Netanyahu: Israel Controls Iranian Airspace & Eliminates Khamenei in Rising Lion Operation
Tehran, Iran – Israel appears to have established near-total control of Iranian airspace following a series of coordinated attacks with the United States, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The offensive, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” has targeted key military and nuclear infrastructure across Iran, resulting in significant casualties and damage.
“Thanks to our brave pilots and the American pilots, we have achieved almost total control of the airspace over Tehran,” Netanyahu stated, signaling a dramatic shift in the regional power dynamic. The prime minister expressed gratitude for the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledging his recognition of the threat posed by Iran to both U.S. And global security.
The operation, authorized over six months ago, involved over 200 fighter jets and targeted more than 100 strategic locations, including nuclear facilities, missile sites, and air defense systems. Israeli forces confirmed the deaths of senior Iranian military officials, including General Mohammad Bagheri, General Hossein Salami, and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, as well as six Iranian nuclear scientists.
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program,” Netanyahu said, confirming attacks on sites like the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Satellite imagery has reportedly confirmed significant structural damage, particularly to underground facilities.
The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a predawn strike on Saturday, March 1st, 2026, was confirmed by Iranian state media. President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history.”
The attacks prompted a retaliatory response from Iran, with missile launches directed at Israel and U.S. Bases across the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The Iranian Red Crescent reported more than 200 people killed and roughly 700 injured as a result of the conflict.
Despite the escalating tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated a willingness to de-escalate and engage in talks if the U.S. And Israel halted their attacks. He reportedly told President Trump that regime change was “mission impossible.”
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive “for as many days as it takes” to eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. He emphasized that Israel does not seek to divide Iran, but rather to liberate its people from what he described as the “yoke of tyranny.”
The U.S. Launched “major combat operations” in Iran, aiming to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, while Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, according to two U.S. Officials. Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government,” stating, “The hour of your freedom is at hand.”
President Trump has not ruled out the possibility of sending troops to Iran to secure its uranium reserves, describing a potential move as “fantastic.” He criticized a proposal from Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian to reduce regional tensions as a “surrender.”
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has stated that Iran had accumulated a substantial amount of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade.
Netanyahu highlighted the close cooperation with the United States as central to achieving the military objectives. He stated that approximately 3,400 bombarding strikes have been executed against strategic installations within Iran. “In these last days, Iran has attacked 12 neighboring countries. We support them. Many countries are now turning to us to cooperate,” he added.