Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, claimed on Saturday that during the recent conflict, the U.S. and Israel dropped a combined total of 35,000 bombs on Iran, asserting that the majority were launched by Israel.
Kabul 24: Katz stated that the operation against Iran remains unfinished and affirmed that Israel is fully prepared to resume military strikes with full force. He explicitly warned that should hostilities recommence, all Iranian energy infrastructure would be targeted to push the country back to the “Stone Age”. He further claimed that the collapse of the Iranian regime would pave the way for regional normalization with Israel.
These statements coincide with widespread media reports in Israel and the U.S. speculating on potential new strikes ahead of upcoming elections in both nations. The Israeli newspaper *Israel Hayom* highlighted intensifying discussions in Washington and Jerusalem, suggesting a campaign could launch in late October. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment in a interview to overthrowing the Iranian regime and permanently preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, asserting that he is the only leader capable of executing this goal.
Analysis
The aggressive posture by the Israeli Defense Minister and Prime Minister reflects a calculated effort to maintain maximum psychological and strategic pressure on Tehran. Citing high bomb counts and openly threatening energy infrastructure serve as a deterrent maneuver and a justification for potential future escalation. However, aligning these military warnings with political timelines in Israel and the U.S. suggests these statements also cater to domestic audiences, aimed at reassuring hardline factions ahead of upcoming electoral events.
