Israeli FM says military option on Iran remains if US talks fail
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that military action against Iran remains an option if negotiations between Washington and Tehran fail.
US President Donald Trump is currently prioritizing a maritime blockade strategy that is “hurting Iran economically,” Saar said in an exclusive interview, adding that if US-Iran talks fail again, “then, of course, the military option will be considered.”
Israel will give diplomacy a chance “until the minute when President Trump decides we should move to another path,” he said.
Saar dismissed as “ridiculous” claims that Israel exerts outsized influence over Washington or drew the US into the war with Iran that began on February 28.
“President Trump himself has said Israel did not drag him into this war. Do you think he is the kind of guy you can drag into things? He is a strong and bold leader,” he said.
Saar added that the US and Israel are aligned in seeking to ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons, describing Tehran as “the most radical regime on earth.” He said this goal could be achieved if Iran agrees to key US demands, including transferring enriched uranium out of the country and permanently ending enrichment.
Lebanon and Hezbollah
Saar accused the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia of dragging Lebanon into the conflict at Tehran’s direction, against the will of the Lebanese government and people.
He said Hezbollah is attempting to undermine ongoing direct Israeli-Lebanese talks, while reiterating that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.
More than 10,000 rockets, missiles, and drones have been launched from Lebanon into Israel since Hezbollah joined the war on March 2, Saar said, adding that Israel “cannot tolerate” such attacks.
He said Israel would withdraw from Lebanon once Hezbollah and other armed groups in the country are dismantled, the Lebanese state asserts full authority, and only official state forces remain armed.
According to Saar, the Israeli military presence in Lebanon is currently aimed at preventing potential incursions by Hezbollah into Israel.
Hamas and Gaza
Turning to Gaza, Saar said Israel has “dramatically” reduced the threat posed by Hamas, adding that the group no longer has the military capacity it once did and was unable to join the latest war with Iran, unlike Hezbollah.
He said talks on Hamas’ disarmament and the “demilitarization” of the Gaza Strip are taking place “mainly in Cairo” between Hamas and Trump’s Board of Peace.
Saar said Israel prefers a diplomatic resolution but warned that other options will be considered if negotiations fail.
