Israeli President Calls for Action Against Iran Amid Growing Weapons Concerns

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated unequivocally Wednesday that Israel and the United States were compelled to “take action” against Iran in response to mounting concerns about the Islamic Republic’s aggressive nuclear ambitions.

In an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News, Herzog underscored that while there had been no public evidence from either side confirming Iran’s plans for a nuclear bomb, intelligence gathered by both countries indicated Tehran was preparing to expand its arsenal of long-range missiles dramatically—potentially tripling the number from 2,000 to 20,000.

He stressed, “When you know that they have invested all their nation’s resources and money in creating havoc in the Middle East as you try to make peace with Muslim countries, when you know they have another new secret plan to rush to the bomb, you have to act.”

While neither the U.S. nor Israel has provided substantive evidence of Iran’s nuclear capabilities or ambitions, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff indicated during a prior meeting that Iranian negotiators claimed they had sufficient uranium for making 11 nuclear bombs.

Herzog reiterated that despite the escalating conflict with no clear end in sight, Israel would not seek to engage directly on the ground. Instead, he advocated for international action against what he described as Iran’s destabilizing influence on regional affairs through its support for militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi rebels.

“We’re fed up,” Herzog declared. “One way or another, if it will lead to a regime change, the more the better.”

The president noted that Israel was not calling for military involvement by other Gulf states but rather emphasized coordination with U.S. authorities in this conflict. “Sometimes you have no choice, if you are hit, you have to fight back,” Herzog explained.

Herzog also addressed speculation about potential political changes within Iran’s leadership, stating: “It is not our job to decide who can lead Iran.”

In his interview, Herzog spoke candidly about the war’s objectives. He acknowledged that while regime change was “not necessarily” a goal, he saw the conflict as an opportunity for “Middle East change.” This encompassed weakening Iran’s capabilities to build and spread nuclear weapons, along with its role as a financier for terrorist groups worldwide.

Despite ongoing debate over whether U.S. support for the war would persist in the absence of public endorsement, Herzog conceded that such concerns were understandable given the unique nature of this conflict. “It is not a popular war in America,” he admitted, explaining how people’s understanding often lags behind the complexities of military campaigns.

Herzog further highlighted ongoing coordination between U.S. and Israeli forces. He described it as “superbly close” without delving into specifics regarding their joint operations or strategies against Iran’s nuclear program.

The international community remains divided on this conflict, with public opinion in America largely unswayed by the war’s purpose and effectiveness. A CBS News poll found that 62% of Americans believed there was insufficient clarity from Washington about its objectives for military action against Iran.