In a significant address to the Iranian people, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a strong message on Monday, articulating both a warning to the Iranian regime and an assurance to its citizens. His speech, presented in English and subtitled in Persian, comes as Israel intensifies its military actions against Iranian-backed groups throughout the Middle East.
Netanyahu criticized Iran’s leadership for allegedly focusing on regional conflicts at the expense of its own populace. “Every day, you see a regime that subjugates you make fiery speeches about defending Lebanon, defending Gaza,” he stated, accusing the Iranian government of “plunging the region deeper into darkness and deeper into war.”
Highlighting Iran’s support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which have engaged in violent confrontations with Israel, Netanyahu declared that Iranian proxies are being systematically targeted. “Iran’s puppets are being eliminated,” he asserted, emphasizing that there is “nowhere we will not go to protect our people.”
The Israeli leader warned, “With every passing moment, the regime is bringing you – the noble Persian people – closer to the abyss.” He argued that the vast majority of Iranians realize their government is indifferent to their struggles, insisting that if it truly cared for its citizens, it would stop wasting billions on conflicts and instead invest in their welfare.
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Netanyahu envisioned a future where Iran is free from theocratic rule, believing that change could occur “a lot sooner than people think.” He suggested that a post-regime Iran would experience prosperity through global investments, tourism, and technological advancements. “When Iran is finally free – and that moment will come a lot sooner than people think – everything will be different,” he stated, predicting peace between Israel and Iran.
The context of Netanyahu’s remarks follows Israel’s recent operations against Iranian proxies. Notably, just days prior, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a major airstrike that reportedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior official of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Beirut. This assassination has been celebrated by anti-regime Iranians worldwide.
In his address, Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, stating, “You deserve better. Your children deserve better. The entire world deserves better.” He reassured Iranians that Israel stands with them in hopes of a prosperous future.
The tensions between Israel and Iran escalated earlier this year when Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike that killed several IRGC officers. Most of these missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems with U.S. support. In response, Israel conducted a drone strike targeting a nuclear research facility in Isfahan.
Nasrallah’s assassination occurred amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, which has seen frequent cross-border attacks in solidarity with Hamas during the conflict in Gaza. Israel has increasingly targeted Hezbollah, leading to significant losses within the group’s leadership and escalating the regional conflict.
