TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to help with Iran’s water crisis.

Pezeshkian said on X that Israel has denied Palestinians access to water and food, so can’t be trusted.

“A regime that deprives people of Gaza from water and food says it will bring water to Iran? A MIRAGE, NOTHING MORE,” he said.

Pezeshkian mentioned in a Cabinet session held in Tehran that individuals with misleading exteriors are falsely professing concern for the Iranian populace.

He urged to first observe the dire conditions in Gaza, where vulnerable people, particularly children, are suffering due to hunger, and lack access to clean water and medicine, resulting from a blockade enforced by a harsh regime.

Netanyahu conveyed a message to Iranians via video on Tuesday, promising that Israel would assist in resolving the country’s significant water scarcity once Iran is liberated from its existing government, as reported by Israeli sources like The Jerusalem Post.

These comments reflect a shift from military conflict to political disputes. In June, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, resulting in nearly 1,100 casualties, including numerous military leaders. In response, Iran’s strikes claimed 28 lives in Israel.

On Sunday, Pezeshkian addressed a group of officials, questioning what actions to take given the lack of groundwater, reservoirs, and water behind dams, asking for guidance on the issue.

He acknowledged that “we are facing a severe and unprecedented crisis” and mentioned that the administration is collaborating with specialists to devise a solution.

Experts say years of drought and water mismanagement led to the crisis.