Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that signs indicate the heavy economic pressure on Iran, combined with fears of an uprising and regime collapse, could push Tehran to take desperate measures. The statement comes as the Islamic Republic faces mounting economic and internal strains, and as Israeli security forces remain on high alert for potential escalation.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Thursday that signs indicate the heavy economic pressure on Iran, combined with fears of an uprising and regime collapse, could push Tehran to take desperate measures. The statement, reported by The Zioneer, marks an escalation in Katz's public assessments over the past 24 hours.
On Wednesday Sep 2 at 09:57 Jerusalem, Katz said at the Ynet conference that as the economic stranglehold on Iran tightens, the likelihood of an Iranian attack increases, and that Israeli Air Force planes are ready to take off. Earlier that same morning, he cited a "very high probability" that Iran would attack Israel on Jewish holidays, noting Iran's historical pattern of striking during holidays. The warnings have now sharpened to include the risk of desperate measures as the regime's domestic stability erodes.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Iran's severe economic crisis, including U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade, as well as fears of internal unrest. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned last month that economic hardship could erode public support and undermine the regime. Separately, uncertainty surrounds the condition of Supreme Leader Khamenei; Iran released purported footage of him earlier this month in an apparent attempt to quell rumors, as The Zioneer reported.
Whether Iran will indeed undertake a dramatic escalation remains unconfirmed. The Israeli security establishment remains at peak alert, monitoring for any sign of an imminent move.
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