Report: Israel gearing up for possible US strikes on Iran

Israel on high alert amid concerns Iran could strike if US carries out air campaign in support of anti-regime demonstrators.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israel is on high alert this week amid fears Iran may strike the Jewish state in response to a possible American air campaign, according to a report published by Reuters on Sunday.

Three Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter said that Israel’s security establishment has been placed on high alert, with consultations held over the weekend to assess the possible impact of escalating protests in Iran amid reports that the Trump administration is seriously considering military intervention against the Tehran regime.

The sources cited in the report declined to specify what preparations are being made for possible Iranian attacks, but local outlets reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a security meeting slated for Sunday night.

On Saturday, Netanyahu spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussing the future of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, negotiations with Syria, and the protests in Iran, Axios reported.

Citing unnamed sources, the Qatar-based Al Araby TV channel reported that Israel believes the US is poised to strike Iran in the near future.

The IDF is reportedly preparing for possible Iranian ballistic missile attacks, putting the country’s air defense network in a state of elevated readiness.

At least 2,000 protesters were killed by Iranian security forces across the country during a two-day period, the London-based Iran International reported on Sunday.

American officials told The New York Times Saturday night that President Donald Trump has been briefed on various options for strikes on Iran, adding that the president is seriously considering launching a new air campaign after Tehran disregarded his repeated warnings not to use deadly force against protesters.

Iran’s military signaled Saturday that it may join efforts to suppress the ongoing unrest.

A day later, the speaker of the Iranian parliament warned that Israel and American bases in the Middle East would be “legitimate targets” if the US strikes Iran.