Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Iranian public to “take to the streets en masse” and overthrow their leadership, as hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran escalated sharply across the Middle East.

In a direct address to the Iranian people, Netanyahu said the ongoing strikes would help them “unshackle themselves from tyranny” and described the moment as a “once in a generation chance” to topple the regime in Tehran.

“It is high time you come together and unite for a historic mission,” he said, urging citizens to “get the job done”.

The remarks came as Iran launched retaliatory attacks across parts of the Middle East following large-scale strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian territory. Apparent Iranian attacks were reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait — countries that host US military bases or are allied with Washington — as well as in other locations in the region.

The US and Israel said their operations targeted senior figures within Iran’s leadership. Israeli officials claimed that “several senior figures” of the Iranian regime had been eliminated in the strikes. Iranian media reported that at least 85 people were killed at a girls’ school, while the Iranian Red Crescent said more than 200 people were killed across the country on Saturday alone.

US President Donald Trump said “major combat operations” were under way and urged Iranians to “take over” their government. Satellite imagery circulating in international media appeared to show damage to the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

New explosions were reported across several Iranian cities on Saturday evening. The Israeli military said its air force “continues to operate” inside Iran.

International editor Jeremy Bowen noted that Washington and Tel Aviv appear to believe the Iranian regime is vulnerable and view the current escalation as an opportunity not to be missed.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that UK aircraft were active in the region. “British planes are in the sky today as part of co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies,” he said.

The rapidly widening confrontation has heightened fears of a broader regional war, with multiple Gulf states now on alert amid continued missile exchanges and air operations. (BBC).