Israel says is not involved in Iran’s internal affairs

Israel’s intelligence minister Israel Katz voiced encouragement for Iranian anti-government protesters but added that Israeli policy was not to get involved in Tehran’s internal affairs.

"I can only wish success to the Iranian people in the struggle for freedom and democracy," Katz said in an Army Radio interview. "If the people succeed in achieving freedom and democracy, many of the threats on Israel and the entire region today will disappear."

Asked why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not following US President Donald Trump’s example in offering more open endorsement for the protesters, Katz said: "Israel has undertaken not to get involved in this internal affair".

Trump’s tough approach to Tehran, which has included the threat of U.S. sanctions, had disrupted the Iranian government’s "illusion of economic betterment”, Reuters reported.

Katz dismissed such allegations as standard fare from "a mendacious and propagandistic regime".