Israel Defense Forces spokesperson outlines reasons and strategic objectives of Operation Roaring Lion

In a written statement, IDF spokesperson LTC Nadav Shoshani outlined the rationale for the operation, citing years of escalating rhetoric and action by Tehran. “For years they have been calling for ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to the U.S.’ So today we heard them….and we acted.”

The operation began at about 8:00 a.m. Israel time and includes strikes on dozens of what the IDF described as high-value regime targets. The offensive is being carried out as part of a broad, coordinated, and joint effort with the United States Armed Forces, with Israeli Air Force strikes across Iran continuing under real-time intelligence guidance.

Israeli officials said the action follows what they described as a dangerous acceleration in Iranian military capabilities since Operation “Rising Lion” in June 2025. Despite the earlier operation’s impact, the IDF said the Iranian regime did not scale back its efforts.

According to the IDF, Iran has increased production of long-range missiles to dozens per month and attempted to accelerate underground manufacturing. Officials added that Tehran had aimed to reach 8,000 missiles by 2027, up from 3,000 before Operation “Rising Lion,” and noted that missiles were used against civilians in June 2025.

⭕️The IDF completed a broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime.

The IDF struck multiple strategic aerial defense systems, including an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah area of western Iran. pic.twitter.com/p3UI3aB50y

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

The IDF also cited continued Iranian funding of regional proxies despite rising living costs inside Iran. It said the regime funneled between $700 million and $900 million to terrorist proxies, primarily Hezbollah, and maintained investments in the Houthis.

“Israel reached a point where the threat was no longer ‘developing’. The threat was direct and imminent,” Shoshani wrote in the statement. He added that the collaboration with U.S. forces, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Commander of CENTCOM, was the result of careful planning and had previously saved lives.

On the domestic front, the IDF announced the call-up of an additional 70,000 reservists, mainly for the Israeli Air Force, Intelligence Corps, and Homefront Command. Air defense systems and naval forces have been deployed to defend against missile barrages and aerial or maritime threats, while ground forces are positioned along the borders to prevent infiltration.

Iran’s attacks are designed to terrorize civilians and destroy neighborhoods. This is what we operate against. pic.twitter.com/sL73DqWtGk

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

Shoshani urged civilians to follow Homefront Command instructions, noting that multiple waves of missiles had already targeted Israel’s civilian home front. He wrote that the effort could be prolonged, as the Houthis and other proxies appear to be preparing a response.

“We are working to deliver a thorough, hard hit to the regime’s capabilities that will change the security reality for years to come,” he stated. “We will continue for as long as we must in order to defend the State of Israel, today and in the future.”