Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Israel had "no other choice" but to launch an attack on Iran due to its rapid progress toward developing a nuclear weapon. In an interview with Sky News, Herzog expressed concerns that Iran was moving swiftly toward nuclear capabilities while disguising its intentions.
The Israeli war cabinet has reportedly been discussing the possibility of targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This comes amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a plan to eliminate him. The situation escalated further as both Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes following Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.
Herzog emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program was advancing "dramatically," particularly in uranium enrichment and clandestine military preparations. He expressed a strong belief that Israel must act decisively to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, criticizing ongoing diplomatic negotiations as ineffective and based on deception.
In response to questions about the risks associated with the military actions, Herzog acknowledged the dangers of the conflict. He noted the ongoing missile attacks on Israel, stating that the country is prepared with advanced air defense systems. However, he lamented the casualties caused by these attacks, which have affected people of all ages.
Herzog reiterated Israel’s commitment to neutralizing the threat posed by Iran, citing the Iranian leadership’s longstanding calls for Israel’s destruction as a justification for their military actions. He concluded by stressing the importance of eliminating Iran’s capability to launch attacks against Israel.