'Mind boggles' at doubts over legality of Iran war, Israeli president says

Israel's President Isaac Herzog told the BBC his 'mind boggles' at questions over the legality of the war on Iran.

“- Published Israel's President Isaac Herzog has told the BBC his "mind boggles" at questions over the legality of the war on Iran, saying it was necessary for self-defence in the face of Tehran's nuclear and military ambitions”

BBC

He argued the campaign was necessary 'for self-defence' against Tehran's nuclear and military ambitions.

BBC

He said Iran had not adhered to international law and that a joint offensive with the US would make the region and Europe safer.

Herzog also defended Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying Israel was 'doing [the Lebanese government's] work for them' to dismantle the armed group.

The article says Britain has not taken part in offensive operations but has allowed the US to use its air bases to carry out "defensive" strikes against weapons used in retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.

It reports senior ministers had raised concerns about the legal basis for the war when debating UK involvement.

BBC

Herzog pointed to MI5's claim of 20 "potentially lethal" Iran-backed plots since January 2022 as evidence of the threat posed by Iran.

Herzog also cited the killing of Iranian protesters earlier this (as he put it) as evidence of a threat.

Herzog mentioned Iran's backing of armed proxies as part of that threat.

Herzog pointed to a drone attack against a British air base in Cyprus as evidence of the threat posed by Iran.

The Iranian ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, said Iran would act in its own "self-defence" if the UK joined offensive operations.

The article describes a new Israeli offensive against Hezbollah after, it says, the Iran-allied group fired missiles over the border in response to the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“- Published Israel's President Isaac Herzog has told the BBC his "mind boggles" at questions over the legality of the war on Iran, saying it was necessary for self-defence in the face of Tehran's nuclear and military ambitions”

BBC

It states Israel has hit targets in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut while its troops have pushed further across the border.

Herzog told the BBC Israel had been "attacked vehemently by missiles" launched by Hezbollah and that Lebanon's government "object to it totally" but "don't have the power" to disarm them.

On Sunday, Lebanon's health minister said the death toll in the country had risen to 400.

The Israel Defense Forces said two soldiers had been killed in southern Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump strongly criticised Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of seeking to "join wars after we've already won".

He signalled he would reject further military assistance from Britain, describing it as "our once great ally".

BBC

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that Starmer had been "right to stand up for Britain's interests" and said the UK government would not agree with Trump "on every issue".

The piece notes Starmer and Trump spoke on the phone on Sunday, their first direct conversation in over a week.