Israel's Push for Renewed Strikes on Iran – The Latest Developments
Introduction
On May 14th, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz reiterated that Israel is now ready to launch another strike on Iran. While he stated that an immediate strike is not imminent, he emphasized that Israel must continue its campaign to hit all of Iran's strategic locations in order to achieve its objectives .
The defense minister's remarks came just one day after US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that talks with Iran were progressing, but that no final deal was currently on the table .
Israel's Stance
Speaking at a memorial service for Israeli civilians, Katz declared that Israel's mission is not yet over. He argued that Israel must achieve its goals by any means necessary to ensure that Iran does not become a threat to its neighbors and the United States. According to Katz, it is time for Israel to launch a military operation against Iran again .
The Defense Minister stated that Israel is ready and has the capability to strike as soon as possible, warning that Iran must prepare to be hit by Israeli aircraft once more . He also noted that recent operations in southern Lebanon destroyed many Hezbollah bases that Iran supports, but now Israel is turning its focus back toward Iran itself .
Independence from and Coordination with the US
Katz emphasized that Israel is no longer waiting for a "green light" from the United States. He argued that it is Israel's duty and mission to act, and that this must happen even before the United States moves . However, he also acknowledged that Israel is still coordinating with the US to ensure that its military operation against Iran receives some level of American support, particularly for air defense protection .
Historical Context
This would not be the first time Israel has acted independently. In June 2025, Israel launched a unilateral campaign against Iran without waiting for US military intervention. At that time, Israel carried out a covert attack using its warplanes. It was only later that the US intervened, dispatching two strategic bombers that dropped more than 13 tons of munitions on an Iranian nuclear facility . President Donald Trump ultimately helped de-escalate that crisis, ending the 12-day war.
On February 28, 2026, a major joint operation began. Israeli and US warplanes—reportedly joined by Saudi aircraft—bombed and fired missiles at key targets across Iran . That day, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed along with at least seven of his generals. During the 40-day campaign, the US and Israel claimed to have dropped more than 30,000 bombs on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, missile depots, factories, and bridges across the country .
Iran's Response and Current Capabilities
Iran launched immediate retaliatory strikes against Israel and US targets throughout the Middle East. Major Israeli facilities caught fire, particularly in Tel Aviv and the city of Jaljulya. Ho
