Israeli judokas leave Tashkent over security concerns

On March 1, Israel’s national judo team withdrew from the Grand Slam tournament in Tashkent and left Uzbekistan following security instructions, The Jerusalem Post reported.

According to the report, Israel’s Shin Bet security service instructed the delegation to immediately leave Uzbekistan. The decision was made after the situation involving Iran escalated.

The delegation included Olympic silver medalist Raz Hershko and one of the team’s leading members, Gili Sharir. They had arrived in Tashkent to compete in the 2026 Grand Slam, considered one of the key tournaments of the season. The event is important for athletes in terms of ranking points and international experience.

In line with the security directive, team members and Israel Judo Association Chairman Moshe Ponte withdrew from the competition and flew to Central Europe.

Before the decision was taken, 11 Israeli judokas had competed in the tournament. Gili Sharir advanced to the bronze medal bout but was defeated by France’s Manon Deketer in the decisive match.

Raz Hershko, who had been scheduled to compete on the final day, did not take to the tatami due to security concerns.

Earlier, the Grand Slam judo tournament in Tashkent concluded with Uzbekistan finishing among the top three in the overall standings with eight medals.

U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict

On February 28, Israel launched unexpected airstrikes against Iran. The strikes reportedly targeted key facilities, including the presidential residence, government institutions and nuclear sites. Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the country’s intelligence headquarters in Tehran was also attacked. The operation launched by Israel was reportedly named “Shield of Judah.” Preliminary sources indicated that more than 30 missiles may have been fired at Iran.

Shortly afterward, the Israel Defense Forces officially confirmed the attack. The Defense Ministry also urged Israeli citizens to seek shelter, and a state of emergency was declared nationwide.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered an eight-minute statement regarding operations against Iran, confirming U.S. involvement in the strikes. He said the military actions were carried out to protect the American people and called on Iranians to overthrow the current regime. Trump also urged Iranian military personnel to surrender in exchange for “immunity,” warning of “inevitable death” otherwise.

Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran, also addressed the Iranian people, saying decisive moments had arrived for the country. He described the confrontation as a final battle in which, he said, the Iranian people would prevail over the Islamic Republic’s system.

Shortly thereafter, Iran began launching strikes toward Israeli territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attacks, stating that the joint U.S.-Israeli operation was aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by what he called Iran’s “terror regime.” In his address, Netanyahu said that over the past 47 years Iran’s leadership had openly threatened Israel and the United States and pursued a policy of violence in the region.

Earlier, Iranian state television reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in strikes carried out by Israel and the United States. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, he was killed at his office on the morning of February 28. Following his death, 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holidays were declared across the country.

During the attack on Iranian territory, four of the ayatollah’s family members — his daughter, son-in-law, grandson and one of his daughters-in-law — were also reported killed.

Following confirmation of the Supreme Leader’s death, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of what it described as “the most intense offensive operation in the history of the Armed Forces.”