‘They cannot punish Israel, so they take revenge on us’: Iran’s Jews speak out
While Jewish community leaders in Iran publicly express loyalty to the regime, private testimonies reveal a reality of fear, surveillance, and discrimination. Many Iranian Jews report that official pro-regime statements are coerced, and they face increased vulnerability and hostility amid rising regional tensions.
Why it matters
This report sheds light on the precarious position of religious minorities in Iran and the discrepancy between state-mandated rhetoric and the lived experiences of citizens.
Jewish community leaders in Iran publicly declare their loyalty to the regime in Tehran and one of them recently even called for the assassination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But behind the official statements lies a very different reality. Jews in the country describe constant fear, surveillance, dismissals, damage to businesses and restrictions that make their lives more difficult. This is according to an investigation by the British newspaper Jewish Chronicle, which was based on testimonies from Jews living in Iran. According to the Jewish Chronicle investigation, after the 12-day war between Israel and the Islamic Republic, Iran’s chief rabbi publicly declared his support for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a February Israeli strike.
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