March 23, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMarch 23, 2026UpdatesReport: Mossad chief told Netanyahu Israeli spies could spark anti-regime protests in Iran According to a The New York Times report based on interviews with U.S. and Israeli officials, Israel's Mossad Chief David Barnea told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the war with Iran that the espionage agency was capable of inciting riots to help overthrow the regime.Barnea also reportedly presented the proposal to senior U.S. government officials during a visit to Washington in mid-January. According to the New York Times' sources, Netanyahu adopted Barnea's optimism about the possibility of an uprising in order to convince U.S. President Donald Trump that overthrowing the regime was a realistic goal.Report: U.S., Israeli officials doubt Iran war will permanently block Tehran nuclear capabilitiesIsraeli and American security officials who spoke with the Washington Post on Sunday expressed doubts that the original objectives stated for the Iran war – collapsing the regime and thwarting Iran's nuclear program – are no longer achievable. According to the report, reopening the Strait of Hormuz is now the primary objective following the shift. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that he would begin striking Iranian energy infrastructure if it does not comply.March 23, 2026Missile launched from Iran to northern Israel lands in open area, no damage reportedSirens sounded in northern Israel due to a missile launched from Iran which hit an open area.The Safed Municipality reported that an interception fragment fell in the city, and medics reported that there were no casualties.Missile debris, on Monday. Credit: Safed Municipality SpokespersonMissile debris, on Monday. Credit: Safed Municipality SpokespersonReport: Power outages in many areas of Tehran after Israeli attacksAccording to a report by the New York Times, electricity supply to large areas of Tehran was cut off after Israeli attacks on the city last night, according to residents in various neighborhoods in Tehran. Iranian media reported explosions heard in the capital, and citizens described attacks in its eastern, western and northern parts.'Horrific': Jewish community ambulances torched in antisemitic attack in LondonA drone view of four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, that were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. Credit: Hannah McKay/ REUTERSA drone view of four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a Jewish community organisation, that were set on fire in an incident that the police say is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. Credit: Hannah McKay/ REUTERS‌Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation in north London were ⁠set ablaze overnight in a suspected antisemitic hate crime, police said on Monday."An investigation ⁠has been launched after four ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service were set on fire in Golders Green," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement."Officers remain on scene and the arson attack is being treated ‌as an antisemitic hate crime," it said, adding that no injuries had been ‌reported.The ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a not-for-profit volunteer organization that responds to medical emergencies.The London Fire Brigade said it had sent six fire engines and 40 firefighters to the scene. Calls from residents were recorded at 0140 GMT."Multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats. No injuries are reported."The London Fire Brigade said the fire was under control by 3:06 GMT.Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the incident was "a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack," adding that his thoughts were with the Jewish community "waking up this morning to this horrific news." He stressed that "antisemitism has no place in our society" and urged that anyone with information come forward to police.Health Secretary Wes Streeting called ⁠the attack "sickening" in a post on X, adding that "we must stand together against antisemitic hatred."Read the full articleGlobal energy watchdog signals further oil stock releases, chief Birol saysThe International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in ‌Asia and Europe on the release of more stockpiled oil "if necessary" due to the Iran war, Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Monday."If it is necessary, of course, we ⁠will do it. We look at the conditions, we will analyse, assess the markets and discuss with our member countries," Birol told the National Press Club in Canberra. IEA member nations agreed on March 11 to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to combat ‌the ⁠spike in global crude prices.There would not be a specific crude price level to trigger another release, Birol added.He described the crisis in the Middle ⁠East as "very severe" and worse than the two oil shocks of the 1970s, as well as the impact ⁠of the Russia-Ukraine war on gas, put together."The single most important solution to this ⁠problem is opening the Hormuz Strait," he said.Explosions reported at Saudi, Iraq air bases; sirens in BaghdadExplosions were heard at the King Salman Air Base in Saudi Arabia and in the city of Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan region, Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen TV reported. The channel also said sirens were activated at the U.S. Victory Base in Baghdad, near the Iraqi capital's airport.U.S. strikes Iranian drone engine plant, images show 'devastating' damageThe U.S. Central Command said it carried out airstrikes on a key Iranian military facility involved in drone production, releasing before-and-after images showing extensive damage.According to CENTCOM, the Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant manufactured gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. An image dated March 6, 2026 shows the facility intact, while a second image taken three days later reveals what the military described as "devastating" destruction following the U.S. strike.The Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The photo dated on March 6, 2026 shows the plant before U.S. airstrikes and the second photo shows the plant three daysShow moreMarch 23, 2026Iranian missile barrage causes damage in several central Israel locationsAn Iranian missile fragment in a schoolyard, in the West Bank settlement of Peduel, on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with Section 27A of the Israeli copyright law.An Iranian missile fragment in a schoolyard, in the West Bank settlement of Peduel, on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with Section 27A of the Israeli copyright law.Settlers filmed throwing stones at Palestinian car near West Bank villageIsraeli settlers were documented throwing stones at a vehicle bearing Palestinian license plates in the village of Salem, east of Nablus, according to local reports and footage circulated online.Salem is near the town of Deir al-Hatab, where settlers have recently set fire to buildings and vehicles and hurled stones at residents and property.ידוי אבנים בכפר סאלם