Iran may take 'desperate steps' under pressure: Israel

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that economic pressure on Iran could push Tehran into “desperate steps”, while warning that any Iranian attack on Israel would bring a major Israeli response.

Katz told a ceremony for defence ministry employees that US economic sanctions against Iran had proved effective. He said Israel saw signs that pressure on Iran and fear of unrest “may push them to desperate steps”.

He said an Iranian attack on Israel would “free Israel from any existing constraint” and warned that Israel would strike Iran's national military and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.

Katz had said Wednesday that Israel was prepared to respond “with great force” if Iran attacked during the Jewish high holiday season, which begins in mid-September.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also said Wednesday that Israel did not currently plan to join the war, but would respond if attacked by Iran.

Israel launched the Middle East war alongside the United States in late February, but has stayed militarily on the sidelines since President Donald Trump sealed a ceasefire deal in April, even after that truce later fell apart.

Last month, the US Treasury announced new sanctions intended to “asphyxiate” the Iranian economy, and the US air force resumed raids on Iran on Sunday. Iran has attacked US military targets in the Gulf and in Jordan, but has refrained from targeting Israel.

Katz also claimed Thursday that Iran had avoided attacking Israel because Israel had struck Iran in earlier confrontations, destroyed its nuclear programme, killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei and damaged its strategic capabilities.