TEL AVIV (VINnews)-IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told graduating pilots that Israel’s campaign against Iran is far from complete, with new plans in development and major operations still expected.

“On the drawing board are new plans. Major operations are still expected to lie ahead of us. Be prepared,” Zamir said in brief remarks at the Israel Air Force pilots’ graduation ceremony.

Zamir said he would not deliver his full planned speech after lengthy addresses by the president, prime minister and defense minister.

“You’ve been through captivity training, that also prepared you for this ceremony,” he quipped to the new pilots.

In the undelivered portion of his speech, Zamir was set to highlight the high state of readiness maintained by Israeli forces in recent weeks amid tensions across the Middle East.

“Hundreds of Israeli Air Force planes were on standby for immediate takeoff,” the prepared text stated. “Even at this moment, we are closely monitoring developments in Iran and Lebanon and remain on high alert for immediate action.”