US Envoy: Iran Attack Option Remains, Trump Works With Any Israeli Leader

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated in an interview with Kan News on Tuesday that an attack on Iran is still on the table. "President Trump says that's the situation, and I believe him," Huckabee said, adding, "He would be happy to see a diplomatic solution." He also commented that the war in Iran was not the reason for the Republican Party's midterm election losses. Responding to a question about whether Trump erred in supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Israel's election campaign and suggesting he was the only one who could attack Iran, Huckabee disagreed. He explained that Trump's close working relationship and high level of trust with Netanyahu stemmed from years of collaboration, but that the President has proven capable of working with diverse global leaders. Huckabee affirmed that the U.S. administration would work with whomever the Israeli public elects as prime minister, respecting Israel's regular electoral process. He mentioned speaking with Netanyahu last week and Gadi Eisenkot a few weeks prior, but was unaware of any active U.S. efforts to assist in forming a government. While he had not heard of plans for Trump to invite either Netanyahu or Eisenkot to the White House, he could not rule out such considerations. The ambassador also addressed violence by Jewish individuals in Judea and Samaria, cautioning against labeling it as "settler violence." He estimated that only a few hundred individuals, many not residing in the area, are responsible for such incidents. "This type of crime and terrorist activity should not be tolerated," Huckabee stated, urging Israelis to hold perpetrators accountable equally, regardless of whether they are Israeli or Palestinian.