The United States is reportedly advising Israel to proceed with caution following Iran’s recent launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles on Tuesday night. In discussions following the missile attack, US President Joe Biden and G7 leaders emphasized the need for a “proportionate” response. Biden stated, “All seven of us agree that they have a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion.”
US Concerns Over Regional Escalation
Washington has warned Israel against striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, expressing concerns that such actions could escalate tensions and destabilize the region further. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has conveyed this stance to his counterparts from France, Britain, Germany, and Italy. The US remains deeply worried about the potential for heightened conflict in the Middle East.
Diverging Opinions on Strategy
While former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called for a decisive strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, aiming to “fatally cripple this terrorist regime,” the US prefers to avoid triggering a full-scale regional war. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller affirmed Israel’s right to respond but cautioned against any actions that could lead to widespread conflict, stating, “We don’t want to see any action that would lead to a full-blown regional war.”
Recent Israeli Airstrike and Hezbollah Conflict
In a separate incident, Israel carried out a deadly airstrike on a Hezbollah rescue facility in central Beirut last Thursday, resulting in at least six deaths, according to AFP reports citing Lebanese sources. Additionally, the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel conflict has led to the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for forcing Israeli soldiers to retreat, attacking an Israeli unit with explosives, and destroying three Merkava tanks using rockets as they approached the village of Maroun al-Ras.
Communication Between US and Israel
While President Biden mentioned ongoing discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s team, there has been no direct communication between the two leaders on this specific issue. The White House has yet to initiate any direct talks with Netanyahu regarding the situation.
