Updated factsheet: Israel-US joint military operation – Operation Roaring Lion / Epic Fury

South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) 

US-Israeli strikes escalated overnight into Thursday, with reports of flames and smoke across Tehran and areas like Sanandaj. Israeli forces targeted additional ballistic missile launchers, air defence systems, Revolutionary Guard command centres, Basij militia sites, and military infrastructure in western and central Iran. The Israel Defense Forces holds air superiority over Tehran, with operations aimed at further eroding Iran’s missile and command structures. Simultaneous strikes continued against Hezbollah in Beirut and southern Lebanon (more than 70 targets struck, senior figures eliminated). 

Iran launched fresh ballistic missile and drone barrages toward Israel early on Thursday; sirens sounded across central Israel, with successful interceptions and no significant new casualties reported from the latest wave. Hezbollah fired rockets/drones towards northern Israel (Haifa/Meron), prompting Israeli counter-strikes in Lebanon (dozens killed). The Strait of Hormuz closure continues, disrupting global energy markets and driving oil prices higher. Iranian media displayed public demonstrations condemning the attacks and chanting anti-Israel slogans in multiple cities. The Iranian death toll from strikes now exceeds 1 000. 

South African government and African National Congress (ANC) response: The ANC-led South African government has shamefully issued a statement condemning the US-Israeli strikes that eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a key architect of Iran’s terror-sponsoring regime, and conveyed “sincere condolences” to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, extending sympathies to his family and the nation. Note that it failed to offer “sincere condolences” to the people of Iran for the tens of thousands murdered in January at the hands of the regime. The ANC also hypocritically called for “urgent dialogue” in the Middle East while condemning alleged violations of international law, ignoring Iran’s decades of aggression, nuclear threats, and support for genocidal proxies. This echoes similar reprehensible sentiments from the South African Communist Party, which labelled the operation a “murderous act” and accused the US and Israel of “immorality”. The SAZF strongly denounces this response as a betrayal of democratic principles, human rights, and South Africa’s own history of fighting oppression. By mourning a tyrant who funded terrorism against Israel and repressed his own people, the ANC aligns itself with dictators and undermines global efforts to combat extremism, revealing a disturbing bias that prioritises anti-Israel rhetoric over justice and security. 

The campaign persists in neutralising Iran’s post-2025 nuclear reconstitution, missile arsenal, and proxy terror network after failed diplomacy. 

Core strategic position of Israel and the United States 

Preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is Israel’s paramount existential imperative, as repeatedly affirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: such a capability would threaten Israel’s survival amid the regime’s genocidal calls for its destruction. The US supports this under President Trump’s policy that Iran will never acquire 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 (confirmed damage to sites like Natanz). 

• 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 indicated 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, with US support, employs 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), presidential office, Supreme National Security Council. 

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

Significant degradation achieved (more than 1 000 enemy combatants reported killed); operations continue with fresh Tehran and Beirut 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 in central areas) and Gulf assets (US bases/embassies hit, including Riyadh; casualties and damage). Hezbollah fully engaged in Lebanon (rockets/drones; Israeli counter-strikes). Strait of Hormuz closure, proxies, cyber, shipping threats, and wider regional strikes possible. Israeli/US forces at maximum alert; decisive responses pledged. Conflict widening rapidly; 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. 

SAZF position 

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 factsheet 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 5 March 2026. 

The information is provided in good faith but may change rapidly due to the evolving situation. The SAZF doesn’t 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 the 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. 

© South African Zionist Federation, 5 March 2026. All rights reserved.