Israel keeping its ‘eyes open’ for Iranian attacks during Trump transition period, ambassador says
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon tells Fox News Digital that his country is keeping its "eyes open" for any potential aggression from Iran during the Trump transition period, adding it would be a "mistake" for the Islamic Republic to carry out an attack.
The comments come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed earlier this week that Iran would retaliate against Israel for the strategic airstrikes it carried out against Tehran on Oct. 26. Araghchi was quoted in Iranian media saying "we have not given up our right to react, and we will react in our time and in the way we see fit."
"I would advise him not to challenge us. We have already shown our capabilities. We have proved that they are vulnerable. We can actually target any location in Iran. They know that," Danon told Fox News Digital.
"So I would advise them not to make that mistake. If they think that now, because of the transition period, they can take advantage of it, they are wrong," he added. "We are keeping our eyes open and we are ready for all scenarios."
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Danon says he believes one of the most important challenges for the incoming Trump administration will be the way the U.S. deals with Iran.
"Regarding the new administration, I think the most important challenge will be the way you challenge Iran, the aggression, the threat of the Iranian regime. I believe that the U.S. will have to go back to a leading position on this issue," he told Fox News Digital.
"We are fighting the same enemies, the enemies of the United States of America. When you look at the Iranians, the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, all those bad actors that are coming against Israel... that is the enemy of the United States. So I think every American should support us and understand what we are doing now," Danon also said.
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Danon spoke as the U.S. vetoed a draft resolution against Israel at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.
The resolution, which was overseen by Algeria, sought an "immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire" to be imposed on Israel. The resolution did not guarantee the release of the hostages still being held by Hamas within Gaza.
"It was a shameful resolution because... it didn’t have the linkage between the cease-fire and the call [for] the release of the hostages. And I want to thank the United States for taking a strong position and vetoing this resolution," Danon said. "I think it sent a very clear message that the U.S. stands with its strongest ally with Israel. And, you know, it was shameful, too, to hear the voices of so many ambassadors speaking about a cease-fire but abandoning the 101 hostages. We will not forget them. We will never abandon them. We will continue to fight until we bring all of them back home."
Fox News’ Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report.