Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Jakarta, Gotrade News - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is "closely monitoring" the widespread protests sweeping across Iran, with no plans for immediate military intervention. This cautious approach is being taken to prevent internal Iranian tensions from spiraling into a new regional war if mishandled.
Key Takeaways
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Israel views the Iran protests as an internal matter and has not issued emergency alerts for civilians.
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Analysts warn that an outside attack risks uniting Iranians against a common enemy.
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Tehran's main priority right now is restoring domestic stability, not starting an open war.
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While US President Donald Trump has fired off threats of an attack, the Israeli military is actually holding back and has not changed its civilian safety guidelines. According to AP News, the military maintains that the current turmoil is strictly an internal Iranian affair.
Strategic Reasons to Hold Back
A former Israeli intelligence official believes that an open attack right now would be a strategic mistake, even if Iran’s defense is distracted. Shifting Tehran’s attention to an external enemy is feared to actually cool down the domestic heat the regime is facing.
Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, notes that Iran’s priority is to restore calm at home. He believes neither side has the appetite for another round of fighting after the 12-day conflict that took place last summer.
Menahem Merhavy, an Iran expert from Hebrew University, adds that an Iranian attack on Israel right now would be a "suicide note" for the regime. Unless there is drastic movement with ballistic missiles, Israel is not expected to step in anytime soon.
Escalation Risks from Third Parties
However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has warned that the US and Israel would be legitimate targets if a military strike occurs. This threat came in response to Trump’s tough talk on social media, which the State Department confirmed was serious.
Citrinowicz warns that a strike by the US or Israel could actually backfire, boosting patriotism in Iran. This would potentially weaken the protest movement that is currently demanding regime change.
Previous conflicts have already caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear facilities, aided by US bunker-buster bombs. Because of this, Israel feels its strategic goals regarding the nuclear program have been met, so there is no urgent rush to pull the trigger again.
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Reference:
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AP News, Iranian protests are growing. Israel is watching closely. Accessed on January 12, 2026
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Featured Image: Shutterstock
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