Zohar Says Iran Deal Won’t Stop Israel and Rejects Rift With Trump

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, from Likud, sought to calm public concern Tuesday over a new emerging U.S. agreement with Iran. Speaking on Radio Kol Berama’s morning show with Yaki Adamker and Israel Cohen, he said Israel remains fully sovereign and will defend itself according to its own security interests, despite apparent concessions by Washington.

Zohar argued that recent military actions show Israel does not wait for approval from anyone. He cited strikes in Lebanon and said Israel hit Hezbollah in Dahiya to make clear there is a price for firing at the north. On Iran, he said, “If Iran had dared yesterday to attack Israel, it would have received a very brutal blow,” and added that Israel has changed the rules of the game, no longer containing attacks or holding back when targeted.

Pressed about the new U.S. approach, which would give Iran a path to recovery after sanctions, Zohar said the real issue is the ballistic and nuclear threat. He said Iran may try to keep developing missiles, but Israel will defend itself, and that the proxy issue is already being handled because “Hamas is not the same Hamas and Hezbollah is not the same Hezbollah.” He said the nuclear threat “will be removed unequivocally” and warned that if Iran gets rich again, Israel will not stand by if that money is used against it.

Zohar also flatly denied any crisis between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. He said the relationship between the two leaders is “strong and solid,” called the U.S. relationship excellent, and said anyone who thinks Netanyahu has not achieved gains with Trump will soon “eat their hat.” He even backed the idea of giving Trump an Israel Prize, saying Trump and Netanyahu are bringing more surprises before the October elections. Asked whether Netanyahu was frustrated that the deal could prevent Iran’s collapse, Zohar replied that Netanyahu is “not an emotional person,” but a rational one who acts carefully to secure the best outcome for Israel.