Biden informs Netanyahu that US will not join in retaliatory action against Iran

President Joe Biden and his national security team have made it clear to their counterparts that the US will not participate in any offensive action against Iran following a recent barrage of Iranian missiles and drones directed towards Israel. In a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden praised Israel’s successful interception of the attacks and suggested that further Israeli response was unnecessary.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby emphasized Israel’s military and diplomatic superiority in preventing widespread damage from the Iranian attacks. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also requested to be notified ahead of any potential Israeli response to the Iranian aggression.

Biden is focused on preventing a wider escalation of the conflict and plans to convene a meeting with fellow Group of Seven leaders to discuss a united diplomatic response. Despite American officials stressing that the final decision on how to respond to Iran lies with Israel, there is political pressure within Israel for some type of retaliation.

The Iranian reprisals have heightened tensions between the two countries, with Iran warning of direct retaliation if Israel responds. The situation remains fluid, with Israel’s war cabinet expected to discuss response options in detail. The Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of a “new equation” if Israel retaliates.

As the situation continues to evolve, the world watches closely to see how Israel and Iran navigate this delicate and potentially explosive situation.