Israeli Official: We Will Give a 'Very Painful' Response to the Iranian Government

Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, told Fox News that Israel will give a 'very painful' response to the Islamic Republic to deter it from attacking the country again in the future. In this interview, he emphasized that Israel decides on the 'time and place' of this response. Danon added, 'The regime [Iran] is vulnerable, and deciding what message to send them is up to us.' Regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, he stated that the world should not wait for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and that the United States, Europe, and other powerful democracies should take action against the Iranian government 'today.' On the evening of April 14, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched an unprecedented attack by firing approximately 320 projectiles towards Israel, most of which were intercepted and destroyed by a coalition consisting of the United States, Britain, France, Jordan, and Israel before reaching Israeli airspace. On September 30, the Iranian government also fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to what it called the killing of Hamas, Hezbollah leaders, and a senior commander of the Quds Force by Israel. Senior Israeli officials have stated that they will not leave this attack by the Islamic Republic unanswered. Meanwhile, amid ongoing clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, Danny Danon urged the people of Lebanon to reclaim power from this Iranian-backed group and take back control of their country. He emphasized the need for Hezbollah to move away from the shared border with Israel, stating, 'We want to return to the conditions based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, where Hezbollah does not have a presence at the border with Israel.' Danon expressed hope that pushing Hezbollah back from border areas would end 'soon.' Resolution 1701, passed in the summer of 2006 following the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah, tasked UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) with assisting the Lebanese army in maintaining the southern border area with Israel and keeping it free of any weapons or armed forces other than the Lebanese government forces. Israeli officials have repeatedly emphasized the need to implement Resolution 1701, reminding that although Hezbollah is prohibited from military presence south of the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers (approximately 20 miles) from the southern Lebanese border, this Iranian proxy group refuses to comply with the resolution. Since the day after the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, Hezbollah has unilaterally begun its rocket and drone attacks against Israel and has continued its assaults against Israel for over a year. As a result of Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens have been forced to leave their homes. In response to Hezbollah's attacks, Israel has killed hundreds of members of this Iranian proxy group, including its Secretary-General and senior commanders, and has repeatedly stated that attacks on this group will continue until the safe return of citizens living in northern Israel to their homes is ensured. Media reports indicate Israel's readiness to respond to the Islamic Republic's attacks: Netanyahu has confirmed the targets. German Chancellor's warning: The Islamic Republic is playing with fire. New US sanctions against Hezbollah financing networks and the Syrian government. US officials expect Israel's retaliatory attack on Iran to occur before the presidential elections. Airstrike in southern Beirut; Israel: The target was Hezbollah's strategic weapons depot. Pentagon: A group of American soldiers has entered Israel to set up the 'THAAD' system.