Israeli Energy Minister Elie Cohen, a member of the country’s security cabinet, said Israel would not consider itself bound by any agreement with Iran that failed to protect its security interests, warning that Israel was prepared to act militarily if Tehran resumed its nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
“Israel will not be bound by any agreement that does not preserve its security interests,” Cohen said in an interview with Alhurra correspondent Yehya Kassem. “The moment Iran attempts to resume its nuclear program or its ballistic missile program, Israel has proven that it knows how to strike, and that it possesses the intelligence capabilities necessary to inflict significant damage on Iran.”
The comments came as Washington and Tehran pursue negotiations over a possible agreement, even as Israeli officials have signaled that they would reserve the right to act independently if they believe Israel’s security is at risk.
Cohen, a former foreign minister and intelligence minister, used the interview to lay out a broad Israeli view of the region after the latest confrontation with Iran. He described Tehran as the main driver of instability in the Middle East, said Lebanon had a historic opportunity to move against Hezbollah, called for expanded regional infrastructure through Israel, and sharply criticized Turkey and Qatar.
Iran and the regional balance
Cohen accused Iran of financing “all extremist Islamist terrorist organizations” in the region and said Tehran’s influence had been destructive wherever it operated.
“Every country where Iran operates, it behaves like a cancer and leads to that country’s destruction,” he said.
He pointed to Lebanon as an example of what he described as a broader regional effort to reduce Iranian influence, saying developments there reflected “a desire to sever all ties with Iran and halt its influence.”
Cohen said “moderate Islamic countries in the region” were potential partners for Israel because, in his view, they saw the Iranian threat in similar terms.
“We will work together to confront it to whatever extent necessary,” he said.
He also linked the confrontation with Iran to the security of Gulf states, arguing that without action by Israel and the United States, Iran would have acquired a nuclear weapon that would have threatened Saudi Arabia first.
“I believe the Saudi king owes a thousand thanks to both Trump and Israel, because they ultimately intervened and helped protect the kingdom,” Cohen said.
Without Israel’s actions, he added, the region could have entered “a nuclear arms race” in which other countries sought nuclear weapons, making the Middle East “an extraordinarily dangerous place.”
Lebanon, and the prospect of cooperation
On Lebanon, Cohen said Israel would protect what he called its security interests, particularly the safety of residents in northern Israel. He described Lebanon as still being “in Iran’s grip” and said Hezbollah, not Israel, was the main obstacle to peace between the two countries.
“It is clear to everyone that Hezbollah does not serve the people of Lebanon,” Cohen said. “Hezbollah is an Iranian arm that serves the interests of Tehran.”
He said that view was not held only by Israel, adding that Lebanon’s president and prime minister had also spoken about Hezbollah’s role.
“What stands in the way of peace between Lebanon and Israel is Hezbollah, and Hezbollah is Iran,” he said.
Cohen said Israel wanted to help move the region toward “stability, peace and regional cooperation.” If Hezbollah were disarmed and peace took hold, he said, Israel could help Lebanon in areas such as water, gas and electricity.
“The day Hezbollah is disarmed and peace prevails, we will also be able to help Lebanon in the areas of water, gas, and electricity – in everything that would make our region one of the most stable and prosperous in the world,” he said.
He said energy cooperation could include moving gas through pipelines at lower prices, without intermediaries profiting from the transit of those resources.
“Many countries want to connect with Israel because of its economic and technological strength, and its energy resources, particularly gas and water,” Cohen said.
A warning over attacks from Lebanon
Cohen also issued a direct warning that Israel would strike inside Lebanon if attacks were launched toward Israeli territory.
“The moment we see fire or attacks directed at Israel, we will strike anywhere inside Lebanon, including Beirut and the southern suburbs,” he said.
He said Israel could not accept a situation in which the Lebanese army “stands idle” and does not act against Hezbollah, arguing that such action would also serve Lebanon’s interests.
Israel, he said, would operate anywhere in Lebanon if drones, missiles or other projectiles were launched at Israeli territory.
Cohen said the Lebanese government and military should “seize the historic opportunity now available to them,” adding that Hezbollah had been left in “a very difficult position” by Israeli military operations.
“Lebanon has Western backing, from both the United States and Europe, to move against Hezbollah,” he said. “If it does so, Lebanon will be able to return to its golden days.”
He referred to Lebanon’s former reputation as “the Paris of the Middle East,” before, as he put it, “the Iranians came and destroyed Lebanon.”
“If the Lebanese authorities succeed in moving against Hezbollah, Lebanon will be able to reclaim its standing,” Cohen said. “And then we will certainly be able to envision relations between the two countries. But as long as Hezbollah remains armed, there is no future for stability and prosperity between us.”
Energy routes through Israel
Cohen said Iranian activity in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi operations near the Bab el-Mandeb strait had created a strong incentive to accelerate regional infrastructure projects linking the Gulf to Europe through Israel.
“No one wants to remain dependent on the Iranians or the Houthis,” he said.
He said the project had been discussed for years, but argued that the latest war would speed up its implementation.
“We are already pushing forward the plans and infrastructure projects for building those pipelines at a faster pace,” he said.
Asked about the security risks such a corridor could face, Cohen said Israel was “the most stable place in the Middle East” and was capable of defending its infrastructure.
“That is why routing these projects through Israel is, in my view, the best option,” he said. “And I believe it is ultimately the path this infrastructure corridor will take.”
Turkey and Erdogan
Cohen sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of steering Turkey “toward the Muslim Brotherhood” rather than toward economic prosperity.
He said Erdogan “provides shelter to Hamas and other terrorist organizations” and had not clearly condemned the U.S. strikes against Iran.
Cohen also accused Erdogan of using anti-Israel rhetoric to distract from domestic weakness.
“He feels he is growing weaker domestically,” Cohen said, adding that Erdogan “resorts to anti-democratic measures, moves against his opponents, seeks to imprison them, and continues attacking Israel to distract from the difficult situation he is leading Turkey into.”
Cohen called Erdogan a “hypocrite,” noting that Israel had sent aid planes and rescue teams to Turkey after the devastating earthquake there.
He said Erdogan wanted to restore “Ottoman influence” by expanding Turkey’s role in Syria and Lebanon.
“He wants to extend his control over Syria, and also over Lebanon,” Cohen said. “Israel has no interest in controlling either Syria or Lebanon. We have one goal only, to ensure our security and prevent any attack on Israel launched from Syrian or Lebanese territory.”
He added: “Any party that dares to act against Israel will be held accountable.”
Cohen said Israel did not seek confrontation with Turkey, but warned that any effort to move militarily against Israel would carry “a very significant risk.”
He also said Israel would not allow Turkey to gain “a foothold in Gaza or anywhere else,” accusing Ankara of supporting armed groups across the region.
Gaza and Hamas
On Gaza, Cohen said Israel would ultimately impose “full control” over the territory in a way that prevents Hamas from continuing to operate militarily.
He said Israel had recently killed Hamas commander Ezzedine Haddad and then his successor 10 days later.
“Anyone who was part of Hamas and participated in the October 7 attack will be held accountable,” Cohen said.
In the same context, Cohen listed several figures Israel says it has killed or targeted, saying: “We eliminated Nasrallah. We eliminated Sinwar. We eliminated Deif. We eliminated Khamenei. Anyone who wants to act against the State of Israel will be held accountable.”
The Abraham Accords
Cohen said Israel remained committed to expanding the Abraham Accords, arguing that the agreements had benefited all participating countries.
He said more than one million Israelis visit the United Arab Emirates each year, along with Bahrain and Morocco, and that trade with those countries had exceeded $10 billion annually.
“Every country that joined the Abraham Accords has gained,” Cohen said. “Experience has shown that it is possible to build partnerships with Israel in the economic, technological, and security spheres.”
He said Israel’s broader interest was to preserve stability in the Middle East, support the sovereignty of states in the region and expand economic cooperation.
Qatar and “choosing sides”
Cohen ended the interview with a sharp attack on Qatar, describing it as “part of the Muslim Brotherhood axis.”
“It is well known that Qatar finances, in one way or another, Iran as well as other entities linked to terrorism in our region,” he said.
“Qatar must decide where it stands: either with the extremist forces, or with the West,” Cohen said. “The United States must stop allowing Qatar to operate in both directions and play both sides at the same time.”
He added: “Qatar’s hypocrisy is known to everyone.”
