Israel Ready to Attack Iran for ‘Third Time if Necessary’

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Thursday that his country is prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if necessary, vowing to do so “with even greater force.” These remarks follow new fighting that has erupted between the United States and Iran, raising fears of a return to full-scale war after an April ceasefire and a June US-Iran agreement to end hostilities.

Speaking at a military ceremony, Katz affirmed that the army is ready and on alert to regain air superiority and strike again in Iran to eliminate threats, “including a third time if necessary.” He added, “If we have to go back, we will go back, with even greater force.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also present at the ceremony, commented that Iran had been weakened by the two previous military campaigns Israel launched against it. However, he acknowledged that the conflict was not yet over. Netanyahu asserted that “The Iranian axis is weaker than ever before, while Israel is stronger than ever before,” and that “the long arm of the Israeli Air Force can reach anywhere, from Yemen to Iran.”

The war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran that resulted in the death of the Islamic republic’s supreme leader and other senior officials. This marked Israel’s second campaign against Iran, following a 12-day war in June 2025.