JOE BIDEN (FILE)
WASHINGTON (Reuters): U.S. President Joe Biden says he would not support any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites in response to its ballistic missile attack and urged Israel to act “proportionally” against its regional arch-foe.
Biden spoke a day after Iran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel, an operation he previously described as “ineffective.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Iran would pay for the attack.
“We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do, but all seven of us (G7 nations) agree that they have a right to respond but they should respond proportionally,” Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Some analysts said Israel’s response would likely be sharper than when Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in April, suggesting this time it could target Tehran’s nuclear or oil facilities. Other experts expected the U.S. to try again to moderate Israel’s response in an effort to avoid a regional war.
Asked whether he would back Israel striking Iranian nuclear sites as it has long threatened, Biden told reporters: “The answer is no.”
Biden said more sanctions would be imposed on Iran and he would speak soon with Netanyahu.
“Obviously, Iran is way off course,” he said.
Israeli officials have told U.S. counterparts they are still finalizing targets, timing and means for a response to Iran’s missile attack, according to a person in Washington familiar with the discussions.
Israel may not feel compelled to strike back immediately, given its success in thwarting the Iranian attack. But it is unlikely to wait for long out of concern a retaliatory move would lose effectiveness as a deterrent if delayed, the U.S. source said.
Unlike in the aftermath of the Iran’s April attack, the U.S. is not pressing Israel to refrain from retaliation but wants Israel to carefully consider potential consequences first, the source said.
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