Israel Says Prepared to Strike Iran Again if Threats Persist
JERUSALEM-Israel is prepared to launch another military campaign against Iran if security threats re-emerge, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, declaring that the military stands ready to strike “a third time” if necessary as tensions with Tehran continue despite recent ceasefire efforts.
Katz made the remarks during a military ceremony, where he said the Israeli armed forces remained on high alert and were prepared to resume operations aimed at countering Iranian threats.
“The army is ready and on alert for a resumption of fighting, in order to regain air superiority and strike again … in Iran, to eliminate threats, including a third time if necessary,” Katz said.
“If we have to go back, we will go back, with even greater force,” he added.
The comments came as renewed exchanges between the United States and Iran fueled concerns that the region could slide back into a wider conflict despite an April ceasefire and a June agreement between Washington and Tehran intended to halt hostilities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the same ceremony, said Israel’s previous military operations had significantly weakened Iran and its regional network of allies but cautioned that the confrontation had not yet ended.
“The Iranian axis is weaker than ever before, while Israel is stronger than ever before,” Netanyahu said.
“We proved that the long arm of the Israeli Air Force can reach anywhere, from Yemen to Iran. Yet we must also acknowledge that the campaign is not over,” he added.
The latest warnings follow a series of military confrontations between Israel and Iran over the past two years.
According to the timeline cited by Israeli officials, the current conflict began on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint air campaign against Iran. The offensive killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior officials, marking a major escalation in the long-running confrontation between the two countries.
Israeli officials have described the operation as the second major military campaign against Iran, following a 12-day conflict in June 2025.
Katz’s remarks underscore Israel’s position that it is prepared to resume military action if it concludes that Iran continues to pose a direct security threat. Neither Iranian officials nor the United States immediately responded to the latest statements.
