Iran’s president rejects Israeli prime minister’s call for uprising

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a recent video message in which the Israeli leader urged Iranians to protest against their government amid worsening power and water shortages.

Netanyahu’s remarks, posted on August 12, coincided with Iran’s ongoing struggle to manage widespread electricity blackouts and water scarcity during a period of extreme summer heat. His message also followed heightened tensions between the two regional rivals, which culminated in a 12-day conflict earlier this year that saw Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, as well as residential areas, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In his video, Netanyahu called on Iranian citizens to “take risks for freedom,” “take to the streets,” and demand accountability from their leadership. He further proposed sending Israeli water experts to Tehran to share “cutting-edge technology and know-how” to help alleviate the crisis.

The Iranian president, however, dismissed Netanyahu’s offer and criticized what he called his hypocrisy, pointing to Israel’s widely condemned conduct in the Gaza Strip.

“A regime that deprives Gaza of water and food now says it will bring water to Iran?

A mirage, nothing more!” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X.

His remarks come amid growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where United Nations agencies have warned of an unfolding famine. Aid groups report that Israel’s continued restrictions on the flow of humanitarian assistance have worsened the situation, with alarming images emerging of severely malnourished Palestinian children.

While Israel denies responsibility for the crisis, it has been engaged in a prolonged and deadly campaign against Hamas militants in the territory since October 2023.

By Vafa Guliyeva