The Lead
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a coordinated warning on Thursday, stating that the military campaign against Iran is far from over and that 'major' operations are currently being planned. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for IAF Flight Course 192, the leaders emphasized that hundreds of aircraft remain on high alert for immediate action across the Middle East.
Operational Readiness and New Plans
During the IAF pilots' graduation ceremony on Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir revealed that the military is actively preparing for the next phase of confrontation with the Iranian regime. "The campaign is not over," Zamir stated, adding that "new plans are on the drawing board" and "major operations are still expected to lie ahead of us."
Zamir disclosed that in recent weeks, hundreds of IAF aircraft were placed on immediate standby for takeoff. This state of high alert remains active, with the military closely monitoring developments in both Iran and Lebanon. The Chief of Staff noted that the IAF was specifically prepared for a major operation as recently as June 8, underscoring the persistent nature of the threat and the IDF's readiness to respond with "powerful force" to any provocation.
Strategic Context
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed these sentiments, confirming that the IDF is fully prepared to resume the campaign in Iran if necessary. Katz emphasized that should Israel be required to return to offensive operations, it would do so with "even greater force." This follows previous statements regarding "Operation White-Blue," a named directive for independent Israeli strikes aimed at removing strategic threats within Iranian territory.
The rhetoric comes at a time of significant regional instability. According to The Zioneer's intelligence tracking, Iran is currently navigating a volatile leadership transition following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while facing internal unrest and external military pressure.
Analysis and Outlook
The statements by Zamir and Katz serve as both a deterrent to Tehran and a preparation of the Israeli public for potential escalation. By explicitly mentioning that plans are already on the "drawing board," the IDF leadership is signaling that the current relative quiet is viewed as a tactical pause rather than a conclusion to the conflict. The focus on the IAF's immediate readiness suggests that any renewed campaign would likely lead with significant aerial strikes, targeting Iranian infrastructure or proxy coordination centers that threaten Israeli sovereignty.
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