Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the nation's current operation will be "much more powerful" than a "bruising 12-day war" Israel launched against Iran in June. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.
In a recorded message released Saturday morning, Netanyahu announced the joint campaign, Operation Lion’s Roar, aimed at ending the threat from the Ayatollah regime in Iran. He stated that the IDF is striking targets of the oppressive regime, facilities of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and together with the United States military, ballistic missile sites that threaten both Israel and U.S. forces. The operation will continue as long as necessary.
Netanyahu highlighted the regime's history of calling for death to Israel and America, trampling on its citizens, spreading terror, and investing resources to develop atomic bombs and missiles. He referenced a recent mass slaughter of thousands of its own citizens, including children, adults, and the elderly, who sought freedom and dignity.
He said that in recent months, Iran has been plotting to rebuild its nuclear and missile capabilities and bury them underground. If not stopped now, they will become invulnerable. Netanyahu stressed that the operation is far more powerful than Operation Rising Lion and is being conducted in full cooperation with the United States under President Trump's leadership.
Netanyahu called for patience and resilience, acknowledging potential costs, even heavy ones. He urged citizens to follow Home Front Command instructions, which save lives, and emphasised that the risk of not acting is immeasurably greater than the risks of military action.
