West Jerusalem – Israel’s defence minister warned that the country must be ready to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail. The statement came as the United States delivered an additional 6,500 tonnes of weapons and equipment to Israel within 24 hours, bringing the total U.S. assistance since the conflict began to more than 115,600 tonnes.
The aid convoy included air‑ and ground‑munitions, military trucks and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) that were off‑loaded at the ports of Ashdod and Haifa and distributed to Israel Defence Forces (IDF) bases across the country. Israeli officials said the supplies arrived via a combination of airlifts and sealifts – 403 flights and 10 shiploads since the start of the hostilities on 28 February.
The remarks from Defence Minister Israel Katz coincided with media reports that U.S. Central Command chief General Bradley Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on a contingency plan for renewed strikes against Iran. Fox News described the proposal as a “final blow” that would involve a short, powerful wave of attacks on Iran’s remaining military assets, leadership and infrastructure.
The United States and Israel announced a cease‑fire on 8 April after more than a month of fighting, but a diplomatic settlement remains elusive. The status of the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme continue to hinder progress. In March, U.S. officials reported that Israel warned Washington it was running “critically low” on air‑defence interceptors after Iranian retaliatory strikes; the IDF later denied the claim.
Katz said Israel supports Washington’s diplomatic initiatives but added that the country may soon have to act again to ensure Iran does not regain the capacity to threaten Israel. He stressed that any future action would be taken to prevent Iran from becoming a security risk.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force commander, Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi, warned that any further attack would be met with “painful, prolonged, and far‑reaching strikes.”
The ongoing standoff underscores the fragility of the regional security environment. With the United States continuing to supply Israel and diplomatic channels still seeking a resolution, the risk of renewed hostilities remains a key concern for policymakers and observers worldwide.
