Israel is not done with Iran, Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned. He accused Tehran of reviving its nuclear weapons ambitions and vowed to pursue offensive military action to counter any threats.
The threat follows new US strikes against Iranian air defenses and reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed Washington to launch another major offensive.
“With regard to Iran, the mission is still not complete. Iran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons,” Katz said on Sunday, as cited by Israeli media.
Tehran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.
US President Donald Trump claimed in late October that US-Israeli strikes had destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities but acknowledged that some suspect sites remained. The IAEA has found no evidence that Tehran has rebuilt damaged facilities, although it remains unable to verify Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
On Friday, Trump confirmed “minor strikes” against Iranian air defenses on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, but insisted Washington had made “a lot of progress” in negotiations with Tehran.
The US and Israel launched a major offensive against Iran on February 28 with the stated goals of destroying its nuclear and missile capabilities and bringing about regime change. Despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, Iran’s government remains in power.
On Saturday, Iran’s military declared itself stronger than at the start of the war, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had lifted its self-imposed 2,000 km limit on missile range. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned last week that renewed US-Israeli attacks would trigger an immediate response without geographical restrictions.
Netanyahu’s coalition lost Israel’s October 27 election, while Trump’s Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s US midterms, partly due to public frustration over the Iran war.
Reuters reported on Thursday that Tehran had submitted a proposal to Washington through Qatar, which the US was reviewing. Iran has demanded an end to US sanctions and its naval blockade as conditions for resuming negotiations.
Russia has backed a diplomatic settlement. President Vladimir Putin met Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei on Thursday to discuss the conflict and regional security.
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