Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Iran on Thursday, vowing further military action if Tehran threatens the Jewish state.
Speaking at an air force graduation ceremony, Katz declared that Israel’s “long arm” would strike deep into Iranian territory—including major cities like Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan—if provoked.
“If we must return, we will do so with greater force,” Katz said, according to a statement from his office. The remarks come weeks after a 12-day aerial conflict between the two nations in June, which saw Israel target Iranian nuclear facilities over concerns about Tehran’s advancing atomic program. The hostilities ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced by then-President Donald Trump on June 23.
The escalation marked one of the most direct confrontations between the arch-foes in years, raising fears of a wider Middle East war. Katz’s latest threat signals Israel’s readiness to intensify strikes should Iran resume its nuclear ambitions or support proxy attacks against Israeli interests.
Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, but Israeli and Western intelligence agencies accuse Tehran of covertly advancing its capabilities. The June strikes demonstrated Israel’s ability to penetrate Iranian air defenses, a capability Katz emphasized by naming key industrial and military hubs deep inside Iran.
The exchange underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire, with both sides remaining on high alert. Analysts warn that any miscalculation—whether from Iran’s nuclear activities or regional proxies—could trigger another devastating round of conflict.
As tensions simmer, global powers are urging restraint, but Katz’s message makes clear: Israel is prepared to act unilaterally if it perceives an existential threat from Iran.