Israel warns of new Iran strikes

Israel warns of new Iran strikes

Israel has warned that it could launch fresh military strikes against Iran if Tehran resumes efforts to develop nuclear weapons or rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities, signaling that tensions between the two countries remain high months after their latest confrontation.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen issued the warning during an interview with Israeli media, according to Arab media reports. He said Israel would take military action if Iran attempted to restart its nuclear programme or moved toward producing nuclear weapons.

Cohen stressed that a potential agreement between Iran and the United States would not prevent Israel from acting if Tehran continued to pursue capabilities that Israel considers a direct threat to its security.

“Even if Iran reaches an agreement with the United States, we will act if it develops nuclear weapons,” Cohen said, according to reports of the interview.

The minister further warned that Israel would regard any attempt by Iran to revive its nuclear programme as a serious mistake. He said Israel would target Iranian facilities and capabilities if Tehran resumed activities aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

Cohen also defended Israel’s previous military action against Iran, claiming that the strikes had significantly disrupted Tehran’s nuclear programme. He argued that Iran could have obtained nuclear weapons if Israel had not intervened.

According to Cohen, the combined US and Israeli military campaign pushed Iran’s nuclear programme back by between two and four years. He did not provide independent evidence to support the estimate, and the actual extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains a matter of international assessment.

The Israeli minister’s comments reflect the continued importance of Iran’s nuclear programme in Israel’s security policy. Israel has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and has previously threatened to use military force if it believes diplomatic efforts cannot prevent Tehran from reaching that capability.

The warning also comes against the backdrop of a major escalation between Iran, Israel and the United States earlier this year. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against targets in Iran, triggering a wider confrontation in the region.

The attacks reportedly caused heavy casualties among senior Iranian officials and military commanders. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was also reported killed in the strikes, along with several senior generals.

The conflict raised fresh international concerns about the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, regional security and the possibility of further military escalation. Any attempt by Tehran to rebuild damaged nuclear facilities or expand its ballistic missile programme could increase pressure on Israel and the United States.

Cohen’s latest remarks suggest that Israel intends to maintain close surveillance of Iran’s military and nuclear activities and could respond with force if it concludes that Tehran is rebuilding its strategic capabilities.

The statement also sends a warning to Iran that diplomatic agreements alone may not be enough to prevent Israeli military action. At the same time, any new Israeli strike could carry significant regional risks, particularly if Iran responds by targeting Israeli or US interests in the Middle East.

The possibility of renewed attacks therefore remains a major concern for regional governments and international powers seeking to prevent another large-scale conflict in the Middle East.