President Joe Biden has indicated that the United States will support Israel’s response to Iran’s recent missile strike, but has cautioned that any retaliation must be “proportionate”. Speaking on Wednesday, as G7 leaders prepared to impose fresh sanctions on Tehran, Mr Biden, emphasized that while Israel has the right to defend itself, the U.S. would not endorse any strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The president’s remarks followed reports that Israel’s security cabinet has resolved to take direct military action against Iran, potentially within days. The escalation comes after Iran launched missiles targeting Israel’s Mossad headquarters and several Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) air bases, stoking demands within Israel for a decisive strike against Iran’s nuclear programme.
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, a leading rival to current premier Benjamin Netanyahu, has publicly called for a robust military response. Bennett urged Netanyahu to “destroy [Iran’s] nuclear project, destroy their major energy facilities and critically hit this terrorist regime.”
There are indications that Israel may focus its retaliation on Iran’s oil refineries and military infrastructure. While no official decisions have been made, Israel’s war cabinet is reportedly considering a range of options, and plans to consult with the U.S. before proceeding. Potential targets could also include Iran’s fragile water infrastructure and weapons stores.
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Adviser, warned that Iran would face “severe consequences” if it continues its aggression, while avoiding specific details on what those might entail.
In a notable diplomatic fallout, Israel has barred UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country, citing his failure to explicitly condemn Iran’s missile attack. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, labelled Guterres “undesirable” in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) documented by the Telegraph. The decision follows widespread criticism of the UN for its perceived inaction in the face of Iranian provocations.
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The conflict has escalated on multiple fronts, with Israel now engaged in clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as in Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli military reported that over 240 rockets were fired from Hezbollah into northern Israel on Wednesday, prompting increased Israeli operations against the Iranian-backed militant group in southern Lebanon. Israel’s military confirmed the deaths of eight soldiers in the fighting, all of whom were in their early twenties.
Meanwhile, pro-Iranian media outlets have claimed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has acquired new technologies and equipment, designed to counter any Israeli offensive.
A senior source in the U.S. told The New Daily Prime that questions remain about how Iran would respond to an Israeli attack, underscoring the unpredictability of further escalation.
As world leaders gather to coordinate fresh sanctions against Tehran, the stakes continue to rise in a conflict that threatens to engulf the broader region.
