The Biden administration believes it has received assurances from Israel that it will not target Iranian nuclear or oil sites in response to Iran’s missile attacks. The deployment of a U.S. THAAD battery and troops to Israel has helped ease some of Israel’s concerns about potential retaliation from Iran. However, these assurances are not guaranteed, and past Israeli actions have not always aligned with expectations.
The recent escalation in the Middle East, including Iran’s missile attacks on Israel and Israel’s offensive against Hamas and Hezbollah, has raised fears of a regional war. President Biden has urged Israel to consider alternatives to strikes on Iran’s oil sector, which could impact global oil prices.
Biden and Netanyahu recently spoke for the first time in seven weeks, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin maintaining regular contact with his Israeli counterpart. The U.S. has reaffirmed its support for Israel’s security but urged diplomatic solutions and highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
While the White House declined to confirm specific assurances from Netanyahu, they emphasized their commitment to Israel’s defense. The deployment of U.S. assets to Israel and ongoing diplomatic discussions reflect efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.bostonherald.com