Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday that Israel and the United States had initiated a joint military operation named Operation Roaring Lion (also referred to as Operation Lion’s Roar or Lions Roar) targeting Iran. The strikes, which began shortly before his address, aim to end the threat posed by what he described as the oppressive Ayatollah regime in Iran.
In a televised statement to Israeli citizens, Netanyahu declared that the operation’s primary goal is to eliminate the existential danger from Iran’s regime, including attacks on facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij forces, and ballistic missile sites that threaten both Israel and US forces in the region. He emphasized that the IDF, alongside US military assets, is carrying out these strikes, and the operation will continue “as long as necessary.”
Netanyahu highlighted the long-standing hostility of the Iranian regime, noting that for 47 years it has repeatedly called for “Death to Israel” and “Death to America,” while brutally suppressing its own people, establishing a global terror network, and investing heavily in nuclear weapons development and tens of thousands of missiles intended to erase Israel from the map. He accused the regime of arming terror organizations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Judea and Samaria.
The prime minister referenced recent events, including what he called an unprecedented mass slaughter of Iranian citizens last month, where thousands—including children, adults, and the elderly—were murdered, and tens of thousands arrested, tortured, and humiliated simply for seeking freedom and dignity. He also pointed to prior Israeli operations, such as the War of Revival and Operation White Valley, which he said dealt significant blows to the regime and its proxies, though the “wounded beast” continues efforts to recover and rebuild its nuclear and missile capabilities underground.
Netanyahu stated that the current operation is considerably more powerful than Operation White Valley and is being conducted in full cooperation with the United States under the courageous leadership of President Donald Trump. He expressed confidence that the US would not be deceived by Iran’s negotiating tactics, which he described as attempts to buy time through deceitful talks.
The prime minister warned that failing to act now would leave Israel facing a nuclear-armed Iran with tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, rendering it immune to countermeasures. He stressed that the danger of inaction far outweighs the risks of military engagement, urging Israeli citizens to adhere strictly to Home Front Command instructions, prepare for challenging days ahead with potential heavy costs, and maintain unity, courage, and mutual responsibility.
Addressing the citizens of Iran directly, Netanyahu assured them that they—and the Iranian army (Artesh)—are not Israel’s enemies. He identified the common adversary as the murderous Ayatollah regime, which controls the country through the Revolutionary Guard and Basij, degrading the nation and massacring its people. In coordination with President Trump, he offered safety and a secure future to anyone in the regime’s forces who lays down their weapons. He called on Iran’s diverse communities—Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, Ahwazis, and others—to seize this opportunity to establish a new, free Iran, take destiny into their own hands, and look to the skies where forces of the free world are aiding them.
Netanyahu expressed profound gratitude to President Trump, the American people, and the US military, describing Trump as the greatest friend Israel has known in the White House and a resolute leader of the free world acting with responsibility and courage. He saluted the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, Air Force, intelligence directorate, Mossad, security forces, and rescue teams for their courage.
Drawing a historical parallel, Netanyahu noted that the address coincided with the holiday of Purim, recalling how 2,500 years ago in ancient Persia, the wicked Haman sought to annihilate the Jewish people but was defeated through the courage of Mordechai and Queen Esther. He invoked the prophet Amos—”A lion has roared; who will not fear?”—declaring that in Operation Roaring Lion, Israel is roaring, and with unity and divine help, the nation will guarantee its eternal existence.
The strikes have escalated tensions in the Middle East, with reports of Iranian retaliation including missile and drone launches toward Israel, and the region bracing for further developments.