Israeli defense minister warns war could resume within two days if Iran fires missiles
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- 2026-06-30 08:12:47
- Updated
- 2026-06-30 08:12:47
[Financial News] Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz warned that a full-scale war could break out again within "two days" if Iran fires missiles toward Israeli territory.
He also sparked controversy by directly naming Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, as an assassination target.
According to local media outlet Ynet and others on the 29th (local time), Katz made the remarks while meeting reporters that day and outlining possible scenarios for a renewed war with Iran.
He said a new round of fighting could begin if U.S. President Donald Trump decides that talks with Iran are "over" and resumes airstrikes, or if Iran launches a preemptive attack on Israel.
Katz made clear that if an Iranian attack becomes reality, it would spiral into an uncontrollable full-scale war.
He said, "If Iran attacks, it will be the 'Third Iran War.' The situation is very clear." He added, "There is no reality in which Israel is hit by missile attacks on its territory and simply moves on without a strong military response." He warned that "that situation could happen within two days."
Katz also suggested that Israel could carry out a large-scale strike on its own, without U.S. support.
He said, "I have already instructed the IDF to prepare an independent 'Blue and White Operation' inside Iran."
The most controversial remark of the day was his direct warning about Iran's top leader.
When reporters asked about Mojtaba Khamenei, who recently rose to Iran's top leadership position, Katz bluntly replied that he was a "target for elimination" by Israel. It was a direct departure from diplomatic norms, as he identified the other country's highest authority as a target for military action.
As tensions have recently eased, with the United States and Iran agreeing to pause their temporary armed clashes and seeking talks in Doha, Qatar, the Israeli defense chief's hard-line remarks could once again raise tensions across the Middle East.
[email protected] Yoon Jae-jun Reporter