Residents observe fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot in Tehran on June 15.
Source: Getty ImagesThe Big Take
Iran’s Leaders Face a Reckoning as Israeli Strikes Intensify
Israel is trying to exploit the Islamic Republic’s weaknesses to foment economic unrest and spark the overthrow of the clerical regime that’s ruled Iran for almost half a century.
Hours after Israel launched strikes on Iran last Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put out a video message addressing the Iranian people directly.
“Israel’s fight is not against the Iranian people,” he said. “Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you.”