Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Tuesday, October 15, that while Israel values the United States' opinion, it will act according to its own national interests in responding to any Iranian missile threat. This statement comes in light of US President Joe Biden's warning against escalating the situation by striking Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities.
President Biden cautioned Israel about the potential for regional escalation and the impact on global energy prices if such strikes were carried out. Reports from The Washington Post this week, citing unnamed US officials, suggested that Netanyahu had reassured the White House that any Israeli retaliation would be limited to military targets. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal claimed that these assurances were given during a call between Netanyahu and Biden, as well as in discussions between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Despite these claims, Netanyahu’s office firmly dismissed the reports, stating, "We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interest."
Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated since October 1, when Iran launched approximately 200 missiles at Israel. This action was a retaliation for an Israeli strike in Beirut that resulted in the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian General Abbas Nilforoushan.
In response to the Iranian missile attack, Israel has vowed to retaliate. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that the country’s response would be "deadly, precise, and surprising."
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