Jerusalem, Israel – March 1, 2026 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that Israel and the United States had launched a coordinated military operation against Iran, describing it as a necessary action to eliminate what he called an “existential threat” posed by the Iranian regime and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
In a video message released shortly after the strikes began early Saturday, Netanyahu stated that the joint campaign—codenamed “Lion’s Roar” by Israel—was significantly more powerful than previous operations and aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities that could threaten “all of humanity.” He characterized the Iranian leadership as a “murderous terror regime” and emphasized that Israel would never permit such an outcome.
“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said. He directly addressed various ethnic groups within Iran, including Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis, urging them to “throw off the yoke of tyranny” and work toward establishing a “free and peace-loving Iran.”
The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s long-standing policy of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, framing the current operation as a decisive step in that direction. He declared a “special and immediate” state of emergency across Israel in response to anticipated Iranian retaliation.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed American participation, announcing that the United States had initiated “major combat operations” against the “Iranian regime.” In a Truth Social video, Trump described the strikes as essential to protect American national security interests by neutralizing imminent threats from Iran’s missile arsenal, nuclear program, and support for regional proxy groups. He urged Iranian military forces to surrender and called on the Iranian population to overthrow their government, while acknowledging the possibility of US casualties in the conflict.
The operation targeted Iranian military infrastructure, missile production facilities, command centers, and reportedly senior leadership figures. Reports indicate explosions in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and other locations, with Iranian air defenses engaging retaliatory missile and drone barrages launched toward Israeli territory and US military bases in the Gulf region, including facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. A missile struck a US-linked service center in Bahrain’s Juffair area, and an Iranian missile was intercepted over Qatar using the Patriot system.
Civilian casualties have been reported on the Iranian side, including five students killed when a girls’ primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, was reportedly struck. The Iranian Red Crescent Society stated that attacks occurred near medical and humanitarian facilities in Tehran, including the Red Crescent Building, Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital, Behzisti facilities, and Motahari Hospital. No confirmed casualty or damage figures from these locations have been released.
Iranian authorities confirmed on Sunday the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military officials, including Chief of the General Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, IRGC Ground Forces Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. A 40-day national mourning period has been declared, and an interim Leadership Council has been formed under Article 111 of the Constitution, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as the clerical representative.
The strikes occurred despite ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman, with the latest round concluding in Geneva on Thursday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi had described progress as “within our reach” after meeting US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. The sudden military action has cast serious doubt on the future of diplomacy.
This escalation follows the June 2025 12-day Israel-Iran war, during which Israel initiated strikes and the United States later joined, bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan). Those actions were reported to have set back—but not eliminated—Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to International Atomic Energy Agency assessments.
International reactions have been polarized. China, Russia, and several other nations condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty. France, Germany, and the UK denied participation while condemning Iranian retaliatory attacks. The European Union and Switzerland urged maximum restraint and respect for international law. Protests erupted in Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan, with clashes near the US Consulate in Karachi.
Gulf states closed airspace, placed forces on high alert, and expressed concern over energy disruptions. Oil prices surged sharply amid fears regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Russian Embassy in Tehran urged citizens to leave Iran if possible.
As missile exchanges continue, airspace restrictions persist, and regional forces remain on high alert, Netanyahu’s announcement and Trump’s confirmation underscore the high-stakes nature of the operation and its stated goal of fundamentally altering Iran’s strategic posture and leadership structure.
