ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel stands with the people of Iran as protests triggered by the Iranian rial's devaluation have spread across the country in recent days, with amost 20 people having been killed so far.

“We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Iranian people and with their aspirations for freedom, liberty, and justice,” Netanyahu said during Israel’s weekly cabinet meeting.

He added that the current moment could mark a turning point. “It is very possible that we are standing at a moment when the Iranian people are taking their destiny into their own hands,” he said.

Israel has on numerous occasions urged Iranian citizens to rise up against their government, most saliently in June during Tel Aviv's 12-Day War with Iran.

Despite official rhetoric sympathizing with the demonstrators' economic grievances, some protests have been met with a harsh response by the Iranian authorities, with the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization reporting on Saturday that at least 18 people have been killed.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the same day said that the demands of protesters in the country are “completely fair,” though warning that rioters must “be put in their place.”

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to intervene should Iran begin killing protesters, a practice he said is the government's “custom.”

Netanyahu also addressed Iran’s nuclear program during the meeting, saying he discussed the issue with Donald Trump during an official visit earlier in the week.

He said both sides agreed on the need for Iran to halt uranium enrichment entirely and for enriched nuclear material to be removed from the country under strict international oversight.

Earlier this week, Trump said Iran might be rebuilding its nuclear program after last year’s conflict, while Netanyahu said he was pressing Washington to back renewed military action against Iran, accusing Tehran of exporting terrorism, including to Venezuela.

On Saturday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned Iran’s leadership to “pay close attention to what is happening in Venezuela,” following US strikes there and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Iran, a close ally of Venezuela, strongly condemned the US operation, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law, and warned that US military action could have global consequences. Israel welcomed Maduro’s removal, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressing hope for a return to democracy.

"Regarding Venezuela, I wish to express the support of the entire government for the resolute decision and strong action of the United States to restore freedom and justice to that region of the world," Netanyahu said at the opening of a cabinet meeting.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani warned that US interference would lead to regional chaos and threaten US interests.