Israel is ready to resume the war with Iran and awaits for a "green light" from the Trump administration, according to the country's defense minister.
Speaking after a security assessment on Thursday, Israel Katz said that the country is ready for defensive and offensive operations and "targets are marked."
However, the path forward for the conflict is unclear. President Donald Trump has extended a two-week ceasefire that was set to expire, pushing back any immediate resumption of major strikes while maintaining a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Negotiations, however, are deadlocked, with Trump saying it's because Iranian officials are "having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is."
"They just don't know! The infighting is between the "Hardliners," who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the 'Moderates,' who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY! We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is 'Sealed up Tight,' until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!" he added in a social media publication on Thursday.
However, Trump also said on Thursday that he ordered U.S. forces to "shoot and kill" Iranian boats blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
"I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!) that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said in a social media publication.
"There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine 'sweepers' are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!" he added.
Iran is also touting its blockade of the key waterway, with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi saying in a social media post that the country's "mosquito fleet" of speedboats and underwater drones were effective in preventing ships from transiting.
"The IRGC's mosquito fleet, with speedboats and drones, lies in wait from the sea caves of Faror Island for the American aggressor warships, ready to saturate their air defenses and bring utter ruin upon the invaders," the official added.
