Read Benjamin Netanyahu’s full statement on Iran

Israel and U.S. Launch Joint “Operation Lion’s Roar” Against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday that Israel and the United States have initiated a joint military operation against Iran, calling it “Operation Lion’s Roar.” In a recorded message delivered in Hebrew, Netanyahu described the campaign as “much more powerful” than the previous 12-day conflict with Iran in June.

The operation targets Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Basij forces, and ballistic missile sites that Netanyahu claims threaten both Israeli and American forces. “This operation will continue as long as necessary,” the Prime Minister stated, framing the action as a response to decades of Iranian hostility.

“For 47 years, the evil regime in Iran has called for death to Israel, death to America,” Netanyahu said. “It trampled on the citizens of its country, instilled fear in the peoples of the region, and spread a vast network of terror across the entire world.”

The Israeli leader cited Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions and support for regional proxy groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the West Bank as justification for the military action. He also referenced recent internal unrest in Iran, claiming the regime “carried out an unprecedented mass slaughter of its own citizens” and “cold-bloodedly murdered thousands of children, adults and the elderly.”

Netanyahu presented the operation as a preventative measure, alleging Iran has been “plotting to rebuild their nuclear and missile capabilities and to bury them underground, where we cannot reach them.” He accused Iranian negotiators of trying to “buy time” through “fruitless and deceitful negotiations” with American officials.

The timing of the operation is significant, coming just days before the Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from a genocidal plot in ancient Persia, modern-day Iran. Netanyahu explicitly drew this parallel in his address.

In a direct appeal to Iranian citizens, Netanyahu insisted they are “not our enemies,” placing blame squarely on “the murderous regime of the Ayatollahs.” He encouraged Iranians to “take your destiny into your own hands” and promised safety for anyone who “lays down their weapon, including among the regime forces.”

Netanyahu expressed particular gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him “not only one of Israel’s greatest friends in the White House of all time, but also a determined leader of the free world.”

The Israeli Prime Minister warned his citizens to prepare for potentially “heavy costs” and urged them to follow civil defense instructions from the Home Front Command. “Every military action involves risk,” he acknowledged, “but the risk of not acting is immeasurably greater.”

This escalation represents a significant intensification of regional tensions that have been building since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza. The conflict has already spread to Lebanon, with Israel conducting extensive operations against Hezbollah forces there.

Military analysts suggest this coordinated U.S.-Israeli action could mark a new phase in the confrontation with Iran, potentially aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities and supporting internal opposition to the regime.

The operation raises concerns about further regional destabilization and potential Iranian retaliation against Israeli or American targets. Oil prices are expected to spike when markets open, reflecting fears about potential disruptions to energy supplies from the Persian Gulf region.

International reaction has been swift, with some nations expressing support for the operation while others have called for restraint and a return to diplomatic channels. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session to address the situation.