US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee Says Iran Is Weaker — Jerusalem Post
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview in Jerusalem that, in his view, Iran is in its weakest position in 47 and a half years. He linked this to the policies of US President Donald Trump and Israel's actions, stating that Tehran is weakening militarily and economically. The Jerusalem Post reports.
Huckabee believes that the confrontation with Iran concerns not only Israel but also the United States. He also expressed hope for a new uprising in Iran, noting that opponents of the Iranian authorities are currently largely unarmed.
Lebanon and Hezbollah
The American diplomat said that the Lebanese Armed Forces could gradually take control of the country's south and become the only security force there. At the same time, he said this would require time. Huckabee noted that Hezbollah remains active and is trying to rebuild its strength after being weakened by Israel.
The ambassador sharply criticized the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, calling it ineffective. In his opinion, building capable Lebanese security forces could take years. He also stated that Israel does not seek to annex Lebanese territory but will not leave its northern communities unprotected from missile, drone, and other attacks.
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Saudi Arabia and normalization
Commenting on the new defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, Huckabee said it was necessary to “wait and see.” He noted that he had personally not heard of concerns in Washington about this arrangement and that each of the three states has its own reasons for security cooperation.
Asked whether Israel would help Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack, the ambassador replied that he did not know. At the same time, he said Israel would welcome a security agreement with Riyadh and the kingdom's accession to the Abraham Accords. He cited the United Arab Emirates as an example of the benefits of normalized relations, mentioning the development of tourism, travel, trade, and technological cooperation.
Attacks on Palestinians and artificial intelligence
Huckabee also condemned recent attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, calling those responsible terrorists. He said investigations and detentions must be accompanied by real punishment, including for arson attacks on mosques, cattle theft, or the seizure of other people's homes.
Separately, the ambassador warned about risks associated with artificial intelligence. He compared AI to fire, which can be useful but can also cause harm. Huckabee referred to his own lawsuit against Meta over AI-generated materials that, he said, damaged his professional reputation, and called for technology companies themselves to develop ethical standards.
