A senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration said tonight that Israel’s targeted retaliatory strikes against Iran are expected to be the last in a series of back-and-forth direct military actions between the two countries.
“This should end direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran. As far as we are concerned, this should end direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran,” the official said.
The official said this was a “very strong view” of the United States and “has been communicated to partners across the region.”
The official said that Biden and his security team have “worked with the Israeli side in recent weeks to encourage Israel to respond with a proportionate, targeted response that poses a low risk of harm to civilians.” That’s what happened tonight.”
Biden said in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week that any attack should be designed to deter further attacks against Israel and reduce the risk of further escalation, the official said.
“We don’t want to see that happen,” the official said, referring to the possibility of an Iranian response.
The official stressed that the United States played no direct role in the Israeli attack, which took place “in multiple waves.” But the United States has pledged to support its allies if Iran directly targets Israel.
“We stand ready to defend against any attack again if Iran chooses to respond,” the official said.
