The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Checkmate? Iran's 'de facto leader' and top oppressor killed
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Mar 17, 2026 
Emanuel Fabian, a Times of Israel military correspondent who reports on Israel, Iran and Lebanon, walks through overnight Israeli strikes that killed key Iranian figures and what targets Israel is hitting across Iran’s weapons chain. He also explains expanding Israeli operations in southern Lebanon and recounts being threatened by bettors upset over his reporting.
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Israel Targeting Entire Iranian Weapons Supply Chain
- Israel is systematically striking Iran's military-industrial supply chain, not just battlefield targets.
- Emanuel Fabian says strikes hit major missile factories and tiny component producers to cripple Iran's ability to rebuild weapons.
Exceptional Israeli Intelligence Shaped Early Strikes
- Israel's intelligence capabilities have located and struck highly protected Iranian leaders early in the war, including the new supreme leader.
- Fabian calls the intelligence 'exceptional and quite scary,' citing the Feb 28 strike that killed top figures.
Destroying Launchers Helps Now But Not Forever
- Short-term strikes on missile launches reduce incoming fire but won't permanently stop Iran if the regime survives.
- Fabian notes launchers are simple to rebuild, so destroyed launchers can be replaced quickly after hostilities end.