“Murderous Regime” Can’t Have Nukes: Netanyahu As US-Israel Launch “Joint Operation” On Iran

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on multiple targets inside Iran early Saturday, with loud explosions reported across Tehran and other major cities. The operation marks a dramatic escalation in tensions after weeks of military deployments and faltering diplomacy over Tehran's nuclear and missile programmes.

Netanyahu Calls It A Joint Operation Against 'Existential Threat'

In a video message released as the attacks unfolded, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as a "joint operation" conducted together with Washington. He said the action was meant to confront what he called an "existential threat" posed by Iran's leadership.

Netanyahu labelled the Iranian leadership a "murderous regime" and insisted it must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He also suggested the strikes could create conditions for internal political change, saying Iran's citizens might now be able to "take their destiny into their own hands".

Trump Announces "Major Combat Operations"

US President Donald Trump confirmed American participation from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. In an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social platform, he said US forces had begun "major combat operations" inside Iran.

He warned Tehran of severe consequences, vowing to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground". Trump further said Iran's naval forces would be "annihilated" if confrontation continued.

Warning To Iranian Military And Message To Citizens

Trump also issued a direct ultimatum to Iranian troops. He offered them "immunity" if they laid down their arms but warned of "certain death" if they resisted the operation. Addressing the public in Iran, he declared that "the hour of your freedom is at hand".

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

Strikes Follow Nuclear Dispute And Failed Diplomacy

The military action comes after weeks of heightened tension and a regional build-up of forces. Washington had been pressing Tehran to accept stricter limits on its nuclear and missile activities.

Trump had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with negotiations related to Iran's programmes and maintained that any future agreement must go far beyond the restrictions in the 2015 nuclear deal, which he withdrew from during his first presidential term.