Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Iran was attempting to build a nuclear weapon and that the war against the Islamic Republic is not over. 

“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,” Katz said on Sunday. 

Katz added that Israel is “determined today, more than ever, to stand firm over its destiny, to act preemptively and to pursue a proactive and offensive policy against our enemies.

The remarks come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing the US to escalate the war. At the same time, President Donald Trump says he wants to give negotiations time to play out. 

On Sunday, Trump told CNN that it was highly unlikely that the US would have to bomb Iran again. “It depends on whether ‌or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump said in a phone interview. “The answer is, highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary.”

However, Trump has also recently said there are Iranian nuclear sites he still wants to bomb. 

One way Israel could interfere with any agreement Trump negotiates with Iran is by continuing to attack Lebanon. Hezbollah is an ally of Tehran, and Iran has linked any agreement to end the war with Israel ending its war against Lebanon. 

Katz rejects any withdrawal from the territory it occupies in the region. “We will not withdraw from the security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and if the terrorist organization Hezbollah chooses to join Iran in an attack on Israel, it will suffer extremely severe blows,” the Israeli Defense Minister said.

The statement comes as Netanyahu’s primary opposition, Gadi Eisenkot, is attempting to form a new government. During last month’s election, Netanyahu’s coalition failed to secure a majority.