October 15th 2024.
According to two US officials, the Biden administration has received reassurances from Israel that they will not target Iranian nuclear or oil sites in their retaliation for Iran's recent missile attacks. This comes after the US announced the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and 100 soldiers to Israel in an effort to bolster their air defenses.
While the deployment of the THAAD battery has eased some of Israel's concerns about potential retaliation from Iran, the US officials caution that these assurances are not guaranteed and could change depending on the circumstances. They also note that Israel's past track record of fulfilling assurances has been inconsistent, often influenced by domestic politics.
This was evident last month when the US was told by Israeli officials that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would welcome a temporary ceasefire initiative for Lebanon, only to see Israel conduct a massive airstrike just two days later, resulting in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu's office later stated that while they value the opinions of the US, their final decisions will always be based on their own national interests.
The recent missile attacks by Iran have raised concerns about a potential escalation into a larger regional conflict, especially with Israel's ongoing offensive against Iranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza and their ground invasion of Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. In light of this, President Biden has made it clear that he does not support an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and has urged them to consider other options. A strike on Iran's oil sector could have global implications, such as increased oil prices, which could have an impact on the upcoming US presidential election.
President Biden recently spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu for the first time in seven weeks, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in regular communication with his Israeli counterpart. The US has reaffirmed its support for Israel's security, but has also stressed the importance of protecting UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon and finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict. They have also expressed concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasized the need for action to address it.
However, the White House National Security Council has declined to confirm whether Prime Minister Netanyahu offered any assurances to President Biden about potential targets. They have reiterated their commitment to Israel's defense and stated that they will not discuss private diplomatic discussions, directing inquiries to the Israeli government for any information about their potential military operations.
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