Katz, Zamir say IDF is prepared for potential Iran attack against Israel

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would respond militarily if Iran directly targeted the country.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel’s defense establishment believes senior Iranian officials are preparing to order ballistic missile attacks on Israel, as the military remains on heightened alert following Iranian missile launches toward the Jordanian city of Aqaba, Israeli security officials said Sunday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attack prompted the launch of two Iron Dome interceptors to prevent missile fragments from reaching the Israeli home front.

Israeli security officials said Iran intended the missile launches as a signal but argued the current security environment differs from previous confrontations.

“The Iranians would like Israel to view this as a signal, but in practice, the security reality is not comparable to 2023. Today, Israeli policy is far more stringent and takes into account the possibility of extreme scenarios, including a broad attack on infrastructure in Iran,” the officials said.

The IDF warned that “There may be spillover into Israeli territory as a result of the fire,” while stating there were no changes to Home Front Command guidelines.

Large explosions were heard over Eilat as interceptor systems engaged missiles headed toward Aqaba.

The military later said interceptor fragments fell in northern Eilat after interceptions outside Israeli territory, with no injuries reported.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would respond militarily if Iran directly targeted the country.

“If Iran fires missiles at Israel, Israel will strike Iran with force. There is no equation we will accept in which Iran fires at Israel,” Katz said at a briefing for military and diplomatic reporters. “If Iran attacks, that is the third Iran war.”

Katz said the IDF had already been instructed to prepare for an independent Israeli operation against Iran if necessary, describing it as a “blue-and-white operation,” meaning an Israeli-led strike not dependent on outside forces.

Speaking to IDF commanders in the West Bank, Katz added, “Next to the continuous fighting against terror in Judea and Samaria, we are closely following the developments with Iran and maintaining a high level of readiness.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said, “We followed the attack on the area around Aqaba [Jordan] today, and our air defense apparatus is ready to defend the citizens of Israel. We are ready to immediately return to war, and we will act with great power against anyone who harms us.”