Katz: Iran’s ballistic missiles still a threat, war was launched with ‘greenish’ light from Trump

In his briefing with reporters today, Defense Minister Israel Katz says the existential threat from Iran’s nuclear program has been removed, but Tehran’s missile arsenal will continue to occupy Israel’s attention.

Katz says Iran has decided to restore their ballistic missile capabilities, which were heavily damaged during the 12-day war last month.

Katz also details the preparation for the Iran war, which took place months in advance.

Several meetings were held with the IDF’s top brass regarding the US’s potential involvement in Israel’s war against Iran, with Katz deciding that Israel would accept at least a “greenish” light from America before going ahead with the operation, meaning approval for the opening strikes, but without the promise that the US would be directly involved on the offense or even willing to publicly back Israel.

Katz tells reporters that US President Donald Trump spoke with a senior Israeli official ahead of the opening strikes, telling him, “You better succeed, because if you fail and Netanyahu calls me, I’ll ask, ‘Who is Bibi?'”