Israel’s Ambassador defends Iran offensive as vital to prevent nuclear threat, urges Pope Leo XIV’s moral support for peace and disarmament.
Newsroom, June 20, 2025, Gaudium Press – Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, has defended Israel’s recent military offensive in Iran as a critical step to prevent a global catastrophe, arguing that “foolproof” evidence shows Iran is on the verge of nuclear weaponization. In an exclusive interview with Crux , Sideman also called on Pope Leo XIV to leverage his moral authority to support Israel’s actions and advocate for nuclear disarmament in the region.
Sideman’s remarks come amid escalating tensions following Israel’s large-scale attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites last Friday, which Israel described as a “preemptive strike” to halt Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. Iran, denying any such program, retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, fueling fears of a broader conflict as civilian casualties mount on both sides.
Evidence of Iran’s Nuclear Threat
When asked about the evidence underpinning Israel’s offensive, Sideman was unequivocal. “It is absolutely foolproof concrete,” he said, citing intelligence reports and a recent statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, reported Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades, noting that Iran has enriched uranium to 60 percent—enough for nine nuclear bombs—and accelerated ballistic missile production.
“We wouldn’t have engaged in such an operation if we hadn’t been 100 percent sure that we’re at the 11th hour,” Sideman said. “A day from now, it could be too late to take action.” He dismissed suggestions that Iran’s intentions might be non-hostile, pointing to the regime’s public calls for Israel’s annihilation and its unprovoked missile attacks on Israel last year.
Addressing Claims of Disproportionate Force
Sideman forcefully rejected international criticism labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza and Iran as disproportionate or genocidal. “I urge people to look at the carnage inflicted by Iran on civilian populations in Israel,” he said, noting 21 deaths and widespread damage from Iran’s ballistic missiles, which carry up to a ton of explosives. In contrast, he argued, Israel’s strikes target military and nuclear facilities to avert an existential threat.
The ambassador linked Iran’s actions to its support for groups like Hamas, which he described as part of an “axis of evil” funded and trained by Tehran. Both, he said, share a commitment to Israel’s destruction, exemplified by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
Preventing a Third World War
Sideman framed Israel’s offensive as a bulwark against a broader global conflict. “If Iran gets nukes, we’re going to have to get nukes,” he warned, echoing concerns from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince that a nuclear-armed Iran would trigger a regional arms race. “That will plunge the entire region into a military nuclear war. What we’re doing is preventing a World War III scenario.”
He highlighted Iran’s development of ballistic missiles capable of reaching European capitals, questioning their purpose if not to threaten beyond the Middle East. “Why are they investing in missiles that target Europe?” he asked.
Responding to Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV recently condemned threats to any nation’s existence while urging both sides to pursue “responsibility and reason” through dialogue and nuclear disarmament. Sideman welcomed the pope’s recognition of Iran’s threats but argued that dialogue has failed for nearly three decades. “It used dialogue as a deceptive measure to stall for time,” he said, noting Iran’s continued nuclear advancements despite multiple rounds of talks, including recent failed negotiations with the United States.
Still, Sideman expressed hope that the pope’s “moral voice” could be “very influential” in shaping global perspectives. “Peace is always Israel’s primary objective,” he said, emphasizing Israel’s history of peace agreements with former adversaries like Egypt. However, he stressed that Israel would not compromise on its security in the face of existential threats like Iran.
The Vatican’s Role
While acknowledging the Vatican’s traditional role in advocating dialogue, Sideman suggested the pope’s moral authority could play a pivotal role in supporting Israel’s efforts to neutralize Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He framed the conflict as a clash between “forces of good” and a regime promoting “hatred, evil, and terrorism,” citing Iran’s human rights abuses, including executions of women and LGBT individuals.
“The Church, as the primary moral voice, has an important role in echoing that the right approach is to support Israel in moving Iran away from its military nuclear program,” Sideman said. “We are doing a service to the Middle East, Europe, and the entire world.”
As the conflict continues, with no immediate resolution in sight, Sideman’s appeal underscores Israel’s call for international support—and the Vatican’s potential to shape the moral narrative in a rapidly escalating crisis.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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