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Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Thursday that Israel was on "high alert for any scenario," warning of a forceful response if Iran launches an attack.
In an interview with local radio station 103FM, Cohen said Israel had been closely monitoring developments across the region over the past three weeks.
"Only one country is destabilizing the Middle East. If Iran makes a mistake, we will respond forcefully," he said.
Cohen said Israel seeks to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, arguing that "regime change" in Tehran was necessary to achieve long-term regional stability.
He also criticized the agreement signed between the United States and Iran, saying Israel had previously told Washington there was "no point" in reaching an agreement with Tehran.
Cohen's remarks came after Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported Wednesday evening that Israel had raised its alert level over the possibility of a direct confrontation with Iran as the United States intensified its attacks on the country.
Israeli assessments suggest recent developments have increased the likelihood of Israel joining the current round of escalation, the broadcaster said.
KAN said Washington had informed Israel that it intended to intensify its attacks on Iran in the coming days, including using heavy bombers for the first time during the current escalation.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to target an Iranian national infrastructure facility for every response from Tehran could increase both the possibility of Israeli involvement and the likelihood that Iran would launch missiles toward Israel, it added.
KAN said security coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv was aimed at allowing Israel to prepare for a possible Iranian escalation involving missile launches toward its territory.
Such a move could lead to the resumption of Israeli attacks inside Iran, the broadcaster said.
KAN added that the two sides were discussing a possible meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump next week, though no final date had been set.
Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran in late February.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets.
The United States and Iran signed a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement, but tensions escalated again last week over the Strait of Hormuz, with the two sides exchanging attacks.
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