‘Mission not complete’: Israel warns Iran over 'renewed nuclear weapons efforts'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday warned that his country's military objectives against Iran remained unfinished, accusing Tehran of attempting to revive efforts to acquire nuclear weapons despite major Israeli and American strikes on its nuclear infrastructure.

Speaking at a ceremony commemorating Israeli soldiers killed during the 1956 military campaign against Egypt, Katz said Iran continued to pose a serious threat to Israel's national security.

"With regard to Iran, the mission is still not complete. Iran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons — alongside other grave efforts that place the State of Israel in real danger," Katz said.

Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes. Israel's latest allegation has not been independently established.

Katz's remarks came amid growing speculation about the possibility of renewed Israeli military operations against Iran, following two major bombing campaigns involving Israel and the United States since 2025.

𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened further military action against Iran in recent weeks, insisting that Tehran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

However, uncertainty remains over whether Netanyahu would receive support from US President Donald Trump for another military campaign.

Trump's Republican Party suffered significant setbacks in the November 3 US midterm elections, with public dissatisfaction over the conflict emerging as one of the issues affecting the administration.

The political developments have raised questions about Washington's willingness to support further Israeli military operations at a time when diplomatic efforts to contain the confrontation remain unresolved.

According to a report by Israel's Channel 12 television on Friday, Netanyahu and the Mossad intelligence agency had attempted to carry out an operation against Iran ahead of Israel's October 27 election, but the United States reportedly intervened to prevent it.

The reported operation and American intervention have not been independently confirmed.

𝗛𝗲𝘇𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱

Katz also issued a warning to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group, against participating in any renewed confrontation between Israel and Tehran.

He said Israel would maintain its military presence in security zones established in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, indicating that the government did not intend to withdraw from those areas.

"We will not withdraw from the security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and if the terrorist organisation Hezbollah chooses to join Iran in an attack on Israel, it will suffer extremely severe blows," Katz said.

The warning followed prolonged hostilities involving Israel, Iran and Hezbollah, which have contributed to instability across West Asia.

Israel launched extensive military operations in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired on Israeli territory during the wider regional conflict. Israeli forces have also maintained positions in parts of Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.

Katz's remarks suggested that Israel intends to maintain its existing military posture while retaining the option of further action against Iranian-linked forces.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹

The latest warning comes amid political uncertainty in Israel following the October 27 parliamentary election, in which Netanyahu suffered electoral setbacks.

His political rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, has been tasked with forming a new government.

Eisenkot has warned the Israeli military against becoming involved in another conflict to serve what he described as Netanyahu's political interests, arguing that the outgoing Prime Minister lacked the mandate to initiate a new war.

However, Eisenkot has broadly supported several of Netanyahu's previous military decisions, reflecting the extent to which security concerns remain central to Israeli politics.

Katz, meanwhile, called for national unity on security matters despite political disagreements.

"We may argue and we may disagree, but when the security of the state is at stake, we must know how to rise above our disputes," he said.

𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱

Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran has rejected the allegations and criticised Israeli and American attacks on its nuclear facilities.

Iran's uranium enrichment activities and restrictions on international monitoring have remained major sources of concern for Western governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

However, concerns over enrichment capabilities do not, by themselves, establish that Iran is currently manufacturing a nuclear weapon.

The latest Israeli warning comes as diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Washington continue through regional intermediaries.

On November 5, Reuters reported that Iran had submitted a nuclear proposal to the United States through Qatar, although Tehran maintained that negotiations would depend on Washington meeting its conditions.

The competing military threats and diplomatic demands have left the future of the confrontation uncertain, with Israel maintaining that its security objectives remain incomplete and Iran warning against further attacks.

The situation has renewed concerns that another round of hostilities could undermine efforts to stabilise the region and resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.