu had argued the hearing should be delayed due to the ongoing war.

טראמפ נגד חברות נאט"ו: "הודיעו לנו שלא ישתתפו במבצע נגד איראן. לא צריך אותן!"

3/17/2026, 3:43:22 PM

President Trump publicly attacked NATO allies who informed the US they would not participate in military operations against Iran, including efforts to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He accused them of always expecting American protection while offering nothing in return. Trump added that given US military success, Washington no longer needs or wants allied assistance.

מלחמת קיום

3/17/2026, 3:41:20 PM

This Israeli op-ed grapples with the psychological and philosophical cost of living in a state of permanent existential conflict. The author argues that it is deeply difficult to accept the idea that Israel will always live by the sword, particularly in an age of artificial intelligence and technological mastery where people expect every problem to have a definitive solution. The piece challenges Israeli society to come to terms with a reality where absolute security may never be achievable.

המלחמה שמגיעה לכבישים: הנהגים לחוצים ועייפים - והסכנה גדולה

3/17/2026, 3:28:13 PM

A study by Israel's Road Safety Authority reveals that the ongoing war is taking a heavy toll on driver behaviour, with participants reporting excessive drowsiness, post-traumatic stress symptoms and heightened anxiety. These psychological effects are linked to aggressive driving, traffic violations and basic errors behind the wheel. Since the start of Operation "Lion's Roar," 12 people have been killed in road accidents.

חוסן הוא לא מבחן סיבולת, הוא חוזה בין מדינה לאזרחים

3/17/2026, 3:20:29 PM

An Israeli op-ed argues that the concept of "resilience" has been hollowed out by overuse as a compliment to citizens enduring wartime hardship. True resilience, the author contends, is a test of the state — whether it protects all citizens equally, reduces inequality, and preserves space for criticism and vulnerability. The piece calls for a fundamental rethinking of the social contract between the Israeli government and its people.

בעלות ברית במלחמה: תמונה אחת שווה אלפי מילים

3/17/2026, 3:08:36 PM

As Israel enters its eighth decade, this opinion piece argues that the nation's guiding document should be its Declaration of Independence — not a new book by British author Tim Bouverie. The columnist uses a single resonant image to contrast Israel's foundational values with current political trends. The piece is a call to return to the ideals of Israel's founding in the face of coalition pressures and shifting alliances.

משבר האמון בצפון: "צה"ל חייב להסתכל לנו בעיניים ולהפסיק לחרטט"

3/17/2026, 3:06:22 PM

A resilience study found a 15% drop in the psychological resilience of northern Israeli residents following the night of March 11, when Hezbollah fired around 200 rockets — despite the IDF having insisted beforehand that no change to civilian directives was needed. Residents of the Galilee expressed deep frustration, demanding the military stop projecting an image of omnipotence while failing to protect them. The IDF has pledged to draw lessons from the incident.

צה"ל זיהה היערכות של חיזבאללה למטחים גדולים; ייתכן גם ירי משולב עם איראן

3/17/2026, 2:05:44 PM

The Israeli military (IDF) has identified Hezbollah preparations for large-scale rocket barrages likely targeting northern Israel, and has warned that a combined attack with Iran may also be possible. The IDF is attempting to disrupt the launches through pre-emptive strikes, while the Home Front Command is set to alert residents to stay near shelters ahead of the expected attack, estimated around 19:00. The last similar barrage resulted in 220 rockets and drones, only two of which landed.

ראש המרכז ללוחמה בטרור של טראמפ התפטר: "ישראל שיקרה לך ולחצה להילחם באיראן"

3/17/2026, 1:59:39 PM

Joe Kent, head of Trump's Counter-Terrorism Center, has resigned amid widespread US public opposition to the war with Iran, publicly stating that "Iran does not pose an immediate threat to us" and that the war was launched due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. Kent, who lost his wife in an ISIS attack in Syria, wrote today that she was killed "in a war Israel created." Trump responded coolly, saying he "always thought he was a fairly nice person" but was glad he was now out of the role.

שר הרווחה קורא להחרגת המשרד מהקיצוץ: "פגיעה ישירה בחלשים בישראל"

3/17/2026, 1:42:53 PM

Israeli Welfare Minister Chaim Katz has urged the Finance Ministry to exempt his department from the across-the-board budget cuts introduced to finance war expenditures. He warned that without an exemption, his ministry would retain only about 35% of the funds earmarked for improving welfare services in the coming year. Among the programmes at risk is a plan to raise salaries for residential care instructors, urgently needed to address a severe staffing crisis in Israel's social care sector.

מתנחלים קיצונים תקפו כוחות בפינוי מאחז: לוחם נפגע מסלע, צמיגים נוקבו

3/17/2026, 12:49:30 PM

Extremist Israeli settlers attacked military and civil administration forces near Hebron as they attempted to demolish illegal structures at the Oqfim Junction outpost. Two large rocks were hurled at the troops, one striking a bulldozer and shattering its windshield; the soldier inside sustained light injuries and was treated on the scene. Overnight, the tyres of Civil Administration vehicles were also slashed in a further act of obstruction.

הראשים נערפים, הגוף נשאר: הלקחים של איראן ממלחמות המערב - והחלוקה ל-31

3/17/2026, 12:48:31 PM

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been reorganised into 31 independent commands, each capable of launching missiles autonomously, according to a report cited by the Daily Mail. This decentralised "DMD strategy" is designed to ensure regime survival even if top leadership is eliminated — a direct lesson drawn from Western military campaigns. Senior Israeli officials have cautioned that while Iran has achieved no significant gains, dismantling this structure will take considerable time.

"יצא כדי לפגוע בערבים": תושב בנימין הורשע בהריגת עאישה א-ראבי ב-2018

3/17/2026, 12:44:08 PM

An Israeli court has convicted a man from the Benjamin region — who was 16 at the time — of the manslaughter of Aisha al-Rabi, a Palestinian mother of eight, killed by a stone thrown at her car near the Tapuah junction in 2018. The court accepted the prosecution's position and convicted him of manslaughter "in circumstances of terrorism." His lawyers announced they will appeal, arguing evidence shows their client did not throw the fatal stone.

גדליהו שנפצע בפיגוע בר"ג שב להכרה ולא מונשם: "הוא מפתיע את כולם"

3/17/2026, 11:54:42 AM

Gdalyahu, the chairman of the Ramat Gan religious council who was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in the city, is no longer on a ventilator and has regained consciousness. His cousin reported that he is recovering, has spoken with family members, and his condition is generating great excitement among those around him. The update marks a significant improvement for one of the victims of the terror attack.

נזק כבד לתחנת רכבת - ופגיעה בבריכת גלים | התיעודים, ורגע נפילת הטיל המתפצל

3/17/2026, 11:29:36 AM

Iran fired a cluster missile at central Israel, causing heavy damage to the Holon Junction train station and temporarily halting rail services in the area. Additional strikes hit a residential building in Rishon LeZion and a wave pool in Tel Aviv. A 90-year-old Holon resident described the impact as feeling like an earthquake shaking the entire building.

סולברג ענה בתקיפות למכתב של נתניהו: "תלמד את הנושא לפני שאתה טוען טענות"

3/17/2026, 11:17:11 AM

Justice Yitzhak Sולberg, chair of Israel's Central Elections Committee, sharply rebuked Prime Minister Netanyahu after attorney Ilan Bombach sent letters on behalf of Netanyahu and the Likud party opposing the appointment of attorney Yafat Siminovsky as the committee's legal adviser. Solberg defended Siminovsky, noting she passed all required examinations and was chosen unanimously, and condemned the letters as an unnecessary attack on her dignity. The clash highlights growing tensions between the Netanyahu government and judicial institutions during wartime.

עד ליציאה לחופש פסח: בתי הספר לא יורידו ציונים על היעדרות משיעורים בזום

3/17/2026, 10:31:29 AM

Israel's Education Ministry has instructed schools not to dock grades for students who miss online Zoom lessons, a measure effective until the Passover holiday break. The directive comes as children across the country face sleepless nights due to missile alerts, making it difficult to attend morning classes. The head of the National Student Council welcomed the move, saying Israeli children "can breathe easy" knowing their grades won't suffer because of a night full of sirens.

"אחיות שטיפלו במפגינים באיראן נאנסו, אחרות נורו למוות" | קשה לקריאה

3/17/2026, 10:10:41 AM

New reports detail atrocities committed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards during the suppression of January 2026 protests, including a raid on a Tehran hospital where staff were shot and two nurses were raped. According to opposition outlet Iran International, the nurses were subsequently forced to sign statements claiming they had been harmed by "rioters." The accounts add to a growing body of evidence of systematic violence by security forces against both protesters and medical personnel.

השאלה שצריכה להטריד - מי ימלא את מקומו של לריג'אני

3/17/2026, 10:06:40 AM

The ongoing elimination of senior figures in Iran's political and security leadership risks deepening fractures within the Iranian regime. However, analysts warn that the assassination of Ali Larijani could paradoxically strengthen the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which had already gained influence prior to his death. His removal may benefit Mojtaba Khamenei, who has close ties with the IRGC, further consolidating the Guards' grip on power.

האיש החזק במשטר, בכירי הג'יהאד ומפקד המיליציה שדם רבבות על ידיה: אלה היעדים באיראן

3/17/2026, 9:32:23 AM

An Israeli report profiles key figures targeted in Iran, including Ali Larijani — Khamenei's right-hand man and a philosophy doctorate who married into the Khomeini inner circle — as well as senior Islamic Jihad leader Mohammad al-Hindi and Basij commander Gholam Reza Soleimani, who led the brutal suppression of protests. Also named is Akram Ajouri, a senior Islamic Jihad figure who survived an assassination attempt in Syria. The article offers a detailed look at the ideological, family and institutional ties binding Iran's security and clerical elite.

מוג'תבא נשאר בלי חלופה שלטונית: המטרה הישראלית ברצף החיסולים

3/17/2026, 9:11:29 AM

The assassination of Ali Larijani signals that Israel is deliberately seeking to leave Iran without a functional leadership or succession structure. While Israeli assessments suggest Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, he is believed to be not in effective control of affairs. Larijani, who had opposed Mojtaba's rise and served as a counterweight to him, has now been eliminated — fundamentally altering Iran's internal power dynamics.

מנהיג איראן בפועל לריג'אני חוסל בדירת מסתור - וגם מפקד הבסיג' וסגנו

3/17/2026, 8:21:49 AM

Israel assassinated Ali Larijani — Iran's acting supreme leader — along with the commander of the Basij paramilitary force and his deputy, in a targeted strike on a safe house in Tehran. Larijani had made a high-profile public appearance in the capital just days earlier and had written that "death is happiness." The operation had reportedly been planned for the previous night but was postponed at the last moment. Last week, an underground compound housing Islamic Jihad's second-in-command Akram Ajouri and Mohammed al-Hindi was also bombed.

"נמאס להיכנס כמו גנבים בלילה": עשרות חסידי ברסלב הגיעו לקבר יוסף לאור יום - והוצאו

3/17/2026, 8:02:53 AM

Dozens of Breslov Hasidim associated with Rabbi Berland arrived at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus for morning prayers in broad daylight, defying the usual practice of night-time visits under IDF escort. Palestinian police attempted to remove them and stone-throwing was reported, before Israeli forces intervened and evacuated the worshippers. One Hasid said the act was a protest against being made to "sneak in like thieves in the night."

איש הסוד של נתניהו ינהל את המו"מ עם לבנון: "אפשר לדבר על הסכם שלום"

3/17/2026, 7:41:04 AM

Ron Dermer, Netanyahu's longtime confidant and former ambassador to the US, is returning to active diplomacy at the prime minister's personal request to lead negotiations with Lebanon. In remarks at a New York synagogue, Dermer said a peace agreement in the north was possible, describing the outstanding disputes as "not so complicated." He also tempered expectations about the Iranian regime collapsing, and stressed the need to reach a rapport with Trump within seconds of any meeting.

ההערכה בארה"ב: המשטר האיראני ישרוד - ויהפוך "נועז" יותר

3/17/2026, 7:14:36 AM

US intelligence assesses that the Iranian regime will survive the American and Israeli military strikes and emerge stronger and more assertive, according to the Washington Post. The Revolutionary Guards are expected to consolidate power, and Mojtaba Khamenei is seen as likely to serve as a partner figure rather than an authoritative leader like his father. An Iranian regime opponent warned that while Israeli strikes on the Basij are encouraging, the prospect of living under this regime after the war is deeply frightening.

ארה"ב מזהירה את העולם מתקיפות, וקוראת לדיפלומטים: תאמו מסרים עם ישראל

3/17/2026, 7:14:04 AM

US Secretary of State Rubio has ordered American diplomats to alert foreign governments to an "elevated risk" of attacks by Iran and its proxies, according to a cable obtained by ABC News. The directive instructs diplomats to coordinate their messaging with Israeli counterparts, as Washington works to build a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid growing European reluctance to back the US-Israel military campaign against Iran.

"אסטרטגיית יציאה" או שחיקת המשטר: הדילמה של טראמפ - והלו"ז המשתנה

3/17/2026, 5:31:42 AM

According to NBC, US military officials presented Trump with potential "exit points" to end the war against Iran alongside options for further escalation. Trump assessed that "the war probably won't end this week, but soon," as competing pressures — rising oil prices versus the desire for regime change — pull his administration in different directions. A shifting timetable, described as one that "could change every day," reflects the deep uncertainty over US strategic objectives in the conflict.

3 מחשבות לא מלחמתיות / דניאלה לונדון דקל

3/17/2026, 4:59:27 AM

Columnist Daniela London Dekel offers three sardonic reflections on Israeli society amid the ongoing conflict: who truly bears the cost of the current situation, how targeted assassinations have become a kind of brand franchise, and the enduring political magic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

קודם שרב ואובך, אחר כך גשמים ושיטפונות | התחזית ההפכפכה

3/17/2026, 4:58:52 AM

Temperatures in Israel are set to rise above seasonal norms on Wednesday, with a heatwave and strong winds accompanied by sandstorms expected in the south on Thursday. Rain is forecast to begin by midday Thursday, bringing the risk of flash floods in Negev riverbeds, before a significant cooldown sets in on Friday with scattered showers.

עשר שנים לפרשת אלאור אזריה: כך שינתה השערורייה את היחסים שבין הפוליטיקה לצבא בישראל

3/17/2026, 4:56:01 AM

Ten years after soldier Elor Azaria shot and killed a subdued Palestinian attacker in Hebron — an act that divided Israeli society between fierce supporters and critics — Ynet revisits the key figures at the heart of the affair. The case became a defining moment that exposed deep fault lines between Israel's military establishment and political class, with even the prime minister publicly shifting his stance. A decade on, analysts assess how the scandal permanently altered the relationship between army and politics in Israel.

טיל איראני פגע ברכב באמירויות, פלסטינית נהרגה; הרשות: "תוקפנות מסוכנת"

3/17/2026, 4:48:57 AM

An Iranian missile struck a vehicle in the United Arab Emirates, killing a Palestinian woman identified as Alaa Mushtaha, according to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry. The Palestinian Authority condemned the strike as "dangerous aggression" and expressed support for any steps Arab states take to protect their lands and citizens.

מדינות המפרץ מאבדות סבלנות: "איראן הפכה לאויב"

3/17/2026, 4:09:01 AM

Eighteen days into the war, Gulf state leaders have crossed a threshold in their view of Iran, declaring it has "crossed every red line" by attacking its neighbours and closing the Strait of Hormuz. Regional leaders are now united around the position that Tehran's military capabilities must be comprehensively degraded. A key Gulf concern is that once the conflict ends, Iran will continue to use the Strait as a strategic hostage to threaten the region.

"כתף אל כתף": התיאום בין צה"ל לצבא ארצות הברית

3/17/2026, 3:00:00 AM

The war against Iran is being conducted with exceptionally close military coordination between Israel and the United States, reaching an unprecedented peak. A key factor is Israel's transfer to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility five years ago, which has deepened operational integration. Retired Lt. Col. Yanir Kafach, former head of the US branch in the IDF Planning Directorate, explains how the two militaries are coordinating the campaign and what it means for the future of bilateral security ties.

נהג רכב פרטי נהרג בתאונה עם משאית בכביש 60

3/17/2026, 1:05:21 AM

A private car driver was killed in a fatal collision with a truck on Route 60, between the Shayarot Etzion and Efrat South junctions. Four truck passengers were also injured — two moderately and two lightly — and were evacuated by the Red Crescent to Palestinian Authority areas. Magen David Adom paramedics described a harrowing scene: the car was crushed and engulfed in flames, with the driver found unconscious and suffering burns.

האתגר של טראמפ: לפתוח את מצר הורמוז לפני פגיעה אנושה בכלכלה העולמית

3/16/2026, 10:53:08 PM

Iran is imposing a selective blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, throttling energy routes to major European and Asian economies and shaking global markets. Trump is pressing NATO allies to form an escort coalition for oil convoys, but they fear being dragged into a war the US initiated — while Putin stands as the primary beneficiary of soaring oil prices. Israel is providing intelligence for all options under consideration, and the Pentagon is reportedly preparing a plan to seize Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal.

צריך צבא גדול וחכם

3/16/2026, 10:10:00 PM

Israel's two-decade doctrine of maintaining a "small and smart army" has proven strategically flawed in light of the wars fought since the October 7 attacks. The article argues that Israel must invest far more heavily in its military, both in personnel and capability. The author contends this shift will yield not only security gains but also significant economic and strategic dividends.

עוצמת החולשה

3/16/2026, 10:08:00 PM

Despite taking military blows, Iran entered this conflict prepared and continues to hold the world hostage through its leverage over global energy markets. The article warns that boastful declarations by too many leaders — including Israeli ones — are undermining the war effort by creating unrealistic expectations of a swift victory. The author argues that Iran's apparent weakness masks a strategic resilience that should not be underestimated.

חינוך וחוסן לאומי

3/16/2026, 10:04:00 PM

An opinion piece arguing that Israel has repeatedly failed to draw lessons from major national crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war. The author criticises the country's stubborn refusal to look back and reflect, describing this as a combination of foolishness, stubbornness and arrogance. The piece calls for a serious rethinking of how education and national resilience are built and maintained.

יריב לא קל לעיכול

3/16/2026, 10:02:00 PM

The article profiles the life and death of Jamal Rayan, the controversial and outspoken anchor of Al Jazeera, examining his career and the disputes that surrounded him. Rayan was a prominent and polarising figure in Arab broadcast journalism, known for his confrontational on-air style. The piece reflects on his legacy and the circumstances of his passing.

איך נדע אם הצלחנו?

3/16/2026, 10:02:00 PM

As the war against Iran continues in full force, leaders from the US, Israel and Iran have already begun crafting victory narratives. The article questions what should truly count as success for Israel, cautioning against premature declarations like those made after Operation "With a Lion's Roar." It argues that any meaningful benchmark must be measurable: to what extent have Iran's capabilities to harm Israel, its neighbours and its citizens been durably neutralised.

15 נפגעים קל בפגיעה ישירה בנהריה, בית עלה באש: "דלת הממ"ד נסגרה - והגיע בום"

3/16/2026, 9:48:06 PM

A rocket fired from Lebanon scored a direct hit on a residential building in Nahariya, northern Israel, injuring 15 people lightly and setting the house on fire. Residents described narrow escapes, with one man recounting how his sister-in-law managed to reach the safe room just seconds before impact. Locals expressed weary resignation, saying they are hoping for a quiet life while others seem to have different plans for them.

עשן בנמל התעופה בדובאי, שברים ענקיים בצפת ובירושלים: היום ה-17 למלחמה בתמונות

3/16/2026, 9:33:42 PM

On the 17th day of the war, 15 people were lightly wounded in Nahariya after a direct Hezbollah rocket hit, while rubble continued to pile up in the Dahiya district of Beirut. A massive missile fragment fell in Safed, and another was documented near the Knesset in Jerusalem. Iran also continued striking Gulf states during the day.

חוסל בכיר של "גדודי חיזבאללה בעיראק". צורקוב: "השאיר אותי בשבי והפיץ עליי שקרים"

3/16/2026, 8:50:08 PM

Abu Ali al-Askari, a senior commander in the pro-Iranian Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah, has been killed in an airstrike according to Arab media reports. The militia had joined Iran's war effort and was involved in regional operations. Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian academic who was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah, said al-Askari was personally involved in her captivity and had spread "ridiculous lies" about her.

הפשיעה משתוללת גם במלחמה: צעיר נורה למוות ברמלה, גבר נרצח בוואדי ערה

3/16/2026, 8:31:09 PM

A young man in his twenties, Marwan Abu Ghanem, was shot dead in Ramle in what police believe was a blood-revenge killing, with four suspects from Lod arrested. Shortly after, another man was shot and killed in Musheireifa, near Umm al-Fahm. The incidents bring the total number of Arab community murder victims in Israel to 67 since the start of 2025, and 10 since the beginning of the current war.

ההקלטה שחושפת: מוג'תבא חמינאי יצא רגע לחצר – וניצל מחיסול

3/16/2026, 6:29:59 PM

A recording obtained by the British Telegraph reveals that Mojtaba Khamenei, heir apparent to the Supreme Leader, survived the opening strike of the war only because he had stepped outside for a walk in the courtyard moments before the missile hit. The recording features a senior official from the late Ali Khamenei's office briefing other senior figures on the results of the strike, which killed the Supreme Leader and much of the regime's top leadership. Mojtaba was reportedly climbing the stairs when the missile struck, having just returned from the courtyard.