Israel's Katz threatens to send Iran 'back into Stone Age'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz expressed a dire warning towards Iran on Thursday, threatening a catastrophic response should Iran launch an attack on Israel. In a statement to his office, Katz vowed to "strike all of Iran's national military and civilian infrastructure, including its energy infrastructure, and send Iran back into the Stone Age and an age of darkness."

During a meeting with Defence Ministry employees, Katz added that an Iranian strike on Israel would provide Israel with "freedom from any existing constraints." The Israeli leader also noted that Israel is observing indications that economic sanctions on Iran might prompt Tehran to resort to "drastic actions." Katz explained that the mounting economic pressure on Iran, coupled with fears of a regime change and potential regime collapse, could compel Iran to take "desperate measures."

This warning came after Katz announced on Wednesday that Israel is preparing for the possibility of an Iranian attack during the upcoming Jewish holidays. According to Israeli news outlet ynet, Katz stated, "Tehran likes to attack on holidays." Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is set to begin on the evening of Sunday.