Biden informs Netanyahu: U.S. will not join Israel in Iran counterstrike

President of the United States, Joe Biden, has communicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that America does not intend to participate in a potential Israeli counterattack on Iran. This information was disclosed by American officials on Sunday, as reported by Reuters.

- We believe Israel has freedom of action to protect itself and defend itself, in Syria or elsewhere... That's a long-standing policy, and that remains, but no, we would not envision ourselves participating in such a thing - stated an anonymous representative of the U.S. administration.

White House security spokesperson John Kirby, in his appearance on ABC's "This Week" programme on Sunday, confirmed that the United States would continue its support for Israel in terms of defence but does not intend to engage in the conflict with Iran.

Kirby emphasized that the USA has an "ironclad commitment" to defending Israel and providing support in this area. He added, however: - And as the president has said many times, we don't seek a wider war in the region. We don't seek a war with Iran. And I think I will leave it at that.

Reuters agency notes that President USA Joe Biden, speaking about his phone conversation with Netanyahu, which took place after the attack by Iran, did not disclose whether the subject of a potential Israeli response to this attack was discussed, nor whether the United States could participate in it.

Source: PAP