Israel Ready for Third, More Powerful Strike on Iran if Needed: Defense Minister

JERUSALEM (Terror Monitor) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel is prepared to launch a third military strike against Iran with even greater force if necessary.

Meanwhile, Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the Israeli army is closely monitoring developments in Iran and Lebanon and remains fully prepared for any potential operation. The statements come amid renewed tensions in the region following fresh clashes between the United States and Iran, raising fears of a wider conflict.

According to Israeli media reports, Katz made the remarks during a military ceremony at Hatzerim Air Base on Thursday, saying the Israeli military remains on high alert and ready to resume operations against Iran.

He said the military is prepared to regain air superiority and strike Iran again if fighting resumes in order to eliminate potential threats.

“If we need to go back, we will return with even greater force than before,” Katz said.

His remarks came after renewed military confrontations between Washington and Tehran, which have increased concerns that a previous ceasefire and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict could collapse.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the ceremony, claiming that Israel’s previous two military operations had weakened Iran.

“The Iranian axis is weaker than ever before, while Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said.

He added that the Israeli Air Force had demonstrated its ability to conduct operations anywhere from Yemen to Iran, but acknowledged that the current conflict had not fully ended.

Netanyahu said the military campaign remains ongoing and that Israel continues to monitor developments.

Israeli Army Monitoring Iran and Lebanon

Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military is maintaining a high state of readiness, with hundreds of aircraft prepared for immediate operations and around 10,000 troops engaged in operational preparations.

Zamir said Israeli forces are closely watching developments in Iran and Lebanon and are ready to respond immediately to any potential threat.

“Anyone who attempts to harm Israel will be targeted and dealt with immediately,” he warned.

The latest tensions follow a conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint air operations against Iran, according to reports. The campaign was described as Israel’s second major military operation against Iran, following a 12-day war between the two countries in June 2025.