Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter pushed back against President Trump's statement that Iran should retain ballistic missiles because other countries in the region have them. Leiter said the armed killers from Tehran are unlike any other state and would use such missiles against their neighbors. The remarks were reported by N13 / Army Radio.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter publicly criticized President Trump's assertion yesterday that Iran should retain its ballistic missile capability because other regional states possess similar weapons. Leiter's statement, quoted by Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh (N13 / Army Radio), characterized the Iranian regime as fundamentally distinct from its neighbors: "The armed killers from Tehran are not like any other country in the region. If they have ballistic missiles — they will use them against their neighbors."
The remarks follow a statement by Trump on Wednesday in which he questioned advisors who demand total Iranian disarmament, suggesting Syria's de facto leader al-Julani should handle Hezbollah to avoid "knocking down buildings." The Zioneer previously reported Trump's position on June 17.
Leiter, a key diplomatic bridge between Jerusalem and Washington during the 2026 multi-front campaign, has previously warned that Hezbollah rocket fire violates ceasefire terms and has signaled Israeli readiness to strike in Beirut. His latest intervention marks a direct Israeli pushback against the White House's more permissive stance on Iranian military capabilities, though the ambassador's statement did not address whether the administration is reconsidering its policy.
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Ambassador Leiter's remarks specifically target Trump's assertion regarding Iranian ballistic missile possession.
Warns Iran would use ballistic missiles against its neighbors if retained
Israeli ambassador to US rejects Trump's missile remarks: 'Armed killers from Tehran are unlike any other country'
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