“Knife’s Edge” Talk .. Did Netanyahu Reveal to Biden the Plan to Strike Iran?

Officials told Biden that after Iran’s October 1 missile attack, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is not looking to get into a wider war.

But American officials believe that if Israel responds to the strikes by attacking Iran’s most vulnerable sites, the result could be an uncontrolled escalation.

According to the newspaper, American officials said it was time for Israel to consolidate its tactical advantages over Hamas and Hezbollah into a wider strategic influence, including some agreements political on a ceasefire and, ultimately, towards a two-state solution that would deliver. the Palestinians in their country.

But they fear that Netanyahu is insecure and is trying to revive his reputation after he was caught in a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis.

The newspaper said Pentagon officials were trying to play down the significance of the sudden cancellation of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant’s visit on Wednesday, although they acknowledged that it was an opportunity which was lost, or at least too late, to consider the Israelites in detail. military response to the recent Iranian missile attack.

The newspaper pointed out that senior officials in the US Department of Defense complained that the Israelis were not completely open about recent important Israeli operations, including the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah. last month, an operation by US Defense Secretary Lloyd. Austin learned about it during … It was implemented during a phone call with his Israeli colleague.

Pentagon officials told the newspaper that Austin was angry that the Israelis had not been given an extra deadline to allow American forces in the region to step up defense measures against possible Iranian retaliation. be there

Telephone details

During the call, Biden reaffirmed his strong commitment to Israel’s security, the White House said in a statement.

According to the statement:

• Biden unequivocally condemned the ballistic missile attack Iran launched against Israel on October 1.
• Regarding Lebanon, the President stressed the need for a diplomatic settlement to return Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.
• The President reaffirmed Israel’s right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of rockets and shells into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians, especially in densely populated areas of Beirut.
• Regarding Gaza, the two leaders discussed the urgent need to renew diplomacy to secure the release of Hamas hostages.
• The President also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgency of restoring access to the north, including the immediate reactivation of the corridor from Jordan.
• Both sides agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days, either directly or through national security teams.

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When the call ended, US officials said nothing about Israel’s plans, or whether Netanyahu had indicated he would heed Biden’s warnings not to hit nuclear or energy sites, which the House fears White that could increase the conflict.

The call came at a time when American national security officials believe the Middle East is on a knife’s edge, according to a New York Times report.

Officials told Biden that after Iran’s October 1 missile attack, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is not looking to get into a wider war.

But American officials believe that if Israel responds to the strikes by attacking Iran’s most vulnerable sites, the result could be an uncontrolled escalation.

According to the newspaper, American officials said it was time for Israel to consolidate its tactical advantages over Hamas and Hezbollah into a wider strategic influence, including some agreements political on a ceasefire and, ultimately, towards a two-state solution that would deliver. the Palestinians in their country.

But they fear that Netanyahu is not interested and is trying to revive his reputation after being caught off guard by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis.

The newspaper said Pentagon officials were trying to play down the significance of the sudden cancellation of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant’s visit on Wednesday, although they acknowledged that it was an opportunity which was lost, or at least too late, to consider the Israelites in detail. military response to the recent Iranian missile attack.

The newspaper pointed out that senior officials in the US Department of Defense complained that the Israelis were not completely open about recent important Israeli operations, including the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah. last month, an operation by US Defense Secretary Lloyd. Austin learned about it during … It was implemented during a phone call with his Israeli colleague.

Pentagon officials told the newspaper that Austin was angry that the Israelis had not been given an extra deadline to allow American forces in the region to step up defense measures against possible Iranian retaliation. be there

Telephone details

During the call, Biden reaffirmed his strong commitment to Israel’s security, the White House said in a statement.

According to the statement:

• Biden unequivocally condemned the ballistic missile attack Iran launched against Israel on October 1.
• Regarding Lebanon, the President stressed the need for a diplomatic settlement to return Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.
• The President reaffirmed Israel’s right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of rockets and shells into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians, especially in densely populated areas of Beirut.
• Regarding Gaza, the two leaders discussed the urgent need to renew diplomacy to secure the release of Hamas hostages.
• The President also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgency of restoring access to the north, including the immediate reactivation of the corridor from Jordan.
• Both sides agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days, either directly or through national security teams.