Biden seeks united front with Israel on Iran's escalation

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell mentioned that in the coming days, the Biden administration will concentrate on consultations with Israel. The aim is to formulate a joint response to Iran's attack.

"I think we recognize, as important as a response of some kind should be, there is a recognition that the region is really balancing on a knife's edge, and real concerns about a even broader escalation or a continuing one, not just simply an exchange of sort of isolated salvos, but of more sustained hostility, which could imperil not just Israel, but our strategic interests as well," Campbell said during a virtual conference organised by the Washington think tank Carnegie Endowment.

According to Washington, Tehran, which launched nearly 200 rockets at Israel on Tuesday, has engaged in "decidedly irresponsible" actions; thus, it is necessary to send "a response," he added.

He acknowledged that the attacks launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon were "destabilizing" for Israel but warned against long-term involvement of Israel on this front.

He explained that the U.S. administration has tried to underscore its support for some of Israel's actions but approaches "with real caution" the Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon – especially if its scale were to increase or if it were to develop into a lengthy operation.