Following Israeli strikes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed the Iranian people, urging them to seize the “opportunity” to challenge their government.

The Iranian regime faces international pressure due to its support of terrorism stretching from Syria and Yemen to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, alongside ongoing internal strife, potentially signaling an impending regime change.

“We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history,” Netanyahu stated, accusing the Iranian regime of threatening Israel’s existence after oppressing its own people for nearly 50 years.

Netanyahu stated that Israel’s military actions aim to neutralize Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, which he believes weakens the regime and presents a unique opportunity for Iranian dissidents.

Minority groups, comprising roughly half of Iran’s population, could potentially topple the regime if they united against it, according to some Iranian specialists, as these groups are frequently subjected to oppression.

Public opposition in Iran has grown since the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died in September 2022 after being detained by Iran’s morality police.

Amini’s death triggered widespread protests, which the Iranian government has suppressed with force.

Yigal Carmon, President of MEMRI, told Digital that members of the Ahwazis, a minority group in southwestern Iran representing 6-8% of the population, have been arrested amid fears of a new internal rebellion coinciding with the conflict with Israel.

It remains unclear whether these arrests were preemptive or in response to ongoing demonstrations.

“A regime change will be supported by many,” Carmon asserted. “The fact is that only the minorities can bring a regime change because they are militarily organized.”

“A coalition of non-Persian ethnic groups could topple the regime in a few months,” he added. “Unlike the Persian anti-regime population, the non-Persian anti-regime population is militarily organized.”

Other minority groups, including Kurds (10-15% of the population, primarily in northwestern border regions) and Baloch people (5% of the population, along the southeastern border with Pakistan), have a history of resistance against the regime.

“It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom Zan, Zendegi, Azadi,” Netanyahu urged. “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,” he concluded.

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