Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 20:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 20:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 20:07

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 HEADLINESIran protests widen as crackdown intensifiesUS mulls cyber strikes for Iran protestsIsrael braces for Iran spillover threatsThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A pause in the week’s rapid developments follows a period of intensifying protests across Iran, with a widening footprint that has drawn the attention of regional capitals and major powers. In Iran, demonstrators continue to challenge the government in what many observers describe as the strongest sustained challenge to the Islamic Republic in years. Human rights groups and monitoring organizations have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of detentions as security forces push to restore control, while authorities have moved to curb information flows by cutting access to the internet and limiting communications.In Washington, discussions have grown about how the United States might respond to the protests in Iran. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to assist protesters, with a broad menu of possibilities under consideration. The spectrum reportedly ranges from cyber and communications support to potentially targeted strikes against regime facilities, and even the provision of communications infrastructure to protesters. Officials have noted that any step would be calibrated to avoid unintended consequences, and a formal decision has not yet been announced. On the diplomatic front, senior United States officials have said that they plan to brief the president on possible options, with some discussions taking place in recent days and continued briefings planned.Israel has been closely watching the upheaval, emphasizing a policy of not intervening publicly in Iran and seeking to allow the United States to lead any assistance efforts for Iranian protesters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a security meeting and has kept ministers and security officials apprised of the situation, as Israeli authorities prepare for the possibility that Iran may respond to the protests with actions against Israel. Israeli military leaders have conducted assessments at the highest levels, focusing on how regional instability could affect Israel’s security calculus, including the potential for Iran to threaten Israeli targets or to test allied defenses. In public statements, Israeli leaders have stressed solidarity with those striving for liberty in Iran, while reiterating a commitment to prevent escalation that could endanger Israeli civilians.Iranian authorities have responded with a mix of rhetoric and warnings. Iran’s leadership has accused foreign powers of fomenting unrest and has warned that any external aggression would be met with retaliation. The country’s parliament speaker has warned that if attacked, Iran would target United States bases and other regional American military assets, signaling a willingness to respond beyond its borders. At the same time, Tehran has continued to emphasize that domestic issues should be resolved internally, portraying the protests as a confrontation orchestrated from outside rather than a purely internal challenge, while seeking to project an image of control even as demonstrations persist.The regional picture remains fluid. In Lebanon, Israeli forces have conducted operations against targets linked to militant groups in the south, including Hezbollah infrastructure, in what Israeli officials described as responses to threats from across the border. The Israeli defense establishment has underscored that any regional escalation would be monitored and handled with restraint, while preparing for a range of scenarios. In parallel, Iran’s diplomacy is active abroad as it seeks to portray itself as steady at home despite the unrest, while its regional partners watch closely for shifts that could alter the balance of power in the Levant and the Gulf.Members of the Iranian opposition abroad, including Reza Pahlavi, have publicly framed the crisis as a transition moment, saying they are prepared to return to Iran to lead a movement toward democratic governance. While not an official policy position for any government, such statements contribute to the sense of a dynamic domestic moment with potential long-term implications for governance, legitimacy, and political leadership within Iran.Around the world, protests in support of Iran’s demonstrators have taken place in several major capitals, including London, Paris, and Istanbul, reflecting international concern over the crackdown and calls for restraint. European leaders have condemned the violence against protesters, while United States officials have signaled readiness to respond should the regime cross red lines, including the possibility of additional sanctions, cyber operations, or other tools consistent with international law and regional stability.Context and background to watch:- The protests in Iran are described by many observers as the...
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