Oplus_16908288
New York, US, March 25: Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, on Tuesday denied any knowledge of reported peace overtures involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, asserting that Israeli military operations against Iranian targets remain ongoing.
Speaking to reporters at a media stakeout at the UN Headquarters, Danon said his government was not involved in any such discussions. “I’m not familiar with our participation in such talks. It’s important to note that we continue with the operation. As we speak, Israel and the US continue to target military targets in Iran. We’ll continue to do that,” he said.
Danon emphasised that while diplomacy eventually follows any conflict, Israel’s immediate priority is ensuring that Iran does not regain or advance its weapons capabilities.“At the end of any operation or conflict, you have to go to diplomacy. We will make sure the outcome is that Iran will not have nuclear capability, will not have ballistic missile capability, and that we achieve the goals we set a month ago,” he said.
Claiming significant progress, he added, “We have weakened the regime. I’m not sure the Iranians realise that, but we have accomplished a lot. We must ensure they cannot return to where they were. We want to create a different reality on the ground.”
The Israeli envoy positioned Israel as a stabilising force in the region, accusing Iran of driving instability and violence. “Israel is a stabilising force. We want peace — we sign peace treaties, we promote peace, we pray for peace,” he said.“In contrast, the Iranian regime has attacked 13 countries in one month. Israel has existed for 77 years and we have never had war with 13 countries combined.
Today you understand that Iran is a problem for instability and Israel is a source for peace and stability.”Earlier, while addressing the UN Security Council, Danon accused Iran of arming and financing groups such as Hamas and enabling its proxies to escalate conflict.“The Iranian regime armed proxies like Hamas, funded terror, and prepared for this moment. Together with our American allies, Israel has carried out over 8,500 strikes targeting missile launchers, weapons production facilities, and command centres,” he said.
“We have destroyed key elements of the regime’s command structure and eliminated figures driving this aggression.”Warning of the global risks posed by Tehran’s capabilities, Danon added, “Today, these missiles carry conventional warheads. Imagine what they could do if they had nuclear ones. The threat we are facing is existential.”He noted that Israeli civilians have faced relentless missile attacks. “For weeks, Israelis have lived in and out of bomb shelters under Iranian missile fire. Just this weekend, missiles struck civilian areas in Arad and Dimona.”
Danon’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump suggested that negotiations with Iran were underway and that the conflict might soon come to an end. “We’re in negotiations right now… I think we are going to end it,” Trump said, asserting that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded.Iran, however, rejected claims of any negotiations, insisting that peace would only be possible once the US-Israel military campaign ceases. The Iranian military has continued retaliatory strikes, with reports confirming the launch of “wave 80” of its response operations.
With no official diplomatic engagement acknowledged by Tehran and both sides continuing military actions, prospects for peace in West Asia remain uncertain.
About the Author
