resident Joe Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in a retaliatory strike on Iran following Tehran's recent attack on Israel, according to two individuals familiar with their conversation.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are advising Israel to respond with caution, as they work to de-escalate a potential conflict that could engulf the Middle East and draw in the United States. However, Netanyahu, who views Iran as a significant threat to Israel, may face political pressure to respond more aggressively.
The next steps taken by Israel could have far-reaching implications for a region that hosts thousands of American troops and plays a vital role in global energy supplies and trade routes.
Iran's attack on Saturday, involving hundreds of missiles and drones, was in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed several top Iranian military commanders. Iranian-backed militias in Yemen and Iraq also participated in the attack, but most of the projectiles were intercepted by a joint effort involving the U.S., Israel, Jordan, and others.
President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and other officials condemned Iran's strike and reaffirmed their support for Israel. However, they also signaled a desire to avoid further escalation.
Biden announced plans to meet with G7 leaders to discuss a diplomatic response to Iran. He praised Israel's defense capabilities, noting that the attack demonstrated its ability to fend off significant threats.
While Biden assured Netanyahu that the U.S. would not join in any offensive strikes on Iran, this does not mean the U.S. will not verbally support or actively oppose an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with the conversation.
Iran's decision to directly target Israeli territory, rather than using proxies or covert methods, represents a new development in the ongoing rivalry between the two countries. U.S. officials viewed the attack as limited and carefully planned, likely intended to satisfy a domestic audience without sparking a larger conflict.
