Netanyahu Calls on Iranians to Rise Against Regime Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

 In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a direct appeal to the Iranian people, urging them to overthrow what he called their “evil and oppressive regime.” The statement came in the wake of a large-scale Israeli military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

On Friday, Israeli airstrikes struck multiple high-value sites across Iran, including a uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. The coordinated assault—codenamed Operation Rising Lion—reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Shortly after the strikes, Netanyahu addressed the Iranian public in a video message, stating:

“The time has come for you to unite around your flag and your historic legacy by standing up for your freedom from an evil and oppressive regime. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard.”

The prime minister framed the air campaign as a preemptive measure against what he described as existential threats to Israel:

“Our mission is clear—Operation Rising Lion was launched to neutralize both the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat posed by the Iranian regime.”

Tehran swiftly condemned the attack, labeling it a blatant act of aggression and vowing “severe punishment” in retaliation. In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran launched a barrage of kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles, several of which penetrated Israeli air defenses and struck Tel Aviv, escalating fears of a broader regional conflict.

The exchange marks one of the most intense military confrontations between the two archrivals in recent memory, raising alarms across the international community over the potential for a wider war in the Middle East.