Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said Tuesday that Israel has reached a position of unprecedented strength and security, declaring that the country no longer faces an existential threat.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, Katz credited this shift to the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, whom he identified as the central figure behind efforts to destroy Israel, as well as to major military campaigns carried out under the names “Like a Lion” and “Rising Lion,” which he said dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities.

At the same time, Katz cautioned that the operation has not yet achieved all of its objectives. He noted that Iran still possesses enriched nuclear material that could potentially be used to revive its weapons program. “The United States and Israel have defined the removal of this material from Iran as a prerequisite for ending the campaign,” Katz stated, adding that this issue remains a primary focus of ongoing coordination with the Trump administration.

Addressing the broader regional picture, Katz said the balance of power has shifted significantly. He pointed to the fall of the Syrian regime and said that Hezbollah and Hamas have both suffered major setbacks, leaving them no longer capable of presenting a strategic danger to Israel.

He concluded by making clear that Israel’s military efforts are continuing, saying the IDF will persist in targeting any remaining threats posed by these groups “with full commitment and maximum force.”