Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reiterated Tuesday that Israel would take into account the positions of its American ally, but that its decisions regarding possible retaliation against Iran would be dictated by its own “national interests.” The statement comes as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate following a massive Iranian missile attack.
On October 1, in response to the deaths of senior figures from Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles at Israel. Among the figures targeted in previous Israeli attacks were Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, Abbas Nilforoushan, Iranian commander, as well as Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas.
« We listen carefully to the opinions of our American allies, but ultimately we will make decisions based on our own national interests ” Netanyahu’s office said, in response to speculation about a possible Israeli attack on Iran.
These statements echo revelations in the press, according to which Israeli officials assured Washington that any counterattack would be strictly limited to Iranian military sites, ruling out the possibility of strikes against nuclear or energy infrastructure. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources within the US government, reported that during a recent telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu reportedly promised that the operation would aim to contain the escalation rather than to trigger a large-scale conflict.
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President Biden, for his part, has opposed any Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, fearing an escalation of the conflict that could draw the United States into direct confrontation with Iran. In this context, the Pentagon announced the sending to Israel of a cutting-edge anti-missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), thus illustrating Washington’s continued commitment to supporting its main ally in the Middle East. -Orient.
For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised that the Israeli response to the Iranian missile attack would be “deadly, precise and surprising.” At the same time, international oil markets are closely monitoring developments, as an Israeli strike on Iranian oil infrastructure could cause a spike in global energy prices.
Gulf states, worried about a possible Iranian response targeting their own oil installations, have put pressure on Washington to dissuade Israel from attacking Iranian strategic sites. These countries fear that Tehran’s proxies will target their infrastructure in the event of an intensification of the regional conflict.
While the situation remains explosive, the international community is observing with apprehension the evolution of this standoff with serious consequences for regional stability.
