Netanyahu urges Iranians to rise up, pledges water aid after regime falls

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a direct address to the people of Iran late on August 12, speaking in English against the backdrop of a severe drought that has gripped the country for five consecutive years.

In a speech broadcast on YouTube, Netanyahu urged Iranians to launch a “revolution” against the Islamic Republic and pledged: “The moment your country is free, Israel's top water experts will flood into every Iranian city bringing cutting-edge technology and know-how.”

Opening his remarks with a greeting “from Jerusalem, to the proud people of Iran,” Netanyahu recalled: “Your leaders forced the 12 Day War on us, and they lost miserably. They lie through their teeth, but on rare occasions, they tell the truth. A few days ago, the Iranian president said: ‘We have problems with water, electricity, money and inflation - where don't we have a problem? There won't be any water in the dams by September or October’. He's right. Everything is collapsing.”

He accused Iran’s leadership of failing to provide even the most basic needs: “In this brutal summer heat, you don't even have clean, cold water to give your children. Such hypocrisy. Such disdain for the Iranian people. To live like this is not fair to you. It's not fair to your children. But I have very good news: Israel is the #1 recycler of water in the world. We recycle 90% of our wastewater. And we lead the world in desalination. We know exactly what to do so Iran can also have plentiful water.”

Netanyahu recalled that nearly a decade ago he launched a Farsi-language Telegram channel to share information on water management, attracting “100,000 Iranians” almost immediately. Drawing a parallel between Iran’s “thirst for water” and its “thirst for freedom,” he invited Iranians to envision a different future: “Just imagine water skiing again in the Karaj Dam with your families. Imagine restoring the once stunning Urmia lake in the northwest of Iran. All of this is not a dream – This can be your reality.”

He accused Tehran’s rulers of bringing “tyranny and poverty” for the past 46 years and suppressing dissent. Holding up books by “impressive Iranian dissidents” that were published abroad, Netanyahu condemned “Such repression. Such cruelty.”

“You, the descendants of Cyrus the Great, deserve much more. You don’t deserve leaders who flee the country while you suffer alone during a difficult war. Neda and Navid could have brought Iran glory and gold. Instead, they are killed and banished. So much money has been burned to hell. The tyrants of Tehran preferred sending hundreds of billions of dollars not to you, to Hamas, Hezbollah, to the Houthis - instead of funding your hospitals, your schools and your roads," he said.

Calling on citizens to “be bold and brave – to dare to dream,” Netanyahu urged them to “take risks for freedom. For your future. For your families. It’s worth it!” He encouraged mass protests: “Take to the streets. Demand justice. Demand accountability. Protest tyranny. Build a better future for your families and for all Iranians. Do not let these fanatic mullahs ruin your lives for a minute longer. And know this: You are not alone. I stand with you. Israel stands with you. The entire free world stands with you.”

Netanyahu concluded by predicting that the regime’s days were numbered: “The tyrants of Tehran – so cruel, so callous, and so cowardly – They won't last long. You know that. History will record that. Soon, your country will be free. Water will be plentiful. Your economy will recover and thrive. Your children will be joyous and carefree again.” Quoting Theodor Herzl, he added: “If you will it, a free Iran is no dream. Now is the time for action. Now is the time to fight for freedom. Iran Baraye Irani. (Iran for Iranians).”

The speech came as Iran faces its most severe water shortage in a century. In July, an intense heat wave disrupted water and electricity supplies nationwide, leaving reservoirs at record lows. Eighteen of the country’s 31 provinces were affected, with 10 – including the capital Tehran – seeing temperatures soar above 40°C. In several regions, government offices were closed to conserve water and power.

By Tamilla Hasanova