DM Katz says Iran ‘more exposed than ever’ and must seize opportunity to ‘eliminate existential threat’

Newly appointed defense minister, and former foreign minister, Israel Katz said on Monday that Iran is currently weaker than it has ever been following the recent Israeli strikes. 

Katz said that Israel has a unique opportunity to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. 

“Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal – to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel,” Katz said according to an official statement. 

In my first meeting today with the @IDF General Staff Forum, I emphasized: Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal – to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/HX4Z6IO8iQ

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) November 11, 2024

The defense minister’s remarks came during his first meeting with the IDF General Staff Forum after assuming office. 

After Iran’s second ballistic missile attack on Israel this year, the military responded with a targeted series of strikes designed to take out critical air defense systems, leaving high-value targets, such as Iran’s nuclear facilities, unprotected in case a further strike was warranted. 

In the same meeting, Katz spoke about the campaign against Hezbollah in the north and reports of an impending ceasefire.

In a tweet posted on 𝕏, Katz said that “there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon, nor any truce” until the war’s objectives are achieved. 

“The remarkable and powerful actions carried out by the IDF and security agencies against Hezbollah, and the elimination of Nasrallah, represent a picture of victory,” Katz commented. “We must continue offensive operations to further degrade Hezbollah's capabilities and to fully realize the fruits of victory.”

“There will be no ceasefire in Lebanon, nor any truce,” he continued. “We will continue to strike Hezbollah with full force until we achieve the war’s objectives. Israel will not agree to any settlement that does not guarantee Israel’s right to enforce and prevent terrorism on its own.” 

Katz stated that “achieving the war objectives in Lebanon includes disarming Hezbollah, removing it beyond the Litani River, and ensuring the safe return of the northern residents to their homes.”

Gideon Sa’ar, who assumed Katz’s role as foreign minister, also referred to Iran’s nuclear ambitions in one of his first briefings with the media since taking office. 

“The most important issue by far for the future of this region and the security of the State of Israel is to avoid Iran getting a nuclear weapon,” Sa’ar said. 

Foreign Minister @gidonsaar in a briefing to the international media:

“The most important issue by far for the future of this region and the security of the State of Israel is to avoid Iran getting a nuclear weapon.

“I am sure that we will be able to work together with the US… pic.twitter.com/uMy4BG9H6A

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) November 11, 2024

Warning that Iran has attacked Israel’s neighbors, an apparent reference to the drone attack on Saudi Arabia in 2019, Sa’ar said Israel will “work together with the U.S. in order to stabilize the region.” 

“So to think about nuclear weapons in the hands of this [Iranian] regime is extremely dangerous to the peace of the world and the peace of this region – that's the number one issue from the point of view of the State of Israel,” Sa’ar stated.