Biden warns Israel against retaliation after Iran's attack
The President of the USA spoke on Saturday with the Prime Minister of Israel. Biden conveyed that he is opposed to any retaliation by Israel and will not support the country in the event of an attack.
An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed the conversation between Netanyahu and Biden to American media on Saturday without providing details of the conversation's content. Both had spoken just over a week ago when Biden demanded a change from the Israeli Prime Minister in the protection of civilians in Gaza but at the same time declared support in the face of Iranian threats.
Iran attacked Israel. Biden spoke with Netanyahu
On Saturday night after the Iranian attack, the defence chiefs of both countries, Lloyd Austin and Yoav Gallant, also had a conversation. According to CNN, Austin asked Gallant to pre-inform the USA about any potential response to the Iranian attack.
"Washington Post" reported on Friday that the US administration was deeply dissatisfied with the lack of such warning before the Israeli strike on an Iranian facility in Damascus on 1 April, which provoked Iranian shelling of Israel on Saturday.
In the meantime, the Iranian diplomatic mission at the UN announced that after carrying out a retaliatory attack on the "Zionist regime," it considers the matter concluded while warning that if Israel decides on a counter-strike, the response will be "much harsher".
US Concerns
As reported by Axios, the White House is concerned that an Israeli counter-attack after the Iranian strike could lead to a wider regional war. Therefore, pointing to the success of the joint defence in shooting down almost all missiles and drones from Iran, Biden advised Netanyahu to "take the victory" and end the exchange of blows with Iran.
He also told him that the USA would not participate in or support any offensive operations against Iran. In an official statement after the conversation, Biden said that he reassured Netanyahu of the "ironclad" commitment to Israel's defence. He also announced a joint diplomatic response from the G7 countries.
As Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin stated in his statement, the USA shot down "dozens" of drones and missiles fired from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. He also called on Iran to "immediately stop" any further attacks - including those through Iran-supported militias - and de-escalate tensions.
- We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel - declared.
Iran had earlier communicated that the Saturday shelling of Israel - carried out in retaliation for the Israeli strike on an Iranian facility in Syria - ended the matter. However, before the Iranian retaliation, Netanyahu had already announced that he would not leave the attack unanswered.
