April 23, 2026, 9:11 p.mApril 23, 2026, 9:11 p.m
According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israel is “ready to resume the war against Iran.” Israel is waiting for the green light from the USA, he said during an assessment of the situation in the evening, according to information from his office.
The goals have already been set. The main aim is to finally destroy “the Khamenei dynasty” and destroy important energy and electricity systems as well as the national economic infrastructure. Katz spoke of taking Iran “back to the Stone Age.”
Speculation about health status
The term “dynasty” is primarily aimed at the accusation of a hereditary transfer of power within the Khamenei family. Revolutionary leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an air strike on February 28, had been at the head of the Islamic Republic since 1989. There have been reports for years that his son Moschtaba could succeed him as supreme leader. Such dynastic succession is highly controversial in Iran. It contradicts the original spirit of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which was directed against the hereditary monarchy of the Shah family.
Modshtaba Khamenei was appointed as supreme leader on March 8. Since then there have been no photos, audio or video recordings of him. This fuels speculation about his health, his whereabouts and the role he currently plays in the Iranian system.
Trump made similar threats
US President Donald Trump also made a similar martial threat to Katz several weeks ago. “We will take them back to the Stone Age, where they belong,” he said at the time. This and the destruction of civilian infrastructure sparked great anger and indignation among many Iranians, including government opponents.
According to international humanitarian law, targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure are prohibited unless it is also used for military purposes. But even if a civilian object is also used for military purposes, the expected military advantage must be proportionate to the foreseeable civilian damage. (sda/dpa)