UNITED STATES (USA) announced this Sunday that it refuses to join a possible Israeli counterattack on Iran, while President Joe Biden warned the Prime Minister against it IsraelBenjamin Netanyahu called for “careful consideration” of escalation.
The White House said Biden did not want a major war after he helped his key ally repel a massive drone and missile attack from Tehran in retaliation for an alleged Israeli offensive that killed seven Iranian officials in Damascus on April 1 .
“We don’t want this to escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We are not seeking a major war with Iran,” he added.
He noted that Netanyahu was “well aware” of Biden’s feelings after the two leaders spoke on Saturday while Iran’s unprecedented attack was still underway.
According to the Israeli military, Tehran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel on Saturday evening, injuring twelve people.
In Washington, senior officials said U.S. warplanes shot down about 70 of the unmanned aircraft, while the Navy fired four to six ballistic projectiles.
However, a government source confirmed that Biden had told Netanyahu that Washington would not offer military support for retaliation against Iran.
“We would not be involved in the response they give,” the official said in a phone call with reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We couldn’t imagine taking part in such an act.”
Washington, Israel’s largest military supplier, is also pushing for an end to the Gaza conflict.
“Cautious and strategic.”
Biden and Netanyahu spoke at the moment of “greatest shock,” while the attacks were still ongoing, and “discussed trying to slow things down,” the official said.
The President of the United States “made it very clear to the (Israeli) Prime Minister last night that we need to think carefully and strategically about the risks of escalation,” he concluded.
Israel was on high alert on Sunday after Iran’s unprecedented attack sparked fears of a wider conflict.
Almost all Iranian drones and missiles were intercepted before they reached Israeli territory with the help of the United States, Jordan, the United Kingdom and other allies.
“It is an incredible achievement by Israel, but it also shows that Iran is not the military power it claims to be,” Kirby added.
“We are vigilant” against any Iranian threat to U.S. troops, he said, adding that his country has “made it very clear to all parties, including Iran, what they would do and how seriously” they take “any potential.” would be threats.” to your employees.
He later said on CBS: “We will take all necessary steps to protect our troops, our ships and our facilities in the region going forward.”
Kirby also stressed that negotiations between Hamas and Israel over a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and an agreement to release hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group are still ongoing. “We don’t think diplomacy is dead,” he said.
Hamas and Israel accuse each other of boycotting the negotiations.
Israeli intelligence agency Mossad said on Sunday that Hamas had rejected the latest ceasefire plan put forward by American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo last week.
“It’s a good plan,” Kirby said. “It would allow the evacuation of dozens of the most vulnerable hostages” and “reach a six-week ceasefire” that would facilitate access to “more humanitarian assistance.” “Hamas leaders must accept this agreement,” the White House spokesman stressed.
Without expressing explicit opposition, Hamas called for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the entire Gaza Strip.
SPRING: AFP.