Israel-Iran conflict: Why Pakistan never helped ‘brother’ Iran develop nuclear weapons – Explained
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirms Israel is targeting Iran’s nuclear program, not pushing for regime change. Learn more about the international reactions and nuclear threat concerns.
Israel’s President Denies Regime Change Goal, Emphasizes Nuclear Threat
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has stated that Israel is not seeking regime change in Iran, but is focused solely on eliminating Tehran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC’s Dan Murphy, Herzog said, “Regime change is not an official objective of ours. Our goal is to remove the Iranian nuclear program.”
He stressed that Iran’s push towards nuclear weapons poses a major threat to regional stability and must be stopped.
Key Highlights:
- Israel denies any regime change agenda in Iran.
- Targeted airstrikes were aimed at nuclear facilities.
- Herzog accuses Iran of “cheating” and “rushing to the bomb.”
- International reactions vary, with the West backing Israel and China supporting Iran.
Recent Airstrikes on Iran
On June 13, 2025, Israel carried out multiple airstrikes on Iran, claiming the targets were linked to Iran’s nuclear program. The military action came just days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urged Iran to fully cooperate or risk further consequences.
President Herzog confirmed the strikes had a “genuine impact” on Iran’s nuclear development and were part of a defensive strategy.
“One has to be tough sometimes to remove imminent threats,” Herzog said. “That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Rising Nuclear Concerns
The situation has raised international alarm. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran was “very close” to developing a nuclear bomb. However, this was contradicted by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who testified in March that:
“Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not reactivated the program he suspended in 2003.”
Still, Israeli intelligence and other sources remain skeptical about Tehran’s intentions.
Global Reactions
The G7 nations issued a joint statement condemning Iran, calling it the “principal source of regional instability and terror.” They firmly stated, “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
In contrast, China took a strong stance against Israel. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denounced the Israeli strikes, saying:
“Beijing explicitly condemns Israel’s violation of Iran’s sovereignty.”
He added that China supports Iran in “safeguarding its sovereignty and defending its legitimate rights.”
Diplomatic Channels Still Open
Despite rising tensions, Herzog emphasized that diplomatic backchannels remain active.
“There is actually a lot of backchannel national talks and dialogue with world leaders. It is quite intensive,” he said.
This suggests that while military action continues, efforts toward de-escalation and dialogue are ongoing behind the scenes.
Conclusion
Israel’s recent airstrikes and President Herzog’s remarks underscore a clear message: the country is acting to neutralize a nuclear threat, not to interfere with Iran’s leadership.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, weighing security concerns against sovereignty rights.
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