WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Thursday said he was discussing potential Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities in retaliation for Tehran’s ballistic missile barrage targeting Israel last Tuesday, in comments that quickly sent oil prices soaring.
Biden’s comments, made during a press briefing at the White House, sent oil prices soaring amid concerns about escalating conflict in the region.
“We are discussing that. I think that would be a little… anyway,” Biden remarked when asked whether he supports such actions by Israel.
Biden said that he does not expect any immediate Israeli strikes against Iran, as the region tensely awaits a response to Tehran’s large-scale missile attack on Israel. He said, “First of all, we don’t ‘allow’ Israel; we advise Israel. And there is nothing going to happen today.”
On Tuesday, Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah along with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander in an Israeli strike in Beirut. This was Iran’s second direct assault on Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran would face consequences. “Tehran will pay,” Netanyahu stated.
Biden reiterated the US commitment to supporting Israel but clarified that the administration does not endorse strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. The US is currently evaluating its strategic options while closely monitoring the evolving situation.
Iran has vowed to escalate its response if Israel retaliates for the missile attack. Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that the missile strikes were in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other high-ranking officials in recent Israeli operations.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that “those who attack Israel pay a heavy price,” as tensions continue to mount.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday said that while Iran is “not looking for war,” however, Tehran will respond more forcefully if Israel retaliates for Tuesday’s missile attack. “We are not looking for war, it is Israel that forces us to react,” he said.
Pezeshkian said that any Israeli reaction would be met with a “stronger response.” “If it (Israel) wants to react, we will have a stronger response, this is what the Islamic Republic is committed to,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s actions, asserting, “The dirty goal of the Zionist regime is to cause insecurity and spread crisis in the region.” He called on the United States and European nations to urge Israel to cease its aggressive actions.
“What we want from US and European countries is to tell the entity they have planted in the region (Israel) to stop the bloodshed.”
The Israeli government is reportedly considering major strikes on Iranian oil refineries and other strategic sites in retaliation to a massive ballistic missile barrage launched by Tehran on Tuesday night, US media outlets reported on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting late Tuesday to discuss potential military actions in response to the Iranian offensive.
According to reports from the US news site Axios, Israeli officials are considering a “significant retaliation” within days, which could include attacks on Iranian oil production facilities and other strategic sites.
The decision-making process is being coordinated with US officials to ensure operational support and defensive cooperation from US Central Command.
“There will be severe consequences for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Tuesday evening.
Netanyahu made it clear that Iran would face serious repercussions for its actions, asserting, “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.” He emphasized Israel’s determination to defend itself and retaliate against threats.
US lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have voiced support for a robust response, urging the Biden administration to work closely with Israel to “hit Iran’s ability to refine oil” as part of a broader retaliatory strategy.
In the wake of the missile attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they would reinforce their presence in southern Lebanon as part of their largest military operation in the area since the 2006 war with Hezbollah.
The IDF stated that the 36th Division, comprising troops from three brigades, would join ongoing targeted operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israeli media reported that around 100 rockets have been launched into Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, with evidence of direct clashes between Israeli ground forces and Hezbollah fighters. Israeli airstrikes also targeted locations in Beirut, with reports of heavy smoke rising from the city.
Casualty reports from the Iranian missile attack indicate that while most missiles were intercepted, one person was killed by shrapnel from a downed missile. Additional injuries were reported as a result of the missile onslaught, but the bulk of the missiles fell outside densely populated areas.
Eyewitness accounts from Jerusalem described a dramatic scene as air sirens sounded and missiles streaked across the night sky. The Iranian missile salvo specifically targeted several Israeli military bases.
In response to escalating tensions, the IDF issued warnings to residents of southern Lebanon and the suburbs of Beirut, advising evacuations of areas near Hezbollah facilities that were likely to be targeted in forthcoming operations.
