Reports indicate the Biden administration has received assurances from Israel that it will refrain from targeting Iranian nuclear and oil facilities. This information comes from a report by The Associated Press (AP), citing two U.S. officials who preferred to remain anonymous.
Despite these reassurances, which come as Israel prepares to respond to a missile attack from Iran earlier this month involving around 180 ballistic missiles, the officials acknowledged that the assurances are not guaranteed. They highlighted that Israel’s adherence to such commitments is often inconsistent and may be swayed by internal political dynamics.
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The Washington Post first reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured President Joe Biden regarding this matter. Following the report, Netanyahu’s office emphasized that while they consider U.S. opinions, their actions will ultimately prioritize Israel’s national interests.
Netanyahu’s office stated, “We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interests,” on X (formerly Twitter).
In a notable instance of diverging from U.S. expectations, last month, Netanyahu initially supported a temporary ceasefire initiative in Lebanon, only to later authorize a significant airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Biden has publicly stated his opposition to any Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and has urged Israel to avoid targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure, noting that such actions could disrupt global oil markets and elevate gasoline prices in the U.S.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in regular contact with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Biden and Netanyahu spoke last week for the first time in several weeks.
While the AP reported on these developments, the White House National Security Council did not confirm Netanyahu’s assurances about military targets, stating, “Our commitment to Israel’s defense is ironclad.” They also indicated they would not comment on private diplomatic discussions, deferring to the Israeli government on military operations.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.