In a recent development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly engaged in discussions regarding potential U.S. military action in Iran.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the conversation took place via phone on Saturday. The dialogue comes as Israel remains on “high alert,” bracing for possible American intervention in Iran due to escalating tensions.
This report emerges amidst a sustained wave of anti-regime protests sweeping across Iran, entering their second week.
On the same day, the Iranian government enacted an internet “kill switch,” likely aimed at obscuring alleged human rights abuses by its security personnel. This action, highlighted by a cybersecurity expert, significantly diminished internet connectivity nationwide.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the media during his annual press briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on December 19, 2025. (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary speaker issued a stark warning on Sunday, stating that both U.S. military forces and Israel would become “legitimate targets” should the U.S. launch an attack on the Islamic Republic.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf issued the threat as lawmakers rushed the dais in the Iranian parliament, shouting, “Death to America!” according to The Associated Press.
President Donald Trump offered support for the protesters on Saturday, writing on Truth Social that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
In this frame grab from video obtained by the AP outside Iran, a masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, January. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
At a news conference Friday, Trump said Iran was facing mounting pressure as unrest spreads across the country.
“Iran’s in big trouble,” he said. “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago. We’re watching the situation very carefully.”
The president said the U.S. would respond forcefully if the regime resorts to mass violence.
“We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts,” he said.
Protests in Iran intensify for the 12th day. (The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) )
Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and White House for comment.
