Ambassador Huckabee says Israel will decide ‘independently of US’ whether to strike Iran

According to Huckabee, the two governments are in close consultation, yet each must weigh its own national priorities.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Thursday that Jerusalem will ultimately determine for itself whether to resume strikes on Iranian targets, even as security coordination with Washington continues.

In an interview with KAN News, he described the issue as one discussed last week during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago but emphasized that both allies will reach their own conclusions.

According to Huckabee, the two governments are in close consultation, yet each must weigh its own national priorities.

“What they will do, what the United States will do, and what Israel will do will be decisions that each nation makes independently,” he said, adding that Israel’s choices will focus exclusively on its security interests.

Huckabee’s comments followed renewed attention on Iran after nationwide unrest shook the Islamic Republic.

He connected that moment to global concerns after October 7. “When you think about the number of terrible things that have happened… and that the central planning for it came from Iran, then let’s hope this will be the year in which the Iranian people say: ‘We’ve had enough,’” he said.

Asked about possible US involvement in events unfolding inside Iran, Huckabee said the administration is watching but is not contemplating intervention.

“Everyone is watching to see what the Iranian people are doing… and the protests are growing, and that is significant,” he added.

Shifting to Gaza, Huckabee said movement toward Phase II of the ceasefire plan has been slow.

Hamas terrorists claimed they renewed searches for the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili after weeks of limited activity, even though returning his body and disarming are key elements of the process.

“Hamas cannot continue to delay its disarmament. They will have no future there,” Huckabee said. He noted the Trump plan contains 20 separate points, some of which could advance even if others lag.