Israel could resume military action against Iran if talks fail, envoy says

Israel could resume military operations against Iran if diplomatic efforts with Tehran fail to achieve its key objectives, Hillel Newman, Israel’s ambassador to Australia has said in an interview with Iran International.

He said Israel supports negotiations between Iran and the United States, but only on the condition that they address what he described as existential threats posed by the Islamic Republic.

“We’re in favor... of talks as long as they attain the objectives. We cannot compromise on the objectives,” Newman noted.

According to him, Israel’s main demands include the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capability, an end to uranium enrichment, and the elimination of stockpiled enriched uranium, as well as curbing ballistic missile development and support for regional proxy groups.

Newman added that Israel would accept a diplomatic settlement if it met those requirements, but warned that military action could be resumed if negotiations fail to deliver results.

“If we can attain it through negotiations and diplomatic discussions, fine. If not, we might have to go back to the military campaign in order to attain the objectives, but the objectives must be attained,” he added.

The comments come as US–Iran negotiations continue over a potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict, with major disagreements remaining over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, frozen assets, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Asked whether Israel would act independently if a ceasefire emerges from the talks, Newman said Israel is currently allowing space for diplomacy.

“We’re actually now in a kind of a ceasefire which we have declared and accepted because we’re giving a good opportunity in good faith for the discussions, for the diplomatic resolution of the issue,” he explained.

He also expressed confidence in US President Donald Trump, describing coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv as “unprecedented.”

Newman also said any arrangement involving Lebanon would depend on security conditions, including whether Hezbollah withdraws north of the Litani River, stressing Israel’s priority of preventing cross-border attacks.

“We just have to make sure that the Hezbollah terrorists are not launching rockets against Israel and as much as possible not armed and present in the southern part of Lebanon beyond the south of the Litani River,” he emphasised, adding that Israel does not seek territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov