### Israel's Defense Minister Asserts Military Capability Against Iran's Nuclear Threat

Foreign Minister Israel Katz, speaking late Monday night, has underscored that the conditions for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear program have never been more favorable. Katz, who will soon take on the role of Defense Minister, emphasized that the current diplomatic, operational, and tactical situation is ripe for such an endeavor, describing it as "doable, realistic, and likely."

Katz pointed to Israeli military actions earlier this year to illustrate his point. Specifically, he referenced two significant Israeli counter-attacks that took place following extensive assaults from Tehran on April 13-14 and October 1. He highlighted these operations to demonstrate the Israeli Air Force's superiority over Iran's air defense systems. According to Katz, these operations not only showcased the advanced capabilities of Israeli forces but also clarified the need to eliminate the threat posed by Iran.

"There is an opportunity to achieve the most important goal - to thwart and remove the threat of destruction hanging over the State of Israel," Katz stated. He noted that there is a broad consensus among national and defense establishments regarding the necessity to neutralize Iran's nuclear ambitions. Katz stressed that this consensus extends beyond security considerations and includes diplomatic strategy as well.

However, despite Katz's strong statements, there remains some ambiguity about Israel's immediate readiness to act directly against Iran's nuclear facilities. Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid had previously advocated for such a strike on October 26, though the government opted instead to target approximately 20 locations related to ballistic missile production and air defense in Iran.

At this time, Katz's office had not provided a response to inquiries about the specific readiness for a nuclear program strike, especially in light of the decision against it on October 26. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have historically targeted weapon smuggling operations, particularly those focused on Syria, their efforts have not fully curtailed threats such as Hezbollah, which has amassed a substantial rocket arsenal despite these interventions.