'Time has come': Netanyahu says US-Israel operation aims to stop Iran’s ‘murderous regime’

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - File Photo

Israeli PM Netanyahu announced a joint US-Israel operation against Iran to remove an "existential threat," targeting Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. He urged Israeli unity, warning of possible retaliation and broader regional instability.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel and the United States had launched an operation against Iran to “remove the existential threat,” intensifying rhetoric as coordinated strikes continued.

In a video statement released shortly after the joint action began, Netanyahu directly addressed Israeli citizens and framed the campaign as a decisive step against Tehran’s leadership.

“My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short while ago Israel and the United States launched an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran,” Netanyahu said.

He described Iran’s government as a “murderous regime” that must not be allowed to gain nuclear arms, reiterating Israel’s long-standing position that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions represent a direct danger to its survival and regional stability.

Netanyahu said the operation was designed not only to degrade Iran’s military and strategic capabilities but also to create broader political consequences inside the country.

“Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” Netanyahu added. “The time has come for all the people of Iran... to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peace-seeking Iran.”

The Israeli prime minister’s remarks echoed similar messaging from Washington, where US President Donald Trump has described the campaign as “massive and ongoing” and aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and military infrastructure. Both leaders have portrayed the strikes as directed at Iran’s ruling establishment rather than its population.

Netanyahu also called on Israelis to remain united during what he characterised as a defining moment. He urged citizens “to stand together” to ensure the “eternity of Israel,” underscoring expectations that retaliation from Iran or allied groups could follow.

The joint US-Israel operation marks one of the most serious escalations in the long-running confrontation with Tehran. Analysts warn that any sustained campaign against Iran’s military or nuclear-linked infrastructure could trigger broader regional instability, drawing in allied militias and increasing the risk of a protracted conflict.