The Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported that Israel is avoiding making public statements about the protests in Iran, out of concern that such remarks could unify the Iranian regime against it. The report noted that the Israeli defence establishment is closely monitoring developments, preparing for a potential escalation, and emphasising the depth of Israeli penetration and its air superiority.
The newspaper added that, in contrast to statements by US President Donald Trump, who issued a deterrent message to Iran, Israel has in recent days worked to reduce its public profile and avoid issuing statements that could draw it directly into Tehran at this stage.
According to the report, this approach stems from suspicions that the Iranian government would seek to rally the population around the regime by portraying the protests, regardless of their scale, as the result of sabotage activities by Israel and the United States. Such a move, the newspaper said, could lead to outcomes contrary to the expectations of Israel and the West.
The newspaper pointed out that Israel, particularly its intelligence apparatus, is closely tracking developments in Iran, with immediate focus placed on preparedness. It said that the Iranian government is expected to feel besieged, which could push it to attempt missile launches against American targets in the region, in addition to Israel.
The report stated that, in such a scenario, Israel would be compelled to respond through its air force. It added that it is said in Israel that the most recent war between Iran and Israel demonstrated the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration inside Iran.
During that campaign, Israel reportedly attacked a long and varied list of targets inside Iran, beginning with ballistic missile launch sites, missile depots, nuclear centres, headquarters, government centres, and factories, according to the newspaper.
The report quoted a source in the Israeli defence establishment as saying that it is important to remind the Iranian government that the Israeli air force succeeded in striking the entire Iranian General Staff headquarters within minutes. The source claimed that Israeli aircraft flew over the skies of Tehran and struck the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard, the headquarters of the Basij forces, and government buildings. He added that the death toll from the attacks reached hundreds of Iranians, including government officials, scientists, and security personnel.
The source continued by saying that, at the same time, Israel knew how to carry out targeted assassinations against nuclear scientists and the missile project, as well as against government officials and senior officers with extensive knowledge of Iran’s security systems. He concluded by advising the leaders of the regime to think carefully before attempting to draw Israel into the internal events currently unfolding in Iran.
