Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday hinted at potential action against Iran in the “upcoming months,” in his initial congratulatory letter to new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
“Iran and its partners continue to threaten... regional and global stability,” wrote Katz. “The upcoming months present us with challenges that require military readiness and opportunities that allow us to further our strategic goals. I am confident that together we can succeed, creating long-term stability and a better future for the region.”
Recently, Katz said Israel is more prepared than ever to attack Iran and its nuclear facilities, something several Israeli and US officials have expressed frequently in recent months.
A significant aspect of their statements has noted that since Israel’s counterattack destroying Iranian air defenses on October 26 (after Tehran directly attacked the Jewish state cumulatively with around 300 ballistic missiles on April 13-14 and October 1), the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites are incredibly vulnerable, and the air force has shown it can attack there with deadly precision.
In addition, Katz wrote, “The defense alliance between our nations is marked by shared goals and values of peace, security, and prosperity. The longstanding commitment and support of the United States to Israel’s security and its qualitative military edge is of great value.”
Israel and the US have recently confirmed deals relating to America delivering aircraft to the IDF, including more F-35 and F-15-EX fighter jets.
“Since the massacre on October 7, Israel has been fighting a war against the multidimensional Iranian threat on seven fronts. We have made many achievements and dramatically weakened those who seek our destruction,” the defense minister stated.
“The support of the United States during the war highlights the strength and importance of our defense partnership, proving that when we stand together, we are stronger,” Katz wrote.
Finally, he said, “Israel and the United States must work together to be at the forefront of the technological, military, and defense industrial base.”
Hegseth gets sworn in
Hegseth was sworn into office over the weekend after a razor-thin 51-50 approval vote in the Senate, where three Republican senators voted against him due to his lack of prior major management roles and allegations of sexual assault and alcoholism, at least one of which led him to sign a confidential settlement payout.
US President Donald Trump appears to mainly have selected the 44-year-old Hegseth to undo Biden-era “woke” policies in the American military relating to transgender acceptance, the promotion of ethnic minorities to higher positions with debates about whether specific promotions were merit-based or served to increase diversity, and the widening of women serving in certain combat roles.