In a statement dripping with escalation, Israeli War Minister Yisrael Katz threatened Iran with direct strikes, warning that Tel Aviv would replicate in Tehran what it has done to Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Beirut, and the Assad government in Damascus — a dangerous expansion of Israel’s regional aggression.
The remarks came just days after Yemen’s Houthi movement reportedly targeted Ben Gurion Airport in the heart of occupied Palestine. Katz, in a statement issued Thursday, declared:
“I warn the Iranian leadership that funds, arms, and directs the terrorist Houthi organization: the era of proxy wars is over. You are now directly responsible. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus, and to the Houthis in Yemen — we will do to you in Tehran.”
The threat marks a significant escalation, especially amid rising tensions between Israel and the Axis of Resistance stretching from Palestine to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Houthi Operations and Regional Response
Katz also warned the Yemeni resistance group Ansarullah (Houthis) of severe retaliation should they continue targeting Israeli assets, saying:
“Israel must be able to defend itself by itself, against any threat and any enemy.”
These statements came amid growing regional resistance in solidarity with Gaza, which has been enduring a months-long genocidal campaign by Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Iran welcomed Oman’s diplomatic mediation, which recently facilitated a ceasefire agreement between the United States and the Houthi movement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei praised Oman’s efforts and reiterated Tehran’s support for Yemen’s sovereignty and resistance.
Baghaei highlighted Yemen’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli aggression:
“Yemen stood with Palestine against genocide and occupation — and the peoples of the region will not forget that.”
He added that the United States is complicit in Israel’s crimes, especially in the context of airstrikes and war crimes committed against Yemen. He called on the international community to take immediate and effective action to halt Israeli attacks on Yemen’s civilian infrastructure and the killing of innocent people.
Ceasefire Reached — But Gaza Remains a Priority
On Tuesday, Oman’s Foreign Ministry announced that Muscat had mediated direct talks between the U.S. and the Houthis, leading to a preliminary ceasefire agreement — a move welcomed by several Arab nations.
Following Oman’s announcement, the Houthi leadership confirmed the agreement but made one thing clear:
This truce does not impact our continued support for Gaza and the Palestinian cause.
Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis had agreed not to launch further attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. In return, Washington promised to suspend its own aerial bombardments of Yemeni territory.
The Bigger Picture: Resistance Grows, Threats Ring Hollow
While Israel issues threats from Tel Aviv to Tehran, the broader Axis of Resistance continues to gain ground, politically and militarily. Whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or Yemen, the unified message remains clear:
The era of impunity is over. Resistance will not stop until justice is served — in Palestine and across the Ummah.
Israel’s threats against Iran are not new — but their repetition signals a growing desperation in Tel Aviv, as its myth of military supremacy continues to unravel in the face of steadfast resistance from Gaza to Sanaa.
