Israeli Prime Minister is pursuing a meeting with President Donald Trump while Israeli officials caution that recent Iranian missile exercises might serve as camouflage for a surprise assault, creating renewed urgency regarding Tehran’s nuclear goals and military stance before the anticipated Dec. 29 discussions.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly voiced similar concerns on Monday, cautioning that Iran’s nuclear aspirations and military positioning represent a direct danger to Israel, the United States, and Europe alike.
Addressing the Israel Institute for National Security conference on Monday, Huckabee stated that Trump has upheld a firm stance on Iran. “All I can do is point out to you what the president has said repeatedly, and he consistently has said Iran is never going to enrich uranium, and they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
“It presents a threat, but not just to Israel, not just to the United States. This presents a real threat to all of Europe,” he added. “And if the Europeans don’t understand this, then they’re even dumber than I sometimes think they are.”
In his interview, Huckabee indicated that Iran might not have heeded that message until U.S. military action earlier this year. “I don’t know that they ever took him seriously until the night that the went to Fordow,” Huckabee said. “I hope they got the message, but apparently they didn’t get the full message because, as you have mentioned, they appear to be trying to reconstitute and find a new way to dig the hole deeper and secure it more,” he said at the conference.
Huckabee also characterized Iran’s enduring threats as primarily directed at Washington. “Iran has threatened America for 46 consecutive years, from 1979, when the ayatollahs took power,” he said. “They’ve always said, ‘Death to Israel, death to America,’ in the same sentence.”
“Israel is only the appetizer because you’re closer, and you’re an easier target than the vast geographical expanse that represents the United States,” Huckabee continued. “But they’ve never hidden the fact that the real entrée, their ultimate goal, is to destroy the United States.”
These comments coincide with increased concern in Israel regarding recent Iranian military operations. According to Axios, Israeli officials alerted the Trump administration over the weekend that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile drill “could be preparations for a strike on Israel,” referencing three Israeli and U.S. sources familiar with the matter. One Israeli source informed Axios that although intelligence currently indicates troop movements within Iran, Israel’s risk tolerance has significantly decreased since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
A senior Israeli official told Digital on background that worries about the Iranian exercises are grounded in historical precedent rather than conjecture. “Iran is doing drills. A concern that the drill will become a surprise attack is a real concern based on history. The Yom Kippur War started that way. I remind you, we shouldn’t ignore it,” the official said.
The source rejected suggestions that the exercises indicate impending coordinated military operations with Washington. “If we were planning an attack with the U.S., it probably wouldn’t make it into the media,” the official said.
The official conceded that the Iranian activity has also shifted, including discussion regarding draft evasion legislation. “The headlines in Israel are now about the Iranian threat instead of the bill,” the official said. “Is it spin? Is there something special? Is there truth? Maybe. But we always need to be prepared.”
NBC News reported on Saturday that Netanyahu intends to use his meeting with Trump to contend that Iran’s renewed expansion of its ballistic missile program constitutes an escalating threat that may necessitate immediate action. According to the report, Netanyahu is anticipated to stress that Iran’s activities jeopardize not only Israel but also wider regional stability and
NBC reported that Netanyahu is expected to offer Trump several alternatives, including possible U.S. participation or backing, if Israel decides that further military measures against Iran are required.
When questioned Thursday about a potential meeting, Trump told reporters, “We haven’t set it up formally, but he’d like to see me.” Israeli officials have announced that a meeting is scheduled for Dec. 29.
Digital contacted Netanyahu’s spokesperson but received no response.