The United States managed to dissuade the Israeli government from carrying out a retaliatory attack against Iran in order to avoid a broader war, after the Persian regime launched some 300 attack drones and missiles against Israel last night.
As reported by the New York Times, which cited US officials on condition of anonymity, several members of the Israeli war cabinet had been in favor of launching a retaliatory strike, but the lack of serious damage caused by Iran, as well as a telephone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, caused the idea to be scrapped for now.
Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Saturday, following the Iranian attack, and reiterated his “strong commitment” to Israel’s security. Although the president did not make public any advice he offered, in a statement made public after the call, he hinted at his desire for moderation.
“I told him that Israel had demonstrated a remarkable ability to defend itself and defeat even unprecedented attacks, sending a clear message to its enemies that they cannot effectively threaten Israel’s security,” Biden declared.
US officials stressed however that the decision on the response ultimately rested with Israel. Early Sunday, Israeli jets hit structures in Lebanon controlled by Hezbollah after the Iranian-backed militia sent two explosive drones to Israel, but it was unclear what connection that had to the Iranian airstrike.
The White House confirmed its line of caution this Sunday, stating that the United States is not seeking a “broader war with Iran.”
“We don’t want this to escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We are not seeking a broader war with Iran,” he added.
However, the New York Times adds, it was not immediately clear whether Netanyahu and his government would agree to leave things at that.
War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz appeared to indicate that he did not support immediate retaliation against Iran. In a statement this Sunday, he assured that Israel will respond when the time comes, while at the same time it must reinforce the “strategic alliance and regional cooperation” that allowed it to repel yesterday’s Iranian attack.
“In the face of the threat from Iran, we will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran, in the manner and at the time that suits us,” he said. “And most importantly, in the face of our enemies’ desire to harm us, we will unite and become stronger,” he added.
“This event is not over: the strategic alliance and the regional cooperation system that we have built and that has passed its important test must be reinforced precisely now. “Israel demonstrated yesterday that it is an anchor of military and technological power, and an anchor of security in the Middle East,” he assured.
“Even today, we must remember that we have not yet completed our tasks – mainly the return of the hostages and the elimination of the threat against the residents of the north and south. We will continue the campaign, with determination and responsibility. And together, we will win.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke along the same lines. “The campaign is not over yet, we must remain alert and attentive to the instructions issued by the IDF and the Home Front Command,” he said. “We must be prepared for any scenario. That said, we have thwarted the most significant wave” of the attack, “and we have done so successfully.”
U.S. and Israeli officials have spent the past few days coordinating military operations in case Iran acts, and Biden has ordered ballistic missile defense aircraft and destroyers to the region. Administration officials were elated at the results Saturday, when U.S. and Israeli forces shot down nearly everything Iran launched at Israel, including more than 100 ballistic missiles, a feat that, according to one official who spoke to NTY, may be unparalleled in military history.
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