President Joe Biden addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, stating he would not endorse an Israeli airstrike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to Iran’s missile assault on Israel the previous day.
When asked if he would back such a retaliatory strike following Iran’s launch of around 180 missiles at Israel, Biden replied, “The answer is no.” He also spoke with leaders from the Group of Seven nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, about implementing new sanctions against Iran.
The U.S. and its allies are working urgently to contain the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began on October 7 of last year when Iran-backed Hamas militants attacked Israel. The Biden administration is urging Israel to exercise restraint while considering its response to Tuesday’s missile strike.
Recently, Israel conducted significant airstrikes that resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and targeted the group’s leadership. The Israeli military has initiated what it describes as a “limited ground invasion” in northern Lebanon to confront Hezbollah militants.
In the aftermath of Tuesday’s attack, Biden noted that most of the missiles were intercepted, resulting in no reported casualties in Israel. He emphasized the U.S.’s strong support for Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Iran made a grave mistake with its recent actions and promised retaliation for any attacks against Israel. While Israel has various options for responding, Biden’s opposition to targeting Iran’s nuclear program stems from concerns that such actions could escalate the conflict into a broader regional war.
The White House confirmed that G7 leaders collectively condemned Iran’s missile strike on Israel and reaffirmed their support for Israel and its people.
Biden plans to have a conversation with Netanyahu soon and has communicated that his administration encourages Israeli restraint in their military response.