Herzog: Iran’s nuclear program ‘must be neutralized’ with or without a deal

President Isaac Herzog calls for Iran’s nuclear program to be “neutralized” regardless of whether an accord is inked between Tehran and world powers.

“Iran is a ticking time bomb that threatens Israel and the whole Middle East,” Herzog says at a ceremony for graduates of the Israeli Air Force’s pilot course.

“I am following the negotiations surrounding the nuclear deal, and I call on the international community not to be led astray and not to underestimate the gravity of the threat,” he adds. “The Iranian nuclear threat must be neutralized once and for all, with or without an agreement. Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities.”

The president’s comments come after he met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is visiting amid talks in Vienna on restoring the 2015 accord limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.