From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Netanyahu says Israel, US launched strikes to ‘remove the existential threat’ posed by Iran
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issues a video message in Hebrew after Israel and the US launched a wave of strikes against Iran, saying the operation was launched “to remove the existential threat” posed by the Islamic Republic, and “create the conditions” for Iranians to change their destiny.
“My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short while ago Israel and the United States launched an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terror regime in Iran,” he says.
“I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership,” he adds.
“For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called out ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America.’ It has shed our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people,” Netanyahu continues.
אחיי ואחיותיי אזרחי ישראל, לפני שעה קלה יצאנו ישראל וארה״ב למבצע להסרת האיום הקיומי מצד משטר הטרור באיראן.
אני מודה לידידינו הגדול הנשיא דונלד טראמפ על מנהיגותו ההיסטורית.
במשך 47 שנים קורא משטר האייתוללות ״מוות לישראל״, ״מוות לאמריקה״. הוא הקיז את דמינו, רצח אמריקנים רבים וטבח… pic.twitter.com/itTF5b4jB4
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 28, 2026
“This murderous terror regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity,” he says, adding: “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
“The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people — the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baloch, and the Ahwazi — to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran.”
“I call upon you, citizens of Israel, to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, during Operation ‘Roaring Lion,’ we will all be required to show patience and inner strength,” he says.
“Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the future of Israel,” he adds.
The Times of Israel Community.