Netanyahu to Iranian people: ‘The regime fears you more than Israel,’ but threatens Iranian attack would destroy its economy

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, directly addressed the Iranian people in a video message on Tuesday, for the second time within a few weeks, as Israel continues to await a possible Iranian retaliatory attack.

Netanyahu explained that many Iranians had reached out to Israel after his first message, causing him to turn to the Iranian people again.

The prime minister declared that the Islamic regime is getting weaker every day, while Israel is becoming stronger: “Yet there's one thing Khamenei’s regime fears more than Israel. You know what it is? It’s you – the people of Iran.”

“Well, I say to you this: don’t let your dreams die. I hear the whispers: Women, Life, Freedom. Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. Don’t lose hope. And know that Israel and others in the free world stand with you,” Netanyahu added.

Israeli officials are concerned that Iran may “act against” Israel before President-elect Donald J. Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20, according to a Jerusalem Post report. With Trump set to adopt a much stronger stance against the Iranian regime than the Biden administration, Israeli defense officials believe Iran may seek to use the next two months to attack Israel in a way that would not be possible under a staunchly pro-Israel U.S. president.

“‎‏Since we last spoke, the Khamenei regime launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at my country, Israel. I wonder: Did he tell you how much that attack cost? Well, I’m not guessing. It’s ‏$2.3 billion.”

“‎‏The missiles did marginal damage to Israel, but what damage did they do to you? That sum could have added billions to your transportation budget. It could have added billions to your education budget. But instead, Khamenei exposed the regime’s brutality and turned the world against your country. He robbed you of money that should have been yours,” Netanyahu said.

“I want you to imagine – just imagine – how your life could be different if Iran was free. You could speak your mind without fear. You could make a joke without wondering if you’d be carted off to Evin prison. Close your eyes. Picture the faces of your children – beautiful innocent souls… Imagine how your children’s lives would look if billions of dollars were invested in them instead of being wasted on wars that can’t be won.”

“‎‏But that’s what Khamenei’s regime denies you every single day. They obsess about destroying Israel, rather than about building Iran. What a shame,” Netanyahu continued, before threatening: “Another attack on Israel would simply cripple Iran's economy. It would rob you of many more billions of dollars.”

“I know that you don’t want this war. I don’t want this war either. The people of Israel don’t want this war. There is one force putting your family in grave danger: the tyrants of Tehran.”

In conclusion, Netanyahu vowed not to let the Iranian regime destroy the future of its people or the Jewish state.

“Well, we won't let that happen. I have no doubt that one day in a free Iran, Israelis and Iranians will build together a future of prosperity and peace.”

“That is the future Israel deserves. That is the future Iran deserves. Together, let us turn this beautiful dream into a reality.”