As armed clashes resumed in the Middle East amid tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, Israel's Minister of National Defense said preparations have been completed for military operations inside Iran.
On the 9th (local time), Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of National Defense, said in a speech at an air force pilot graduation ceremony, "The Israel Defense Forces are maintaining a state of alert and are fully prepared to resume military operations against Iran."
Minister Katz said, "Our forces are ready, if necessary, to carry out a third 'Blue and White strike' (Israel's independent airstrike) to regain air superiority and eliminate threats," adding, "If we have to act again, we will do so with far greater force."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended the event, also said that Iran and its proxies have been weakened by the past two military operations against Iran, but the conflict is not completely over.
Netanyahu said, "We have proven that there is no place from Yemen to Iran beyond the reach of Israeli Air Force strikes," adding, "But we must remember that the operation is not completely over."
Earlier, Israel fought a war with Iran for 12 days in June last year. On Feb. 28, it attacked Iran again together with the United States.