AI or real? Photo of Netanyahu lookalike in Iran goes viral

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A short video and photos of a man working in a Tehran shop who bears a striking resemblance to ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spread rapidly across social media, but it remains debated whether the images show a real person or are AI-generated.

In the widely shared clip, a middle-aged man sits behind a weighing scale in what appears to be a store selling dried fruits, nuts, and sweets.

Viewers immediately noted similarities in his facial features, hairline, and expressions to Netanyahu.

LOL. Absolutely crazy unbelievable. See yourself! A dried-fruit seller in Tehran has become an unexpected internet sensation thanks to his uncanny resemblance to Netanyahu. But the attention has taken a nasty turn, with Iranian social media users calling for a boycott of his shop.
— Yisrael official 🕎 (@YisraelOfficial) November 11, 2026

The footage circulated on Iranian, Arab, and other platforms, generating jokes, comparisons, and speculation about the man’s identity and location.

Some online commentators and experts have suggested the images could be a deepfake or AI-generated, pointing to the uncanny resemblance and the lack of clear provenance.

The footage could not be independently verified, nor any other information about the man’s name, occupation, or store name exists as of the time of writing.

Social media also linked the man to earlier images that circulated in 2025 showing a similar-looking individual in a Tehran bakery queue.

Netanyahu Lookalike in Trouble! An Iranian man named Abbas Ghaderi has become a social media sensation because of his striking resemblance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reports circulating online claim that the Iranian shopkeeper has faced a boycott, with customers refusing to visit his business because of his resemblance to Netanyahu, reportedly costing him his livelihood.
— Sameh Ahmed 𓂆 🇵🇸 (@PalPress24) November 10, 2026

Some social media posts have referred to him as Abbas Ghaderi, but it was not verified.

The viral video itself is the clearest element of the story. Questions about whether the man is real, whether the footage is authentic, and what, if any, real-world consequences have followed remain unresolved.