Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Jun 17: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a direct and impassioned appeal to the people of Iran, urging them to rise against what he termed as the "radical tyranny" of their ruling regime. His message: “A light has been lit—carry it to freedom.”
In a rare 13-minute televised interview with the London-based Persian-language news channel Iran International, Netanyahu addressed the Iranian public, assuring them that Israel harbours no animosity toward them. “You’re not our enemy. We’re not your enemy,” he said. “We have a common enemy, and we are resolutely fighting it. I believe you’ll soon have an opportunity to be free.”
The appeal comes at a time of unprecedented military confrontation between the two nations. Since Friday, Israel has launched extensive aerial operations targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The strikes have also devastated residential neighbourhoods and infrastructure, leaving at least 224 Iranians dead and over 1,200 injured, according to Iran’s health ministry.
In response, Iran has unleashed a series of missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, killing 24 people and injuring nearly 600 others, as per the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Speaking in a separate interview, Netanyahu claimed that the Iranian regime now appears "weaker than people thought" and urged Iranians to seize the moment. “This is a battle of good versus evil,” he said. “It’s time for good people—both within Iran and around the world—to stand up against the madness imposed by this radical tyranny.”
He acknowledged Iran’s rich cultural legacy, stating, “Iran was once a great civilisation. The theological thuggery that has hijacked your country will not endure. I know that Iran can be great again.”
With rising fears of the conflict spilling over into neighbouring countries, Netanyahu's message is seen as a strategic outreach designed not only to destabilize Iran’s internal support structure but also to strengthen international public sentiment against the regime in Tehran.
“The people of Iran must understand—this is their moment. A light has been lit. Carry it to freedom,” Netanyahu concluded.
As both sides harden their positions and civilian casualties rise, the world watches anxiously, hoping that diplomacy can yet find a way through the smoke and shrapnel of deepening war.