New Israeli FM urges joint Israel-US effort to curb Iran’s nukes

In his first press conference since taking over as Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar told reporters the country’s first priority is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"The most important issue for the future of this region and the security of the State of Israel is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” he said on Monday.

As news of the incoming Donald Trump administration was still fresh, he told reporters: “I am sure that we can work together with the US to stabilize the region and to secure its future. Nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran will pose a danger not only to Israel but also to other countries in the region.”

Sa’ar took over the role after the previous minister, Israel Katz, was named Defense Minister after the dramatic government reshuffle following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firing of Yoav Gallant.

He was brought back to government at the end of September so Netanyahu could bolster the right-wing coalition and reduce his dependence on the religious members, many of whom have threatened to quit multiple times since the government was formed almost two years ago.

"This [nuclear] is the most important issue from the point of view of the State of Israel consistent with all administrations in the United States: that Iran will not be able to obtain nuclear weapons.”

Iran has reached 60% uranium enrichment which is one step short of fissile material needed for nuclear weapons, though the authorities say the program is for peaceful means.

The UN’s nuclear chief, Raphael Grossi, is visiting Iran on Wednesday as one third of the UN’s inspectors remain barred from Iran and monitoring of nuclear activities severely restricted.

Sa’ar, the leader of the New Hope party, used the press conference in the midst of the Gaza war and conflict in Lebanon as the chance to address Iran and its militias around Israel’s borders.

Since the Iran-backed Hamas invasion of October 7, which sparked the longest Gaza war, attacks have come from Iran's militias in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. Two direct attacks have also come from Iran.

“Iran is also directly related to, finances, guides and is responsible for terrorist organizations, some of which have become terrorist states in the region.

“That is why nuclear weapons in the hands of this regime are extremely dangerous for the peace of the world and the peace of the region,” he said.

On Monday, the Yemeni Houthis announced they had fired a ballistic missile 'successfully' at an Israeli military base. However, the Israeli military said a "projectile" from Yemen had been intercepted before reaching Israeli territory, without confirming if it was a ballistic.