Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, now says that the country’s war with Iran is entering a “decisive phase” as he cautioned that it would “continue as long as necessary”.
Katz, while speaking to the media on Friday, March 14, praised the United States for striking Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island, located off the country’s southwest coast.
“The global and regional struggle against Iran, led by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is escalating and entering a decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary,” Katz told military top brass in a televised statement.
“Only the Iranian people can put an end to this through a determined struggle, until the fall of the terror regime and the saving of Iran,” he added.
Israel Says War With Iran Entering ‘Decisive Phase’
This comes after explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US Embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.
In videos shared, black smoke could be seen rising above Washington’s embassy in Iraq, the second time it has been targeted since February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran and plunged the Gulf into a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy.
Also Read: Five U.S. Air Force Tankers Hit in Iranian Missile Strike at Foreign Base
Iran appears determined to fight on despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower. It has launched missile and drone attacks against at least 10 of its neighbours and has choked off traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Israel’s army warned people in an industrial zone of Tabriz in northern Iran to evacuate, signaling an imminent attack.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said its air defences intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones launched from Iran on Saturday.
The ministry said in a statement that since the start of the Iran war on February 28, UAE air defences have intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 drones.
At least six people have been killed and 141 injured over that period, the statement added.
Also Read: Obama Era Again? How Iran Is Forcing Trump to Pay Billions to End the War
Iran’s Demands
Iran has in the past stated that its conflict with the United States and Israel can only be resolved if Tehran’s three demands are met.
In a post on social media platform X, the Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the conflict could only end if Iran’s “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, compensation is paid for damages, and strong international guarantees are provided to prevent future attacks- demands that have revived comparisons to payments made during the Obama era.
“Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region. The only way to end this war–ignited by the Zionist regime and US–is recognising Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression,” he wrote.
