closeicon
World

Biden will not support Israeli retaliation against Iran

The US president is reported to have told Benjamin Netanyahu: ‘Take the win’

articlemain

U.S. President Biden has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support Israel if it retaliated against the Iranian attacks on Saturday night (Photo: Getty Images)

US President Joseph Biden is reported to have said that he will not support any Israeli military response to Iran’s drone and missile strike against the Jewish state.

The Iranian regime has meanwhile claimed that it is prepared to launch a more significant attack against Israel  were Israel to retaliate.

The Middle East remains braced for an escalation of fighting after the Islamic regime fired hundreds of assets at Israel in response to an IDF strike against an Iranian consulate.

In a call on Saturday, President Biden told Benjamin Netanyahu that he would not support an Israeli counterattack against Iran, American news website Axios reported.

Israel, the United States and its regional allies had succeeded in blocking the Iranian attack, Biden is said to have told the Israeli prime minister.

An official told the news outlet that Biden said: "You got a win. Take the win.”

99 per cent of Iranian drones and missiles launched at Israel were prevented from reaching their targets.

Netanyahu is reported to have said in response that he understood America would not take part in any offensive actions against Iran, or support such an operation were the Israelis to conduct one.

"I told Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel," Biden said.

The US president is set to hold a call with G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s attack, which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to join.

"My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders,” he said.

"And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”

The president returned to the White House on Saturday night after cutting short a trip to Delaware. 

In a statement, he reiterated America’s “ironclad” support for Israel.

Speaking to Iranian state television, chief of staff to the armed forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said: “Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran.”

Tehran has already warned the United States that they will target their bases in the Middle East if America backs Israeli retaliation. 

Writing on X/Twitter, Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations insisted that were Israel to retaliate they would launch a “severe” response.

"Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defence, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” they wrote.

"The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe.

"It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”

Hossein Salami, the IRGC’s chief commander, has meanwhile claimed that Iran has established a “new equation” to confront Israel.

If the IDF attack Iranian interests anywhere, Tehran will respond directly, he said.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive