Israel's Defence Minister Warns of Potential Conflict with Iran
Israel Prepares for Possible Military Action Against Iran
On Monday, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a stark warning that the nation could find itself at war with Iran as soon as tomorrow if Tehran were to launch missiles targeting Israeli soil. He emphasized that he has directed the military to be ready for a unilateral Israeli strike if the situation demands it. During a briefing with military and diplomatic journalists, Katz stated that while Israel respects US President Donald Trump's diplomatic initiatives regarding Iran, it will respond decisively to any aggression. "Should Iran launch missiles at Israel, we will retaliate with significant force," he asserted. "We will not accept any scenario where Iran attacks Israel without a response. This message has been communicated to the Americans. The IDF is on high alert and ready to act against identified targets."
'Two Scenarios' for Renewed Conflict
Katz outlined two potential scenarios that could lead to renewed hostilities with Iran. "One possibility is that Trump concludes the negotiations have reached a deadlock and opts for military action again, while the other is an outright attack from Iran," he explained. "If Iran strikes, it would mark the onset of the third Iran war. The reality is clear: Israel will not tolerate missile attacks on its territory without a forceful response. This could unfold within a matter of days. My directive to the IDF is to prepare for an independent operation in Iran, which I refer to as a blue-and-white operation," he clarified. By this term, he indicated an operation led solely by Israel, without reliance on external forces. "We are gearing up for the possibility of an Iranian attack," he added. "The IDF is ready for both defensive and offensive operations, prepared to repel and counterattack."
Katz further noted, "If necessary, we will alert the civilian population as we did during the last conflict. We will not hesitate to follow the IDF's recommendations. Should we perceive a tangible threat, we will notify the public and initiate an offensive." He reiterated Israel's support for diplomatic measures aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons but affirmed that the country would act independently if needed. "In matters of self-defense, we make no compromises, whether in Lebanon or Iran," he stated. He also mentioned that Iran retains missile capabilities but claimed that Israel has achieved significant successes in previous operations, inflicting substantial damage and dismantling key components of Iran's military agenda. When asked about Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Katz remarked that he is "marked for death." He characterized Iranian negotiators as "skilled merchants" seeking concessions during discussions. "We will not permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons. If they achieve this through an agreement, that would be preferable," he concluded.
US-Israel Defense Collaboration
When questioned about the likelihood of US support in the event of an Iranian attack, Katz affirmed the ongoing defensive collaboration between the two nations. "The defensive partnership with the US is intact," he stated. "However, if Iran strikes, Israel will respond decisively, independent of any conditions." He added, "Trump is a true ally of Israel. He understands who the allies are and who the adversaries are." Regarding Hezbollah, Katz warned that Israel would target the Dahieh district of Beirut if the group were to launch attacks on Israeli territories. "We experienced a weekend of assaults on our communities," he noted. "The Prime Minister and I agreed on the necessity to strike Dahieh, which was a complex decision due to American considerations." He emphasized that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from its current positions in southern Lebanon. "I advise against expecting any withdrawal from this area. It simply will not occur," he stated. "We have no territorial ambitions in Lebanon." Katz claimed that Hezbollah has suffered considerable losses in recent confrontations, stating, "Over 300 militants have been eliminated," and noted that the group's leadership has been compelled to relocate from Dahieh to areas inhabited by Druze and Christians.