Mission not complete: Israel warns Iran, threatens Hezbollah with severe blows

As Israel prepares for a change of guard, Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday declared that the country's mission against Iran was not yet complete, accusing Tehran of renewing its efforts to develop nuclear weapons and warning that any fresh threat to Israel would invite a strong response.

Katz also issued a stern warning to Lebanon-based Hezbollah, saying the militant group would face "extremely severe blows" if it joined Iran in an attack on Israel.

"Concerning 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, according to news agency AFP.

The Israeli minister's remarks came a day after President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, with trying to form a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.

Israel has accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons,



a charge Tehran has consistently denied. Iran has been targeted twice since last year in major Israeli-US bombing campaigns, further escalating tensions between the two regional adversaries.

Katz's remarks also came amid renewed threats from caretaker Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has repeatedly warned of possible fresh military action against Iran in recent weeks.

Last week, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu and the country's intelligence agency, Mossad, had attempted to launch an operation against Iran on the eve of Israel's October 27 election. However, the United States reportedly learnt of the plan and intervened to stop it.

Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming the government, has warned the Israeli military that Netanyahu does not have a mandate to launch another war and that the armed forces should not be drawn into military action to serve the Prime Minister's "political needs".

Despite their political differences, Eisenkot has largely backed Netanyahu's military decisions.