Israel, new US envoy warn Iran seeks their destruction

The Israeli president and new US Ambassador Mike Huckabee warned Monday of what they called Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional aggression, saying Tehran seeks the destruction of both Israel and the US.

“The Ayatollah regime in Iran continues to pursue its radical vision of regional dominance and destabilisation – on its own and via its proxies – while pursuing nuclear arms and openly calling for the destruction of Israel,” President Isaac Herzog said at the ceremony to reci.

“History has taught us that when a radical regime declares, ‘Death to Israel and Death to America!’ we must take these threats seriously — and counter them with all of our determination, resolve, and might. For the sake of the safety of our people. For the sake of peace.”

The comments come as Israel continues to fight Iran's allies, Hamas in Gaza and Houthis in Yemen.

Huckabee echoed the fears of the looming threat posed by Iran, saying, “There are challenges, and I share with you that concern that the Iranian regime and all of its hostility, which has been inflicted upon the world for 46 years, continues to threaten not just the peace of Israel, but the peace of the United States,” he said.

“And I constantly remind people that the Iranians have always said ‘Death to Israel’, and chapter two is ‘Death to America’. It has always been their desire that Israel would be the opening act, and then it would be America's turn to face destruction.”

Since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023, scores of attacks have also been launched at US infrastructure and personnel around the region.

The US is also leading a global coalition against the Houthis amid the group's attacks on ships in the Red Sea, an initiative pushed by Iran's Supreme Leader.