According to news from CCTV News client: Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated at the conclusion of a strategic assessment on the 23rd that Israel is ready to restart war with Iran, "awaiting only the green light from the United States."
On one hand, negotiations are being restarted; on the other, war preparations are underway. As allies and adversaries of Iran, Israel's open divergence at this critical juncture between war and peace reveals its belligerent nature in full. Katz’s latest statement, made against the backdrop of stalled diplomatic talks, represents an extreme form of pressure—targeted not only at Iran but primarily at the United States. The intent is to force America to choose between "diplomatic constraints" and "escalation of war."
Katz’s language is extremely hardline, clearly outlining a comprehensive war objective far exceeding mere "stopping Iran’s nuclear program," aiming to push Iran back into a "dark age":
Firstly, politically, "decapitation"—completely eliminating the influence of the Khamenei family and their successors, seeking to dismantle Iran’s current regime at its roots.
Economically, "paralysis"—simultaneously planning to destroy Iran’s energy, power, and national economic infrastructure, fundamentally cutting off its war potential.
Katz emphasized that Israel is "waiting only for the U.S. green light," reflecting the delicate balance of pressure and counterbalance currently existing between Washington and Tel Aviv.
The White House seeks to weaken Iran through Israel as a proxy while simultaneously fearing responsibility for direct military escalation. Trump’s recent inconsistent stance—prolonging the ceasefire indefinitely—and mounting public opposition (56% of Americans oppose military action) have constrained his decision-making.
Israel’s anxiety lies in its heavy reliance on U.S. logistical and air support at this stage. As demonstrated by the joint raid in late February 2026, Israel’s long-range strikes especially depend on American cover due to its limited domestic resources. If a ceasefire were now to be implemented, all previous military efforts would be rendered meaningless.
Katz’s remarks represent an extremely high-risk “brinkmanship” strategy. On the surface, he appears to await U.S. approval, but in reality, he is actively pushing the United States into a decisional dilemma. While such tactics may gain leverage at the negotiating table, they risk triggering the sixth Arab-Israeli war, plunging the entire region—and even the world—into deeper turmoil. Yet this is precisely what Netanyahu wants: using war to prolong his political survival and avoid a decade in prison.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863279728363532/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.