According to Jerusalem post, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would give the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) freedom to respond without restrictions, escalating an already tense confrontation between the two countries.
Katz made the remarks on Thursday while addressing Defense Ministry employees ahead of the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday, according to a report cited by The Jerusalem Post. His comments followed a warning by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that an Iranian attack would be “one of their last decisions.”
Katz said Israel would respond with overwhelming force if Iran launched an attack.
“We will destroy all national, military, and civilian infrastructure in Iran, including energy infrastructure,” Katz said, according to the report. He added that Israel would “return Iran to the Stone Age.”
The defense minister argued that Iranian leaders were fully aware of the consequences of launching another attack against Israel, saying this explained why Tehran had recently refrained from doing so.
Katz also highlighted Israel’s previous military operations against Iran, claiming that Israeli forces had struck Iran’s nuclear program, assassinated former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and inflicted serious damage on the country’s strategic capabilities.
“We attacked them with force,” Katz said, emphasizing the impact of Israel’s previous actions.
He further pointed to economic pressure from the United States, saying sanctions imposed on Iran were likely pushing the Iranian regime toward a critical point.
According to Katz, Israel remains prepared for both defensive and offensive operations. “Israel is prepared for defense and attack,” he said, adding that the IDF was ready to carry out its mission.
The remarks came a day after Netanyahu addressed concerns over Iran during a visit to the Afiki Daat Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot. The prime minister said Iranian leaders were threatening Israel but understood the consequences of carrying out an attack.
“Pay attention also to what is happening with Iran,” Netanyahu said, according to The Jerusalem Post. He argued that Iran had avoided attacking Israel because its leadership understood what an Israeli response would mean.
The latest warnings underscore the continuing tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides maintaining a heightened military posture. Katz’s statement also signals that Israel could pursue a broad response targeting infrastructure if Iran were to launch an attack.
The situation remains closely watched as Israeli officials continue to warn Tehran against further military action while emphasizing Israel’s readiness to respond.
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