Day: March 13, 2026

MORE | Israeli Campaign against Hezbollah and Hezbollah Response: Hezbollah claimed 36 attacks targeting Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions and forces in northern Israel and southern Lebanon between 3:00 PM ET on March 11 and 3:00 PM ET on March 12.

Hezbollah appears to be relying more heavily on drones to attack IDF forces and positions. Hezbollah’s reliance on drones is notable given that Hezbollah did not heavily rely on drones during the October 7 War.

The IDF has continued to conduct airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure that is crucial to the group’s ability to operate.

The IDF also confirmed that it killed several Hezbollah officials and affiliates.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW | Evening Iran Update: Six Key Takeaways ⬇️

1. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement on March 12 after the Assembly of Experts selected him as the new supreme leader on March 8. Khamenei reaffirmed the regime’s commitment to Iran’s war effort in order to achieve Iran’s long-standing objectives, including the erosion and eventual expulsion of American influence from the Middle East and the destruction of the Israeli state.

2. An Iranian-linked hacker group conducted a cyberattack on a US healthcare company on March 11, which is likely part of an Iranian effort to target the US healthcare system in order to impose political pressure on the US administration. Iran has undertaken a similar effort to impose political pressure on the United States by striking oil infrastructure in the region and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

3. The US and Israeli combined force has continued to target Iranian internal security and military sites across Iran. CTP-ISW has observed strikes in ten provinces since 8:00 AM ET on March 12.

4. Anti-regime media reported that the Iranian armed forces are facing deepening fractures between the Artesh and the IRGC amid severe supply shortages, citing unspecified informed sources. Some Western media reports have indicated that there are no signs of mass defections within the Iranian armed forces or fractures within the regime yet, however.

5. Recent US Central Command (CENTCOM) operations are attempting to limit Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said on March 12 that it has destroyed over 30 Iranian minelaying ships and that it has targeted naval mine warehouses and manufacturing facilities across Iran.

6. Hezbollah appears to be relying more heavily on drones to attack IDF forces and positions. Hezbollah’s reliance on drones is notable given that Hezbollah did not heavily rely on drones during the October 7 War.—  https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2032299357253300396

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Mar 13, 2026