US envoy to Security Council: Strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile program, navy, machinery arming proxies

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the UN headquarters in New York on February 28, 2026. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the UN headquarters in New York on February 28, 2026. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz says Operation Epic Fury, authorized by US President Donald Trump against Iran, is aimed at dismantling the Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities, degrading its naval assets, disrupting the machinery that arms proxy militias, and ensuring that the regime can never obtain a nuclear weapon.

Notably, the goals Waltz lists in his statement at the UN Security Council emergency session on the ongoing Iran crisis do not include regime change.

Trump earlier said that Iranians should take over their government once the strikes subside.

“No responsible nation can ignore persistent aggression and violence,” Waltz says of Iran.

“Peace is not preserved by appeasing those who threaten it. Peace is preserved through strength in the face of terror,” he continues. “History has taught us that the cost of inaction is far greater than the burden of decisive action.”

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.