Israel announced today that its military will intensify and expand attacks against Iran and threatened to continue targeting high-ranking Iranian officials. The escalation is part of a joint offensive with the United States, launched on February 28.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that attacks by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Iranian military and security targets are ongoing “without rest.” Katz warned the “terrorist Iranian regime” against launching missiles at Israeli civilians but noted that, despite warnings, attacks continue.
“As a result, IDF operations will intensify and expand to additional targets and areas that help the regime produce and deploy weapons against Israeli citizens,” Katz said. He added that Israel will continue to eliminate regime leaders and commanders and destroy strategic capabilities.
Katz emphasized that Iranian authorities will “pay a high and increasing price” for their “war crimes” in Israel. “The home front in Israel and the IDF are strong, and we will continue to operate in Iran with all our power until all the objectives of the war are achieved,” he concluded.
Read more: Iran War: Trump extends deadline for Tehran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iranian authorities reported over 1,500 deaths in the Israeli and U.S. offensive, including prominent figures such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib, and other senior military and security officials.
The offensive comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations for a new nuclear deal, prompting Tehran to respond with attacks against Israeli territory and U.S. interests in the Middle East, including military bases.
