The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that it remained on alert for possible “surprise scenarios” as anti-government unrest in Iran has prompted the United States to threaten intervention over the killing of protesters.

Tehran has threatened to retaliate against Israel and US military bases if it comes under American attack.

Human rights groups allege the death toll in the country has risen to 648, though it may be much higher amid an internet blackout enforced by the regime since Thursday, making it difficult to assess the reported bloodletting. Some Iranians still have access to the internet via Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, three people inside the country said.

IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin urged the public not to “lend a hand to rumors” about the ongoing situation in Iran.

“The protests in Iran are an internal matter,” he said in a post on X.

He said the IDF is “prepared defensively” and continues to hold regular situational assessments, and that it will provide updates if there are any changes.

In June, Israel waged a 12-day war with Iran that began with a sweeping assault on Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites, and ballistic missile program. It said the attack was necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from realizing its avowed plan to build nuclear weapons and destroy the Jewish state.

According to the Kan public broadcaster, Israel believes US President Donald Trump will make good on his threat to attack, and that this will lead to another war between Israel and Iran.

Former strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer was summoned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join a meeting on........

© The Times of Israel