In a historic and high-stakes military escalation, Israel and the United States have jointly launched Operation Roaring Lion (מבצע שאגת הארי), a sweeping preemptive campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, ballistic missile stockpiles, and key regime infrastructure. The operation was publicly announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28, 2026, in a direct address to the Israeli people.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated unequivocally: “A short while ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.” He paid special tribute to U.S. President Donald Trump, thanking him for his “historic leadership” in enabling the coordinated action. Netanyahu underscored that after 47 years of the ayatollah regime’s repeated calls for “Death to Israel” and “Death to America,” its sponsorship of terrorism, murder of Israelis and Americans, and brutal oppression of its own citizens, the international community could no longer allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons that would threaten all of humanity.
The Prime Minister framed the strikes as a pivotal moment not only for Israel’s security but also for the future of the Iranian people. He directly appealed to Iran’s diverse ethnic communities—Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis—urging them to rise up, throw off the yoke of tyranny, and build a free and peaceful Iran. Domestically, Netanyahu called on all Israeli citizens to adhere strictly to Home Front Command instructions in the coming days, emphasizing the need for national resilience: “Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”President Trump confirmed U.S. involvement via a video statement on Truth Social, describing the campaign—designated Operation Epic Fury on the American side—as massive, precise, and ongoing.
He reiterated the shared goal of dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, neutralizing its nuclear program, and creating conditions for regime change from within.Initial reports confirm explosions and smoke rising over multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Iran’s airspace has been closed, and retaliatory missile and drone barrages toward Israel have so far been largely intercepted by multilayered Israeli defense systems. The strikes build on months of failed nuclear diplomacy, prior Israeli actions in June 2025, and intensified covert operations.
This unprecedented U.S.-Israel alliance move signals a decisive shift from containment to direct confrontation with what both leaders describe as an imminent existential danger. Markets, energy prices, and regional security postures are already reacting sharply, with the potential for wider escalation involving Iranian proxies across the Middle East.Stakeholders are urged to monitor developments closely as the multi-day operation unfolds, with significant implications for global security, energy stability, and the strategic balance in the region.
