Israeli Envoy Warns Iran: Reach Deal With US or Risk Military Action Over Proxy Attacks

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday warned Iran that it must reach an understanding with the United States or risk facing military consequences, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to escalate. Speaking about Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, Azar said Tehran’s efforts to disrupt international shipping and use the strategic waterway to pressure the global community had failed. He accused Iran of repeatedly approaching negotiations in bad faith and argued that the country would eventually have to choose between reaching a deal with Washington and facing a stronger military response.

“The Iranians have proven time and again that they are negotiating in bad faith,” Azar said, adding that Tehran would ultimately have to confront the consequences of its approach. The Israeli envoy also addressed Iran’s alleged attempts to disrupt energy supplies by targeting maritime traffic in the Gulf. According to Azar, oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have returned to levels seen before the conflict, although shipping activity remains affected because some companies continue to avoid the route.

Azar said Iranian forces had occasionally attempted to fire at vessels passing through the waterway but claimed these efforts had failed to achieve their broader objective of disrupting global energy markets. He described the situation as a warning to countries seeking to use economic pressure and international trade routes as leverage for political or military objectives. According to the ambassador, the international community cannot be forced into accepting policies involving weapons development, territorial expansion or support for armed proxy groups through what he characterised as coercive tactics.

Azar further warned that continued confrontation could ultimately have serious consequences for the Iranian population. He particularly criticised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), saying that continued pursuit of an aggressive strategy would increase the burden on ordinary Iranians. His remarks come amid a wider standoff between Washington and Tehran, with diplomatic efforts reportedly facing significant obstacles.

Senior US national security officials reportedly met privately at Camp David to discuss the conflict involving Iran and the broader West Asia crisis, according to an Axios report citing US officials. The meeting came as the administration considered its next steps amid stalled negotiations with Tehran and ongoing military operations involving the Houthis in Yemen.

Vice President JD Vance reportedly led the meeting, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US War Secretary Peter Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, along with other senior officials. The White House did not publicly comment on the discussions. However, the meeting reportedly focused on major decisions concerning the future direction of the US campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump had earlier issued a stark warning over the negotiations, saying that Iran would either agree to a deal or face potentially severe consequences.

The developments underline the growing uncertainty surrounding US-Iran relations. While diplomatic channels remain central to efforts to prevent a wider conflict, increasingly forceful statements from both sides have raised concerns that a failure to reach an agreement could lead to further military escalation. For countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies and maritime trade, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains particularly important. Any sustained disruption in one of the world's most strategically significant shipping routes could have repercussions for global oil markets, transportation costs and broader economic stability.