U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview that the Trump administration sees no indication Iran's leadership has become more moderate and remains committed to ensuring Tehran never acquires a nuclear weapon, while insisting President Donald Trump's preference for diplomacy has not changed.

Responding to questions about whether recent comments from U.S. officials reflected optimism that "pragmatic new guys" in Iran could alter the regime's course, Huckabee rejected that assessment.

"I don't think so. I don't think we're seeing a change of attitude," Huckabee said in an interview published Wednesday by The Jerusalem Post.

He said Trump's position on Iran has remained consistent despite ongoing diplomatic efforts following last month's U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing regional tensions and creating a framework for further negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.

"President Trump's been incredibly clear that he'll stay with his commitment that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," Huckabee said. "They're not going to be able to be a continued threat to Israel and the United States."

Huckabee emphasized that the administration continues to favor a negotiated solution but warned that military options remain available if diplomacy fails.

"If not, the president has made it clear, he keeps all of his options on the table," he said.

The United States has long argued that Iran's uranium enrichment program could allow Tehran to produce a nuclear weapon, an accusation Iran has consistently denied. Iranian officials maintain the country's nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes, while Washington, Israel, and other Western allies contend Iran has failed to provide sufficient assurances about the program's ultimate objectives.

Trump has repeatedly said his administration will not permit Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, even as U.S. officials pursue diplomatic efforts intended to place limits on Tehran's nuclear activities and reduce military tensions across the Middle East.

Huckabee also welcomed a recently announced U.S.-backed framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, describing it as a significant diplomatic breakthrough despite opposition from Hezbollah and some Lebanese political leaders.

"I was right in the middle of it for five different meetings," he said. "I think it is historic."

The ambassador said the agreement prevented Iran from exerting greater influence over the negotiations.

"It preempted the Iranians from thinking they could control this process," Huckabee said, adding that all parties recognized that "[t]he enemy is the Iranian-backed Hezbollah."

The framework agreement, announced last week after U.S.-brokered negotiations, outlines steps toward ending hostilities between Israel and Lebanon while calling for Hezbollah's eventual disarmament. The deal has been praised by U.S. and Israeli officials but rejected by Hezbollah leaders and key Lebanese political figures aligned with the Iranian-backed group.

Asked whether he believed Lebanon's government intended to carry out its commitments, Huckabee expressed confidence.

"Absolutely, I do. They came with the desire to make this work."

He also defended Israel's ability to conduct military operations against Hezbollah if it believes its security is threatened.

"They absolutely have a right to defend themselves," Huckabee said.

"If Hezbollah threatens Israel or its people, they have every right to seek to stop it, and that is not a violation of the ceasefire or anything else."