‘Mind boggles’ at doubts over legality of Iran war, Israeli president says

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog “mind boggles” at questions over the legality of the war on Iran, saying it was necessary for self-defence in the face of Tehran’s nuclear and military ambitions.

Iran’s leaders had not adhered to international law themselves, he told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, adding that the joint offensive with the US would make the region and Europe safer.

Herzog also defended Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying it was “doing [the Lebanese government’s] work for them” to dismantle the armed group.

Last week, senior ministers reportedly raised concerns about the legal basis for the war when debating UK involvement.

The Israeli president pointed to the killing of Iranian protesters earlier this year, its backing of armed proxies in the region, and a drone attack against a British air base in Cyprus as evidence of the threat posed by Iran.

He continued: “It mind boggles me that [legality] is the focus rather than on the future of the Middle East and doing peace in the Middle East.”

Herzog said the war is “clearly self-defence, which is not only self-defence for us but self-defence for Europe, for Britain, for the entire region – look how they are bombarding all their neighbours”.

Israel also launched a new offensive against Hezbollah after the Iran-allied group fired missiles over the border in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.