Israel’s defence minister says his country is prepared to respond “with great force” if attacked by Iran, after Iranian forces targeted US military positions across the region, according to AFP.

Israel Katz says Israeli forces are prepared for a possible attack over the Jewish high holiday season, which begins in mid-September.

“For now, they are striking throughout the region except us,” he tells a conference hosted by Israeli news site Ynet and newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

“But there is a possibility that they will attack us. We are prepared for that defensively.”

If Iran did attack, Israel would “respond with great force, independently of anyone else”, Katz said, adding that “our planes are ready to take off”.