JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Municipalities in southern and central Israel ordered the opening of public shelters on Wednesday amid heightened regional tensions, Israeli media reported.

The mayor of Dimona in southern Israel ordered the shelters to be opened across the city because “it is better to be prepared than surprised,” Benny Biton said in comments carried by the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The municipalities of Beersheba in southern Israel and Gan Yavne in central Israel also followed a similar step as they opened public bomb shelters, said Israeli Channel 13.

The two municipalities opened the shelters despite the absence of an official directive from the military, the report added.

The channel said the decision reflects heightened tensions with Iran and growing expectations of a potential US attack in the near future.

Military spokesperson Effie Defrin announced late Wednesday on the US social media company X that the army boosted its defensive readiness and is closely monitoring regional developments.

The military is aware of reports published in the last 24 hours and is “closely following developments,” he added, without explicitly mentioning Tehran or a possible US attack.

The army is “on high alert and will continue to act responsibly to protect the security of citizens,” he said.

Israeli Telegram platforms circulated images, whose authenticity could not be independently verified, claiming the Iron Dome air defense system was being deployed to Jerusalem.

The developments come as US officials escalated rhetoric against Iran, which has been rocked by anti-government protests since last month because of worsening economic conditions.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump told CBS News that Washington would take “very strong action” if Iran executed protesters.

Israel has been preparing for the possibility that Iran could launch missiles at its territory should Washington attack Tehran.

In June, Israel, with US backing, launched a 12-day war on Iran, which responded with drone and missile strikes on Israeli targets before the US announced a ceasefire.

Israel and Iran view each other as arch-enemies and have traded accusations for years about sabotage operations and cyberattacks.

On Tuesday, the Maariv newspaper in Israel reported that the country raised the alert level of the air force, military intelligence directorate (Aman) and the Northern Command in anticipation of a possible US strike on Iran.

Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of backing “riots” and “terrorism” amid the ongoing protests.

Authorities have not released official figures on casualties or detainees. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based group, estimates that at least 2,500 people have been killed, including protesters and security personnel, with more than 1,100 injured.