‘Hope Persian nation will soon be…’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped on Sunday that Iran would soon throw off what he called “the yoke of tyranny” as massive protests shook the Islamic Republic for a second week.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 203 people died in nationwide protests in Iran, with 162 protesters and 41 security forces killed. Activists have warned that the actual number could be much higher due to internet outages and phone line outages and that it may be difficult to verify the situation from abroad.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on protests in Iran

Amid protests sparked by economic tensions in which demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and demanded an end to religious rule, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped on Sunday that Iran would soon throw off what he called “the yoke of tyranny.”

“We all hope that the Persian nation will soon throw off the yoke of tyranny,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. “And when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be faithful partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples,” he added.

Netanyahu also said, “Israel follows the developments in Iran closely. Freedom demonstrations have spread throughout the country.” It is no secret that Israel wants to see the fall of the Iranian regime, as Israel has increased its threats to continue attacking the country in recent months. Israel launched a barrage of attacks with 200 jets in June, hitting dozens of nuclear, military and infrastructure sites across Iran, including the country’s main nuclear facility at Natanz, Al Jazeera reported. Israel also attacked residential areas, killing many nuclear scientists and military commanders. The USA also joined the attacks by bombing three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Iran retaliated with hundreds of ballistic missiles fired at Israeli cities.

Iranian President says he will listen to protesters, warns against rioters

Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian made his first statement after three nights of intense protests against the authorities: “The people (Iran) should not allow the rebels to disrupt society. The people must believe that we (the government) want to establish justice,” he said. “The authorities will listen to the protesters, but the rioters are ‘trying to destroy the entire society,'” Pezeshkian added, accusing the United States and Israel of inciting the “riots.”