As protests spread across Iran for the third day, with universities and commercial districts joining the vendors (bazaaris) on Wednesday, there are concerns in Israel that the Islamic Republic could mount an attack on the Jewish state as a last card, especially if the regime recognises that it is its last resort.
This came just after US President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran if it attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme or missile capabilities. Iranian President Masoud Pezashkian’s statement that his country was in a full-scale war with the United States, Israel and Europe” has also stoked fears. “We are stronger militarily today than when the enemies attacked us," he said.
With protests spreading far beyond Tehran and in the background of Israeli intelligence reports that Iran has resumed missile production, there is growing fear among analysts that another round of conflict with Iran may be imminent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is taking these reports seriously. “I said, if you dare do that, you know the results would be devastating. So I hope Iran doesn't make that mistake,” Netanyahu told Fox News. “As far as the nuclear program, I think they're trying to do it. I'm not sure they've decided to cross the line because I think they heed President Trump's warnings, and also because they've just experienced something. You know, less than a year ago, they saw what it entails, and they have to choose. Look, we don't seek escalation. I hope they don't, but if they do, all bets are off,” Netanyahu said.
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That said, Netayanyahu has asserted his earlier stance about regime change, that the people of Iran must be the ones to decide it. On Tuesday, Netanyahu said that the Iranians should fight to secure their rights and future, adding that any real change in the country must come from within. “You know, if you have a change, it will come from within. It's up to the Iranian people, and we understand what they're going through, and we're very sympathetic to them,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Newsmax.
Israeli analysts claim Iranians have the practice of accusing other countries of terrorism when protests arise. The water crisis that hit Tehran in recent months has only worsened the situation, and it seems that things are getting out of control. In such a context, Iran could resort to attacking Israel, they claim.
The Iranian regime-backed Tehran Times has already pinned the protests on Israel. Calling Israel the “region’s rabid dog”, it says Israel has embarked on an online influence campaign which sees the use and propagation of edited videos and dubbing them with fabricated audio to falsely suggest protesters are demanding the return of the deposed Shah’s son.
It also accused Israel of openly admitting to deploying agents on the ground in an attempt to steer these peaceful demonstrations toward chaos, citing Mossad’s Persian-language social media account post on Monday, which read: “Let's hit the streets together. The time is now. We stand with you. Not just in spirit or in words. We'll be there on the ground with you.”
It said Israel was aiming to capitalise on the situation, citing a report that appeared on Hebrew media, which urged Israel to organise and steer the protests in Iran.
