Tehran shopkeeper who looks like Netanyahu faces boycott

A shopkeeper in Tehran who sells dried fruit, nuts and sweets has become the talk of Iranian and Arab social media in recent days, after users noticed an extraordinary resemblance between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a video that spread widely, the vendor is seen sitting behind a scale in his shop. The similarity is concentrated in the hairline, facial features and expressions. Additional footage of him has since been published, all showing the marked resemblance to the Israeli prime minister.

After the video was posted, users began sharing the footage and commenting on the likeness. Some asked where the shop is located, while others posted humorous and mocking responses. The story spread rapidly across Iranian social networks and became a widespread topic of conversation.

The video that went viral (Photo: Section 27a)

According to reports in the Turkish press, some users have called for avoiding purchases at the shop because of the resemblance to Netanyahu. The reports note that the shopkeeper has received mixed reactions, but also claim that his business has been harmed. According to some accounts, the vendor said he is already despairing of the situation because of this.

From the reports published about the story in Arab media, it appears the footage is a genuine photograph of the shopkeeper in his store that was circulated on social networks, and not an artificial-intelligence hoax. However, no independent verification has been published of the video's source, the date it was filmed or the vendor's identity. Despite the story being widely reported, it remains a viral tale that has not been fully authenticated through primary sources.

The incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, which have become a central topic in Iranian public discourse in recent years. Resemblance to political figures has in the past become material for jokes and viral content on the Iranian internet, but in this case the discussion moved beyond humour and included calls for a boycott as well.

Recently, Iran published new propaganda videos showing massive underground facilities storing ballistic missiles, as part of its efforts to display its military capabilities. The tensions between the countries continue to affect public discourse in Iran, with any topic related to Israel drawing sharp reactions on social media.