Israel Defense Chief: Strikes on Iran Could Resume Soon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Thursday, April 30 that Israel may soon resume military action against Iran. He signaled that despite what he described as devastating setbacks to Tehran, Israel views the broader campaign as potentially unfinished, according to Fox News.

Speaking at a ceremony promoting the incoming Israeli Air Force commander, Katz said Iran had been pushed “years backward” in the past year but suggested Tel Aviv may soon need to act again to secure long-term strategic goals. “Iran has suffered extremely severe blows over the past year, blows that set it back years in every field,” Katz said, as reported by Fox News. The warning came amid a ceasefire and ongoing U.S. pressure on Iran.

Katz’s Remarks and Warning

At the ceremony, Katz stated that Israel may need to act again to secure long-term strategic goals. “We support this effort and provide the necessary backing, but it is possible that soon we will be required to act again to ensure the achievement of those goals,” the defense minister said, according to Fox News.

Katz’s remarks mirror U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence that pressure on Iran will continue until its capacity to rebuild is curtailed. “The blockade stays until there’s a real deal,” Trump said Thursday, according to Axios, as cited by Fox News.

Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv is bracing for a possible return to fighting, with Channel 12 indicating that negotiations could collapse as early as next week ^[1]. Leaked transcripts of Israeli war cabinet meetings from earlier in the conflict show that Israeli leaders planned to manipulate the U.S. into attacking Iran and sought to cripple Iranian civilian infrastructure ^[2], according to NaturalNews.com.

Military Resupply and U.S. Support

Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced a dramatic military resupply surge, with two cargo ships docking in Ashdod and Haifa and multiple transport aircraft arriving within 24 hours. Both ships were carrying roughly 6,500 tons of military equipment – including thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks and combat vehicles, according to Fox News.

Since the start of the Operation Roaring Lion military campaign against Iran, Israel says more than 115,600 tons of military equipment have arrived through 403 flights and 10 maritime shipments. Retired Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, former Israeli national security advisor, told Fox News Digital that the extensive U.S. logistical buildup suggests Washington is preparing for either a prolonged blockade or renewed military action.

Critics have argued that the scale of U.S. resupply indicates a prolonged campaign that has caused significant civilian casualties in Iran. Reports note that over 160 schoolgirls were killed in a single U.S. missile strike on an elementary school in Minab ^[3], and the war has killed tens of thousands of Iranian civilians ^[4].

Perspectives on Next Steps

Amidror outlined two possible paths: a prolonged blockade designed to economically exhaust Iran, or renewed military action. “Israel and the United States are seriously preparing for two real options, and the decision, when it comes, could be made very quickly,” he told Fox News Digital.

“One is to continue the siege, a blockade that can slowly exhaust Iran. The other is war,” he continued. Amidror emphasized that for Israel, resuming military action would likely be easier and faster. Other analysts have pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a track record of prolonging conflicts for political gain, as evidenced by leaked transcripts showing his rejection of hostage deals in Gaza in favor of continuing the war ^[2].

Trends Journal reports that Professor John Mearsheimer stated Israel has been trying to drag the U.S. into a war with Iran ^[5]. Israeli media also report that northern residents are criticizing the government for failing to secure their safety even under the current truce ^[6].

Iran’s Position and Unresolved Conflict

Iran’s U.N. mission declined to comment, according to Fox News. However, Iranian state media have reported that new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was severely injured in an Israeli air strike and requires a prosthetic leg and facial surgery, according to reports citing confidential sources ^[7]. Iran has warned that it could resume fighting if Israel continues strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The conflict remains unresolved with no clear end. While Israel claims to have achieved significant military objectives, critics note that Iranian ballistic missiles continue to pose a threat, with Iran launching 650 missiles during the 40-day campaign ^[8]. The blockade of Iranian ports and the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah indicate that a broader regional war may still be imminent.

References

1. Israeli Media: Israel Prepares for a Return To War With Iran as Trump Briefed on Potential Strikes – Antiwar.com. April 30, 2026.
2. Leaked transcripts show Israels war cabinet plotted regime change in Iran wanted US to finish the job – NaturalNews.com. Cassie B. September 16, 2025.
3. 60 days later: the US-Israeli war on Iran so far – RT.com. April 29, 2026.
4. The Nuclear Rubicon Why Irans Deterrent Is Our Only Hope and How to Survive What Follows – NaturalNews.com. March 26, 2026.
5. Trends-Journal-2024-04-15.
6. Northern officials, residents slam Lebanon truce: ‘Stop using our kids as sitting ducks’ – Times of Israel. April 28, 2026.
7. Report Details Health Condition of Iran’s New Supreme Leader, Citing Confidential Sources – NaturalNews.com. April 24, 2026.
8. 650 Iranian missiles fired, 24 killed, and 10,800 Israeli strikes: The war in numbers – Times of Israel. April 10, 2026.