Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the country's military campaign against Iran is far from over, accusing Tehran of trying to revive its nuclear weapons efforts.

Speaking on Sunday at a ceremony honouring Israeli soldiers killed in the 1956 military campaign against Egypt, Katz said Iran remained a serious threat to Israel's security. "With regard to Iran, the mission is still not complete. Iran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons — alongside other grave efforts that place the State of Israel in real danger," he said.

Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said recently that there was no evidence so far that Iran was rebuilding nuclear facilities damaged in the Israeli and American strikes of June 2025.

Katz also warned Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon, against joining any renewed confrontation. He said Israel would not withdraw from the security zones it holds in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and that Hezbollah would suffer "extremely severe blows" if it chose to attack Israel alongside Iran.

The warning comes as speculation grows about fresh Israeli military action against Iran, following two major bombing campaigns involving Israel and the United States since 2025. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened further strikes.

Israel's Channel 12 reported on Friday that Netanyahu and the Mossad spy agency had tried to launch an operation against Iran on the eve of Israel's 27 October election, but that Washington intervened to stop it. That report has not been independently confirmed.

Katz's remarks also come amid political uncertainty in Israel, where Netanyahu lost ground in the 27 October election and his rival Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government.