On Saturday, Israelis woke up to news that Operation Roaring Lion had begun, a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on military sites in Iran. Within hours, satellite images circulated by Israeli media appeared to show the destruction of a compound associated with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneisaid to have been hit during the opening wave.

Iran responded by launching missiles, and air raid warnings were activated in parts of the country. According to an Israeli military official speaking in the background, each incoming round of fire reached “tens of times,” but no significant impact had been reported at the time of the briefing. Home Front Command urges civilians to follow the latest security instructions and avoid sharing the real-time location of missile strikes.

In a speech Saturday morning, President Donald Trump denounced Tehran’s role in regional instability, saying: “From Lebanon to Yemen, from Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and financed terrorist militias that have soaked the land with blood and guts. It was Hamas, Iran’s proxy, that launched a horrific attack on Israel on October 7, massacring more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking away 12 “Our citizens are being held hostage in an act of cruelty the world has never seen. ”

He added, “Iran is the number one sponsor of terrorism in the world… It has been the policy of the United States, and my administration in particular, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Addressing the nation, he warned that “we will need to show resilience in the coming days”. His comments reflected a broader message from Israel’s leadership that the operation was necessary and could be extended.

Thick smoke rises from the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday, February 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Wahid Salemi)

Israeli officials say the campaign’s goal is to “completely weaken Israel’s position.” Iranian regime capabilities and eliminate existential threats to the State of Israel. “The military cited Iran’s renewed efforts to advance ballistic missile production and conceal elements of its nuclear program as justification for the timing of the attack.

According to local reports, Israeli assessments indicate that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, was linked to iran nuclear programmost likely killed in action. The military has not formally confirmed the specific individuals targeted, saying an assessment is ongoing.

US joins Israel in preemptive strike on Iran after Trump confirms ‘major combat operations’

Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital moved patients to an underground secure facility after the operation against Iran was launched. (Gideon Markovich/TPS-IL)

Israel’s National Security Council issues warning to Israelis abroad, urging them to take action Strengthen preventive measures in all destinations and remain alert to potential threats to Israeli and Jewish targets abroad.

The response within Israel was tense and disciplined. Schools in some areas moved to remote learning, reservists received draft orders and families checked to see if protected rooms were stocked. The military said about 70,000 reservists have been drafted, mainly for air defense, rear command duties and border reinforcements.

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During the latest attack, an interception was visible over Haifa. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL)

Officials said troops have been deployed at all borders to prepare for possible escalations Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and others. While leaders emphasized that the targets were military rather than civilian, they acknowledged that the coming days could test the country’s endurance.

For now, Israelis are watching developments closely and bracing for further retaliation, while leaders said, The event will continue “As long as necessary.”

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