Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz Announces Expansion of Military Operations Against Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday, March 27, 2026, that the IDF will "intensify" and "expand" its attacks against military and security targets in Iran, as the conflict that began on February 28, 2026 continued into its fourth week. Katz also threatened that Israel would continue assassinating senior Iranian officials, and stated that Israel had warned the Iranian government against firing missiles at Israeli civilians. The announcement came as Iranian state media reported that the country's nuclear facilities had come under attack, hours after the Israeli escalation warning. The IFRC reported more than 1,900 deaths in Iran since the start of the U.S. and Israeli strikes. The conflict has drawn sustained international attention, with a U.S. peace proposal currently under consideration and an Iranian response expected later on Friday.

Katz warns Iran over civilian missile fire Katz made clear that Israel held the Iranian government directly responsible for any missile attacks on Israeli civilians. „The Israel Defense Forces attacks against military and security targets in Iran continue unabated” — Israel Katz via ABC TU DIARIO EN ESPAÑOL He added that Israel had formally warned what he called the "Iranian terrorist regime" against directing missiles at the Israeli civilian population. The threat to continue assassinating senior Iranian officials marked a significant escalation in Israeli rhetoric, signaling that leadership targeting remained an active component of the campaign. Israeli military officials had previously noted, according to web search results, that Iran possessed approximately 2,500 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel before the war began, and that over 335 missile launchers had been destroyed. The combination of infrastructure strikes and leadership targeting reflects a dual-track Israeli military strategy in the ongoing operation.

Iran's nuclear sites hit as peace talks hang in balance Iranian state media reported that nuclear facilities inside the country had come under attack, according to web search results, in the hours following Katz's escalation announcement. The targeting of nuclear infrastructure represents one of the most sensitive dimensions of the conflict, given the longstanding international concern over Iran's nuclear program. At the same time, a source cited in web search results indicated that Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal was expected later on Friday, suggesting diplomatic channels remained open despite the intensifying military activity. The convergence of escalating strikes and a pending diplomatic response created a volatile backdrop for any potential negotiations. The IFRC's figure of more than 1,900 deaths since the start of hostilities underscored the human toll of the four-week campaign. No confirmed information was available on civilian casualty figures on the Israeli side from the sources reviewed.

The U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, designated Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026. The initial strikes killed Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran's Supreme Leader. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed Supreme Leader on March 9, 2026. The conflict represented the most direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran following years of proxy engagements across the region.

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