Israeli President Defends Attacks on Iranian Oil Sites

Herzog says strikes targeted military assets, not civilian reserves

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an interview, Israeli President Isaac Herzog defended the country's recent military actions against Iran, arguing that the conflict is part of a broader strategic effort to dismantle Tehran's 'war machine' across the Middle East. Herzog claimed the strikes on Iranian oil sites were aimed at the regime's military assets, not civilian resources, and called on Europe and NATO to more firmly support Israel's campaign against what he described as the 'Empire of Evil coalition' centered in Iran.

Why it matters

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has major geopolitical implications, as the two regional powers vie for influence and seek to shape the future of the Middle East. Herzog's comments suggest Israel views the current phase of the conflict as a potentially transformative moment, one that could significantly weaken Iran's regional position if successful.

The details

Herzog argued that Israel is fighting to confront Iran's broader regional strategy, which he said involves fueling proxy forces and spreading 'havoc and terror.' He claimed Iran was rushing to develop nuclear capabilities and expand its missile arsenal to 20,000 rockets, which he said would have been 'a disaster.' The Israeli president rejected criticism that the strikes on Iranian oil assets went too far, saying the targets were part of Iran's 'war machine' and not civilian resources.

  • On October 7, Hamas launched an assault that Herzog says kicked off the current phase of the conflict.
  • In the interview, Herzog warned that time was running out to confront the Iranian threat before it became 'irreversible.'

The players

Isaac Herzog

The current president of Israel, who is leading the country's military campaign against Iran and its regional proxies.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president, whose leadership Herzog credits for the American involvement in the conflict against Iran.

Iran

The regional power that Herzog describes as the 'source of derailing any peace process' and the center of an 'Empire of Evil coalition' that Israel is fighting against.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If we remove the Iranian threat, we can enable oxygen, we can enable the whole system to all of a sudden start breathing and moving on in the region.”

— Isaac Herzog, President of Israel (BILD)

“I think NATO members should support it, I think European nations should support it, because we are actually protecting Europe by doing this.”

— Isaac Herzog, President of Israel (BILD)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This conflict highlights the high stakes geopolitical struggle between Israel and Iran for influence in the Middle East, with both sides viewing the current phase as a potentially pivotal moment that could reshape the regional balance of power.