Calling US Naive, Israel May Act Alone Against Iran
Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has said the United States would be ‘very naive’ if it believes Iran will abandon its nuclear programme. Ben-Gvir hinted that Tel Aviv ‘may act alone’ against Tehran.
‘America is very naive if it thinks Iran will abandon its nuclear programme and give up its dream of destroying Israel,’ the hardline Israeli minister said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 7, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (24/6/2026).
‘It is Israel’s responsibility to confront this Iranian threat and act alone against it,’ he stressed.
The minister, known for being provocative and controversial, said there is ‘no circumstance’ that can force Israel to work ‘according to the orders of a friend, even if that friend is truly great’.
Disputes have recently emerged between the US and Israel over Tel Aviv’s attacks in Lebanon, which it claims target Hezbollah, while negotiations are underway between Washington and Tehran to reach a lasting peace agreement.
The US and Israel accuse Iran of having a nuclear and missile programme, which they consider a threat to Tel Aviv and regional countries allied with Washington.
However, Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and asserts it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons or threatening other nations.
The US and Israel waged war against Iran on 28 February, launching large-scale attacks against the Shia nation. The attacks triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes from Tehran, targeting Israel and US military assets in Middle Eastern countries.
Fighting has been halted since 8 April under a ceasefire mediated by Pakistan.
The ceasefire was marked by various exchanges of attacks between the US and Iran, as well as Israel, before a preliminary peace agreement was reached in June.
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 17 June. The MoU is intended to bring about a lasting peace agreement between the two sides.