Iran's attack on Israel is a “declaration of war” and “it is time for the world to confront this evil kingdom in Tehran,” Israeli President Yitzhak Hercog said on Sunday in an interview with British television station Sky News.

We must look wisely at the phenomenon called Tehran and Iran. There is an evil empire in Tehran, with supporters spread across the region and its cells around the world. They spend billions of dollars to undermine stability in the region

– said the Israeli president.

He added that world leaders must “make it clear” to the Iranian regime that its behavior is “unacceptable.”

Hercog described Iran's firing of more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel Saturday night into Sunday as “another example of how (Iran) has operated for years.”

Last night we were attacked from four corners of the Middle East, with supporters firing missiles, ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles at us.

– he says.

This is like a real war. I mean, this is a declaration of war

– said the president, then added that Israel would exercise restraint. When asked if he agreed with Western allies calling for calm, he replied:

The last thing Israel has sought in this region since its founding is war – we seek peace.

Hercog emphasized that Israel has not wanted war since its founding in 1948.

We are peace seekers. We have repeatedly sought peace with our neighbors

— he denied, but added that attacks on Israel by the Palestinian organization Hamas made this almost impossible.

Unfortunately, it all started on October 7, when another Iranian supporter, Hamas, carried out an extremely brutal massacre of Israeli citizens, and the rest is history. We know this. So we have to put it in perspective

– emphasized the president.

mly/PAP