Biden Opposes Israeli Strike on Iran's Nuclear Sites
President of United States, Joe Biden has voiced opposition to any strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in response to Tehran’s missile attack on Israel.
When asked whether he would back such retaliation, Biden stated “the answer is no”.
Biden's comments comes after Iran's second attack on the country since April, where some 180 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. Its Iran’s most recent attacks on Israeli military sites have come in response to the assassination of key Iran-allied figures, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Iran would “pay” for the strike, which reportedly did not cause any serious casualties in Israel but killed one Palestinian in the occupied West Bank.
Analysts have cautioned that Israel might use this moment to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, a goal it has long pursued. Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, stated that "the risk of an Israeli attack on the nuclear program is especially high because Hezbollah, Iran's primary defensive ally, is weakened." Vaez also noted that the presence of U.S. forces in the region provides Israel with a strategic opportunity to address a perceived threat that has loomed for decades.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett echoed this sentiment, calling for immediate action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, asserting that Israel has both the justification and the necessary tools.
Despite these calls for action, President Biden emphasized that while the U.S. remains fully supportive of Israel, any response should be proportional. After speaking with G7 leaders, Biden clarified that he does not support an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, aligning with the broader stance shared by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
The White House also said Biden and G7 leaders spoke about coordinating a new round of sanctions against Iran.
See also: Israel Promises Retaliation for Missle Attack by Iran
