Images and video clips of a Tehran shopkeeper who looks strikingly like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have gone viral across Arab and Iranian platforms, turning the man into an unlikely internet star, AzerNews reported. Israel Hayom could not independently verify the authenticity of the images.
In the video that started the buzz, the man, reportedly a seller of dried fruit, nuts and sweets, is seen seated at a scale in his store. Almost at once, viewers flagged the likeness between the vendor and Netanyahu, especially in his face, hairline and expressions.
As the clip hopped between several platforms, it drew jokes, comparisons and arguments over who the shopkeeper is. Efforts to pinpoint where his business is located were reportedly made by some users, and other clips stressing the likeness were posted by others.
🚨Netanyahu lookalike turns up in #Iran — as a pastry shop owner ▪️Some say he looks more like @netanyahu than Netanyahu himself ▪️A few years back, he was spotted waiting in line for bread. 📍Location: #Ekbatan, #Tehran. https://t.co/xf0hEfPohI
— ⚡️🌎 Sarwar 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) November 11, 2026
Reportedly, a trend that began as harmless fun online has since become contentious. Some people online have urged others to shun the store only because its owner physically looks like Israel's premier, AzerNews wrote, citing Turkish media reports.
The same reports suggest the attention may have hurt his business, and some accounts say he is frustrated. None of this has been independently verified. Arab media reports describe the video as apparently showing a real shopkeeper, not a generated character. The recording's origin, filming date and the vendor's identity remain unconfirmed.
Netanyahu lookalike turns up in Iran — as a shop owner Some say he looks more like Netanyahu than Netanyahu himself https://t.co/rAybO7txNp
— RT (@RT_com) November 10, 2026
The episode comes amid heightened Iran-Israel tensions, which have sharpened public sensitivity toward Israeli political figures. The boycott calls show how such strains can shape reactions even to unrelated viral content.
