How US is Scrambling to Influence Israel’s Response to Iran’s Missile Attack
US Urgently Tries to Shape Israel’s Response to Iran’s Missile Attack.
Amid growing tensions in the Middle East, US President Joe Biden has been working urgently to influence Israel’s response to a significant missile attack launched by Iran. In the aftermath of the Islamic Republic firing around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, Biden, alongside his G7 counterparts, has set a clear boundary for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The message: retaliation is justified, but it must be proportional.
The US administration has expressed concern that a major Israeli strike, particularly one targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, could lead to a broader conflict in the region. “All seven of us agree that they have a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion,” Biden said, offering a glimpse into the international consensus on the issue.
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A Growing Conflict
Iran’s missile barrage, which followed the killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Gaza, has put Israel on high alert. Palestinian youths in Ramallah were seen inspecting the remains of projectiles in the aftermath of the strike, while tensions mounted as the world waited for Israel’s next move.
The United States, well aware of Israel’s likely retaliation, has supported its right to respond but has been firm in urging restraint. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions with his French, British, German, and Italian counterparts, reiterating that any Israeli strike must avoid escalating the situation further.
“We don’t want to see any action that would lead to a full-blown regional war,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Wednesday. He stressed that Washington is in continuous dialogue with Israeli officials to shape a response that would avoid plunging the region into greater instability.
Israeli Decision Under Pressure
Netanyahu, facing pressure at home to act decisively, is reportedly weighing his options. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has publicly called for a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which he believes would “cripple” the regime in Tehran. However, the US is wary of such a move, knowing that it could spark all-out conflict across the Middle East.
Israel’s military successes against Hamas in Gaza and the assassination of Nasrallah have emboldened some in the country to push for a more aggressive stance against Iran. But US officials remain cautious, remembering that when Iran launched its first missile attack on Israel in April, Washington’s pressure played a role in limiting Israel’s response.
This time, however, the stakes appear higher. Iran’s response to its militant leaders’ deaths was much stronger than in April, raising concerns that a tit-for-tat could spiral out of control.
A Fragile Diplomatic Line
As tensions simmer, the US is keen to ensure that the situation does not escalate further. Officials in Washington fear that an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities could ignite a regional war, bringing chaos to the already volatile Middle East.
In recent days, Biden has refrained from directly speaking to Netanyahu but noted, “We’ve been talking to Bibi’s people the whole time. And it’s not necessary to talk to Bibi. I’ll probably be talking to him relatively soon.”
Despite the close alliance between the US and Israel, some analysts believe Washington’s influence over Netanyahu is waning. The Israeli government, still reeling from nearly a year of conflict with Hamas, is in crisis mode, and its next move could define the future of the conflict.
As Netanyahu contemplates his decision, the world waits with bated breath to see whether the Israeli government will strike Iran hard, or heed US calls for a measured response that avoids all-out war.
For now, Washington’s balancing act continues as it tries to support its key ally while preventing the Middle East from spiraling into chaos.
