Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Iran on Thursday that any attack on Israel would draw a devastating response, following a high-level security consultation attended by Israel’s senior military and defense leadership.
“We are preparing for every possibility. If Iran attacks Israel, it will suffer a crushing blow,” Katz said.
The consultation included IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, the Israel Air Force commander, senior intelligence officials, the head of the Home Front Command, and other senior defense officials.
The broad composition of the meeting brought together the officials responsible for Israel’s offensive capabilities, air defenses, military intelligence, and civilian preparedness. Katz did not disclose whether the consultation followed a specific warning or intelligence alert.
Ynet reported that assessments among Western intelligence agencies suggest Iran may seek to draw Israel into a confrontation and could even choose to act first.
According to the report, the assessment is based partly on what intelligence officials perceive as Jerusalem’s reluctance to return to war, along with strains in Israeli-American relations that Tehran may seek to exploit.
The report did not identify the Western intelligence agencies involved or disclose the evidence underlying their assessments. The possibility of an Iranian first strike therefore remained an intelligence assessment rather than a confirmed operational warning.
Thursday’s consultation came as Israel’s defense leadership continued to emphasize preparedness for both defensive and offensive scenarios, including the interception of Iranian missiles and drones, protection of the home front, and a possible retaliatory strike.