Herzog: Israel had ‘no choice’ to strike Iran as U.S.-Israel war grinds on
Israel’s president frames the joint campaign as necessary to halt Iran’s weapons programs while insisting no ground invasion is planned. The conflict is already straining U.S. finances and global energy markets — a possible $200 billion Pentagon request and surging pump prices are raising pressure on Washington and its allies.
Mar 17, 2026, 9:47 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- The comments from Israeli President Isaac Herzog underscore tight U.S.-Israel coordination and a shared rationale for strikes: preventing Iran from expanding missile and nuclear capabilities. - The war is reshaping global energy flows and U.S. budget planning, with higher fuel costs hitting consumers and a potential multibillion-dollar supplemental request looming in Congress.
Driving the news:
- Herzog said Israel and the U.S. “had no choice” but to take action against Iran and described intelligence suggesting Iran wants to multiply its long-range missiles. - He said regime change is "not necessarily" the primary goal, but weakening Iran’s nuclear and proxy capabilities is. - Neither Washington nor Jerusalem has publicly produced verifiable evidence for claims that Iran is racing to build a nuclear weapon.
The big picture:
- The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes that began Feb. 28 and have continued with no clear end date, producing sustained military pressure on Iran. - Leaders portray the campaign as degrading Iran’s military and infrastructure while trying to avoid U.S. ground combat — though that calculus could change.
By the numbers:
- The Pentagon has discussed a supplemental funding request of roughly $200 billion to sustain the campaign, though no official ask has been sent to Congress. - U.S. military operations have cost an estimated $1 billion per day so far, per some officials. - U.S. average gas prices have topped about $4 a gallon; AAA and national outlets report sharp monthly jumps tied to the conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
What they're saying:
- Herzog: "When you know they have another new secret plan to rush to the bomb, you have to take action." - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged a large funding request "could move" and said, "It takes money to kill bad guys." - President Trump told the nation the war is "nearing completion" and projected another two to three weeks of intensive strikes, a timeline that did little to calm markets.
What to watch:
- Whether the Biden-era fiscal hawks or a newly convened Congress approves any large supplemental spending request and what conditions they attach. - Oil benchmarks and pump prices: any renewed attacks on energy infrastructure or continued Strait of Hormuz disruption will keep prices elevated. - Signs the U.S. or allies shift toward ground operations, or a credible negotiated pause that meaningfully reopens shipping lanes.
The bottom line:
- Israeli and U.S. leaders present the strikes as necessary to blunt Iranian capabilities, but the war’s fiscal, economic and geopolitical costs are mounting and will shape whether the campaign can be sustained.