Israeli defence minister threatens Iran with 'Gaza-like' action amid nuclear talks

Israel's defence minister Israel Katz threatened Iran with 'Gaza-like' action on Thursday amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are backed by Tehran.

In a statement, Katz issued a warning to Yemen's Houthis, saying: "The Houthis will absorb heavy blows from Israel if they continue firing toward us. The IDF is prepared for any mission."

He also went further with a warning to Iran, which has supported the group since the outbreak of civil war in Yemen in 2014.

"The proxy method is over and the axis of evil has collapsed. You bear responsibility. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus and the Houthis in Yemen, will also be done to you in Tehran," he said. 

Since the outbreak of war in Gaza, Israel's military has attacked and sometimes severely weakened Iran's militia allies in the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

Iran and its affiliated militias are sometimes labelled the "axis of resistance".

Israel has also killed much of Hamas's top leadership while besieging and laying waste to most of Gaza, killing over 52,000 people and displacing the majority of the enclave's population.

Its war with Hezbollah also saw large-scale destruction across the country, including Beirut's southern suburbs, as well as the elimination of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top leaders.

Iran's influence in the region was also severely curtailed by the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad, in December 2024, following a Syrian rebel military offensive.

While the current Syrian leadership is considered unfriendly to Iran, Israel is continuing with airstrikes and incursions in the country.

The threats by Katz come following the announcement of a truce between the US and the Houthis, with the US conducting a months-long aerial campaign after the Houthis attacked ships they said are linked to Israel in the Red Sea.

The Houthis launched the campaign in late 2023 in what they said was an act of solidarity with Palestinians suffering under Israeli bombardment in Gaza.

Although they have said they will cease their attacks on shipping,  the Houthis have vowed to continue to attack Israel and respond to a series of strikes that destroyed Sanaa airport on Tuesday.

Amid the Israeli threats against Iran, US President Donald Trump said in an interview that the US would want to blow up Iran's nuclear facilities.

"I would much prefer a strong, verified deal where we actually blow them up… or just de-nuke them," he said, adding, "there are only two alternatives there, blow them up nicely or blow them up viciously."

The administration has previously indicated that Iran may be able to retain a civilian nuclear programme. However, Trump said in a separate comment on Wednesday that a decision has yet to be made on the issue.

Vice President J.D. Vance, on Wednesday, said:  "We don't care if people want nuclear power. We're fine with that, but you can't have the kind of enrichment programme that allows you to get to a nuclear weapon, and that's where we draw the line."

On the negotiations, he said: "We've been very happy [that] the Iranians have responded to some of the points that we've made," adding, "so far, we're on the right pathway."