Israel's UN envoy: Iran has leaders who could open door to diplomacy

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said there are alternative figures within Iran who could potentially open the way for diplomatic engagement, while indicating that any such progress would depend on a shift in the country’s leadership direction.

In an interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto, Danon was asked whether Israel had identified specific Iranian leaders it would be willing to engage with. He declined to name individuals but stressed that such figures do exist.

“Yes there are potential leaders in Iran today who can lead the nation in the right direction, use the resources for prosperity, for infrastructure and not to send ballistic missiles to all its neighbors and block the Strait of Hormuz,” Danon said. “So, yes we believe and we know that you have other options in Iran.”

At the same time, Danon underscored that any diplomatic track would hinge on a change in leadership approach in Tehran.

“But if there will be an opening and we will see someone who is actually willing to change course, you know, we believe in diplomacy and we understand that the next stage, after we retarget this regime, will be using diplomacy and peaceful measures,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova