Israel is preparing for the possibility that the Iranian regime will open a new direct front during the Jewish High Holidays, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning that any missile or drone attack will trigger a powerful Israeli response against Iran.

Speaking at a conference hosted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the IDF and Israel’s defense establishment are monitoring developments around the clock, including through secure late-night consultations. Israel does not intend to be surprised, he stressed, and will coordinate with Washington without surrendering its freedom to act independently. “Our planes are ready to take off.”

Iran has so far concentrated its latest attacks on American forces and U.S.-linked targets elsewhere in the region. Katz warned, however, that Tehran could abruptly redirect its fire toward Israel, particularly as the Jewish holidays approach. He said Israel is prepared both defensively and offensively and will not accept an Iranian attack under any pretext involving Lebanon, Gaza or Judea & Samaria.

The warning follows the heaviest exchange between Washington and Tehran in weeks. U.S. Central Command said American forces struck IRGC air-defense systems, radar installations, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites after Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. personnel.

The Islamic Republic retaliated with missiles and drones targeting American positions in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraqi Kurdistan. Initial U.S. assessments found no American fatalities, while Gulf governments reported interceptions and limited damage. Saudi Arabia separately accused Iran of attacking a state-owned tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, killing two Filipino crew members.

Katz said Israel is currently allowing the United States to lead the military response because the immediate confrontation centers on the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of navigation and global energy supplies. That restraint should not be mistaken for passivity. Israel continues to monitor Iran daily and retains full operational freedom should Tehran attempt to widen the war.

The defense minister also restated Israel’s permanent red line over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Katz said the Israeli-American campaign destroyed the regime’s nuclear-weapons production chain and that Israel has not detected a restart. Any attempt to rebuild the program, he warned, could produce another joint Israeli-American strike.

That assessment cannot yet be fully verified internationally. The International Atomic Energy Agency says inspectors still lack access to key Iranian facilities and cannot account for 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, material that could be brought to weapons grade if further enriched. The agency has described that information gap as an urgent proliferation concern.

The broader war has already moved through major strikes, a temporary truce and failed diplomatic arrangements without producing a lasting settlement. The renewed attacks across the Gulf demonstrate how quickly sporadic fighting can again become a regional confrontation involving military bases, commercial shipping, international airspace and Israel’s home front.

Katz’s message leaves Tehran little room for miscalculation: Israel is watching, its defenses are prepared and an attack during the Jewish holidays will be answered directly and forcefully.