TEL AVIV — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Sunday, declaring that Israel will not hesitate to strike Iran again if it perceives a threat to its national security.

“If Iran threatens us, we will hit them again — and a hundred times more severely than Gaza or Lebanon,” Katz stated during a press briefing.

The declaration follows months of heightened tensions in the region, as Israel continues to face threats from Iranian proxies and escalating rhetoric from Tehran. Katz emphasized that Israel views Iran as the central player behind regional instability, backing armed groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

While he did not elaborate on specific targets or timelines, Katz made clear that any future Israeli response would be swift and overwhelming.

“We will not wait to be attacked,” he added. “We will strike decisively, and the world will understand that Israel means business.”

This comes as diplomatic efforts to contain the growing Israel-Iran rivalry have stalled, and military officials warn of the risk of a broader regional conflict.

The Defense Minister’s remarks signal a firm shift away from deterrence toward preemptive action, reinforcing Israel’s policy of self-defense in a region already on edge.