DM Katz calls on residents in Iran living near weapons-production sites to evacuate

The IDF Arabic-language spokesman began sending messages in Arabic and Farsi, suggesting they relocate for their own safety.

By David Brummer, World Israel News

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday instructed the country’s military to issue evacuation notices to residents in Iran who live near weapons-production complexes.

“The Israeli military will strike these sites and will continue to peel away the Iranian snake’s skin in Tehran and everywhere — targeting nuclear capabilities and weapons systems,” he said in a statement.

“The Iranian dictator is turning Tehran into Beirut and its residents into hostages for the sake of his regime’s survival,” Katz added.

The Israel Defense Forces earlier issued an evacuation order to Iranians living close to weapons-production facilities in the country.

Israel’s military delivered the warning on X in both Arabic and Farsi.

For its part, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told state TV that citizens “can seek shelter in mosques and schools during Israeli attacks, as well as subway systems, which will be open at all times from tonight.”

Katz visited Bat Yam on Sunday to inspect the damage wrought by a direct hit on an apartment block.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog also toured the site.

Six people are known to have been killed in the strike, and dozens more wounded.

Residents are still thought to be trapped underneath the rubble, with emergency services attempting to rescue them in precarious circumstances.

It was Katz who said on Friday that recently acquired intelligence had shown Israel just how close Iran was to breaking out a nuclear bomb.

“We are at a critical juncture; if we miss it. We will have no way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons that threaten our existence,” he said.