Israel's U.N. Ambassador Dani Danon Says Israel, U.S. Acted to Stop 'Existential Threat'

Dani Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters at a Security Council briefing that "Today, Israel, together with United States, acted to stop an existential threat to Israel, to our allies, and to global stability." He framed the operation as necessary for Israel's survival and outlined explicit goals for its campaign.

Danon said the mission has five objectives, "First, to eliminate the immediate threat posed by the Iranian regime. Second, to dismantle its nuclear program. Third, destroy its ballistic missile production and capabilities. Fourth, neutralize naval threats. Fifth, break the terror proxy network." He presented those goals as the rationale for recent military action and for continued operations.

Responding to criticism from some Security Council members and the U.N. secretary-general, Danon called the condemnations "hypocrisy," saying escalation began when "the Iranian regime armed proxies across the region, when it expanded missiles and drones, when it advanced its nuclear program in violation of all its commitments, and when it brutally slaughtered its own people." He added, "Some call this aggression, we call it necessity. We call it survival."

He praised the United States and Israeli forces, saying, "To the brave soldiers of The US, the IDF, our Air Force, intelligence and security services, you are defending our people with courage and resolve. You stand like lions. Our entire nation stands behind you." He also addressed the Iranian people directly: "We stand with you. We admire your courage. Our war is not with you, but with the murderous regime that continues to plan attacks against us and has crushed the Iranian people for almost 50 years."

During a question-and-answer session, Pamela Falk of U.S. News & World Report asked whether Iran's supreme leader had been killed and what would follow if so. Danon did not confirm a death; he said, "We will continue to target the leadership of this radical regime, and we will do whatever necessary to enable the right conditions for a new future for the people of Iran and stability for the region." When asked how long operations would continue, he replied they would last "as long as it will take to achieve the goals I just mentioned." On whether the Israeli prime minister's comments signaled a call for Iranians to take to the streets, Danon said, "the time for the Iranian people to take control of the future is very soon."

The ambassador concluded by thanking reporters; the briefing preceded the Security Council's afternoon session as announced at the start of the event.