The Israeli army is preparing for a surprise conflict with Iran, in the wake of anti-government protests and political unrest in the country

MENA: 

The Israeli army is preparing for the possibility of a “surprise” conflict with Iran, amid anti-government protests which have swept across Iranian cities over the last four days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is still in the US, has held discussions regarding the possibility of new strikes on Iran and the protests were mentioned.

Israeli Channel 12 reported on Thursday that Netanyahu’s office has refused to comment on the events in Iran, out of concern that such comments could provoke Iran to take action against Israel to shift attention away from the protests.

Israeli military leaders are preparing for such a possibility.

The protests in Iran are believed to be the biggest since 2022 and were sparked by high inflation and a deteriorating economic situation. On Wednesday night, a member of the government’s Basij militia was killed during protests in the western province of Lorestan.

A senior Israeli official said: “We are monitoring a dramatic internal event in Iran, and it is too early to know its consequences,” according to Channel 12.

The channel also reported that the Israeli army is accelerating preparations for the possibility of a sudden war on three fronts: Iran, Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.

Israel has long been threatening a resumption of full-scale war against Lebanon, under the pretext that the Lebanese state has not fully disarmed Hezbollah, and continues to carry out strikes there in violation of a November 2024 ceasefire.

It has also stepped up attacks and settlement activity in the West Bank, as well as efforts to annex the Palestinian territory, which it has occupied since 1967. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the Gaza War broke out in October 2023.

In June 2025, Israel attacked Iran and the two countries fought a 12-day war. Israel targeted Iranian cities as well as military sites and over 1,000 Iranians were killed. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel.

The new Israeli military plan, led by army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir extends to 2030 and involves a significant escalation of Israeli military activity and even a presence in outer space.

This plan took shape after nearly two years of genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran, as well as Syria.

It also includes the ability to carry out a surprise attack, with Iran at the top of the priority list.