TEHRAN: A shopkeeper in Iran’s capital, Tehran, has become an unexpected social media sensation because of his striking resemblance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A video circulating widely on social media shows the shopkeeper, who reportedly sells dried fruits, nuts and sweets, sitting behind a weighing scale inside his store. After the footage emerged, users began pointing out similarities between his facial features, hairstyle and expressions and those of Netanyahu.
The video quickly gained traction across Iranian and Arab social media platforms, triggering humorous comments, memes and discussions about the striking resemblance between the two men.
Some social media users even attempted to identify the location of the shop, while others shared additional footage drawing attention to the shopkeeper’s resemblance to the Israeli prime minister.
However, the incident soon moved beyond online jokes. According to Turkish media reports, some social media users called for a boycott of the shop simply because its owner looks like Netanyahu.
The reports also claimed that the unexpected publicity and boycott calls may have affected the shopkeeper’s business. Some accounts suggested that he had expressed frustration and concern over the situation. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The video has also attracted considerable attention in Arab media. Some reports have described the footage as showing a real shopkeeper rather than an artificially generated character.
Nevertheless, the original source of the video, the date it was recorded and the shopkeeper’s identity have yet to be officially confirmed.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, which have heightened public sensitivity towards political figures and developments involving the two countries.
While the resemblance of ordinary people to prominent political figures often sparks humorous reactions online, the Tehran shopkeeper’s case highlights how political tensions can sometimes affect individuals who have no direct involvement in politics.
