Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, is publicly warning that Iran should take President Donald Trump’s military threats seriously. The warning follows Trump’s statement that the US would “strike Iran very hard again,” a reference to previous military operations that included B-2 bomber deployments in 2025.

What Huckabee is actually saying

In February 2026, Huckabee took the unusual step of advising non-essential US embassy staff in Israel to consider evacuating, citing the risk of imminent strikes.

Then on May 12, 2026, Huckabee went further, telling Gulf states they need to pick a side between Israel and Iran.

Trump’s position has been consistent on one point: Iran will not be allowed to enrich uranium or develop nuclear weapons. The president’s language about striking Iran “very hard again” suggests he views past military actions as precedent rather than exception.

The regional chessboard

Huckabee was appointed US Ambassador to Israel in April 2025. His diplomatic style leans heavily toward public ultimatums rather than quiet back-channel negotiations.

The historical precedent Huckabee keeps referencing, the 2025 strikes involving B-2 bombers against Iranian nuclear sites, represents a significant escalation from previous administrations’ approaches. Where earlier presidents relied on sanctions, cyber operations, and covert action, the Trump administration demonstrated a willingness to use strategic bombers against Iranian infrastructure.

What this means for investors

Any military action against Iran would almost certainly disrupt energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum passes.