TEL AVIV DAILY - 13 MARCH 2026
Netanyahu States Iran No Longer Former Threat After Parchin Nuclear Site Strike, IDF Drops Sde Teiman Charges, Iranian Missile Hits Northern Town Zarzir
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Four US Soldiers Killed in KC-135 Tanker Collision Over Western Iraq
US Central Command confirms four US airmen died after a KC-135 Stratotanker collided with a second aircraft in western Iraq, according to multiple outlets. CENTCOM states the incident was not due to hostile or friendly fire; rescue efforts were ongoing for the other aircraft involved.
Iranian Missile Strikes Northern Israeli Town, Dozens Wounded in Single Impact
Iranian ballistic missile struck the northern town of Zarzir Thursday, moderately wounding one person with shrapnel and lightly injuring over 50 others by broken glass, Magen David Adom reports. IDF opened probe into the impact, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.
US Navy Engages Iranian Ship Near USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group
US Navy struck an Iranian vessel after it sailed near the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, CBS News reports. The status of the Iranian ship and its crew is currently unknown; no further details on the engagement were immediately available.
Netanyahu Holds First War Press Conference, Threatens Iranian Supreme Leader
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he does not know if Iranians will oust the regime, saying Israel killed a top nuclear scientist and scoffing that new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei cannot show his face in public. Netanyahu confirmed daily conversations with President Donald Trump and stated Iran is no longer the threat it used to be.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated 12 March at first war press conference that Iran is "not the threat it used to be" even absent regime change, revealing Israeli strikes killed multiple Iranian nuclear scientists during Operation Roaring Lion and confirming he speaks with President Donald Trump nearly daily. IDF Spokesperson confirmed 12 March strikes against Parchin-Taleghan 2 nuclear facility near Tehran — site Israeli military characterizes as critical infrastructure for developing nuclear weapons trigger mechanisms under defunct Project Amad program. Military Advocate General dismissed 12 March all charges against five soldiers accused of severely assaulting Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman facility, citing evidentiary complexity and leak scandal compromised defendants' right to fair trial — eliminating judicial accountability for abuse case that sparked July 2024 base storming. Iranian ballistic missile struck northern town of Zarzir 13 March, moderately wounding one person with shrapnel and lightly injuring over 57 others by broken glass, with IDF opening probe into impact after Iranian regime demonstrated continued strike capability despite claimed degradation. END SUMMARY.
