Israel on High Alert Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions and Threats to Regional Allies

The Middle East faces another night of uncertainty as the possibility of renewed conflict with Iran looms. On Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump issued a series of threatening tweets against Tehran on his social media platform Truth Social. Washington has twice issued security warnings to its citizens in the region. Meanwhile, Iran has escalated its rhetoric, explicitly threatening not only Gulf states but also Israel and possibly Jordan. In Israel, the military has increased its defensive readiness, though there are no changes to Home Front Command guidelines and Ben Gurion Airport continues normal operations.

Reports emerged that the US and Israel are planning one of the most significant airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure and energy facilities, potentially launching today or tomorrow. However, an anonymous Israeli official told CBS that Israel has not been informed of a full-scale military operation or requested to join any attacks. Trump, who earlier visited a military base in New Jersey, posted AI-generated images boasting of having sunk 159 Iranian vessels and crushing the Iranian currency, alongside images of fighter jets.

Potential Iranian targets include several power plants across the country, such as the Damavand plant near Tehran, the Bushehr nuclear power station, and others supplying electricity and water management. Iranian officials warned that any attack on their civilian infrastructure would provoke retaliation not only in the Persian Gulf but also against Israel and other regional adversaries. Iranian parliament member Ibrahim Razai threatened responses against all enemy bases, possibly including US and British military sites.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized its readiness to defend national sovereignty and respond decisively to any aggression by the US or Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Pakistani and Turkish counterparts, warning against any US military adventurism.

In the US, the prospect of war with Iran is unpopular, and Israel is cautious not to appear as a warmonger while awaiting Trump’s decision. Ten additional US refueling aircraft are expected in Israel soon. American embassies across the Middle East, including in Israel, issued security alerts urging citizens to prepare for immediate evacuation. The US State Department advised all Americans in the region to consider leaving due to possible escalation.

A US European Command general warned Pentagon leaders that without deploying another destroyer to the Middle East, he might have to prioritize homeland defense over protecting Israel from ballistic missile attacks. Despite this, Israel maintains a robust three-layer missile defense system proven effective in past conflicts. Northern Command reported no change in the security assessment and no new civilian instructions. The Transportation Ministry confirmed Ben Gurion Airport is operating normally and will update the public if the situation changes.