Washington — In the aftermath of the unprecedented airstrikes by Iran against Israel, President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in a reprisal strike on Iran, according to a senior administration official.
Israel reported only minor damage to a military base after more than 300 missiles and drones were fired from Iran toward Israel Saturday night, most of which were intercepted before entering Israeli territory. The retaliatory attack marked the Islamic republic’s first-ever direct offensive against Israel.
Mr. Biden, who spoke with Netanyahu on Saturday, condemned the Iranian assault while making clear that the U.S. had “helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” according to a White House House statement. Mr. Biden said he reaffirmed to Netanyahu the U.S.’s “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security.
National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said the president’s call with Netanyahu was a “good conversation” that focused on Israel’s successful defense against the airstrikes. Kirby said the president made clear during the conversation that the U.S. is working to avoid a broader regional conflict.
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“The Prime Minister is well aware that the president is not looking for a conflict with Iran, that the president doesn’t want the tensions to escalate anymore, and that the president is doing everything — and has since the seventh of October — to try to keep this from becoming a broader regional war,” Kirby told Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, adding that the U.S. will take “whatever steps we need to take” to protect American troops, ships and facilities in the region.
The president convened with G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a diplomatic response to the attack. In a joint statement after the meeting, the leaders said that Iran has “further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation,” adding that they would continue to work to “stabilize the situation.” The leaders demanded that Iran stop its attacks, noting that they stand ready to “take further measures” in response to additional actions. The United Nations Security Council is also set to hold an emergency meeting Sunday afternoon.
Former U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie, who also appeared on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, advised Israel to exercise restraint after the Iranian attack.
“The fact of the matter is Israel can name the price they want to exact, the wide gap between Iranian zealotry and enthusiasm and Israeli competence has now been laid bare for all to see,” McKenzie said. “So the Israelis will be able to do what they want. Sometimes when you’re in that position, showing some restraint is the best strategic option that you can take.”
McKenzie said Israel is “stronger this morning than they were yesterday,” having successfully intercepted the bulk of an unprecedented airstrike from Iran in a “major combat test.”
“I think this was a big attack by Iran. I think this was as close to a maximum effort as they could generate,” he said. “Iran could not replicate last night’s attack tonight, if they had to.”
The developments came more than six months into Israel’s war with Hamas, as Mr. Biden has been under intense pressure from his party to be more firm with Israel’s government due to a staggering civilian death toll in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks. According to a CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday that was conducted before Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, an increasing number of Americans want the president to encourage Israel to stop military actions in Gaza.
Margaret Brennan contributed reporting.