U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday in a routine check-in call between the two allies. The conversation covered ongoing protests in Iran, developments in Gaza, and the situation in Syria, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, who cited a U.S. source.
The call, reported on January 10, 2026, reflects continued close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem amid multiple active challenges in the Middle East.
Discussions included the wave of protests that have spread throughout Iran since December 28, 2025. The demonstrations initially arose in response to soaring inflation, a plummeting currency (the rial reaching record lows), and severe economic hardship affecting basic goods and household budgets.
The unrest has quickly evolved into a broader political movement, with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule under the Islamic Republic. Authorities in Iran have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the demonstrations. The protests represent the most significant domestic challenge to the regime since the 2022 Mahsa Amini movement, with reports indicating they have reached numerous provinces despite government efforts to suppress them.
The leaders also addressed the situation in Gaza, where the second stage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan has yet to be implemented. The plan, which has secured a ceasefire and progressed through an initial phase involving hostage releases and partial Israeli withdrawals, envisions more challenging steps ahead, including further demilitarization, governance arrangements, and reconstruction.
Israel and Hamas remain far apart on these next measures, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations. Progress has been hampered by unresolved issues, leaving the transition to the subsequent phase delayed.
The call also touched on Syria, where the U.S. military recently carried out numerous large-scale strikes targeting Islamic State positions. These operations were conducted in retaliation for an Islamic State attack on December 13, 2025, in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and one civilian.
Syria’s current government consists of former rebels who overthrew longtime President Bashar al-Assad in 2024 following a 13-year civil war. The new leadership includes elements from Syria’s former Al Qaeda affiliate that had broken ties with the group and previously fought against the Islamic State.
This routine diplomatic exchange underscores the ongoing strategic dialogue between the United States and Israel on pressing regional security matters.
