Defense Minister Israel Katz Declares IDF Readiness for ‘Deadly’ Renewed Strikes Against Iran

Defense Minister Israel Katz says the IDF is prepared to strike Iranian energy sites and leadership, awaiting a "green light" from the US for a deadly offensive.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 12:40 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Marking Targets for a Renewed Offensive

During a high-level security assessment on April 23, 2026, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have finalized preparations for a renewed campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Katz asserted that the military is currently in a state of high readiness for both defensive and offensive operations, with all primary targets already identified. This declaration follows months of heightened regional tension and suggests that the Israeli security cabinet views the current period as a strategic window to degrade Iranian military and economic capabilities permanently.

Seeking American Coordination for Leadership Strikes

A central component of Katz’s statement was the requirement for a "green light" from Washington before initiating the next phase of the conflict. The Defense Minister specifically noted that Israel intends to target the "Khamenei dynasty," referring to the leadership structure established by the late Supreme Leader and his successors. Katz characterized the Iranian leadership as the "initiators of the extermination plan against Israel," suggesting that the upcoming operations would focus on the "elimination" of the regime’s top-tier political and terror apparatus to destabilize the current government in Tehran.

Infrastructure and Economic Decimation

In addition to leadership decapitation strikes, Katz detailed a strategy designed to "return Iran to the age of darkness and stone." The proposed plan includes the systematic destruction of central energy and electricity facilities, as well as the crushing of national economic infrastructure. By targeting the power grid and oil production sites, Israel aims to inflict a decisive blow on the Iranian economy, which Katz believes will shake and ultimately collapse the foundations of the "terror regime." This focus on non-military infrastructure represents a significant escalation in the scope of potential Israeli strikes.