JERUSALEM, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel is prepared for a renewed war with Iran once it receives "the green light" from the United States.
Speaking after a security assessment in Tel Aviv, Katz said the Israel Defense Forces is ready both defensively and offensively and that targets have been identified. He said Israel is awaiting approval from the White House to resume fighting with more intense strikes.
"This time, the attack will be different and deadly, delivering devastating blows in the most sensitive areas," Katz said.
He said the goal is to "shake and collapse the foundations" of Iran's leadership, an objective previously voiced by Israel and the United States early in the conflict but less emphasized in recent months.
Katz added that Israel is waiting for U.S. approval to "complete the elimination" of Iran's leadership, including the supreme leader and potential successors.
He warned that planned strikes would target critical infrastructure, saying they would "push Iran back into the dark ages" by hitting central energy and electricity facilities and crippling the country's economic infrastructure.
A ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect April 8 after 40 days of fighting. U.S. President Donald Trump extended the truce on Tuesday before it was due to expire Wednesday night.
Trump has also threatened to strike Iran's energy facilities and bridges if Tehran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The threat has drawn criticism from the international community, which says attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes.
Iran has warned that any strikes on its key infrastructure would trigger retaliation targeting energy and civilian facilities across the region. ■
