11.01.2026 12:30
As the death toll in the protests that have been ongoing in Iran for 14 days reaches horrifying levels, the United States' threats of intervention in the neighboring country have put Israel on high alert. Israeli sources present at security meetings over the weekend did not provide detailed explanations of what the high alert status entails.
Protests that began due to economic problems in Iran continue on the 14th day. The US-based Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) announced that the number of people who lost their lives in the protests that started due to economic issues in Iran has risen to 116, while ministry sources reported the figure to be 217. It was also stated that a prosecutor was killed during the events.
2,638 PEOPLE DETAINED
In the report stating that more than 2,600 people were injured in the events, it was mentioned that 2,638 people have been detained so far. Iranian officials have not yet made a statement regarding the total number of those who died or were injured in the protests.
ISRAEL ON HIGH ALERT
According to a report by Reuters based on three Israeli sources familiar with the matter, Israel has gone on high alert due to the possibility of US intervention in Iran at a time when officials are facing the largest anti-government protests seen in years.
US SAYS "WE ARE READY TO HELP"
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned against the use of force against protesters in recent days and said on Saturday that the US is "ready to help." Israeli sources present at security talks over the weekend did not elaborate on what the high alert status means.
US OFFICIAL CONFIRMED THE MEETING
According to Israeli sources, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran during a phone call on Saturday. A US official confirmed the meeting but did not provide details.
PROTESTS IN IRAN
Protests that began on December 28, 2025, due to the significant depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and economic problems, spread to many cities in the country, starting from the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, initiated by shopkeepers. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on January 7 that the number of injured police officers in the protests has risen to 568, and the number of members of the volunteer security forces known as Basij has also increased to 66, without providing information on total casualties.
During the intensified protests in Tehran on January 8, it was reported that numerous buses and ambulances, as well as 24 houses, 25 mosques, 2 hospitals, and 26 banks among other public buildings, were set on fire and destroyed by groups among the protesters. Following the events, the Iranian government had blocked internet access nationwide.