United States: Joe Biden calls on Israel to spare Iranian oil sites

During a surprise speech to the press at the White House, US President Joe Biden said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do well to “remember» of the aid provided to his country by the United States, number one ally and military support of Israel.

«If I were in their place I would consider other options than hitting oil fields» in Iran, he said, as he was asked to elaborate on his comments the day before on discussions between Washington and Israel on the possibility of such strikes. The Israelis, he continued, “haven’t figured out what they’re going to do» after Iran launched missiles against Israel on Tuesday.

His predecessor Donald Trump, candidate in the November 5 presidential election, on the contrary affirmed Friday that Israel should “hit» Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking in North Carolina, the former president addressed a question posed to Joe Biden midweek about the possibility of Israel targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

«They asked him this question, the answer should have been “hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later”», Launched Donald Trump. The Republican had until now been particularly silent on the recent conflagration in the Middle East. He simply issued a scathing statement at the start of the week, holding Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, his presidential rival, responsible for the explosion of tensions.

President Biden is preparing to leave power in a context of crisis, with an explosive situation in the Middle East. On Friday, the Democratic leader reiterated that he was doing everything to avoid all-out war in the region, where Israel is carrying out strikes in Lebanon.

“Mobilize the rest of the world”

«The most important thing we can do is try to mobilize the rest of the world and our allies to participate“, and help ease tensions, he said, citing France as an example. Joe Biden has not hidden his irritation with Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom relations leave something to be desired. The Israeli Prime Minister has consistently ignored American calls for restraint in Lebanon and Gaza.

The American president kicked in when asked if he felt that the Israeli Prime Minister was reluctant to agree to a peace agreement in an attempt to influence the outcome of the American presidential election. “No administration has helped Israel as much as I have. None, none, none. And I think Bibi (Mr Netanyahu’s nickname) should remember that“, he insisted from the White House. “As for whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on it.».

If he has not spoken to him personally since the Iranian attack, the two countries are in “contact constant“, he also said. “They’re not going to make a decision immediately so we’ll wait and see when they want to talk».