Israeli President Addresses U.S. Involvement in Iran Conflict
Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Israel has no intention of involving the United States in a war with Iran. This remark comes amid rising concerns of a broader regional conflict following a U.S. strike on major Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday.
In an appearance on CNN’s “The State of the Union,” Herzog spoke with host Kasie Hunt about the situation. He acknowledged that the U.S. decision to deploy significant military assets, such as bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles targeting key nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, was made independently.
“We made it clear that we do not want to drag America into war,” Herzog expressed. He emphasized that U.S. actions are closely tied to its national security interests, indicating that the U.S. should make its own decisions regarding involvement. “We don’t intend to ask America to engage in conflict just because of Iranian threats against Israel,” he added.
Herzog characterized the U.S. decision to attack Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as a “right step,” suggesting that Iran’s nuclear ambitions pose risks not only to Israel but also to global security. He described these threats as pressing and clear, adding that U.S. leadership in the free world is inherently at stake.
“This decision was made due to the imminent danger posed by Iran’s nuclear program,” he remarked. “It is an ongoing threat to the security interests of all free world leaders, especially America.” He reinforced the point that such a move was necessary for the protection of free societies.
Despite acknowledging the military actions taken, Herzog noted the importance of considering diplomatic avenues moving forward. He highlighted the need for careful discussions, reflecting on previous negotiations that faltered due to lack of trust. “It’s about understanding the fundamentals; there’s a lengthy history that can’t be ignored,” he stated.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Herzog’s statements during his own segment on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. He asserted that the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran while also emphasizing that regime change is not a primary objective. The administration remains focused on diplomatic efforts.
