Danny Danon

UN Press Statement on Targeted Preemptive Strikes in Iran

delivered 13 June 2025, UN Headquarters, New York, NY

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio]

Good morning.

Last night, the State of Israel launched a preemptive operation against Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure. Dozens of sights across Iran were struck with precision, and many senior terrorists in the IRGC [Islamic/Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] were eliminated. This was a calculated and necessary action based on clear intelligence and carried out in response to an escalating existential [unclear] threat.

For years, the Iranian regime has funded and directed attacks against Israel through its terrorist proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Iran has fueled instability across the region while openly declaring its intent to destroy, to eliminate the State of Israel.

But in recent months, the Iranian threat took a dramatic turn. Iran advanced significantly toward nuclear weapons capabilities. Intelligence obtained by Israel revealed a secret program to develop all necessary parts of a bomb: uranium enrichment, triggering -- triggering mechanisms, and warhead delivery systems.

According to the latest IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] reports, Iran now has enough material for multiple nuclear weapons and has moved dangerously close to operational capability. What's more, Israel uncovered clear evidence that the Iranian regime was planning a surprise attack in coordination with their proxies. They had planned to invade from all sides -- with thousands of terrorists and thousands of projectiles.

As you know, Oct 7 was a deeply painful and traumatic day for all of us, but the danger we confronted last night was of a different magnitude. A surprise attack, with a nuclear strike, which Iran was preparing for would have been terminal. Israel could not and would not wait for that moment to arrive.

The decision to act last night was not made lightly. It followed repeated violations by the Iranian regime, continued deception, and an absence of meaningful international consequences.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General has made last night a statement expressing concern over our operation. But I must ask: Where was the Secretary General when Iran spent years arming itself while avowing to wipe Israel off the map? Where was his voice when Iran rained hundreds of missiles and drones on our civilians? His silence in the face of Iran's constant aggression has been deafening.

We acted to protect our citizens.

We acted to prevent a threat that would endanger not only Israel but the entire world.

We will not sit quietly while our people are targeted -- not again, not ever.

Empty words will not stop Iran: Israel will.

Thank you.

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