US won't accept 'pragmatic' Iran leadership without real change, Huckabee tells 'Post' – interview

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated on Wednesday that the Trump administration remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, dismissing the idea of a new pragmatic leadership emerging in Tehran. He emphasized, "President Trump's been incredibly clear that he'll stay with his commitment that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon." Huckabee also discussed his involvement in the Lebanon memorandum of understanding (MOU), calling it "historic" for preempting Iranian control over the diplomatic process between Israel and Lebanon, and reflecting a shared understanding that Hezbollah is the central threat. He affirmed Israel's right to act against Hezbollah threats, stating, "If Hezbollah threatens Israel or its people, they have every right to seek to stop it." Additionally, Huckabee highlighted the signing of an agreement for a permanent US Embassy complex in Jerusalem, attributing it to President Trump's 2017 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and affirming the strength of US-Israel ties.