Israel has been placed on high alert amid growing uncertainty over possible US military intervention in Iran, as nationwide anti-government protests in the Islamic Republic entered their third consecutive week. The alert status follows escalating rhetoric from US President Donald Trump and mounting violence inside Iran, according to sources cited by Reuters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the unfolding situation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call on Saturday, an Israeli source familiar with the conversation said. The issue was also reviewed during Israeli security consultations over the weekend, though officials did not spell out what the heightened alert entails in practical terms.
Inside Iran, protesters once again poured onto the streets of major cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, defying an intensified crackdown by security forces. Rights groups monitoring the unrest say at least 116 people have been killed so far, while thousands have been detained.
The demonstrations, initially sparked by economic distress such as inflation and currency collapse, have since evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.
Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators and suggested that Washington could step in if violence continues. In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, he said, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” US officials say the president is weighing a range of options in response to the crackdown.
According to media reports, Trump has been briefed on potential military responses, including targeted strikes, should Iranian authorities escalate repression. However, officials have cautioned that any action would have to balance pressure on Tehran with the risk of regional retaliation and further instability.
Iran’s leadership has pushed back strongly against US statements. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of interference and claimed that protesters were acting to please the United States. Iranian authorities have also imposed sweeping internet restrictions, further limiting information flow from inside the country.
The current tensions revive memories of recent confrontations between Israel and Iran. The two sides fought a 12-day conflict in June, during which the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the deeply buried Fordow enrichment site, after Tehran threatened Israel.
While Israel has not publicly signalled any intention to intervene in Iran’s internal unrest, officials remain watchful as events unfold. With protests continuing and Washington’s tone hardening, the situation has placed the region on edge, raising fears of a broader escalation if the crisis deepens further.
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