Overview
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is closely monitoring unrest in Iran and voiced hope the Persian nation will be freed from the “yoke of tyranny.”
- Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed support for demonstrators and labeled Iran’s leadership an exporter of terrorism and radicalism.
- Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that U.S. military and shipping sites and Israel would be legitimate targets if Iran were attacked.
- An Israeli military official said the army is preparing defensively and would be ready to respond if necessary.
- Protests that began over soaring living costs have spread nationwide with reported deaths and mass detentions, while internet shutdowns hinder verification as Iran accuses the U.S. and Israel and Washington signals no imminent action.