Looking to take advantage of both the assassination of top Iranian official Ali Larijani and the head of the oppressive Basij force, Gholamreza Soleimani, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urges Iranians to take to the streets to celebrate their ancient fire festival, which began tonight.
“In the past 24 hours, we knocked out two of the terrorist chieftains, the top terrorist chieftains of this tyranny,” says Netanyahu from the Air Force command bunker in the Kirya in Tel Aviv.
“Our aircraft are hitting the terror operatives on the grounds, in the crossroads, in the city squares,” he says in English. “This is meant to enable the brave people of Iran to celebrate the Festival of Fire.”
Chaharshanbe Suri is seen by the Islamic Republic as a pagan holiday, and its celebrations often feature anti-regime protests.
“Celebrate and Happy Nowruz,” says Netanyahu, reassuring Iran’s people that “we’re watching from above.”
Nowruz begins on Friday evening in Iran.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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