Israel is ready to strike Iran, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, as tensions between the two countries continue to mount following a deadly drone attack against a civilian commercial ship in the Gulf, writes The Jerusalem Post.

Speaking to Ynet, Gantz was asked by Attila Somfalvi if the Jewish State was ready to strike Tehran, to which he answered “yes”, adding that the Islamic Republic was a threat to the country, the Middle East, and the entire world.

Israel considers Iran’s nuclear program as the number one concern and though Tehran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons, it is believed that they are continuing to develop the capabilities to produce a nuclear arsenal and to make ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.