Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded message released today that the strikes will allow the Iranians to “take their destiny into their own hands” and that Israel plans to make the current operation “far more powerful” than the grueling 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.
He spoke in Hebrew. Here is an English transcript of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech:
“My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel. Recently, Israel and the United States embarked on a joint campaign, Operation Lion’s Roar. The goal of the operation is to end the threat of the Ayatollah’s regime in Iran. Currently, the IDF is attacking targets of the oppressive regime, Revolutionary Guard and Basij installations, and together with the US military, ballistic missile sites that threaten both Israel and US forces. This operation will continue as long as necessary. For 47 years, the evil regime in Iran has called for death to Israel, death to the United States.
He trampled on the citizens of his country, instilled fear in the people of the region, spread a vast network of terror throughout the world, invested enormous resources to develop atomic bombs and tens of thousands of missiles destined, as he defined it, to erase Israel from the world map. He also armed the terrorist proxies around us in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Judea and Samaria, and shed our blood.
But if anyone needed more proof of the murderous nature of the Ayatollah’s regime, they got it last month. Because we all saw how this tyrannical regime in Tehran carried out an unprecedented mass slaughter of its own citizens in Iran. He murdered thousands of children, adults and the elderly in cold blood. Tens of thousands were arrested, tortured and humiliated. And why? Simply because they sought a life of freedom and dignity.
In the Renaissance War and Operation Rising Lion, our heroic soldiers dealt a decisive blow against the regime of the Ayatollahs and their representatives. But the wounded predator has not ceased in its attempts to recover, with the same goal, to destroy us.
In recent months, Iran’s tyrants have been plotting to rebuild its nuclear and missile capabilities and bury them underground, where we cannot reach them. If we don’t stop them now, they will become invulnerable. To this end, their representatives in the negotiations are trying to buy time, trying to buy time in fruitless and misleading negotiations with our American friends. But the tyrants of Iran have made a grave mistake because the United States does not believe their lies and we will not stand by while the shadow of destruction looms over us.
Therefore, we have launched Operation Lion’s Roar, a much more powerful operation than the already very powerful Operation Rising Lion. We are doing this in full cooperation with our friends in the United States under the courageous leadership of President Trump. Together with the United States, we will harshly attack the terrorist regime and create conditions that allow the brave Iranian people to throw off the yoke of this murderous regime.
During Operation Rising Lion, I was often asked if the overthrow of the regime was the goal of the operation, in addition to eliminating the nuclear and missile threat. I responded that that was not the goal, but it certainly could be the result. And, in fact, this is exactly what began to happen, when millions of Iranians took to the streets. And now, now you are given the opportunity to take control of your own destiny. Citizens of Israel, as in Operation Rising Lion and also Operation Lion’s Roar, all need patience and resilience. Because there will be costs, and perhaps even high ones. But I know the wonderful forces that reside within our people, the wonderful forces that reside within you, citizens of Israel. Since the Revival War began, we have stood together, and today we will also stand together in courage, in brotherhood, and in mutual responsibility. I ask everyone to strictly follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, because you already know, these instructions save lives.
Difficult days await us. All military action involves risks. But the risk of not acting is immensely greater, because if we do not act, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, an Iran that will work to destroy us and will be immune to our counterattacks. As a people who desire life, we have no choice but to participate in this campaign. However, this time we do it with the immense combined power of the State of Israel and the United States of America.
From here I wish to address the citizens of Iran. You, the citizens of Iran, and the Iranian army, the Artesh. You are not our enemies and we are not your enemies. We have a common enemy, the murderous regime of the Ayatollahs that has taken over you through the oppressive forces of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij. They are the ones who have degraded your wonderful country, they have taken it to the lowest point, and they are the ones who massacred you en masse.
Therefore, in full coordination with my friend the President of the United States, I tell you that anyone who lays down their arms, even among the forces of the regime, will guarantee your security and your future. The Iranian people in all their diversity – Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, Abkhazians and all other citizens of this wonderful nation – this is your chance to establish a new and free Iran. Take your destiny into your own hands. Keep your head up, look to the sky, our forces are there, the pilots of the free world, all coming to your aid. Help has arrived. And I believe that the day is not far off when Israel and a free Iran will unite for the sake of security and peace, for the sake of progress and prosperity.
Citizens of Israel, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, the American people, and the American military. President Trump is not only one of Israel’s best friends in the White House of all time, but he is also a determined leader of the free world. Look to future generations, decide what is good for America, and then act responsibly and courageously. Together, we bring great light to all who are rooted in the aspiration of human freedom.
On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I salute the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, our Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, the Mossad, the women and men of the security forces, and the women and men of the rescue forces. I congratulate you for your bravery and the strength of your actions. And I tell you, an entire nation is behind you, an entire nation is praying for your success.
My brothers and sisters, in two days we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. 2,500 years ago, in ancient Persia, an enemy rose up against us with exactly the same goal of completely destroying our people. But the Jew Mordechai and Queen Esther, with their bravery and ingenuity, saved our people. In those days of Purim, the lot was cast and the evil Haman fell with it. Even today, on the holiday of Purim, the die is cast and the end of the evil regime will also come. The prophet Amos says: “The lion has roared, who will not fear?” In Operation Lion’s Roar, we roar: Do not fear Israel, are you not a lion cub? We will be one person with one heart and, with God’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”
– AP