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On Saturday, Israelis were greeted with the startling news that Operation “Roaring Lion” had commenced. This involved collaborative military strikes by the United States and Israel on key Iranian military targets. Soon after, Israeli media shared satellite photos purportedly showing damage to a compound linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly hit in the initial attack wave.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks, triggering air raid sirens across various regions. An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the missile fire was “more in the dozens” per volley, though no major damages were reported at that time. The Home Front Command advised the public to heed updated safety protocols and refrain from posting real-time information about missile strike locations.
President Donald Trump, in a video address on Saturday morning, criticized Tehran for its role in destabilizing the region. He stated, “From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and supported terrorist militias that have drenched the land in blood. It was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that orchestrated the horrific October 7 attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, and the taking of 12 hostages. It was an act of brutality, unprecedented in its savagery.”
Trump further emphasized, “Iran stands as the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism… It has always been the United States’ policy, especially under my administration, to ensure this terrorist regime never acquires a nuclear weapon. Let me be clear: they can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public, cautioning that “the coming days will demand our resilience.” His words echoed the broader narrative from Israeli leaders, portraying the operation as essential and potentially extending over a significant period.
Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Israeli officials said the goal of the campaign is “to thoroughly degrade the Iranian regime’s capabilities and remove existential threats to the State of Israel.” The military cited renewed Iranian efforts to advance ballistic missile production and conceal elements of its nuclear program as justification for the timing of the strike.
Israeli assessments, according to local reports, indicate that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei and a key figure linked to Iran’s nuclear program, was likely killed in the operation. The military has not formally confirmed specific individuals targeted, saying assessments are ongoing.
Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv transfers patients to underground fortified facilities after the launch of the campaign against Iran. (Gideon Markowicz/TPS-IL)
The Israeli National Security Council issued a warning to Israelis abroad, urging them to take heightened precautions in all destinations and remain alert to potential threats against Israeli and Jewish targets overseas.
Inside Israel, the reaction combined tension with discipline. Schools in some areas shifted to remote learning, reservists received draft orders, and families checked that protected rooms were stocked. The military said approximately 70,000 reservists were being called up, largely for aerial defense, Home Front Command duties and border reinforcement.
An interception is visible in the sky over Haifa during the latest barrage. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL)
Officials said forces are deployed across all borders in preparation for possible escalation involving Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and others. While leaders stressed that the targets are military and not civilian, they acknowledged that the coming days could test the country’s endurance.
For now, Israelis are watching closely as developments unfold, bracing for further retaliation while leaders signal that the campaign will continue “as long as necessary.”