SAZF updated factsheet: Israel-US Joint Military Operation – Operation Roaring Lion / Epic Fury

Issued by the South African Zionist Federation 

The Israel and US campaign against Iran, launched on 28 February 2026 (Tehran time, approximately 05:00 to 06:00 SAST), has entered its third day with relentless, high-intensity Israeli operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasised that the strikes are essential to eliminate Iran’s existential nuclear and missile threats to Israel, destroy its terror-sponsoring regime infrastructure, and protect the Jewish State and its people. The Israel Defense Forces has achieved air superiority over Tehran, conducted broad waves of attacks “in the heart of Tehran”, and targeted hundreds of additional sites, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, missile launchers, and command nodes. More than 2 000 combined strikes (with Israel contributing the majority) have degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including the destruction of ballistic missile facilities, air defences, naval assets (multiple warships sunk), and senior leadership. 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed in the opening Israeli strikes (along with dozens of top IRGC commanders and regime figures), prompting Iran to form a temporary leadership council. Netanyahu has stated that operations will intensify until Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic terror arsenal, and proxy aggression are permanently neutralised. The campaign addresses Iran’s post-2025 nuclear reconstitution, massive missile buildup, and decades of sponsoring attacks on Israel. 

Iran’s retaliation has escalated with repeated ballistic missile and drone barrages targeting Israel (multiple waves on 1–2 March; intercepts ongoing, but direct hits have caused civilian deaths: at least 11–12 in Israel, including in Beit Shemesh, Beersheba, Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem outskirts, and Bnei Brak) and US/allied facilities across the Gulf (bases and civilian sites in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan; explosions and damage in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Manama, Kuwait City; civilian casualties reported, including deaths and injuries from debris/infrastructure hits). Hezbollah has actively joined, launching rockets (including towards Haifa) in revenge for Khamenei’s elimination, prompting Israeli counter-strikes in Lebanon (Beirut suburbs, southern Lebanon; dozens killed, including senior Hezbollah intelligence figures and more than 70 targets hit). Regional airspace remains disrupted; Israel maintains a full state of emergency with schools/workplaces closed and airspace shut. 

Core strategic position of Israel and the United States 

Preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is Israel’s top existential priority, as repeatedly stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu: a nuclear Iran would threaten Israel’s very survival given the regime’s genocidal calls to destroy it. The US aligns with this under President Trump’s policy that Iran will never obtain nuclear weapons. 

Key security concerns: 

• Near-weapons-grade uranium enrichment and stockpiles sufficient for multiple nuclear weapons. 

• Rebuilt hardened underground facilities (Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan) with advanced centrifuges. 

• One of the world’s largest ballistic missile arsenals, including long-range, precision-guided, and hypersonic systems directly threatening Israel. 

• Persistent denial of International Atomic Energy Agency access and unresolved undeclared nuclear activities. 

• Imminent breakout capability amid regime desperation and internal chaos. 

Why Israel and the United States acted now 

Imminent nuclear and missile threat 

Intelligence showed accelerated reconstitution post-2025, posing an immediate danger to Israel’s existence. 

Leadership and command targets 

Israeli strikes eliminated Khamenei and more than 40 senior regime/military figures, severely disrupting command-and-control. 

Hostile rhetoric and aggression 

Regime’s explicit threats to “wipe Israel off the map”, arming proxies for attacks on Israeli civilians, and missile posture demand decisive action. 

Internal volatility 

Ongoing protests and brutal repression increase risks of irrational escalation by a cornered regime. 

Operation details 

Israeli Air Force and US support employ precision aircraft, missiles, and standoff systems. Multiple waves focus on military/nuclear/leadership/missile/naval targets; civilian areas avoided. 

Targets included: 

• Nuclear/strategic sites: Bushehr, Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan (confirmed hits on enrichment/conversion infrastructure). 

• Leadership/command: Supreme Leader’s compound, IRGC/armed forces HQ, senior officials (including Khamenei). 

• Missile infrastructure: Launchers, assembly/storage (e.g., Khojir, Parchin), air defences, naval assets (warships sunk). 

Significant degradation achieved; operations continue with fresh Tehran and Lebanon strikes. 

Legal basis under international law 

Israel and the US invoked Article 51 UN Charter self-defence rights. Anticipatory self-defence is justified by the imminent, overwhelming threat to Israel’s survival and lack of diplomatic alternatives. Actions are proportionate and focused on military/regime-threat targets. 

Iranian retaliation and escalation risks 

Large-scale barrages on Israel (intercepts ongoing; civilian deaths/injuries) and Gulf assets (US bases, civilian sites in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha/Manama/Kuwait; casualties and damage). Hezbollah fully engaged in Lebanon (rockets fired; Israeli counter-strikes eliminating key figures). Proxies, cyber, and shipping threats possible. Israeli/US forces at maximum alert; decisive responses pledged. Conflict widening; tensions critically high. 

Bottom line 

This joint preventative operation seeks to: 

• Neutralise Iran’s imminent nuclear and ballistic missile threats to Israel. 

• Protect Israel’s citizens, US personnel, and regional stability. 

• Dismantle regime-sponsored terrorism and prevent a nuclear arms race. 

The SAZF unequivocally affirms Israel’s sacred and inalienable right to self-defence against existential threats. We stand resolutely with Israel in its decisive actions to dismantle Iran’s illicit nuclear programme, its feverish pursuit of severely dangerous ballistic missiles capable of mass destruction, and its relentless state sponsorship of terrorism. The Iranian regime’s decades-long campaign of aggression – funding, arming, and directing its deadly axis of terror proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, and militias across Iraq, Syria, and Yemen) to attack Israel, murder civilians, and destabilise the entire region – has created an intolerable and unacceptable threat that can no longer be contained through patience or diplomacy alone. Israel has no choice but to act decisively to safeguard her people, secure her survival, and defend the free world from this fanatical regime’s genocidal ambitions. The SAZF fully and unreservedly supports these necessary measures to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic terror arsenal, and sponsorship of murderous proxies once and for all. We call on the international community to recognise the regime in Tehran as the primary architect of regional instability, terrorism, and proliferation risks, and to stand firmly with Israel in holding it fully accountable. 

Legal disclaimer 

This fact sheet is issued by the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) for informational purposes only, based on publicly available reports and official statements from Israel and the United States as of 2 March 2026. 

The information is provided in good faith but may change rapidly due to the evolving situation. The SAZF does not independently verify every detail in real time and makes no warranties regarding accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. 

Nothing herein constitutes legal, military, or strategic advice. The views expressed reflect SAZF’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence. 

Readers should consult primary sources for the latest developments. The SAZF accepts no liability for any reliance on this document.