Gideon Sa'ar to Morgan Ortagus: Iran may want nukes due to regional weakness

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met today (Monday) with a bipartisan group of US Senators and President Trump's Middle East Envoy Morgan Ortagus, whom he briefed on Israel's view of a range of regional issues.

Minister Sa’ar met with a delegation of U.S. Senators, headed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dan Sullivan, which included Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, Joni Ernst, Adam Schiff, Andy Kim, and the President's Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, at the Ministry offices in Jerusalem.

Minister Sa’ar stated that a Palestinian state would become a Hamas state that would endanger Israel. Sa'ar said that October 7 showed that the approach rejecting foreign sovereignty and armed forces west of the Jordan River is essential for Israel’s security.

Sa'ar then emphasized Israel’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He added that there are worrying developments in Iran’s nuclear project, stemming from Iran’s desire to 'compensate' for its weakened regional power in the war by achieving nuclear weapons.

The Foreign Minister then noted that the Houthis pose a challenge to global order, international trade, and the freedom of navigation. He said that this is not just an Israeli problem - it is a regional and global issue: the Houthis are jihadists, and one must be cautious when using the term 'deterrence' regarding jihadist entities. A regional and international coalition is needed to defeat the Houthis.

Sa'ar also reported to the delegation that there is an intensified Iranian effort to smuggle money into Lebanon for Hezbollah to restore its power and status. This effort is being carried out, among other channels, via Turkey and with its cooperation. He said that the rehabilitation of Hezbollah will harm Lebanon’s chances for a different and better future, as well as the Lebanese army’s ability to be the dominant military force in the country. Therefore, it must be stopped.

When asked about the possibility of a U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria, Minister Sa’ar replied that, in his view, it would not be the right move at this time, considering the fight against ISIS and the new situation in Syria, particularly the attempts to undermine the Kurdish autonomy.