His remarks followed Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, which came in response to an Israeli assault on Iran’s nuclear, missile, and military facilities.
“The Iranian dictator is holding the citizens of Iran hostage and constructing a scenario where they, particularly those in Tehran, will suffer greatly for the criminal acts against Israeli civilians,” Katz said during a strategic assessment with Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Mossad director David Barnea, and other high-ranking military officials.
“If (Ali) Khamenei does not cease firing missiles at Israel, Tehran will face dire consequences,” the Israeli defense minister asserted.
Thus far, Israel has restricted its operations to Iranian nuclear and military sites, aiming at key personnel associated with them.
The IDF reported that Iran has launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in multiple waves since last night.
Most of these missiles were intercepted by air defenses, according to the IDF.
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Of these, around 25%, or fewer than 50 missiles, were not intercepted “in accordance with protocol” and were able to strike open areas without inflicting damage on critical infrastructure.
A “small number” did penetrate air defenses, resulting in casualties and damage in residential regions of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon Lezion, as reported by the Army.
Three Israelis have reportedly lost their lives, with around 70 others injured in the Iranian missile strikes.
The IDF indicated that all of its bases, including air bases, are functioning normally with no impact on their operational capacity.
In addition to the 100 drones launched on Friday, several more were targeted at Israel overnight and subsequently downed by the Israeli Air Force and Navy. Meanwhile, Zamir and Israeli Air Force chief, Tomer Bar, asserted that “the way to Tehran has been paved,” emphasizing that Israeli jets can now operate freely over the Iranian capital. “Per the plans, air force fighter jets will initiate strikes on targets in Tehran,” the Israeli army reported.
This statement follows the IDF’s assertion last night that its jets had struck air defense systems in Tehran, granting the military greater aerial freedom above the Iranian capital.
“The strikes over Tehran carry both operational and national significance. We opted to act against an existential threat to our citizens’ security, with professionalism, determination, and precision,” Bar was quoted on the IDF’s social media on X.
Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets targeted multiple sites in Tehran overnight, including surface-to-air missile installations, as part of an operation to dismantle the Iranian regime’s air defense capabilities in the area, according to the IDF.
“Following a powerful day of strikes on hundreds of targets, including numerous anti-aircraft sites, we executed a series of precise attacks over Tehran, enhancing our air superiority and operational freedom in Iran,” Bar stated.
“For the first time since the onset of the conflict, dozens of Air Force fighter jets traversed the skies of Tehran, over 1,500 kilometers from Israeli territory, attacking defense systems in the Tehran region,” he highlighted.
