Katz: Israel is prepared to attack Iran again, with greater force if necessary

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel is prepared to attack Iran again and with greater force “if necessary,” as Tehran and Washington exchanged strikes on Thursday, marking the most intense clashes since the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end the war in the Middle East last month.

Speaking at a military ceremony, Katz said, “The army is ready and on high alert to resume combat in order to regain air superiority and strike again... in Iran to eliminate threats, including for a third time if necessary. If we are required to return (to combat), we will return with greater force.”

Israel waged a 12-day war against Iran in June 2025 and launched a joint war with the United States against Tehran on February 28, igniting a conflict that spread across various parts of the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke at the same ceremony, stating that the two wars had weakened Iran, but he maintained that the conflict with Tehran was not yet over.

He said, “The Iranian axis (referring to Tehran and its allies in the region) is weaker than ever, while Israel is stronger than ever.”