Israel is on heightened alert for possible U.S. intervention in Iran's affairs as the country's authorities face the largest anti-government protests in recent years, three Israeli sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.
In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention and warned Iranian rulers against using force against demonstrators. On January 10, Trump stated that the U.S. is "ready to help." According to activists, the death toll during the protests has exceeded 100 people.
Sources present at Israeli security consultations over the weekend did not clarify what heightened military readiness means in practice for Israel. In June, a 12-day war occurred between Israel and Iran, and in the final days of the war, the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
On January 10, during a phone call, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran's affairs, an Israeli source present at the conversation reported. An American official confirmed that the conversation took place but did not specify what topics were discussed.
