Herzog says Hezbollah blocks peace with Lebanon, warns against Iranian role

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Sunday in an interview with Fox News that any diplomatic outcome must still protect Israel’s security, as talks between the United States and Iran got underway. He said Israel is not opposed to a diplomatic result, but has “legitimate concerns,” especially about Iran’s influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah.

Herzog argued that a peace deal between Israel and Lebanon cannot happen while Tehran has such strong sway there. “Iran should not be involved at all in the crisis in Lebanon,” he said, adding that “the world must stand up to it” and make clear that Iran cannot be involved in Lebanese affairs. He said Israel is working with the United States to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear capability or become a threshold nuclear state.

Addressing ties with Washington, Herzog said the two countries maintain close, open and trustworthy dialogue at all levels. He said Israel and the U.S. have “very close” relations based on trust, and that it is legitimate for Israel to raise concerns because it is on the front line and absorbing Iranian and proxy missile fire. He also said he respects President Donald Trump’s efforts and wants those concerns discussed properly.

Herzog said that after a recent visit to Israel’s northern border, he spoke in Arabic to the Lebanese public and leadership. He stressed that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon and no fundamental dispute with the country. “We want peace, and my dream is to take a car and drive all the way to Beirut,” he said. But he added that Hezbollah keeps undermining stability, repeatedly violating ceasefires and acting as an Iranian-armed terrorist organization. “How can there be peace between Israel and Lebanon when Hezbollah has kidnapped Lebanon?” he asked, saying the only path forward is a diplomatic solution that disarms Hezbollah and removes its ability to block peace, otherwise Israeli soldiers will remain the ones doing the work.