Skip to main content

Iranians React With Anger To Netanyahu Comments

While many Western-oriented Iranians mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about Iranians not having access to blue jeans, others seemed most angered by his threats to bomb Iran and push for more sanctions.
Iranian women, wearing jeans, shop in Tehran on October 7, 2013. A campaign launched by young Iranians on internet networking sites Facebook and Twitter were mocking Israeli President Benjamin Netayahu following his comments during an interview diffused on October 5, in which he implied there is a supposed ban on wearing jeans and listening to Western music in the Islamic Republic. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE        (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Compared to four years ago, satellite jamming by the Iranian government has decreased in volume. This is perhaps one reason why millions of Iranians were able to watch Benjamin Netanyahu’s interview with BBC Persian on Saturday evening just before going to bed.

In the past few days, tens of thousands of internet users reacted, mostly in a mocking tone, to what Netanyahu said in his interview. The Israeli prime minister, who noted the absence of democracy in Iran, had said, "I think if the Iranian people had their way, they'd be wearing blue jeans, they'd have Western music, they'd have free elections.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.