In brief
Israel’s defense chief, Israel Katz, reiterated concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and vowed to keep forces in key front‑lines. He warned Hezbollah of severe retaliation if it helps Iran and emphasized Israel’s readiness to pre‑empt threats, amid domestic political changes. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, has found no evidence that Iran rebuilt nuclear facilities after 2025 and 2026 attacks, though inspectors report limited access.
Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Israel’s mission against Iran is "not yet complete," renewing accusations that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons — a claim Iran denies. The remarks came during a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem.
Israel cannot accept these threats and will act as necessary.Katz added that Israel would not withdraw troops from the areas it occupies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and warned Hezbollah that any support for Iran would trigger serious retaliation. He urged Israelis to unite over the major tasks still ahead, as national security hangs in the balance. Katz’s remarks arrived as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to form a new government after the latest election left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc without a parliamentary majority. In a related development, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi reported on October 27 that the UN nuclear watchdog had detected no evidence of Iranian attempts to repair or rebuild nuclear facilities destroyed in U.S. and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026. However, Grossi noted that inspectors’ limited access has prevented full verification of Iran’s nuclear activities. These statements reflect the heightened tension in the region and the ongoing debate over Iran’s nuclear program.
