Israel’s U.N. ambassador urges sanctions on Iran after missile, drone strikes on population centers

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Dani Dunam, told reporters at a U.N. press briefing on 2025-10-26 that Iran had launched “over a thousand missiles and drones directly at Israeli civilians” in the previous 48 hours and urged the international community to impose sanctions and “isolate its regime.”

Dunam said the attacks hit “every major population center” including Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Bat Yam, and said recent strikes had killed dozens and injured hundreds. He said, “On Saturday night alone, 10 people were murdered, including 5 Ukrainian nationals who were visiting Israel.”

Why it matters: Dunam framed the strikes as part of a broader Iranian campaign he described as aimed at civilian extermination and tied Israel’s operations — which he called “Operation Rising Lion” — to efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. He urged the General Assembly and Security Council to act, saying, “Sanction Iran, isolate its regime, cut off its lifelines. The international community must find its backbone. It must sanction Iran now.”

Dunam repeatedly said Israel seeks to limit civilian harm while pressuring Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. “We are doing everything within our power to minimize civilian casualties,” he said. “We aim targets that [are] connected to the regime. And if there are civilian casualties, we regret that.” He added that Israel had used warnings when possible and that Israeli forces have “very good control over the sky of Tehran now.”

Reporters pressed Dunam on several specific issues. One asked about a comment attributed to Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Israel had not hit the underground nuclear facility at Natanz. Dunam declined to provide operational details but said Israel had “pushed back the nuclear program in the last few days” and described the campaign as a complex, ongoing effort. Another reporter cited criticism from the U.N. spokesman that media outlets and journalists should not be targeted after attacks on Iranian television infrastructure; Dunam replied that “whoever is cooperating with this terror regime should consider his steps,” saying Israel targets facilities serving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Reporters also raised claims that Iran had suffered significant civilian casualties and logistical difficulties, and asked whether Israel would participate in or seek Security Council sessions; Dunam said Israel would “definitely look into” requesting a session. When asked about whether the United States might become militarily involved, Dunam said that was a question for the U.S. government but argued Iran poses a threat beyond Israel, suggesting broad international concern.

A reporter identified as Stefano Vaccara of Bridal Press/Laboshoot in New York asked whether Israel would agree to immediate peace talks if Iran signaled a desire to stop fighting. Dunam said any dialogue would depend on demonstrable Iranian actions: “If they really mean it, they are willing to give away this machine of terror and destruction, then there would be place for dialogue.”

Dunam also rejected an assertion from a Qatar-based reporter that Israel had started a wider war, saying Israel took “preemptive steps in order not to be surprised like what happened to us on October 7.”

The briefing consisted of an opening statement by a U.N. moderator, approximately a dozen follow-up questions from international reporters, and extended answers from the ambassador. No formal U.N. action was announced during the briefing; Dunam called for sanctions and possible U.N. debate but reported no Security Council resolution or General Assembly vote at the event.

Ending: The ambassador’s presentation centered on appeals for international sanctions and described ongoing Israeli strikes intended to degrade Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities while asserting efforts to reduce civilian harm. Reporters pressed the ambassador on civilian casualties, IAEA assessments, and strikes on media facilities; Dunam reiterated Israel’s intent to continue operations and to seek international backing for sanctions.