Israel and the United States launched strikes against the Iranian regime early Saturday morning. The regime responded by attacking nations in the region, including Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the roof of the Kirya in Tel Aviv on Sunday, March 1, 2026, issued a statement (translated from Hebrew):
“I have just finished a meeting with the Minister of Defense, the IDF Chief of Staff, and the Director of the Mossad. I have given instructions for the continuation of the campaign.
Yesterday, we eliminated the tyrant Khamenei. Along with him, we eliminated dozens of senior figures of the oppressive regime. Our forces are now striking at the heart of Tehran with increasing intensity, and this will only continue to escalate further over the coming days.
And yet, these are painful days. Yesterday here, in Tel Aviv, and now in Beit Shemesh, we lost dear people. My heart goes out to the families, and on behalf of all of you, citizens of Israel, I send my wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.
We are in a campaign in which we are bringing the full strength of the IDF to the battle, as never before, in order to ensure our existence and our future. But we are also bringing to this campaign the assistance of the United States, my friend, US President Donald Trump, and the US military. This coalition of forces allows us to do what I have yearned to do for 40 years: smite the terror regime hip and thigh. This is what I promised – and this is what we shall do.”
The total cessation of terrorist activities in Iran can only be achieved through a change in regime. Even though Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, along with his senior generals and advisors—all terrorists—are no longer alive, the timeline and method for a possible regime change in Iran remains unclear. President Donald Trump has estimated that it will take four weeks. There are still holdovers in Iran whose objective is to reconstruct the state and maintain their position as the leading sponsor of state terrorism. We will keep a close watch on the situation and hope that the Iranian people can draw on their inner resilience and receive the essential support needed to rise up and effectuate regime change.