TEL AVIV — Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a stark warning Thursday, suggesting Israel’s window for diplomacy with Tehran has effectively closed. Following a high-level briefing with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Intel Chief Shlomi Binder, Katz confirmed that operational plans for a "high-impact" offensive on Iranian soil are now finalized.
“The target bank is set,” Katz told a closed briefing. “We are no longer in the phase of contingency planning. The military is fully mobilized to degrade Iran's strategic depth and economic backbone.”
While Jerusalem remains in close coordination with the Trump administration, Katz’s tone signaled a shift toward independent action. He avoided the usual diplomatic jargon of "consultation," instead emphasizing that Israel’s security imperatives—not foreign approval—would dictate the timing of any strike.
Military sources say the proposed operation aims to "neutralize" Iran's energy infrastructure and command centers, a move intended to shatter the current regional balance.
The IAF and cyber warfare branches have reportedly shifted to a "Pre-Launch" readiness posture. With the April 8 ceasefire now a dead letter, the IDF appears to be waiting for the tactical window to execute what Katz described as a "paradigm-shifting" response to Iranian threats.