A ballistic missile launched from Iran struck Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country as Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned that the conflict, ignited by Hamas’s October 7th attack, is aimed at dismantling Tehran’s regional influence and may be reaching a “final chapter.”
The missile, intercepted by Israel’s Arrow 3 defense system, prompted Herzog and a reporter to take shelter in a reinforced corridor beneath the presidential residence, according to a report from BILD, which was shared with Business Insider through the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network. The incident unfolded whereas Herzog was describing the potential for direct confrontation with Iran.
Herzog characterized the current situation as a strategic effort to dismantle what he termed Iran’s “war machine.” He asserted that Iran is the primary obstacle to peace in the region, responsible for “spreading havoc and terror” through its support of proxy forces with “huge, huge quantities of ammunition, terrorists, and money.”
“In order to reach change, you have to fight the Iranians,” Herzog stated in the interview. He framed the conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7 assault as inseparable from Iran’s broader strategy, alleging a “grand plan of eradicating Israel by terror.”
Herzog described a coalition opposing Iran as comprised of “moderate nations — Jews and Muslims and Christians fighting together in order to bring a different future for our children.” He called for increased support from European nations and NATO, arguing that Israel’s campaign is ultimately protecting Europe.
Responding to criticism of Israeli strikes, including those targeting Iranian oil assets, Herzog dismissed concerns about the impact on the Iranian people. He asserted that the targeted oil reserves are used by the Iranian military for “money laundering and financing of their operations,” and are therefore part of the “war machine.”
Herzog also refuted suggestions that Israel had drawn the United States deeper into the conflict, attributing the current level of U.S. Involvement to a decision made by President Donald Trump. “Under his leadership, he’s the leader of the free world. He doesn’t need Israel to take him anywhere,” Herzog said.
The Israeli president warned that Iran was rapidly advancing toward acquiring nuclear capabilities and expanding its missile arsenal, claiming Tehran was “rushing to two issues: one is to the bomb again, and two, they were rushing to 20,000 missiles — ten times what they have.” He expressed concern that a larger missile arsenal would be “a disaster.”
According to Britannica, the October 7th attack by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in more than 240 hostages being taken. The attack, launched on a Jewish sabbath and at the finish of the Sukkot festival, prompted Israel to launch a war in the Gaza Strip.
Herzog insisted that decisive action was necessary, stating, “If we were to wait, we would have almost approach to a moment that it may have been irreversible.”
