Defense Minister Katz Says Israel Is Ready to Attack Iran Again if Needed

Israeli Defense Minister Katz. (Elad Malka/Defense Ministry)

JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday his country was ready to resume its military campaign against Iran if necessary, promising to do so "with greater force."

The latest statement comes as fresh fighting erupts between the United States and Iran, raising fears of a return to full-scale war after an April ceasefire and a June US-Iranian agreement to end hostilities.

"The army is ready and on alert to continue the battle, to regain air superiority and attack Iran again, to eliminate the threat, including for the third time if necessary," Katz said at a military ceremony, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (10/7).

"If we have to go back, we will go back, with greater strength," he added.

Meanwhile, speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had been weakened by two previous Israeli military campaigns against it.

However, he also admitted that the conflict has not ended.

"Iran's axis is weaker than before, while Israel is stronger than before," he said.

"We have proven that the Israeli Air Force's broad reach can reach anywhere, from Yemen to Iran. But we must also recognize that this campaign is not over," he said.

The war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran that killed the Islamic Republic's supreme leader and other senior officials.

This is Israel's second campaign against Iran, after a 12-day war in June 2025.