Iranian state television was briefly overtaken in a major cyber intrusion that aired a direct video message from Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, replacing regular programming with wartime visuals and a call aimed at the Iranian public.

The interruption opened with a split-screen display of smoke-filled scenes and destruction, accompanied by Persian-language text asserting that the Iranian government is collapsing and that “only the people of Iran should decide about their own future and the future of their country”.

Netanyahu then appeared on screen, declaring that Israel plans to target “thousands of targets of the terrorist regime” in the days ahead. He described the current moment as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Iranians to “liberate themselves from the chains of tyranny”.

As the broadcast ended, Netanyahu addressed viewers directly, encouraging them to prepare for action. “Don’t sit on your hands,” he warned. “Soon your moment will arrive, the moment you will be required to take to the streets”.