U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday amidst rising tensions with Iran.
Following the call, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed that any Israeli retaliation against Iran would be "lethal, precise, and surprising." This 30-minute conversation marked the first discussion between Biden and Netanyahu since August, occurring during heightened conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. There has been no indication of a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, despite ongoing violence.
The call was described as "direct and very productive" by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who also acknowledged that while Biden and Netanyahu have disagreements, they remain open about them.
The conversation comes after a missile attack by Iran on October 1, which was in response to Israel's military activity in Lebanon, though the attack did not result in any Israeli casualties.
Gallant, after the call, emphasized that anyone attacking Israel would face severe consequences, stating that Israel’s response would be unexpected and devastating. Netanyahu also reaffirmed that Iran would face repercussions for its missile strike.
On the other hand, Tehran warned that any retaliation from Israel would lead to massive destruction, fueling concerns of a broader conflict that could involve the U.S.
While the U.S. supports Israel targeting Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, it has unsuccessfully attempted to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza and limit Israel's attacks on populated areas, which have caused significant casualties.
Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been strained, particularly over Israel’s handling of the conflict in Gaza and its clashes with Hezbollah.
According to source, Biden has been critical of Netanyahu, accusing him of lacking strategy during the conflicts, with heated exchanges reported between the two leaders. However, Wednesday’s call was seen as positive by Israeli officials, with Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon expressing gratitude for U.S. support.
Gallant canceled a scheduled visit to the Pentagon at Netanyahu's request, delaying it until after the call with Biden. Tensions have grown in recent weeks as U.S. officials were caught off guard by several Israeli actions, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and disruptions in Hezbollah’s communication systems.
Israel has been secretive about its plans for retaliation against Iran’s missile strike, and Biden has suggested alternatives to targeting Iranian oil fields, emphasizing that he does not support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.
