Israel is “closely monitoring” the situation in Iran. Netanyahu hopes that “the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel is “closely monitoring developments in Iran” amid protests in the country and praised the “immense courage” of Iranian citizens, according to AFP and Iran International.

“We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples,” Netanyahu said during the weekly cabinet meeting.

The Israeli Prime Minister summoned his advisers and relevant ministers for consultations on security issues, The Times of Israel wrote.

Netanyahu said Israel was monitoring the situation in Iran.

“Israel is closely monitoring developments in Iran. Demonstrations for freedom have spread throughout the country. The Israeli people, and indeed the entire world, marvel at the immense courage of the citizens of Iran,” he added.

Israel, on high alert

Israel is on high alert in the event of possible US intervention to support Iran's nationwide protest movement, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. US President Donald Trump has been briefed in recent days on new options for a military strike against Iran, according to The New York Times.

In an interview on state television on Sunday, Iran's president accused the United States and Israel of “trying to escalate” grievances over “economic talks and the solutions we are working on.”

“They took some people here, domestically and abroad, and trained them. They brought terrorists from abroad into the country,” Iran's president added, calling the protesters who torched a mosque “inhumans”.

The protests in Iran began on December 28 over economic issues, but have since turned into more general demonstrations against the theocratic regime in Tehran.