Israel is prepared to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran and is currently awaiting a "green light" from the United States, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Katz issued this stark warning following a security assessment with the IDF General Staff on Thursday (April 23). His remarks signal a significant escalation in rhetoric amidst a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

Vow to "Return Iran to the Stone Age"
The Defense Minister stated that the Israeli military is fully prepared for both offensive and defensive scenarios, with targets already identified. He emphasized that the objective of a renewed campaign would be to "severely degrade" Iran's national infrastructure.

"We are awaiting approval from the United States—first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty," Katz declared, referring to the current leadership under Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that the military aims to "return Iran to the Dark Ages and the Stone Age" by targeting key energy, electricity, and economic facilities.

Unprecedented Lethality
Katz warned that any upcoming strike would be fundamentally different from previous engagements. "This time, the attack will be different and deadly, delivering devastating blows in the most sensitive places," he said. Analysts interpret these comments as a strategy to apply maximum political and psychological pressure on Tehran.

Context of the Conflict
The current tensions follow a six-week bombing campaign by U.S. and Israeli forces earlier this year, known as Operation Epic Fury. While a ceasefire was established, several sticking points remain:

The Naval Blockade: The U.S. continues a strict blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran labels a violation of the truce.

Nuclear Impasse: Negotiations are stalled over the duration of a proposed suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment.

High Alert: The IDF remains on high alert along the northern front and in sensitive maritime zones.

While Israel seeks to restart the war to prevent Iran from rebuilding its missile capabilities, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is not setting strict deadlines for negotiations, asserting that the U.S. currently maintains "total control" over regional dynamics.
Source: Middle East Monitor / Anadolu Agency