Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently conveyed to U.S. President Joe Biden his intention to target Iranian military sites rather than its oil or nuclear facilities. This information comes from two unnamed officials who disclosed details of a private conversation between the leaders. This distinction highlights an effort to carry out a measured response while avoiding a full-scale war between Israel and Iran.
As it has been two weeks since Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, the Middle East holds its breath, concerned that the longstanding shadow war between the two nations may escalate into overt military conflict. With just 21 days until the U.S. elections, this situation presents a significant challenge for Washington, especially since Biden has publicly stated his opposition to Israel attacking Iranian nuclear-related sites.
An anonymous U.S. official and a knowledgeable source reported that Biden and Netanyahu spoke on October 9 for the first time in over seven weeks. During this call, Netanyahu reiterated his plan to strike Iranian military installations, aligning with Israel’s previous retaliatory actions following an Iranian attack in April, which provided some reassurance to Washington.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comments, while Netanyahu’s office issued a statement asserting, “We take U.S. opinions into account, but we will make our final decisions based on national interests.”
One informed official indicated that any retaliation would be carefully planned to avoid perceptions of interfering in the U.S. election, suggesting Netanyahu is aware that Israeli airstrikes could influence the presidential race.
Analysts point out that if Israel were to strike Iran’s oil facilities, it could lead to a spike in energy prices. Conversely, an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites might cross a critical line for Tehran, escalating tensions and increasing the risk of direct U.S. military involvement.
