Israeli PM Netanyahu calls on Iranians to unite for regime change as strikes weaken Tehran and minority arrests spark global concern.

Netanyahu Calls for Unity Against Iranian Regime

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct appeal to the people of Iran just hours after Israeli forces struck key nuclear and military facilities inside the country. Framing the attacks as a pivotal moment, Netanyahu said, “This is your opportunity to stand up [to the regime].” His remarks, delivered Friday, emphasized both the weakness of Tehran’s leadership and the potential for internal transformation.

Netanyahu highlighted that Israel’s military operation aimed to neutralize nuclear and missile threats posed by Iran. “We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history,” he declared, adding that Israel’s actions were intended to undermine a regime that has “oppressed you for almost 50 years” and has threatened to destroy Israel.

The Israeli leader’s statement comes amid growing unrest inside Iran, where minority groups—comprising nearly half the country’s population—are frequently targets of oppression. Experts have pointed out that if these minority communities were to unite, their organized resistance could play a critical role in ending the regime’s nearly five decades of rule.

Minority Arrests Heighten Fears of Internal Rebellion

In the wake of Israel’s strikes, the Iranian government has begun arresting members of the Ahwazis, a minority group from southwestern Iran that constitutes 6–8% of the population. Yigal Carmon, President of the Middle East Media Research Institute, stated that the regime is acting on fears that internal rebellion may erupt alongside the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Carmon argued, “A regime change will be supported by many. The fact is that only the minorities can bring a regime change because they are militarily organized.” He added that a coalition of non-Persian ethnic groups, including Kurds and Baloch, could bring about regime change within months, given their historical opposition to Tehran and their ability to mobilize.

Iran has faced mounting internal dissent since the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman whose arrest and subsequent death in 2022 ignited nationwide protests. The regime’s response has been harsh, with continued executions and widespread crackdowns on dissent, especially among minorities.

Netanyahu’s message also referenced the protest slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom — Zan, Zendegi, Azadi,” expressing solidarity with Iranians fighting for rights and dignity. “As I said yesterday and many times before, Israel’s fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” Netanyahu concluded.

As tensions escalate, the world’s attention turns to Iran’s restive minorities and the possibility that this moment may spark a profound change within the country. With arrests already underway and international concern mounting, the coming weeks will likely prove critical for both the regime and its opponents.