Defense Minister Katz: Iran's Nuclear Program Eliminated, IDF Ordered to Prepare for Independent Strike

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a series of sweeping strategic declarations on Thursday evening during a high-level security assessment with the Chief of Staff and senior IDF officials. The meeting, convened to mark 1,000 days of the ongoing conflict, focused on the significant degradation of Iran's strategic capabilities and the progress of operations in the Gaza Strip.

Strategic Blow to Tehran

Katz claimed that Israel has effectively removed the existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. According to the Defense Minister, the operation to dismantle the program was accompanied by the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a substantial portion of the Iranian regime's top leadership. Katz emphasized that these actions have dealt a severe blow to Iran's strategic standing in the region.

Despite these reported achievements, Katz underscored that the military must remain prepared for further action. He revealed that the IDF has been instructed to prepare for an independent "blue-and-white" strike—a term referring to a purely Israeli operation without reliance on foreign forces—against Iran whenever necessary. This follows prior reports of a designated offensive plan known as "Operation White-Blue."

Gaza Tunnel Operations

Turning to the southern front, the Defense Minister was briefed on the progress of subterranean warfare in Gaza. Military officials updated Katz that 83% of the tunnel infrastructure within the designated "yellow line" area—the territory currently held or controlled by the IDF—has been destroyed. This figure aligns with recent military assessments regarding the systematic dismantling of Hamas's strategic tunnel network.

Analysis and Outlook

Katz's statements represent a significant escalation in official rhetoric regarding the status of the Iranian regime and its nuclear capabilities. While the Defense Minister describes the nuclear threat as "eliminated," the directive for the IDF to prepare for an independent strike suggests that the security establishment remains focused on preventing any potential resurgence or remaining strategic threats. The claim regarding the death of Khamenei and senior leadership marks a transformative development in the regional shadow war, though the full implications for Iranian domestic stability and its proxy network remain to be seen.