Israel to brace for year of war on Iran, says new military chief

The new head of Israel's military, Eyal Zamir, warned that 2025 would be focused on war with Iran and its regional allied groups.

During his first meeting with the General Staff Forum on Wednesday, he said, “2025 will be a year of war, focusing on Gaza, Iran, and preserving and deepening achievements in other arenas.”

It comes as the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza looks ever more fragile and talk from the US President Donald Trump and Israel’s political and military leaders continues to focus on the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said this week that Iran remains its greatest threat following talks with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

"The Minister of Defense and the Secretary of Defense agreed that Iran is the main threat to the region, and that close cooperation between Israel and the United States should continue with the aim of preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons," a statement from his office said.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement to say that he has signed a declaration to use emergency authorities to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.

Israel’s new Chief of Staff emphasized the importance of the value of victory in battle, announcing a multi-year plan set to begin in the second half of the year.

Last year, Israel and Iran’s shadow war came to the fore when Tehran launched two direct strikes on the Jewish state, sparking heavy retaliations from Israel, which targeted military and nuclear research facilities, and swathes of the country’s defense systems.

Last month, The Washington Post reported that US intelligence reports pointed to more Israeli strikes on nuclear related sites in Iran while Iran has promised a third strike on Israel.

"Operation True Promise 3 will occur at the right time," IRGC deputy commander Ali Fadavi said last month.

Overnight Wednesday, Donald Trump posted a harsh warning to Iran-backed Hamas, warning that if the remaining hostages are not handed over, there will be “hell to pay”.

"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote on X.

“Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”