13.11.2026 13:40
The tradesman who drew attention in Iran for his surprising resemblance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now made headlines with his joke. The man, reported to run a shop in Tehran, responded to a question directed at him after he was likened to Netanyahu: “They weren’t paying salaries there, so I quit.” The tradesman’s joke, in which he portrayed himself as having left his post in Israel, produced interesting scenes.
A shopkeeper reportedly selling nuts and sweets in Iran had previously been featured in the international press due to his physical resemblance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Footage shot in the shop of the man, who resembles Netanyahu with his hair, facial features and expressions, appeared in the Iranian and Israeli press at the beginning of November.
The shopkeeper's resemblance to Netanyahu was met with jokes by some people, while it was claimed that some users wanted his business boycotted solely because of this resemblance.
THIS TIME, HE HIMSELF SPOKE
The shopkeeper, previously known for his footage, this time drew attention with his answer to a question posed to him. In a new video published by RT, the man, joining in the joke made about his resemblance to Netanyahu, portrayed himself as having left Israel and come to Iran.
When asked why he left, the shopkeeper replied, “They weren't paying salaries there, so I left.”
The man's words were not a real political statement but a joke he made about his resemblance to the Israeli Prime Minister.
"FROM THE SEAT OF POWER TO THE SHOP COUNTER"
RT published the shopkeeper's new footage with the phrase “From the seat of power to behind the shop counter.” This time, the man, who had previously drawn attention only for his physical resemblance, gave a response imitating Netanyahu, adding a different dimension to the footage.
In the humorous dialogue recorded during a period when political tension between Iran and Israel continued, the shopkeeper was seen turning the comparison made to him into humor.
BOYCOTT CALLS HAD BEEN MADE BEFORE
When the Iranian shopkeeper's footage was first published, it was reported that some people tried to find out the address of his shop, while others called for not shopping at his business because he resembles Netanyahu.
Media outlets such as Israel Hayom and AzerNews wrote that the shopkeeper had faced negative reactions due to his resemblance. However, claims that the boycott caused economic harm to the business had not been independently verified.