Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Thursday (local time) that Tel Aviv could soon resume military strikes against Iran, Fox News reported.
Katz said Israel sees the broader campaign in Iran as potentially unfinished, despite what he described as devastating setbacks for the Islamic Republic.
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Are the US and Israel preparing for another attack?
His warning came after the Israeli Defense Ministry announced a dramatic increase in military supplies from the United States, with at least two cargo ships docked in the ports of Ashdod and Haifa and several transport planes arriving in one day. The planes reportedly carried roughly 6,500 tons of military equipment, including thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks and combat vehicles.
The Times of Israel reported on Thursday that the military equipment was then loaded onto trucks and taken to various military bases across the country.
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Since Israel launched Operation Roaring Lion, a military campaign against Iran, in late February, Jerusalem has said it has received more than 115,600 tons of military equipment that arrived via 403 flights and 10 sea shipments, underscoring what Israeli officials describe as preparations for a sustained or extended conflict, according to media reports.
US-Israel considering renewed military action, expert says
Former Israeli National Security Adviser Maj. Gene. (vv) Yaakov Amidror noted in an interview with Fox News that the US and Israel are seriously preparing for two options: a prolonged blockade designed to weaken and exhaust Iran, or an economic resumption of military action.
He said: “Israel and the United States are seriously preparing for two real options, and the decision when it comes could be made very quickly,” adding: “One is to continue the siege, the blockade, which can slowly wear Iran down. The other is war.”
He went on to suggest that the extensive logistics buildup in the US suggests that Washington may be preparing for one of these options. He added: “The Americans are building logistics, moving forces and preparing very seriously. At some point they may feel that they are so ready that the leadership will say, ‘We are ready, let’s go.’
The former national security adviser also suggested that it would be easier and faster for Israel to resume military action if Jerusalem and Washington agreed. He said: “We need less logistics. We are already in the region, rebuilding strength, improving intelligence and accumulating power while Iran’s capabilities are weakened.”
CENTCOM briefs Trump
Katz’s warning comes around the same time that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is actively involved in implementing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, informed U.S. President Donald Trump about potential military action in Iran, Axios reported. The briefing, which lasted 45 minutes, was attended by the chairman of the council of chiefs.
The development comes as the US president has extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely. However, a peace deal is still awaited as the gridlock over the second round of talks continues. Although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan, the Islamic Republic denied reports of a second round of talks, citing the naval blockade.
While Iran has called for the complete lifting of the blockade to bring it to the negotiating table for a second round, Trump has argued that the blockade will continue until an agreement is reached with the Islamic Republic.
