PM Netanyahu reiterates his support for ‘struggle of the Iranian people for freedom, liberty and justice’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, expressed his government’s support for the Iranian people protesting against the Islamic Republic’s regime. 

“The Government of Israel, the State of Israel, and my policy, identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice. It is possible that we are standing at the moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu told the Cabinet. 

The Government of Israel, the State of Israel, and my policy, identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice. It is possible that we are standing at the moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 4, 2026

Netanyahu’s statements followed his return from the United States, where he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the Iranian threat, the situation in Gaza, and the continued efforts to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon. The comments also came as protests against the Iranian regime once again broke out, while Netanyahu was still in the United States.

Protesters launched a strike over the country’s difficult economic situation, including the collapse of the Iranian rial following the 12-day Israel–Iran war and the reimposition of sanctions after so-called “snapback” measures were activated at the recommendation of the E3 nations – Germany, the United Kingdom and France – due to Iran’s failure to permit nuclear inspections.

Although the protests started smaller than previous anti-regime demonstrations, they have grown as unrest spread to additional cities across the country. In the past couple of days, Iran has begun to crack down on some of the protests, and over the weekend, reports of regime-affiliated gunmen firing on crowds were heard from several cities. 

While several Israeli politicians have already spoken out in support of the protesters, Netanyahu’s statement on Sunday marked the first time he directly addressed the current protests. In the past, Netanyahu addressed the people of Iran – most recently, after the 12-day war, when he spoke about the Iranian government's spending of billions of dollars to support proxy groups acting against Israel instead of investing in water infrastructure or the nation. In addition to the economic crisis, Iran is also facing a severe water shortage after years of mismanagement.

In December 2024, after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, which was heavily supported by Iran during the Syrian Civil War, Netanyahu also sent a message to the Iranian people, telling them that Israel wants peace.

“I want to make clear. Israel wants peace. We want peace with all those who truly want peace with us. I know that just as we want peace with you, you want peace with us," Netanyahu stated in the video message.  

Human rights groups have reported at least 17 people have been killed during the protests so far, with demonstrations continuing on Sunday, and Iranian social media accounts reporting renewed crackdowns by government-affiliated forces. 

A video circulating on social media shows the start of gunfire at protesters in the western city of Malekshahi, Ilam province, on Saturday. Information shared with Iran International indicates at least five people were killed and around 30 wounded during the incident. pic.twitter.com/spHJMhhLRv

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 4, 2026

Netanyahu also told the Cabinet that he discussed Iran’s nuclear program, and that the United States and Israel agree that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium.

”We also discussed Iran, of course,” Netanyahu told the Cabinet. “We reiterated our shared position of zero enrichment on the one hand, and the need to remove the 400 kilograms of enriched material from Iran, as well as to impose strict and genuine oversight of the sites.”

“These discussions took place at the very beginning of the developments unfolding in Iran – dramatic events,” Netanyahu said. 

As this article was going to publication, open source intelligence accounts on social media reported a movement of U.S. forces into the Middle East, speculating that it could be in preparation for a renewed military operation by both Israel and the United States in the event of an Iranian ballistic missile strike against Israel.

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Several heavy C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlifters and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft have conducted transatlantic flights from the United States to various air bases across Europe.

A noteworthy detail is that one of the C-17A aircraft departed from… pic.twitter.com/Px8D6vh5St

— Visioner (@visionergeo) January 4, 2026

#Breaking: Bad news for the Islamic Regime of #Iran. The #US is deploying a large volume of military equipment and aircraft to the Middle East. Elements of the #USArmy’s Delta Force and 160th SOAR are en route to #Iraq and are expected to arrive as early as next week. pic.twitter.com/zUErPZMfi2

— Babak Taghvaee - The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) January 4, 2026