Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the Biden administration that any counterstrike against Iran will focus solely on military targets, according to reports from The Washington Post. This decision signals that Israel plans a more restrained approach, avoiding attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites or oil facilities.
The confirmation follows a conversation between Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden last week, during which Biden praised Israel’s recent operations against Hezbollah but expressed opposition to strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Biden has made it clear that the U.S. would not support an attack on Iran’s nuclear or oil sites, citing concerns about the potential economic fallout, including a spike in global oil prices, which could impact the upcoming U.S. elections.
Netanyahu’s comments come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. On October 1st, Iran launched approximately 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that targeted Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon. While Netanyahu has vowed to respond to Iran’s missile barrage, he has not provided details on the timing or nature of the response.
In the meantime, Israel continues to expand its military operations in Lebanon, pushing into the country’s south in an effort to defeat Hezbollah. Additionally, Israel has intensified its offensive in northern Gaza, issuing evacuation orders to civilians to clear the area of Hamas fighters. However, humanitarian groups have warned that the evacuation order could trap civilians unable to leave safely, exacerbating the crisis.
Amid these developments, the U.S. has pledged further support to Israel by deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to bolster Israel’s missile defenses, reflecting Washington’s commitment to the country’s security despite its caution regarding an escalation with Iran.
The situation remains volatile, with both Israel and Iran engaging in significant military actions, but Netanyahu’s assurance may prevent further escalation, at least for now.
