Israel says it will respond 'with great force' to any Iranian attack

TEL AVIV, Israel — JERUSALEM — Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said Israel is prepared to respond independently and with great force to any Iranian attack during the upcoming Jewish holidays. Speaking about the possibility of an Iranian strike, Katz said any such move would be met with a strong response and that Israel had been preparing for that scenario. Katz said Israel has so far left the management of strikes against Iran to the United States, citing Washington's interests in the Strait of Hormuz and energy security. He added that US-led strikes were continuing within that framework, but that if Iran strikes Israel, Tel Aviv would respond independently and with significant force. The defense minister also said Israel had destroyed Iran's nuclear program through its "Rising Lion" operation and was closely monitoring Tehran's efforts to rebuild it. He said Israel would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Katz's comments came after US forces struck approximately 100 Iranian targets, most belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, escalating the US-Iran confrontation. US Central Command said the strikes hit air defense systems, radars, naval facilities, mine-laying capabilities and IRGC communication sites. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that economic pressure on Tehran would be intensified.