‘We decided to leave it to Americans’: Israeli President says didn’t ask Trump to strike Iran, calls it a ‘brave decision’

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has said that Iran’s nuclear programme has been “hit substantially” following the recent US strike, while revealing that Israel did not request the attack and that he was not informed beforehand.Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Herzog said, “We decided to leave it to the Americans.” Asked whether he knew the strike was going to happen, he added, “I was woken up when it happened.”While Herzog stopped short of confirming whether Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been entirely neutralised, he indicated the damage was significant, “I don’t know the details, but it’s quite clear to me that the Iranian nuclear programme has been hit substantially.”He also expressed open approval of the US strike and praised President Donald Trump for authorising the operation, “I commend President Donald Trump for his brave decision, correct decision, historic decision.“I think this serves the national security interests of many nations in the world, nations who are potentially threatened by the Iranians, both terror missiles and nuclear program. It’s quite clear… the Iranian nuclear programme has been hit substantially,” Herzog said,When asked if Israel would now stop attacking Iran, Herzog avoided giving a direct answer. “Iran is firing missiles at Israeli territory,” he said. “We have to do whatever it takes to defend ourselves against missiles.”He further stressed the need for global coordination to manage the escalating conflict, “The way to do it is of course to deal with it on an international level and make sure that there is an exit strategy.”Herzog’s comments come amid rising regional tensions following the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move that has triggered international debate about its consequences and Israel’s ongoing military stance.