President Joe Biden and his top advisers have strongly advised Israel not to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to recent rocket attacks from Tehran.
The statement underscores the United States’ limited ability to monitor Israeli actions except in the most extreme measures, Politico writes.
On Tuesday, as hundreds of Iranian missiles and projectiles fell again on Israel, the Biden administration took steps to limit Israel’s response rather than stopping it entirely, according to two anonymous sources. These anonymous sources were not authorized to reveal details of private conversations.
The directive illustrates the extent to which Biden’s influence over events in the region has eroded, acknowledging that his attempts to avoid a regional war in the Middle East may prove ineffective.
In early April, after successfully defending Israel from an Iranian attack, Biden called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “win” and not escalate the conflict. However, in the last six months, the situation in the region and in Washington has changed significantly.
Iran’s attack on Tuesday was larger and closer to populated areas of Israel. It comes amid Israel’s shocking intelligence operation against Hezbollah, Iran’s main military arm, and subsequent clashes with the terrorist group in Lebanon. At the same time, Biden, in a difficult situation, is trying to maintain ceasefire agreements in the Middle East, amid pressure from Republicans calling for more action against Iran.
Israel has made clear that it will respond to Iran’s actions. In his public speech after the attack, Netanyahu said that Tehran “will pay for this” and added:
“Whoever attacks us, we will respond.”
On Wednesday, Biden confirmed to reporters that he opposes an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, but did not specify details of the talks with Israel. He noted:
“We will discuss with the Israelis what they are going to do. The G7 countries agree that Israel has the right to respond, but it must be proportionate.”
Additionally, Biden announced his intention to introduce new sanctions against Iran. His advisers said the United States is actively discussing possible retaliatory measures with Israel, including military action.
Options being considered include attacks against Iranian militias or directly against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces in Syria and Yemen. However, now the US president may have much less chance to influence the course of events, American journalists summarize.
Previously, Kursor reported whether Israel was attacking Iranian nuclear facilities.
