Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are prepared to launch a 'third time if necessary' military campaign against Iran, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issuing the strongest warning yet. As reported by The New York Post, Katz declared Thursday that the military was 'alert and prepared for the resumption of the campaign' and ready to carry out 'blue-and-white' (independent Israeli) strikes there 'even for a third time'. The minister emphasized that 'If we need to return, we will return with even greater force', signaling Israel's commitment to maintaining regional security through military action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke at the military ceremony, stating that 'Iran has been weakened by the two previous military campaigns Israel launched against it, but he also said the campaign is not over'. The Israeli PM added that 'The Iranian axis is weaker than ever before, while Israel is stronger than ever before'. According to Al Jazeera, the war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran that killed the Islamic republic's supreme leader and other senior officials. This represents Israel's second campaign against Iran, following a 12-day war in June 2025.
President Trump has significantly escalated US military action against Iran, authorizing roughly 90 targets struck on Wednesday evening, up from about 80 on Tuesday, as reported by The New York Post. The latest strikes targeted missile and drone launch sites, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command sites, air defense and radar locations and logistics infrastructure such as railways. Trump has declared the cease-fire with Tehran 'over' and called Iran's leadership 'scum,' 'evil,' 'loco,' and 'sick people' at the annual NATO summit in Ankara. This represents a dramatic escalation from previous operations, with Trump telling reporters that 'They're cuckoo, there's something wrong with those people' after Iran attacked three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in violation of the 60-day cease-fire. The recent wave of US strikes in Iran have killed 14 people and injured 78 others, the Iranian health ministry said, with 'Of the injured, 47 remain hospitalised', according to Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations for Iran's ministry of health.
Israel has demonstrated its willingness to join future US attacks on Iran should Washington seek help, according to sources in Jerusalem. As reported by The New York Post, 'We’ve proved that we stand with the US,' one source said, while noting that 'I'm not sure it will be the interest of them — of the US that Israel will join on this — but, you know, we realize that we need to stretch our muscles.' Nitsana Leitner, founder of the prominent Israel Law Center, echoed that 'Israel will be there — not with words, but with action and real military cooperation' if the United States calls on Israel to stand with it against the Iranian regime. The source noted that 'We're willing to do it again, if needed,' while acknowledging that 'At the same time, you know, we don't want to ignore what's happening in Iran' and 'If that will be the price we'll have to pay, we will bear with that situation.' This comes after Trump and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had been at odds over when and how to stop the fighting that also expanded to Lebanon, with the two leaders meeting for a special security consultation Wednesday night as Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran.
Israeli intelligence assesses that Iran 'has no interest in drawing Israel into the conflict' - which is the reason Tehran hasn't targeted the Jewish state in this volley of strikes, according to two Israeli officials as reported by The New York Post. The IDF is also on high alert, and its intelligence units are continuously updating target lists and maintaining 'close operational coordination' with the US military, according to Israel's i24 News. Netanyahu has not yet publicly commented about the new airstrikes, but has long warned Iran cannot be trusted and last month declared that Israel will strike Iran 'whenever necessary.' The source noted that 'We were very skeptical from the beginning about the Iranians' intentions, but, you know, we respect President Trump's efforts,' adding that 'And I think now everyone realizes that the Iranians are playing a game.' The latest remarks come as oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially stopped, with just two tankers having sailed through the strait in the early hours of Thursday, according to shipping industry sources.
