Israel warns of stronger military action if Iran conflict reignites
Israel has warned that it is prepared to launch even stronger military action against Iran if hostilities resume, as renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran fuel concerns of another wider conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at an Israeli military ceremony, Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country's armed forces remain on high alert and are ready to re-establish air superiority over Iran if required. "If we have to go back, we will go back, with even greater force," Katz said, adding that Israel would act decisively to eliminate emerging threats.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the warning, saying Iran had suffered significant setbacks during previous Israeli operations but stressed that the campaign was "not over."
Netanyahu said Israel's air force had demonstrated its operational reach by striking targets from Yemen to Iran and asserted that what he described as the "Iranian axis" had been considerably weakened.
The statements come amid fresh hostilities between the United States and Iran, raising fears that recent diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions could collapse into another round of military confrontation.
Meanwhile, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has continued despite heightened tensions. Ship-tracking data showed several liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and crude oil tankers passing through the strategic waterway in recent days, indicating that global energy trade remains largely uninterrupted.
The United States has denied carrying out fresh military strikes inside Iran despite reports of explosions in parts of the country. Washington has maintained that diplomatic efforts to revive talks with Tehran are continuing, with regional mediators working to prevent further escalation.
At the same time, Iranian officials have continued issuing strong warnings against countries they accuse of supporting the US, while Israel has indicated that its military remains prepared for further operations if the security situation deteriorates.
The evolving developments have kept the Middle East on edge, with concerns that any fresh military exchange could have significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets.
