Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses support for Iranian protesters amid widespread unrest, while discussing Tehran’s nuclear programme with US President Donald Trump.
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel stands in solidarity with the people of Iran as protests continue to rock the Islamic republic.
“We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Iranian people and with their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice,” Netanyahu said at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.
He suggested the Iranian people might be taking control of their own destiny.
The demonstrations began last Sunday with shopkeepers striking over economic concerns but have since grown in size and scope.
Protesters are now making political demands.
The unrest has affected at least 40 different cities, mostly medium-sized and located in Iran’s west.
At least 12 people have been killed, including members of the security forces.
Netanyahu also addressed Iran’s nuclear programme during the cabinet meeting.
He said he discussed it with US President Donald Trump during his official visit this week.
“We reiterated our shared position of zero enrichment on the one hand, and the need, of course, to remove the 400 kilograms of enriched material from Iran and subject the sites to strict and genuine oversight,” Netanyahu said.
He added the conversation took place at the outset of the “dramatic” demonstrations.
Iran and Israel, arch-foes, fought a 12-day war last year.
It began after Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and residential areas, aiming to cripple atomic research and missile capabilities.
Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on Israel.
The United States later joined Israel in briefly targeting Iranian nuclear sites before a ceasefire was declared.
