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| Netanyahu’s Dramatic Support for Iran’s Protesters Genuine Solidarity or a Hidden Political Agenda. |
The wave of protests in Iran has once again captured global attention. Thousands of people have taken to the streets, clashes have erupted, and lives have been lost. Amid this tense situation, public support has poured in from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several US politicians, and pro-Israel figures in Washington. But the big question remains: is this support truly about standing with the Iranian people, or is it driven by deeper political interests?
On social media, Netanyahu and his allies have been vocal in praising Iran’s protesters. Words like freedom, courage, and democracy are repeated over and over. It sounds noble, almost poetic, as if Iranians needed to hear these values explained to them by foreign leaders. Some US lawmakers have even issued public statements claiming they stand shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people in their fight for democracy.
Many observers, however, see this rhetoric as shallow and self-serving. Phrases such as “we stand with the Iranian people” are often interpreted as coded language for a familiar goal: regime change that aligns with Israeli and American strategic interests.
In reality, Iran’s protest movement means little to Netanyahu beyond its political usefulness. His concern is not genuine democracy in Iran. In fact, a truly democratic Iran could pose a serious challenge to Israel. A united country, governed by leaders accountable to their people, would likely adopt strong populist positions that include open resistance to Israeli policies.
Instead of supporting real democracy, Israel is often more comfortable dealing with authoritarian rulers across the Middle East. Strongmen are seen as easier to pressure, intimidate, or negotiate with behind closed doors. Democratic governments, on the other hand, must answer to their citizens and are far less likely to bow to foreign power.
In Iran’s case, this logic explains the quiet encouragement for the return of monarchy through Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah. Yet many Iranians remember all too well how brutal and corrupt the shah’s regime was before it collapsed in 1979. Replacing today’s authoritarian system with a restored monarchy would not bring democracy. It would simply trade one form of oppression for another.
From Israel’s perspective, almost any outcome benefits its strategic goals. If Iran’s clerical system collapses, Israel wins. If it survives, Iran emerges weakened and divided, which also serves Israeli interests. In this cold calculation, the thousands of Iranian lives lost become little more than collateral damage in a geopolitical power struggle.
Some young protesters have been heard chanting Pahlavi’s name, a sign that many are too young to remember the realities of life under the shah. For those who lived through that era, the idea of returning to monarchy represents a dangerous dead end, no better than the current system.
Tensions escalated further when former US President Donald Trump inserted himself into the crisis. He issued stark warnings to Tehran and threatened severe military action if Iran continued its crackdown on protesters. While some officials in Washington cautioned that military strikes could backfire by rallying Iranians around their government, the rhetoric alone added another layer of instability.
History shows that foreign military intervention rarely produces the intended results. Rather than weakening a government, it often fuels nationalism and strengthens the very regime it seeks to undermine. Once military action begins, the consequences become unpredictable and difficult to contain.
Iranian officials, for their part, reportedly reached out to Washington to explore the possibility of talks. Trump initially signaled openness, but that window quickly closed as he reverted to a hard-line stance. With diplomacy stalled, the risk of escalation remains dangerously high.
Signs of fragmentation are also visible beyond Iran’s borders. A recent incident in Los Angeles exposed violent clashes among Iranian opposition groups in exile, sparked by political symbols and the Israeli flag. For many analysts, this was further evidence of how external alliances and internal rivalries could tear Iran apart rather than bring meaningful change.
Some experts describe this approach as similar to what happened in Syria, where the country was fractured into rival ethnic, religious, and political factions. A divided state becomes weak, dysfunctional, and unable to resist outside influence. And for regional powers, a weak neighbor is often the most desirable outcome.
Unfortunately, voices urging caution remain limited. A handful of analysts have warned that foreign-backed regime change rarely prioritizes democracy or human rights. More often, it deepens chaos and suffering.
The world watches Iran with a mix of sympathy and alarm. But emotional reactions can obscure the bigger picture. If the crisis is steered by the agendas of Netanyahu, Trump, and figures tied to Iran’s old monarchy, the situation could deteriorate far beyond what we see today. And as always, the greatest price would be paid by ordinary people whose voices are least heard in global power games.