MK Moshe Saada (Likud) said on Thursday that "an attack against Iran is approaching," during an interview with Channel 14 News.
Saada's comments were made against the backdrop of growing tensions between the United States and Iran, and assessments that an escalation could occur in the coming days.
During the interview, while discussing Iran and the possibility of further escalation, Saada said, “We all know that we are approaching an attack on Iran, perhaps even as early as this weekend; those are the assessments.”
The channel quickly presented the remarks under the headline, “MK Moshe Saada’s slip of the tongue.” However, this was not the first time Saada had publicly addressed the possibility of an imminent attack.
Over the past week, he suggested on several occasions that, in his assessment, military action could take place within days. His remarks therefore appeared to be deliberate rather than an accidental disclosure.
At the same time, Channel 13 News reporter Michael Shemesh reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was furious over Saada’s comments on Channel 14. According to the report, the Prime Minister’s Office viewed the remarks seriously.
Saada claims he was referring to US attack
Saada responded, “I suggest that everyone listen to the full interview and discover that I was speaking about an attack by Trump and the United States.”
Saada’s remarks come amid heightened sensitivity surrounding any public discussion of security matters, particularly at a time when regional tensions are at their peak.
It remains to be seen whether the anger in the Prime Minister’s Office will result in practical measures, whether Saada’s remarks will prompt broader public or political criticism, and whether they harmed state security.