At a security assessment marking 1,000 days since the war began, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel eliminated Iran's nuclear program and killed Khamenei and most of the regime's top leadership, dealing a severe blow to its strategic capabilities. Katz also said the IDF was ordered to prepare for an independent 'blue-and-white' strike on Iran at any time needed, and was briefed that 83% of tunnels in Gaza's yellow-line area have been destroyed.
Speaking at a security assessment at the Defense Ministry on Thursday evening, marking 1,000 days since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel has eliminated Iran's nuclear program and 'removed the threat of annihilation from Israeli citizens.' Katz claimed that the IRGC chief and most of the Iranian regime's senior leadership have been killed, and that Iran's strategic capabilities have been severely damaged.
Katz ordered the IDF to prepare for an independent 'blue-and-white' (Israeli-flag) strike on Iran 'at any time required,' building on prior directives he first revealed in June. The minister's language echoed earlier statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President Vance, who each said Iran's nuclear program has been destroyed, though Katz went further by explicitly naming Khamenei as eliminated.
During the same assessment, Katz was briefed that 83% of tunnels in Gaza's 'yellow line' designated area have been destroyed — a figure the IDF had already announced separately, as The Zioneer reported. The dual focus on Iran's nuclear threat and Gaza's remaining tunnel infrastructure reflects the widening scope of Israel's post-ceasefire security posture.
Katz's claim regarding Khamenei's killing remains unverified by independent sources. While the operational details of an independent Israeli strike plan are classified and not detailed in the briefing, Katz's directive marks the most explicit public instruction yet for unilateral Israeli action against Iran without U.S. coordination.
3 developments
- DevelopingKatz: Iran's nuclear program eliminated, must ensure it does not return
- DevelopingKatz: PM and I ordered IDF to prepare for independent military action against Iran
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz: Israel killed Khamenei, wounded his son, ready for 'third round'
- DevelopingKatz: Israel ready to resume military operations against Iran if necessary
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