Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a statement to the media on Motzei Shabbos following the launch of “Operation Roaring Lion”—the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

“My brothers and sisters, Israeli citizens—this morning, Israel and the US launched a joint operation to remove the existential threat to Israel posed by the Ayatollah regime in Iran,” he said. “This fateful operation will continue for as long as necessary, and we’ll have to be patient.”

“I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership.

“For 47 years, the Ayatollahs’ regime has chanted ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America.’ It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten our existence and the peace of all of humanity.

“We went to battle to fundamentally change this reality—to put an end to the threat. On the second day of the War of Revival, I promised you that we would change the face of the Middle East. We did so in ‘Rising Lion,’ and we are doing so now with even greater force in Operation ‘Roaring Lion.'”

“This morning, in a powerful surprise strike, the tyrant Khamenei’s compound in the heart of Tehran was destroyed. This cruel tyrant spread terror around the world for 35 years while impoverishing his own people and relentlessly advancing plans to destroy Israel. That plan is no more, and there are many signs that this tyrant may be no more as well.”

“This morning we eliminated senior figures in the Ayatollah regime, commanders in the Revolutionary Guards, and officials in the nuclear program—and we will continue. In the coming days, we will strike thousands of targets of the terror regime.”

“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.” Netanyahu then addressed the Iranian public directly, urging them to act against the regime in Tehran. “Don’t miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Soon, the time will come for you to go into the streets en masse and overthrow the regime that embittered your lives.”

“Your suffering wasn’t in vain. Your help has arrived. Unite together for a historic mission—to bring down the regime. The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people—the Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis—to overthrow the regime and ensure your future.”

“I call on you, Israeli citizens, to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the days ahead, we will all be called upon to show discipline and resilience.

“Today, everyone knows—Am Yisrael Chai.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)