By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Netanyahu says Israel is fighting against an “existential threat”, while Tehran is invoking self-defense and launching regional missile retaliation.

Key Developments

• Benjamin Netanyahu announced a joint US–Israeli assault on Iran, calling it a fight against an “existential threat.”
• Donald Trump confirmed “major combat operations,” vowing to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities.
• Iran condemned the strikes as illegal aggression and invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter.
• Tehran launched ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv and northern areas, including Haifa.
• US military facilities in Bahrain and the UAE were reportedly targeted in successive retaliatory waves.

Netanyahu Frames War as ‘Existential’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly announced what he described as a “joint operation” with the United States against Iran, framing the assault as necessary to confront an “existential threat.”

In a video address released as explosions rocked Tehran and other cities, Netanyahu labeled Iran’s leadership a “murderous regime” that must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. 

Khamenei, Pezeshkian Among Reported Targets – Tehran Says Leaders Unharmed

He went further, suggesting the strikes could create conditions for Iranians to “take their destiny into their own hands,” language widely interpreted as endorsing regime change.

US President Donald Trump echoed and escalated that rhetoric. In an eight-minute video message posted on Truth Social from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump declared that American forces had begun “major combat operations” in Iran.

He claimed the attacks would “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” adding that Iran’s navy would be “annihilated.” Trump also addressed Iranian military personnel directly, offering “immunity” if they stood down or “certain death” if they resisted. 

Turning to the Iranian public, he declared: “The hour of your freedom is at hand.”

The strikes followed weeks of mounting tension, military build-up, and faltering diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

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Tehran Invokes Article 51

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned the coordinated US–Israeli strikes as “blatant military aggression” and a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In an official statement addressed to the Iranian people, the ministry said the attacks targeted defensive and non-military sites across several cities, describing them as a breach of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Iran Condemns US–Israeli Strikes, Launches Missiles at Israel and US Gulf Bases

Tehran emphasized that the attack occurred while Iran was engaged in a diplomatic path aimed at lifting what it described as unjust sanctions. The statement asserted that the strikes demonstrated the “lack of credibility” in Washington and Tel Aviv’s claims of pursuing a diplomatic solution.

Invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran affirmed its legitimate right to self-defense. “The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond forcefully to any attack,” the ministry stated, warning that Iran would deploy all available capabilities to deter further aggression.

The government also called on the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General to take immediate action, warning that the escalation threatens regional and global peace.

(PC, Al-Jazeera, Reuters, Al Mayadeen)