Netanyahu Delivers Only a Speech in Israel — But Why Are There Celebrations on the Streets of Iran?
#News Bureau June 26,2025
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu limited himself to just a speech, celebrations erupted on the streets of Iran. This contrast raises the question: why is there visible public jubilation in Iran while Israel maintains a more restrained official tone?
Netanyahu’s Claim vs. the Mood in Israel
In his speech, Netanyahu stated, “We have eliminated the Iranian nuclear threat. This is a victory that will be remembered for generations. Iran can no longer build a nuclear weapon.” He praised U.S. President Donald Trump for launching strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—and described the action as a demonstration of “strength for peace.”
Yet despite the sweeping claims of success, there was no festive atmosphere in any Israeli city. Many areas across Israel had been impacted by Iranian missile attacks, and even official state-level celebrations were noticeably absent.
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Israel voiced concerns over the U.S.-Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement and called for an end to military operations in Gaza, further highlighting the contrast between political narratives and public sentiment.
In cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba, public attention is focused more on the damage caused by the war and the unresolved hostage crisis than on any declaration of victory. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, around 20 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza. The families of those hostages have been pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and urgently negotiate their release.
One hostage’s mother, Enav Jangouker, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “A chapter in history remains incomplete. Netanyahu, bring the hostages back from Gaza.” The hostage issue has sparked widespread protests against Netanyahu across Israel, as frustration grows over the government’s handling of the crisis.
Israeli Opposition Questions Ceasefire Deal
In Israel, opposition leaders—particularly Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party and Benny Gantz of the National Unity party—have raised concerns over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ceasefire agreement. Lapid, who had previously supported Netanyahu’s actions during the war despite being a vocal critic of his Gaza policy, has now shifted his stance.
“It’s time to end the war in Gaza and bring the hostages home,” Lapid said. “Any claim of victory in Iran remains incomplete as long as the Gaza crisis remains unresolved.”
Israel’s opposition has criticized the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement as vague and ineffective in fully dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. According to preliminary assessments by the U.S. intelligence community, the strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear development by a few months rather than destroying it completely. This has raised serious questions about the bold claims made by Prime Minister Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump.
Celebrations in Iran
Meanwhile, in Iran, people have flooded the streets in celebration, treating the end of the 12-day war as a national victory. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Tuesday, “The war has ended. Our people’s courageous resistance has thwarted Israel’s aggressive ambitions.” Crowds gathered in cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, waving flags and holding posters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Similar scenes were seen in villages across Iran. In Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut, Lebanon, posters portraying Khamenei as a victorious leader were put up.
However, not everyone in Iran supports the government’s stance. Opposition voices, including leaders from the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, have condemned the war. Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi and activist Narges Mohammadi stated, “This war benefits neither the Iranian people nor the cause of democracy.” Despite this dissent, a large segment of the Iranian population views the ceasefire as a triumph of national resilience.
Is Netanyahu’s Position at Risk?
Despite Netanyahu’s declaration of a “historic victory,” the absence of public celebrations in Israel and the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza have complicated his political standing. Growing opposition pressure and doubts surrounding the ceasefire deal suggest that the victory may not be as clear-cut as claimed. These developments have fueled speculation about the stability of Netanyahu’s leadership.
On the other side, Iran’s public euphoria and the government’s bold rhetoric could escalate regional tensions further. The coming days will be crucial in testing the durability of the ceasefire and determining whether any real progress can be made toward resolving the Gaza crisis.
