Defense Minister Israel Katz said in an interview on Channel 14 that the IDF has been instructed to prepare for an additional military operation in Iran should one be required. The statement is the latest in a series of Israeli signals of readiness for further action against Iran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Thursday at 19:34 Jerusalem that the IDF has been instructed to prepare for another operation in Iran if needed, telling Channel 14's Yaakov Bardugo: "The IDF has received an instruction to prepare for an additional operation, if required." This statement came in a single interview whose details unfolded across four simultaneous published versions at 19:34 Jerusalem, with subsequent iterations adding that the operation is dubbed 'Operation White-Blue' and that Israel is ready to act even without American backing.
What we reported and when: At 19:34 Jerusalem on Thursday, The Zioneer published the initial version of Katz's statement (the IDF instructed to prepare for another 'Operation Blue White'). Within the same minute, successive versions added that Katz said Israel is ready at any moment for 'Operation White-Blue' and that the IDF had received formal orders. A separate version at the same timestamp quoted Katz saying Israel is prepared to act without US support. The desk's prior reporting also documented earlier signals: on Monday Jun 8 at 20:21 Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu told ministers in closed conversations that Israel may conduct more rounds with Iran; on Wednesday Jun 10 at 20:19 Jerusalem, an Israeli official told Knesset Channel that a powerful air raid package prepared two days ago remains ready and conditional on Iranian intent toward Israel.
Background context from The Zioneer's published record: On Tuesday Jun 9 at 09:40 Jerusalem, an IDF Radio analyst reported Israel had prepared targets for an Iran strike and that the defense establishment is assessing a 'missed opportunity.' On Wednesday Jun 10 at 04:21 Jerusalem, Fox News cited a senior US official saying the US military is ready if Iran retaliates. On Thursday Jun 11 at 01:01 Jerusalem, an Israeli official said forces are poised for both defense and offense, and the public would be warned if Iranian retaliation is detected.
What remains open: No specific timeline, trigger, or nature of such an operation has been disclosed. Katz's statements are declaratory and do not specify whether the instruction constitutes a formal operational order or a readiness directive. The Iranian response posture — last stated Monday Jun 8 at 15:33 Jerusalem with a warning that any Israeli aggression would bring a stronger response — has not been updated since.
6 developments
- DevelopingIsrael's Katz: Campaign against Iran far from over; IDF ready to strike Iran with great force
- ConfirmedIDF reportedly ordered to halt strikes in Iran, continue operations in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingChief of Staff instructs IDF to prepare for offensive scenario against Iran amid talks
- DevelopingSenior Israeli official says forces were at peak readiness for Iran strike before Trump call
Source and signal
- Internal intake