Netanyahu Hopes Iran Will Be Freed From 'Tyranny', Says Tehran Will Become Israel's Partner Again

Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 21:52 IST

Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring the developments in Iran and applauded the "tremendous courage" of the citizens, adding that Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.(Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his first reaction to the ongoing protests in Iran, expressing hope that the Islamic Republic is “liberated from the yoke of tyranny" so that the two countries can once again be allies.

“Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens," Netanyahu said at the beginning of a government meeting.

“Israel supports their struggle for freedom and strongly condemns the mass killings of innocent civilians," he said. “We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be liberated from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be faithful partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both nations."

This comes as Iran has been gripped by days of deadly protests, which were initially triggered by anger over the rising cost of living and economic stagnation. These protests have now escalated into a broader movement challenging the clerical government that has ruled the country since the 1979 revolution.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar made similar comments. “We support the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and wish them success," he said. “We think they deserve freedom… We don’t have any hostility with the people of Iran."

ALSO READ: Iran’s President Blames ‘Rioters’ As Protest Toll Reaches 203; Israel Supports ‘Freedom Struggle’

Iran Warns Strikes On US, Israeli Targets

Netanyahu’s remarks came after Iran’s parliament speaker warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets" if the US strikes Tehran over the ongoing protests after repeated threats by American President Donald Trump.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a hardline leader who contested for president, old lawmakers on Sunday that if the US attacked, “both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets". Iran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of inciting the ongoing unrest and trying to undermine the Islamic Republic’s national unity.

In a statement, an Israeli military official said the army was following developments in Iran and “preparing defensively". Iran and Israel engaged in a brief war in June 2025 that saw unprecedented Israeli attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The United States later joined the strikes on Trump’s orders.

Any decision to go to war would rest with Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pressure is building on Iran, aided by the US and Israel, as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 203 people have been killed in the ongoing protests.

Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi asked demonstrators in Iran to take to the streets on Sunday and overthrow the Islamic regime, as demonstrators raised slogans in support of the shah in some protests.

News world Netanyahu Hopes Iran Will Be Freed From 'Tyranny', Says Tehran Will Become Israel's Partner Again

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