Israel's new defense minister said on Monday that Iran was "more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities."

"We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal — to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel," Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X.

Tensions between Israel and Iran are running high after both sides traded tit-for-tat missiles strikes, sparking fears of a wider Middle East war.

Israel has for years accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons.

According to recent reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is rapidly advancing its atomic program, enriching uranium up to 60%, just 30% below the grade needed for atomic weapons.

Iran has repeatedly denied the claims that it is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Katz replaced Yoav Gallant as Israel's defense minister last week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Gallant, citing disagreements over domestic political issues as well as the military campaign in Gaza.

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