Tel Aviv, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz convened a meeting with military chief Eyal Zamir to evaluate the military's operational readiness following urgent defence discussions in Washington.

The discussions centered on the military's operational readiness for any potential scenario amid rising regional tensions, as stated by the Defence Ministry on Sunday (local time).

This meeting follows Zamir's recent visit to the United States, where he coordinated defence strategies with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and senior Pentagon officials. The focus of the talks was reportedly on preparing for potential US military actions against Iran.

A series of high-level meetings have taken place, including a recent trip to Washington by Israel's military intelligence chief, Shlomi Binder, as both nations enhance their contingency planning for a possible regional conflict.

Tehran has issued threats of retaliation against US bases and Israeli targets in the event of a US strike on Iran.

Weeks of protests over the significant depreciation of the rial have swept across Iranian cities from late December to January. What began as peaceful demonstrations escalated into clashes that resulted in casualties and damage to public properties, including mosques, government buildings, and banks. Tehran has attributed the unrest to the United States and Israel.

Last week, Iran's Army Chief Amir Hatami cautioned that any misstep by the United States would undoubtedly compromise its own security as well as that of Israel and the entire West Asia region, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Speaking at a national festival in Tehran, Hatami highlighted the Iranian armed forces' alertness amid escalating tensions with Washington.

"Today, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are in complete defence and military readiness, closely monitoring the enemy's movements in the region. We have our finger on the trigger," he stated.

He further mentioned that "If the enemy makes any mistake, it will undoubtedly jeopardise its own security and that of Israel and the region."

Hatami also welcomed the declarations from neighbouring countries that they will not permit their territory or airspace to be used against Iran, noting that these nations understand that any insecurity directed at Iran would compromise the safety of the entire region.

He emphasized that if the other side is inclined to resolve the issues, it must treat the Iranian nation with respect.

This warning comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump previously mentioned that a "massive armada," led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, is en route to Iran, warning that "time is running out" for Tehran to negotiate a deal with the United States.

In a related statement, Trump indicated that if Tehran fails to establish a nuclear agreement with Washington, "we will find out" whether Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was correct to suggest that a US attack could provoke a regional war.

Khamenei noted at a meeting in Tehran earlier on Sunday that if the United States initiates a war against Iran, "it will escalate into a regional conflict."