ANI Tel Aviv 

Israeli Prime Minister Benja­min Netanyahu has called on people of Iran to unite and stand up for their freedom from what he described as an “evil and oppressive regime”. Addressing the Iranians, Netanyahu said the goal of Israel’s military campaign, ‘Operation Rising Lion’, is to eliminate the nuclear and ballistic missile threat faced by Israel.

He said, “Tonight I wish to speak to you, the proud people of Iran. We’re in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion. The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for nearly 50 years, threatens to destroy my country, the State of Israel. The objective of Israel’s military operation is to remove this threat, both the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat to Israel.” 

He emphasised Israel has eliminated top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists and hit a large portion of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal. Netanyahu said Iran and Israel have been great friends since the days of Cyrus. “And as we achieve our objectives, we’re also clearing the path for you to achieve your objective, which is freedom.

In the past 24 hours, we’ve taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime’s most significant enrichment facility, and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. More is on the way. The regime doesn’t know what hit them. They don’t know what will hit them. The nations of Iran and Israel have been great since the days of Cyrus the Great,” he added.

Calling on the people of Iran to stand against “evil and oppressive regime”, Netan­yahu said, “The time has come for you to unite, Iran, your flag and your historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from an evil and an oppressive regime. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Free­dom — Zan, Zendegi, Azadi.” 

He reiterated Israel’s conflict is not with the Iranian people. “As I said yesterday and many times before, Israel’s fight is not with you. It’s not with you, the brave people of Iran, whom we respect and admire. Our fight is with our common enemy, a murderous regime that both oppresses you and impoverishes you. Brave people of Iran, your light will defeat the darkness.  I am with you. The people of Israel are with you,” he said.