Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

WATCH the full episode here:

More from The Daily Briefing

March 8, 2026Daily Briefing Mar. 8 -- Despite fewer missiles per attack, Iran strikes still a lethal threat

Daily Briefing Mar. 8 -- Despite fewer missiles per attack, Iran strikes still a lethal threat

March 5, 2026Daily Briefing Mar. 5: Deadly Iranian strike changes Purim for Haredi enclave in Beit Shemesh

Daily Briefing Mar. 5: Deadly Iranian strike changes Purim for Haredi enclave in Beit Shemesh

March 4, 2026Daily Briefing March 4 - Trump’s war on Iran draws ire as detractors blame Jewish state

Daily Briefing March 4 - Trump’s war on Iran draws ire as detractors blame Jewish state

March 3, 2026Daily Briefing Mar. 3: Goals of war remain murky amid Trump administration's mixed messages

Daily Briefing Mar. 3: Goals of war remain murky amid Trump administration's mixed messages

March 2, 2026Daily Briefing March 2 - IDF adds Hezbollah to decapitation campaign after it joins war

Daily Briefing March 2 - IDF adds Hezbollah to decapitation campaign after it joins war

Overnight, the Israeli military pushed deeper into southern Lebanon as part of its “enhanced forward defense posture” after Hezbollah began attacking Israel a week ago. While there are Israeli boots on the ground, Berman clarifies that the IDF is not — yet — taking part in a ground maneuver.

We turn to Iran and the question of a potential schism between the US and Israel over Israel’s targeting of Iranian oil sites. How long can the US continue the conflict in light of the ripple effects on the global economy?

The Times of Israel’s US bureau chief Jacob Magid conducted a telephone interview with US President Donald Trump yesterday. We hear the main headlines today, and Magid will fill us in on the rest of the conversation on the podcast tomorrow.

And finally, we speak about the choice of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s supreme leader. Berman discusses who he is and how the move is a direct rebuke to US President Donald Trump, who had declared the son “unacceptable.” We also delve into the apparent differences of opinion among Iran’s leadership as the country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized Saturday for attacks on regional countries, even as its missiles and drones flew toward Gulf Arab states

Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.

Two IDF soldiers killed in Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon

Black clouds over Tehran rain down oil drops after Israel strikes oil facilities

Trump to Times of Israel: It’ll be a ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu regarding when Iran war ends

Trump: Next Iranian supreme leader ‘not going to last long’ without US approval

More hardline than his father, Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment signals defiance and revenge

Pezeshkian apologizes for attacks on Gulf neighbors even as Iran forces step up strikes

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Gabriella Jacobs produced this episode and Ari Schlacht edited.

Check out yesterday’s episode here:

Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the Iran war right now? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:

Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock under difficult conditions to cover this conflict;

Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and emails; and

Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.

Times of Israel podcasts

2023-2025 Israel-Hamas war

2026 US-Israel war with Iran

© The Times of Israel