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Iran’s president dismisses Netanyahu’s call to protest as a “mirage”
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for Iranians to take to the streets against their government as a “mirage.”
Netanyahu made his video appeal amid ongoing water and electricity shortages in Iran, which is enduring a severe summer heatwave. His message came two months after a 12-day war between the two countries, triggered by an unprecedented Israeli strike on Iran that targeted military and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas. The attack killed senior military officers, nuclear experts, and civilians.
In his address, Netanyahu urged Iranians to “take risks for freedom” and to “build a better future,” suggesting that once Iran is “free,” Israeli water experts could help with advanced technology. President Pezeshkian rejected the offer, pointing out the contradiction: “The regime that deprived the people of Gaza of water and food wants to bring water to the Iranian people? What a mirage!”
Israel has been at war with Hamas in Gaza for 22 months, following the militant group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli territory. The United Nations has warned of “widespread famine” in the besieged enclave, though Israel insists there is “no evidence” of such conditions.
Iran, a predominantly arid nation, often faces droughts and extreme summer temperatures. Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, the country struggles with outdated infrastructure and the impact of international sanctions, which contribute to persistent energy shortages.
