Israel Katz warns that operations against Iran could continue and accuses Tehran of trying to obtain a nuclear weapon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday in Jerusalem that Israel’s mission against Iran is not over and that Tehran may try to resume its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. The Islamic Republic has consistently rejected this accusation and maintains that its nuclear program has peaceful purposes.

The statements were made amid speculation about a possible resumption of Israeli military operations against Iran. Katz said that Israel is prepared for all scenarios and will act as much as necessary to protect its citizens.

Katz also said that Israeli troops will not withdraw from the security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and threatened Hezbollah with severe strikes if the group joins Iran in an attack on Israel. The statements also come amid an uncertain political context in Israel, after the legislative elections on 27 October, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the anti-Netanyahu parties accumulated 48.