An Al Jazeera cameraman mourned as a journalist killed by Israel was also a Hamas sniper operative, <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2068442916977275317">according to the Israel Defense Forces</a>.
Ahmed Washah was killed Saturday in central Gaza after an Israeli drone targeted a home in the Bureij refugee camp. Al Jazeera and multiple media outlets described him as a cameraman for Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language live channel. Al Jazeera said two other people were also killed and others were wounded.
But the IDF says Washah was not simply a journalist and was targeted in the strike because he was “a terrorist in Hamas’ military wing who served as a sniper operative.” The IDF also said Washah had recently advanced sniper attack plans and worked alongside his brother, Mohammed Washah, whom the military described as a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters. Ahmed was <a href="https://honestreporting.com/ahmad-washah-hamas-terrorist-who-masqueraded-as-an-al-jazeera-journalist/">reportedly</a> killed alongside Siba’i Abu Hasna, a member of Hamas’ <a href="https://honestreporting.com/ahmad-washah-hamas-terrorist-who-masqueraded-as-an-al-jazeera-journalist/">Shadow Unit</a>, which is responsible for guarding hostages kidnapped into Gaza.
Ahmed was widely presented as an Al Jazeera cameraman killed by Israel. While leaving out his ties to Hamas, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/israeli-airstrike-kills-al-jazeera-cameraman-rcna350990">reported</a> that Ahmed was an Al Jazeera cameraman killed by Israel and noted that his brother Mohammed, an Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent, was killed in a separate Israeli strike in April. Al Jazeera, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/21/kind-principled-palestinian-journalists-remember-slain-gaza-journalist">said</a> Ahmed became the 12th network employee killed by Israel and said he had covered numerous stories for the outlet, including what Al Jazeera described as “several massacres” committed by Israel in Gaza.
The IDF <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2068442916977275317">posted</a> publicly that Ahmed “served as an Al Jazeera photojournalist” while simultaneously operating as a Hamas sniper. The IDF also described Mohammed as “a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters” and said he also operated “under the guise of an Al Jazeera journalist” before he was killed in April.
After the IDF’s claims about Ahmed were challenged online, it <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2069422062117003612">posted</a> a photo of his apparent military ID and a video showing him firing a rifle into the air. 
That context has received less attention from the legacy media than the initial description of Ahmed as a journalist killed by Israel. A Google AI Overview shown for a simple search of “Al Jazeera journalist” described Ahmed as “an Al Jazeera cameraman who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza” and listed him among “recent notable and slain journalists from the region.” The summary does not mention the IDF’s claim that he was a Hamas sniper operative.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1122099 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/IMG_8248-907x576.jpeg" alt="" width="907" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/IMG_8248-907x576.jpeg 907w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/IMG_8248-300x190.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/IMG_8248-768x488.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/IMG_8248.jpeg 1093w" sizes=" (max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px" /></div>
The same pattern appeared in headlines from major outlets. NBC headlined its article, “<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/israeli-airstrike-kills-al-jazeera-cameraman-rcna350990">Al Jazeera cameraman killed in Gaza months after his journalist brother died in a separate strike</a>.” The Guardian’s headline read, “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/al-jazeera-cameraman-ahmed-wishah-killed-in-israeli-strike-on-gaza">Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah killed in Israeli strike on Gaza</a>.”
An Associated Press report carried by <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israeli-army-confirms-journalist-killed-in-gaza-calls-him-hamas-terrorist-11665140/amp/1">NDTV</a> also identified Ahmed as an Al Jazeera cameraman killed in an Israeli strike. The report said the Israeli military asserted that Ahmed had been part of Hamas’ military wing and had posed a threat to troops in the area.
Al Jazeera has denied Israel’s claims about Ahmed, according to NBC News, and condemned his killing, calling it an attempt by Israel to silence and intimidate journalists. NBC also reported that a source close to Hamas told the Committee to Protect Journalists that Ahmed had no affiliation with the organization.
 Prominent anti-Israel figures, including New York City <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/06/23/us-news/al-jazeera-journalist-that-mamdani-mourned-was-allegedly-hamas-sniper-idf-claims/">Mayor Zohran Mamdani</a>, portrayed Ahmed as a journalist killed by Israel while criticizing the IDF. 
“More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since the so-called ceasefire,” Mamdani said Monday. “Even an Al Jazeera journalist, Ahmed Washah, was killed this past Saturday by an Israeli strike.” Mamdani did not mention the IDF’s claim that Washah was a Hamas operative.
The IDF’s claim does not erase reports that Ahmed worked for Al Jazeera. But those reports also do not erase the IDF’s claim that he served in Hamas’ military wing and had recently advanced sniper attack plans against Israeli troops.
Since the first reports described Ahmed as a journalist without including Israel&#8217;s claim that he was also a Hamas sniper, many readers were left with a narrow version of the story. Israel&#8217;s account presents a very different version of the strike than the one circulating online.

Hamas

Al Jazeera ‘Cameraman’ Killed In Gaza Was Hamas Sniper Operating Under Press Cover, IDF Says

Al Jazeera

Gaza

Israel

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

Media Bias

Zohran Mamdani

In a move that underscores a commitment to religious freedom and moral accountability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Tuesday that they have successfully replaced a statue of Jesus in the southern Lebanese village of Debel. The original religious monument had been damaged by a lone Israeli soldier, sparking immediate condemnation from Israel’s military leadership and a swift effort to make amends.
The IDF’s Northern Command spearheaded the restoration, working in &#8220;full coordination&#8221; with the local Christian community to ensure the sacred symbol was replaced.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
The IDF… <a href="https://t.co/nGh1s1iia1">pic.twitter.com/nGh1s1iia1</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2046597268904558765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
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In a <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2046589834341351758">statement</a> released on X, the IDF expressed &#8220;deep regret&#8221; over the incident, characterizing the destruction as a &#8220;moral failure&#8221; that contradicts the fundamental values of the Jewish state and its military.
Beyond merely replacing the physical property, Israel took decisive disciplinary action to uphold its standards of conduct. The soldier who damaged the statue and the individual who filmed the act have both been removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days of military detention. Furthermore, the remaining troops present during the incident have been summoned for clarification discussions, with the Chief of the General Staff reinforcing that such behavior &#8220;far exceeds any acceptable standard.&#8221;
This swift restorative justice stands in stark contrast to the treatment of Christian institutions in many neighboring Muslim and Arab states. While Israel officially recognizes ten Christian denominations and grants them internal autonomy, other nations in the region continue to enforce systemic prohibitions. In Saudi Arabia, the construction of public Christian churches remains strictly forbidden under a rigid interpretation of Islamic law. In Somalia and Yemen, open Christian worship is virtually non-existent, often carrying the threat of execution by extremist groups like al-Shabaab or the Houthis.
The honorable conduct displayed in Debel also highlights a growing global disparity in religious safety. While Israel took immediate steps to punish its own for a single act of vandalism, Christian communities elsewhere face far more lethal threats. In Nigeria, militant groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to bomb and burn churches, with over 3,400 Christians killed in 2025 alone. Similarly, in Pakistan, &#8220;mob justice&#8221; frequently leads to the destruction of dozens of churches over mere rumors of blasphemy.
By taking responsibility for the actions of a few and working with Lebanese locals to restore their religious heritage, Israel has demonstrated a Western-style tolerance that remains rare in the Middle East. The IDF has pledged to reinforce procedures regarding religious symbols for all troops, ensuring that the protection of faith remains a cornerstone of its operational ethics.

Silhouette of soldier saluting with Israel flag on background of sunrise or sunset. Armed forces of Israel concept

After Jesus Statue Is Vandalized, Israel Takes Swift Action

Christianity

Global Politics

Lebanon

Religion

Statues

World

After a viral photo showed an Israeli soldier severely damaging a Christian icon in Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces immediately investigated the incident, and finding the story factual, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the action in harsh terms, while reminding others that Israel always welcomes Christians and makes a home for them.
The Israel Defense Forces issued this statement:
<blockquote>
Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon. The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.
The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings. Furthermore, the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place. The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.
The IDF views the incident with great… <a href="https://t.co/U6P3x8KWBb">https://t.co/U6P3x8KWBb</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2045973415643767091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
Netanyahu declared:
<blockquote>
As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region. Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender. 
While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East. Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region.
Yesterday, like the…
&mdash; Benjamin Netanyahu &#8211; בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/2046166181258650016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar added:
<blockquote>
The damaging of a Christian religious symbol by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon is grave and disgraceful. I commend the IDF for its statement, for condemning the incident, and for conducting an investigation into the matter. I’m confident that the necessary strict measures will be taken against whoever carried out this ugly act. This shameful action is completely contrary to our values. Israel is a country that respects the different religions and their sacred symbols, and upholds tolerance and respect among faiths. We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt.
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The damaging of a Christian religious symbol by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon is grave and disgraceful.
I commend the IDF for its statement, for condemning the incident, and for conducting an investigation into the matter. I’m confident that the necessary strict measures…
&mdash; Gideon Sa&#39;ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) <a href="https://twitter.com/gidonsaar/status/2046098060590076132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
Unlike the Arab countries that surround it, in Israel, the Christian population is <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/christian-population-in-israel-is-around-184000-and-growing/">growing</a>. In March 2025, Joseph Puder, the founder and director of the Interfaith Taskforce for America and Israel, <a href="https://www.jns.org/opinion/joseph-puder/where-are-the-christians-of-bethlehem-and-the-middle-east#:~:text=Between%20October%202000%20and%20November,a%20Christian%20city%2C%20Bethlehem%20exemplifies">noted</a>, “In 1950, two years after Israel’s independence, there were 36,000 Christians in Israel. Today, there are 187,900 Christians in Israel, making it, as of 2021, the only country in the Middle East with a growing Christian population.”
He added:
<blockquote>
While the number of Christians in the Jewish state grows, a different story is occurring in areas controlled by the Palestinian Arabs, including Gaza. The Greek Orthodox Church recently said that “Terrorist attacks against Christians, assaults on churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties in the Palestinian Authority &#8230; have become daily occurrences, and their severity clearly intensifies during Christian holidays.”
</blockquote>
In January, Open Doors International released its annual <a href="https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/world-watch-list-2026-christian-persecution-at-all-time-high-in-15-nations/#:~:text=Syria%20suffered%20the%20largest%20single,Assad%20regime%20in%20December%202024.">World Watch List</a> of the 50 most dangerous countries for Christians, with Muslim countries dominating the list. They reported:
<blockquote>
North Korea maintains its top spot on the list for the 24th year, with a persecution score of 97; followed by Somalia, second on the list with a persecution score of 94; Yemen, third at 93; Sudan, fourth at 92; Eritrea, fifth at 90; Syria, sixth at 90; Nigeria, seventh at 89; Pakistan, eighth at 87; Libya, ninth at 87, and Iran, 10th at 87.
Rankings continue respectively with Afghanistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Mali, Burkina Faso, China, Iraq, Maldives, Algeria, Mauritania, CAR, Morocco, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Niger, Tajikistan, Laos, DRC, Mexico, Tunisia, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Oman, Mozambique, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Egypt, Comoros, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Colombia, Chad, Jordan and Brunei.
</blockquote>
Israel was nowhere on the list.

Israeli Authorities Announce Rescue Of Four Hostages From Gaza

Netanyahu Doesn’t Mince Words In Response To Vandalism Of Christian Icon By IDF Soldier

Benjamin Netanyahu

After the Israel Defense Forces <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-israeli-strikes-hit-iranian-rail-and-kharg-island-israel-faces-ongoing-missile-attacks/#:~:text=Ahead%20of%20the%20strikes%2C%20the,economic%20damage%20to%20the%20regime.">targeted</a> railways and bridges inside Iran this week, a prominent Israeli military correspondent outlined what may be the likely strategy behind the strikes, one aimed at isolating the despotic Iranian regime and weakening its grip on power.
Itay Blumenthal of Kan 11 News said Tuesday that attacking Iran&#8217;s rail infrastructure could significantly hinder the regime&#8217;s ability to move forces across a vast country.
“Attacking the railways in Iran will make it difficult for Iranian forces to reinforce a huge country that is half the size of Europe,” Blumenthal noted. “In addition, there are attacks that seem to isolate Tehran from the rest of the country in terms of railway infrastructure — a step that will also help protesters take to the streets when necessary,” he <a href="https://t.me/SuliandItay/14154">added,</a> noting that roughly 10 rail segments had been hit.
The potential strategy points to a broader objective: constraining the regime&#8217;s ability to respond to internal unrest.
Iran&#8217;s government has repeatedly used force to suppress dissent. The tyrannical Iranian regime <a href="https://saf.org/gun-control-in-iran-was-failing-even-before-our-first-strike/#:~:text=Iran%20had%20some%20of%20the,and%20indirectly%20from%20the%20Ayatollah.">enforces</a> some of the world&#8217;s most repressive gun-control measures, with civilians facing a burdensome licensing process that includes military and psychological screening and results in a rejection rate of more than 93%. In May 2025, authorities intensified these restrictions, imposing 15-year prison sentences for unlicensed possession and targeting gunsmiths, trainers, and even air gun owners.
The Iranian regime has frequently used lethal force to consolidate power or crush dissent. Notable instances include: the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, which was, until 2026, the most notorious event in the regime&#8217;s history, as an estimated 30,000 people were summarily executed over a few months. &#8220;Death Commissions,” panels of judges (including current or former high-ranking officials) conducted minutes-long &#8220;trials&#8221; to determine if prisoners remained &#8220;steadfast&#8221; in their opposition. Those who did were sent to the gallows.
More recently, protests have been met with lethal force. In 2019, &#8220;Bloody November&#8221; occurred; a sudden hike in fuel prices triggered nationwide protests that were met with a near-total internet blackout and a &#8220;shoot-to-kill&#8221; policy. Reuters reported that security forces killed approximately 1,500 people in less than two weeks. In late 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the &#8220;Morality Police,&#8221; the regime launched a brutal crackdown in which more than 500 protesters (including dozens of children) were killed, and thousands were injured. Rights groups and medical professionals documented a pattern of security forces intentionally firing birdshot at the eyes of protesters, resulting in hundreds of cases of partial or total blindness.
And, of course, there was the brutal massacre in January of this year. “More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during a nationwide crackdown on protests on January 8 and 9, according to classified government documents and other evidence reviewed by Iran International’s Editorial Board,” Iran International <a href="https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601258745">reported</a>. “The figure, if confirmed, would make the crackdown the deadliest two-day massacre of protesters on record.”

U.S. And Israel Wage War Against Iran

The Real Strategy Behind Destroying Iran’s Railways And Bridges

Bridges

Iran

Railways

According to the New York Times, a former newspaper, American forces are in deep trouble in Iran as the wily Iranians continue to attack our bombs with their leaders. According to the Times Middle East Bureau Chief, Omar Jihad Mohammed Jihad Jihad Mohammed, wave after wave of American bomb and missile attacks have been repelled by an Iron Dome of Iranian leaders, so that the weapons explode harmlessly against their bodies, destroying nothing but the Iranian Army, Air Force, Navy, missiles, drones, radar and, of course, the Iranian leaders, who are more than willing to sacrifice their lives to protect those Iranian people they haven’t yet murdered themselves.
In an exclusive interview at an undisclosed location, the New York Times’s Middle East reporter Omar Jihad Mohammed Fatwa Mohammed interviewed Iran’s Chief of Police Fatwa Mohammed Jihad Omar Mamdani, who said, “We have the Americans exactly where we want them since…” and while he was unable to finish his sentence because he was assassinated by Israeli Defense Forces, he was immediately replaced by his younger subordinate Allahu Akbar Mohammed Tucker Jihad Jihad Mohammed, who said, “As my predecessor was about to explain…” but he was unable to finish his sentence because he was assassinated by Israeli Defense Forces.
According to either Iranian officials or CNN reporters — it’s difficult to tell the difference — Iran continues to stymie American attacks so that the only thing keeping the American war effort alive is the fact that the French have refused to join the fight, so there’s no one who’ll surrender for us.
And now, the Iranians have achieved a “stunning moral victory,” according to CNN Chief Middle East Correspondent Vladimir Mohammed Jihad Death-to-America Carlson Mohammed Fatwa. In a move reflecting the enduring strength of the Iranian regime, the nation has replaced the fifteen levels of leadership who were wiped out by American and Israeli attacks by appointing as their new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a one-legged homosexual who’s in a coma.
President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Mohammed Jinping Fatwa Bernie Sanders Jihad celebrated the appointment of Khamenei, saying, “This is a tremendous leap forward for Iranian Diversity Equity and Inclusion. By selecting an unconscious handicapped gay man to ruthlessly oppress their people, Iran has installed an Ayatollah who looks exactly like the sort of person for whom Hollywood has been making movies. We hope this will encourage more people to become one-legged comatose homosexuals so we can begin to fill up our theaters. Otherwise, there’ll be no one there to see it when Nicole Kidman finally manages to move her face again.”
American branches of the organization Queers for Palestine also celebrated the appointment of the gay Ayatollah, with queer house parties across the nation at which they honored Islamic tradition by climbing up to the rooftops and hurling themselves to their deaths. As Queer for Palestine leader Anatole Preposterous announced to his fellow queers, “Iran has struck a blow against the homophobic splat,” although I’m not sure if that was the last word in the sentence or just the sound he made when he hit the pavement.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/hosts/andrew-klavan?elementPosition=6&amp;row=2&amp;rowHeadline=Hosts&amp;rowType=Hosts+Portrait+Carousel"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-974735 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now-1024x171.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now-1024x171.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now-300x50.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now-768x128.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now-1536x256.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/Klavan-watch-now.jpg 1800w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
The organization Feminists for Palestine was also pleased by the Ayatollah’s appointment. FFP President Sally Ann Preposterous (no relation), said, “Although we’re disappointed Iran has not yet elevated a woman to leadership, as feminists, we feel that a homosexual in a coma will at least represent people who hate women without thinking, which is what feminism is all about.”
As for the new Ayatollah, though he has not yet been able to issue a statement of his own, the regime has released some of the old messages he posted on the website Sleeping-Gay-Amputees-dot-Com, which include such remarks as, “Must have good sense of humor,” and “If you like my picture, swipe right.”
Meanwhile, according to PBS Middle East Reporter Mohammed Mamdani Jihad Tucker Tucker Fatwa Jihad, Global financial markets continue to reel at the plucky Iranian attacks on the Strait of Hormuz. PBS interviewed surviving Iranian Naval Commander Mohammed Jihad Fuentes Fatwa Carlson, who said, “We will continue to attack shipping here until…,” but he was unable to finish his sentence because he was assassinated by Israeli Defense Forces.
* * *
This excerpt is taken from the opening satirical monologue of “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-andrew-klavan-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Andrew Klavan Show</a>.”
Andrew Klavan is the host of “The Andrew Klavan Show” at The Daily Wire. Klavan is the bestselling author of numerous books, including the Cameron Winter Mystery series. The fifth installment, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/After-That-Cameron-Winter-Mysteries/dp/1613166869/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EGZUC370LG46&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y_NI0mDOKeowShheDQTVx5NH-fAeimJoCD56_T0Acpl8C0mup7uJf-nGGSRLEItaaekoDnvS2vWLMa4Zd2UBXQ8Y-g-P502jOWz-Y8IX3ZQsdlO7WMLrg1xIhNoKmjCorSWUR4C2l_RbiZ7apJ1MfPzGOrrEf7AdAXX6xwnJRVP_XqUfWuMuVthTWscaU3P4vgmS86-96n-721enHfX12CFQWTajqFbVnrsDkexfUf4.6_gTH6h1Bb9Pn375QdF_VAVZSayDvjQBBKGXE-MTiFo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=klavan&amp;qid=1754049918&amp;sprefix=%2Caps%2C80&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">After That, The Dark,</a> is NOW AVAILABLE. Follow him on X: <a href="https://x.com/andrewklavan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@andrewklavan</a>.
The views expressed in this satirical piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

TOPSHOT-IRAN-DEFENCE

Iranian Leaders: We Have The Americans Exactly Where We Want Them

Andrew Klavan

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Bernie Sanders

Humor

Middle East

Satire

Tucker Carlson

The Israeli military said Wednesday that Iranian intelligence chief Esmaeil Khatib was killed in a targeted overnight strike in Tehran. 
Khatib was appointed Iran’s Minister of Intelligence in 2021 by the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after holding several roles in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Khatib would be the latest senior Iranian official to be eliminated in an Israeli strike. 
“Khatib played a significant role during the recent protests throughout Iran, including the arrest &amp; killing of protestors and led terrorist activities against Israelis &amp; Americans around the world,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. “Similarly, he operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023).”
“The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence possesses advanced intelligence capabilities, overseeing surveillance, espionage, and the execution of covert operations worldwide, particularly against Israeli and Iranian citizens,” the IDF added. 
Khatib’s death, which has not been confirmed by Iranian officials, was first reported by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said that attacks on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue to be escalated. 
“On this day, significant surprises are expected across all arenas that will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon,” he said, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/katz-says-irans-intelligence-minister-khatib-killed-in-strike-promises-surprises/">according</a> to the Times of Israel. “The intensity of the strikes in Iran is increasing. The Iranian intelligence minister Khatib was also eliminated overnight.”
The State Department offered a $10 million <a href="https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-irgc-key-leaders/">reward</a> for information on Khatib. 
The announcement of Khatib’s killing comes just one day after the IDF eliminated Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. 
“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,” the IDF <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2033861461596930479">said</a> in a social media post. “During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.”
Larijani’s death was confirmed by Iranian officials who referred to him as a servant of God and a “martyr.” 
He was taken out after issuing threats directed at President Donald Trump and American troops in the Middle East.

IRAN-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT

Iranian Intelligence Chief ‘Eliminated’ In Overnight Israeli Strike

Operation Epic Fury

Ali Larijani, one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s Islamic regime, was killed by the Israel Defense Forces after months of issuing threats against President Donald Trump and U.S. service members. 
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed the strike, noting that Larijani had been the subject of a $10 million U.S. bounty.
“Ali Larijani had a $10 million prize on his head. We did it for free,” Sa’ar said.
The 67-year-old hardliner had recently emerged as a central voice for Tehran after being appointed head of the National Security Council following the 12-day war. He was accused of leading the regime’s brutal January crackdown on protests that left more than 30,000 dead, according to some estimates. The U.S. sanctioned him for his role, <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0364">claiming he</a> was one of the first leaders to “call for violence” against the protesters.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Larijani used social media to deliver increasingly explicit warnings to the United States, including threats against President Donald Trump and vows to “hunt down” U.S. servicemembers.
A longtime regime insider, Larijani held numerous senior roles, including head of Iran’s state broadcaster, chief nuclear negotiator, security adviser to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and speaker of parliament until 2020. He also had deep ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and served as a commander during the Iran-Iraq War.
While some left-wing journalists have <a href="https://x.com/JohnSimpsonNews/with_replies">described</a> him as a pragmatic person to negotiate with, he said in <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250401-iran-will-have-no-choice-but-to-get-nukes-if-attacked-khamenei-adviser-usa-trump-nuclear-weapons-deal-bombing-threats">January</a> that Iran would have “no choice” but to acquire a nuclear weapon if the United States or Israel attacked. On March 1, following the U.S. attack, he <a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2028323835938832483">said</a> that Iran “will not negotiate with the United States.”
Since January, he has been running Iran, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/world/middleeast/iran-larijani-khamenei-pezeshkian.html">The New York Times</a>, after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei turned to him to steer the country through mass protests and the growing threat of war with the United States and Israel.
Last week, Larijani posted photos and videos of himself attending a Quds Day protest in Iran, appearing among crowds of civilians in an apparent show of confidence in the regime.
“Mr. Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epstein&#8217;s island!” he <a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2032488143568425368">tweeted</a>. 
In another <a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2032553348797182095" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> about the protest, he said that the combination of brave people, brave officials, and brave leaders “cannot be defeated.”
Larijani didn’t hide his rhetoric. In the weeks before his assassination, he flooded social media with tough rhetoric and threats targeting the United States military, regional partners, and President Donald Trump. Here are some of them:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“We will make the Zionist criminals and the shameless Americans regret their actions. The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will deliver an unforgettable lesson to the hellish international oppressors.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2027826860625731732">2/28/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“To the countries of the region: We are not seeking to attack you. But when the bases located in your country are used against us, and when the United States carries out operations in the region relying on these forces, then we will target those bases. For these bases are not part of the land of those countries; rather, they are American soil.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2028084331638313169">3/1/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">America and the Zionist regime have scorched the heart of the Iranian nation. We will scorch their hearts… (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2027996103690330382">3/1/2026</a>) </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“TRUMP HAS BETRAYED “AMERICA FIRST” TO ADOPT ‘ISRAEL FIRST.’” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2028370080908587432">3/2/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Iran, unlike the United States, has prepared itself for a long war…We will fiercely defend ourselves and our six thousand years old civilization regardless of the costs and will make the enemies sorry for their miscalculation.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2028447853576626328">3/2/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Trump&#8217;s wishful thinking has dragged the whole region into an unnecessarily war and now he is rightly worried about more American casualties. It is indeed very sad that he is sacrificing American treasure and blood to advance Netanyahu&#8217;s illegitimate expansionist ambitions.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2028370468193902817">3/2/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“The story has not ended yet, and the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei will come at a heavy price for you, God willing.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2029212727152153068">2/4/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Some American officials have said that they intend to enter Iran on the ground with a few thousand troops. The valiant children of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting for you to expose those corrupt American officials with a few thousand killed and captured. The land of Iran is no place for the hellish dance of demons.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2029575734268944389">3/5/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner. But the Americans claim that they have been killed in action. Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2030399293173969120">3/7/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond — and we will continue to respond. This is our right and a standing policy. Regional countries must either prevent the US from using their territory against Iran, or we will have no choice but to do it ourselves.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2030379472382308495">3/7/2026</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Some American soldiers have been captured. They are lying that 5-6 American soldiers have been killed. Later, they will inflate the number of deaths under the pretext of an accident too.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2030384900969304354">3/7/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“We won&#8217;t let<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hashtag_click"> #Trump</a> off the hook; he must pay the price—he&#8217;s martyred our leader and our people. This isn&#8217;t a simple matter; we won&#8217;t let it go until we retaliate in kind.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2030376505709101452">3/7/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your hollow threats. Those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself lest you be eliminated!” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2031323351952568569">3/10/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Trump has said ‘we can take apart Iran&#8217;s electric capacity within one hour, but we have not done it.’ Well, if they do that, the whole region will go dark in less than half an hour and darkness provides ample opportunity to hunt down US servicemen running for safety.” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2032077584809292183">3/12/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">“Trump says he is looking for a speedy victory. While starting a war is easy, it cannot be won with a few tweets. We will not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation.<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TrumpMustPay?src=hashtag_click"> #TrumpMustPay</a>” (<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2032128509817037247">3/12/2026</a>)</li>
</ul>

TOPSHOT-LEBANON-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-HEZBOLLAH

He Threatened America — Then Came The Strike His Words Now Haunt

Iranian Leader Flooded Social Media With Threats Against U.S., Trump Before Assassination

Donald Trump

The Israeli military said Tuesday that a targeted overnight strike killed Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) referred to Larijani as the “effective” leader of Iran since the war began.
Larijani was a close adviser of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed last month. He was responsible for Iran&#8217;s military response to the joint U.S.-Israeli operation launched on February 28. The IDF also accused Larijani of overseeing the regime&#8217;s violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,” the IDF <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2033861461596930479">said</a> in a social media post. “During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.”
Iran has not commented on the status of Larijani, but a <a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2033840853370683829">statement</a> honoring Iranian navy “martyrs” was posted to Larijani&#8217;s X account shortly before the IDF said he had been killed. 
Last week, Larijani <a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2031323351952568569">threatened</a> President Donald Trump after the president warned Iran he would strike the country harder if it blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.  
“The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats,” Larijani posted on social media. “ Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!”
In January, the Treasury Department <a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/u-s-sanctions-to-support-the-courageous-people-of-iran">sanctioned</a> Larijani over Iran’s response to the anti-government protests. 
In a separate strike, the IDF said it killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij Resistance Force, a paramilitary unit under Iran&#8217;s Revolutionary Guard Corps. 
“Yesterday, the IDF targeted &amp; eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years,” the IDF <a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/2033827283341824256">said</a>. “Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.”
Soleimani was heavily involved in the crackdown on protesters that killed thousands of Iranians. 
An Israeli official told Fox News that the U.S. military was involved in the strikes targeting Soleimani. 
“This was a joint U.S. and Israeli effort,” the official <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-iran-israel-war-latest-march-17">said</a>. &#8220;A strike in Tehran targeted the Basij commander and around a dozen others, including the most senior figures in the Basij forces—people with a lot of blood on their hands.&#8221;
The Basij unit has been <a href="https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-near-eastern-affairs/report-to-congress-on-list-of-persons-who-are-responsible-for-or-complicit-in-certain-human-rights-abuses-in-iran">sanctioned</a> by the State Department for human rights abuses in Iran. The group has also been accused of recruiting child soldiers.

IRAQ-IRAN-PARLIAMENT-DIPLOMACY

Israel Takes Out Iran’s ‘Effective Leader’ In Overnight Strike

In a stunning demonstration of precision military power, Israeli forces reportedly struck deep into the heart of Tehran on Friday, obliterating an underground bunker built beneath the Iranian regime’s leadership compound — a site long believed to be one of the Islamic Republic’s most protected command centers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
בלב טהרן: צה&quot;ל השמיד את הבונקר התת-קרקעי של עלי ח&#39;אמנהאי שהוקם מתחת למתחם ההנהגה של המשטר
כ-50 מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו הבוקר בהכוונה מדויקת של אמ&quot;ן ובשיתוף אמ&quot;ץ, את הבונקר התת-קרקעי של עלי ח&#39;אמנהאי, שהוקם מתחת למתחם ההנהגה של משטר הטרור האיראני בלב טהרן.
לכל הפרטים… <a href="https://t.co/EWg4mPZDEI">pic.twitter.com/EWg4mPZDEI</a>
&mdash; צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/2029878689907835294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
According to military statements and released footage, approximately 50 Israeli fighter jets took part in the operation, which officials described as a devastating blow to the regime’s strategic infrastructure.
The target, according to the Israel Defense Forces, was a sprawling subterranean facility built beneath a compound used by Iran&#8217;s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to Israeli military sources, the bunker <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/06/world-news/50-fighter-jets-destroy-ayatollah-khameneis-secret-underground-bunker-video">functioned</a> as an emergency war-management center, featuring multiple entry points and meeting rooms designed for senior regime officials. The facility reportedly stretched beneath several city streets, serving as a critical component of Iran’s command-and-control network.
The attack came just days after Khamenei was killed in a separate precision operation, reportedly before he could retreat into the hidden stronghold that was meant to shield him from retaliation. Israeli officials say the underground complex had remained in use by senior members of the Iranian regime even after the assassination, making it a high-value strategic target.
Aerial footage released by the IDF appeared to show approximately 100 bombs raining down in a wave of explosions that reduced the facility to rubble. Israeli military statements indicated that the bunker had been built to enable the regime’s leadership to conduct wartime operations from deep underground, a symbol of the theocracy’s reliance on fortified secrecy. Analysts noted that destroying the site further cripples Tehran’s ability to coordinate military actions.
The strike, reportedly conducted during “Operation Epic Fury,” represents what Israeli officials characterize as a sustained campaign to dismantle Iran’s strategic military leadership infrastructure, degrading the regime’s command apparatus.
U.S. military leaders have praised the IDF for its efforts as they teamed with Americans to fight against the Iranian terror regime. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the mission was being carried out with &#8220;unmatched skill and iron determination,&#8221; adding that &#8220;fighting shoulder to shoulder with such a capable ally is a true multiplier.&#8221;
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syn8eemkbg?utm_source=chatgpt.com">said</a> U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and other units “worked in extraordinary coordination with the IDF” during the operation.

Multiple strong explosions reported in Tehran

WATCH: Precision Strike Blows Apart Iran Regime Secret War Bunker

Dan Caine

Pete Hegseth

Tehran

Israel isn’t just striking Iran — it’s staring down thousands of Hezbollah rockets and daring the terror group to try.
As Operation Epic Fury targets Iran’s missile and military infrastructure, Israeli intelligence officials say Hezbollah still retains significant firepower. According to two officials who spoke to Fox News, the terror group has between 11,000 and 12,000 rockets and missiles remaining in its arsenal.
Roughly 5,500 to 6,000 of those are believed to be within range of Israel.
That’s about one-fifth of Hezbollah’s pre-war firepower — a dramatic reduction — but still enough to threaten civilian population centers, including parts of central Israel. Hundreds of the remaining weapons are medium-range missiles capable of reaching deep into the country.
And Israeli officials say Hezbollah isn’t backing down.
“They are actually trying to increase their capabilities,” one intelligence official said. “Both in the fire capabilities with rockets and rocket launchers, and ground units that they still have.”
In short, even after taking heavy losses, the Iran-backed group is trying to rebuild.
The warning comes as Israel expands its campaign following Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.–Israel strike aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure. Israeli leaders have described the mission as controlled and decisive — not a regime-change war and not an endless conflict — while making clear they prepared for retaliation from Tehran’s proxy network.
That includes Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s government says it is committed to the ceasefire framework brokered in part through U.S. diplomacy during President Donald Trump’s tenure.
Hezbollah terrorists appear to be operating outside that framework.
Despite Lebanon’s stated commitment, the group has continued rocket activity and military positioning that Israeli officials say undermines the ceasefire and increases the risk of escalation.
For Israeli leaders, that is precisely why preparations were made ahead of Operation Epic Fury.
The posture from Jerusalem is straightforward: Israel knows exactly what Hezbollah has left — and it is prepared for it.

Hezbollah rocket Lebanon

Hezbollah Terrorists Down To A Fraction Of Their Arsenal — Here’s What Remains

Hezbollah

President Trump

Israel is not waiting to be attacked — it is dismantling threats in real time.
As Israeli aircraft strike underground bunkers in Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed it is also targeting Hezbollah command centers and launch sites in Lebanon, warning the terror group it is entering a fight it cannot win.
An IDF official said the strikes against Hezbollah were part of preparations tied to the broader operation against Iran’s regime leadership and military infrastructure.
“We were ready for this,” the official said. “As part of the preparations for our operation in Iran, the IDF prepared for an attack from Hezbollah, allowing us to carry out a swift response.”
According to the IDF, retaliatory strikes hit Hezbollah command and control centers, launch sites, and what the official described as senior terrorists embedded within the organization’s operational network.
Israeli strikes inside Iran were still underway.
“As I am speaking right now, our aircraft are striking targets in Iran, including Tehran,” the official said, noting that underground bunkers tied to the regime are among the targets.
The objective, the IDF stressed, is to eliminate threats before they reach Israeli civilians.
“We are operating to eliminate any threats to our civilians, and will continue doing so,” the official added.
The warning to Hezbollah was blunt.
“Hezbollah is entering a fight it cannot win.”
The escalation comes after the unprecedented joint U.S.–Israel operation targeting Iranian regime assets, a move that military analysts have long warned could trigger retaliation from Tehran’s proxy network — particularly Hezbollah, which maintains a vast arsenal of rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.
As the military campaign unfolds, a political voice long in exile is positioning himself for what could follow.
Appearing on Fox &amp; Friends, Reza Pahlavi — the exiled crown prince of Iran — thanked President Donald Trump for giving Iran a chance to take his country back, while signaling he is ready to return to Iran and help lead a democratic transition should the regime collapse.
“If you were to give me the opportunity to say to the Iranian people and the world, when is it that I go back there?” Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, said. “It will be the first minute I get the opportunity to do that. And that has to be, of course, orchestrated properly.”
He added that he is prepared to return.
“I’m ready to go there as soon as possible. I would like to be there, whether it is before the regime collapses or right after the regime collapses. It is important for me to be among my compatriots to fight the final battle and bring it to fruition.”
Pahlavi has pledged that any transition would involve free and fair elections and a democratic system of government.
For now, however, the battlefield remains active. Israeli aircraft continue striking Iranian regime targets while signaling to Hezbollah that escalation will be met immediately.
The message from Israeli officials is clear: retaliation was anticipated, preparations were made, and the response is already underway.

israel_hezbollah

Blunt Warning To Hezbollah Terrorists As Israel Widens War Footing

Politics

Dramatic new footage released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows what officials say is the moment Israeli and U.S. forces struck deep inside western Iran — wiping out missile units and key defense systems before they could fire on Israel.
The black-and-white aerial videos, captured from high above the battlefield, show what appears to be Iranian missile infrastructure nestled into rugged terrain. Crosshairs hover over the site. Seconds later, plumes of smoke erupt as precision strikes hammer the target.
According to the IDF, the footage is part of Operation Roaring Lion, a “broad and joint operation” carried out alongside U.S. armed forces aimed at degrading what it calls the Iranian regime’s “existential threat” to Israel.
The videos come as tensions exploded overnight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🎯STRUCK: Operatives from the Iranian regime’s surface-to- surface missiles unit as they loaded a missile launcher and prepared to immediately launch towards Israel.
The threat was identified and quickly struck, preventing the launch aimed toward Israel. <a href="https://t.co/nMcOeOtleX">pic.twitter.com/nMcOeOtleX</a>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2027735956678222317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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🎥WATCH: IDF strikes hundreds of targets in western Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion <a href="https://t.co/KYMYVL8DOQ">pic.twitter.com/KYMYVL8DOQ</a>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2027710571261403556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” the military said in a statement. Defensive systems were activated immediately as barrages were detected. Israel’s Home Front Command pushed precautionary alerts directly to mobile phones in affected areas while the Aerial Defense Array intercepted incoming threats.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-iranian-protests-intensify-as-citizens-demand-end-to-ayatollah-rule?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Daily+Wire&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=LIVE+UPDATES%3A+United+States+And+Israel+Strike+Iran+In+‘Operation+Epic+Fury’">Follow The Daily Wire&#8217;s live-blog coverage of the U.S. strikes on Iran.</a>
An additional barrage of missiles was later launched toward Israel, according to the IDF.
But the counterpunch came swiftly.
The IDF said it struck operatives from Iran’s surface-to-surface missile unit as they were actively loading a launcher and preparing to fire toward Israel. The threat was “identified and quickly struck,” preventing the launch.
In addition, Israeli forces targeted multiple strategic aerial defense systems — including what the IDF described as an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah region of western Iran.
The military said hundreds of targets were struck as part of the operation.
President Donald Trump addressed the joint operation early Saturday morning, framing the action as both defensive and necessary.
Trump described the strikes as a “major combat operation” targeting the Iranian regime’s military capabilities and reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to threaten Israel or destabilize the region.
He also delivered a direct message to the Iranian people, distinguishing them from the ruling regime and signaling that the U.S. sees the conflict as being with Tehran’s leadership — not its citizens.
The president has long taken a hard line on Iran, withdrawing from the Obama-era nuclear deal during his first term and re-imposing sweeping sanctions. His administration has repeatedly warned that Iran’s continued financing and arming of proxy forces on Israel’s borders — including Hezbollah and other militant groups — would not go unanswered.
The IDF echoed that message in its statement, saying that the Iranian regime “has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel” and continues to finance, train, and arm proxies positioned along Israel’s borders — actions it says pose a threat not only to Israel, but to the broader Middle East and the world.
The newly released footage underscores how quickly the confrontation has moved from shadow conflict to open strikes.

Iran Strikes

WATCH: Bird’s-Eye Video Shows U.S.-Israel Strike That Stopped Iran Missiles Cold

U.S. Military

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