Israel's Defence Minister Issues Stark Warning to Iran Amid Rising Tensions

Escalating Conflict Between Israel and Iran

Jerusalem: Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a grave warning to Iran, stating that the capital will 'burn' if missile attacks on Israel persist. This statement comes in the wake of Iran's retaliatory missile strikes following Israel's assault on its nuclear and military facilities.

During a strategic meeting with top military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Mossad director David Barnea, Katz condemned the Iranian leadership for endangering its citizens, particularly those in Tehran, by escalating military aggression against Israel.

Katz emphasized that if Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, continues the missile attacks, the consequences for Tehran will be dire.

Israel's military operations have primarily targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, focusing on key personnel associated with these installations.

According to the IDF, Iran has launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in recent hours, with most being intercepted by Israel's air defense systems.

Reports indicate that around 25% of these missiles, totaling fewer than 50, were allowed to strike uninhabited areas to minimize damage to critical infrastructure.

However, a few missiles did breach the defenses, resulting in casualties and damage in central Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon Lezion, with three fatalities and around 70 injuries reported.

The IDF confirmed that all military bases, including air bases, remain fully operational.

In addition to missile attacks, several drones targeting Israel were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Navy overnight.

Zamir and Israeli Air Force Chief Tomer Bar have stated that Israeli jets now have the capability to operate freely over Tehran, indicating a significant shift in military strategy.

The Israeli military has announced plans for air strikes on targets within Tehran, following claims of successful strikes on Iranian air defense systems that enhance operational freedom in the region.

Bar highlighted the importance of these operations, stating that they are crucial for national security and demonstrate Israel's commitment to addressing existential threats with precision and professionalism.

The IDF reported that numerous Israeli fighter jets conducted extensive attacks on various targets in Tehran, including missile defense infrastructure, as part of a broader strategy to weaken Iran's military capabilities.

This marks a significant escalation, with Israeli jets operating over 1,500 kilometers from Israeli territory, targeting defense systems in the Iranian capital.