Israelis woke up this Shabbat morning to sirens and red alerts. Israeli air space has been closed, and citizens have been warned to stay near safe rooms. Diplomatic negotiations are over, and Israel and the United States have begun striking the Iranian regime, a major coordinated operation against nuclear and missile infrastructure, and U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the Iranian people to take back control of their government from the Ayatollah. Retaliatory missiles have been launched at Israel from Iran, and rockets and terrorist infiltrations have already been identified across the country throughout the day. The historic Israeli-U.S. operation, called “Roaring Lion” by Israel and “Epic Fury” by the United States, is expected to last for at least one week, and it will be devastating for the Islamic Republic’s terror regime. 

Contrary to mainstream portrayals, Israel and the United States are not starting a war with Iran. We are finishing it. The Iranian regime has sponsored and directed Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, encouraging the October 7 massacre and orchestrating the barrage of missiles against Israel ever since. After nearly three years of this proxy war, Israel and the United States are throwing the last punch. In doing so, we are saving Iranians and the world from a brutal despotic regime racing toward nuclear weapons.

The timing is righteous. In January 2026, nationwide protests erupted across Iran over food prices, water shortages, and the regime’s theological despotism. The Islamic Republic infamously responded with savage brutality against their own citizens. Revolutionary Guards and Basij militias opened fire on peaceful crowds, many young women and students, killing thousands of people in a matter of weeks with snipers, helicopter gunships, and summary executions. This latest massacre, amid decades of public hangings, torture, and gender-based terror, exposes the regime’s evil nature as well as its desperation. The mullahs slaughter their own people because they fear losing power. This internal........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)