Tel Aviv, Feb 28 (.) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on Saturday, announcing that Israel and the United States have launched a joint operation aimed at neutralising what he described as the “existential threat” posed by Iran’s regime.

“My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran,” Netanyahu said, thanking US President Donald Trump for his “historic leadership.”

He condemned the Iranian regime, stating, “For 47 years, the Ayatollahs’ regime has chanted ‘Death to Israel,’ ‘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 all of humanity,” he said.

Netanyahu emphasised that the operation seeks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capable of threatening the world, and expressed hope that it would empower the Iranian people to take control of their own destiny.

“The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people;the Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis; to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran,” he said.

Addressing Israeli citizens, Netanyahu called for calm and adherence to instructions from the Home Front Command. “In the coming days, during Operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ we will all be called upon to show patience and strength of spirit. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel,” he added.

The IDF has confirmed that defensive systems are active, and citizens in affected areas have been issued precautionary alerts via mobile phones. The situation remains fluid as the joint operation unfolds.

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