Israel on alert as possible US action in Iran looms

Israel has raised its security posture as it monitors the possibility of US intervention in Iran amid the country’s largest anti-government demonstrations in years, according to three officials familiar with internal discussions.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran’s leadership against using force on protesters and has signaled that Washington is “ready to help.” 

Israeli officials who joined closed-door security consultations over the weekend would not detail what the heightened alert means operationally.

Tensions are already high following a 12-day war in June in which Israel and the United States jointly carried out airstrikes against Iran. 

An Israeli source said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed potential American intervention during a phone call on Saturday; a US official confirmed the call but declined to reveal details.

Israel has shown no intention to take direct action inside Iran as protests continue, despite long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile activities. 

In a recent interview with the Economist, Netanyahu warned of severe consequences should Iran attack Israel, while suggesting that political unrest inside Iran may reshape events on its own.