Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Thursday that the economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran have demonstrated effectiveness. However, he cautioned that this increased pressure could push Tehran to take extreme actions in response.
Last month, the US Treasury announced a new series of sanctions to “asphyxiate” theIranian economy, and the US airforce resumed raids onIranon Sunday.
Israel launched the Middle East war alongside the United States in late February, but has stayed on the sidelines militarily since President Donald Trump sealed a ceasefire deal in April — even after that truce later fell apart. The hawkish minister reiterated the threats against the Islamic Republic that he has made in recent months.
“We see signs indicating that the heavy economic pressure they are under, and the fear of an uprising and the collapse of the regime, may push them to desperate steps,” Katz said at a ceremony for defence ministry employees. Last month, the US Treasury announced a new series of sanctions to “asphyxiate” the Iranian economy, and the US air force resumed raids on Iran on Sunday. “The ayatollahs’ regime in Iran knows very well why it does not attack Israel after we struck them powerfully twice, destroyed their nuclear programme, eliminated (supreme leader Ali) Khamenei, and severely damaged their strategic capabilities,” Katz said Thursday, referring to previous rounds of confrontation last year and earlier this year. “An Iranian attack on Israel will free Israel from any existing constraint,” he said.
