Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Thursday that mounting economic pressure and fears of an uprising could push Iran’s leadership towards “desperate moves”, including a direct attack on Israel.
Speaking at an event ahead of the Jewish New Year, Katz warned Tehran that “an Iranian attack on Israel would release Israel from all existing restrictions on strikes against Iran”.
“We will strike all national, military and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, and send Iran deep into the Stone Age and darkness,” he said.
Israel on alert for escalation
Katz said Iran’s leadership understood why it had not attacked Israel directly following what he described as two powerful Israeli strikes, the destruction of its nuclear programme, the killing of Ali Khamenei and the severe weakening of its strategic capabilities.
He said Israeli intelligence had detected signs that economic pressure and fears of the regime being overthrown could lead Tehran to take unpredictable action.
Israel and its armed forces remain fully prepared, both defensively and offensively, he added.
The warning comes as Iran has so far refrained from directly targeting Israel during the latest phase of the conflict. Following the resumption of US strikes, Tehran launched missiles and drones against American and other targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq.
Senior Israeli officials have described Iran as a “wounded animal” that could act unpredictably.
Economic pressure on Tehran
Iran’s economic situation continues to deteriorate, with the rial falling to a record low of more than two million to the US dollar and inflation reaching 66% in July.
Tehran nevertheless maintains that it has sufficient foreign currency reserves.
Source: CNA
