 "'Stand up against the evil regime': Netanyahu calls on Iranian people to rise against Islamic Regime")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Iranians to stand up against the Islamic Republic as tensions between the two countries continue to simmer.
In a late evening address following Iran’s barrage of missile attacks in retaliation for Israel’s strikes, Netanyahu said, “Israel’s fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you.”
“The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around your flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard,” he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025
To the proud people of Iran,
We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion.
The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/F67bxcDitL
Iran hits back
Iran has launched a barrage of missile attacks against Israel in a second wave of retaliatory strikes, injuring several in Tel Aviv. Explosions were also heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran after 78 died in Friday morning’s attacks.
Iran said it had activated its air-defence system Friday night and explosions could be heard Friday night across Tehran, AFP reporters said.
Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel, and smoke could later be seen billowing above the skyscrapers in downtown Tel Aviv, an AFP journalist reported, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had attacked dozens of targets in Israel.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTrump calls for urgent deal with Iran
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it must reach a nuclear deal with Washington soon or face “even more brutal” attacks by Israel, as he backed his ally to defend itself against Tehran’s retaliation.
“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
‘Iran has the right to defend itself’
Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, reiterated the country’s right to defend itself in the face of Israel’s aggression at the Security Council’s emergency meeting.
“Israel, the loudest and violent regime in the world, committed these barbaric attacks with a full intelligence, operational and political backing of the United States government,” he said.
“Iran has also been the victim of systematic assassination of senior officials, scientists and civilians, a campaign of targeted murder that was latest and most basic principles of humanity. So far, 78 Iranians have been killed and more than 320 injured, the vast majority of them civilians, including women and children,” he added.
With inputs from agencies
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