Step 1: Understand electrophilic substitution in benzene.
Halogenation of aromatic compounds requires formation of electrophilic species (X\(^+\)) which attacks benzene ring. Some halogens need oxidizing agents to generate active electrophile.
Step 2: Reactivity of halogens.
Reactivity order:
\[
F_2 > Cl_2 > Br_2 > I_2
\]
Iodine is least reactive and does not readily form electrophile for substitution.
Step 3: Role of oxidizing agent.
For iodine, an oxidizing agent is required to convert I\(_2\) into reactive I\(^+\) species to facilitate substitution reaction on benzene ring.
Step 4: Behavior of other halogens.
Cl\(_2\), Br\(_2\), and F\(_2\) are sufficiently reactive (though F\(_2\) is too reactive and often uncontrolled), so they do not require external oxidizing agent.
Step 5: Final identification.
Only iodine requires oxidizing agent for efficient electrophilic substitution.
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{\text{I}_2}
\]