Biden vows ‘ironclad’ support for Israel amid Iran attack fears
President Joe Biden has reassured Israel of unwavering US support, emphasizing its commitment to safeguard Israel’s security amidst concerns of potential retaliation from Tehran following an attack that resulted in the deaths of senior Iranians.
Biden cautioned against Iran’s threats of a significant counterattack following Israel’s recent strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
Expressing solidarity with Israel, Biden pledged to utilize all available resources to ensure its security. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the Israeli assault in Damascus, equating it with an attack on Iran itself and vowing retribution.
The exact nature of any retaliatory action remains uncertain. A direct strike by Iran on Israel could escalate the conflict further, with analysts questioning Iran’s military capacity for a substantial confrontation.
Alternatively, an attack through proxies like Hezbollah is plausible. Hezbollah, positioned along the Lebanese border, has engaged in frequent exchanges of fire with Israel, with recent escalations indicating heightened tensions.
Joe Buccino, former Communications Director at the US military’s Central Command, highlighted Hezbollah’s significant arsenal, including rockets and missiles capable of reaching southern Israel, underscoring the potential for further conflict escalation.
“Hezbollah is much more capable than Hamas. So they’d have the capability to do significant damage to Israel.”
On Sunday an Iranian official warned Israel’s embassies were “no longer safe”, suggesting a consulate building could be a possible target.
Experts have also suggested Iran could target Israel with a cyber-attack.
Thirteen people were killed in the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate building, including senior Iranian military leaders. Among them was Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack but is widely considered to have been behind it.
US and Israeli forces in the region have been put on high alert in the days since. Last week the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) canceled leave for soldiers serving with combat units and called up reservists to bolster air defense units.
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz responded on social media to Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments by saying if Tehran attacked from its territory, Israel would react and “attack in Iran”.
Meanwhile, the head of US forces in the region, Gen Michael Kurilla, is to discuss the threat of a possible Iranian attack in talks with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi in Israel on Thursday, according to Israeli media reports.
Mr Biden’s remarks came as he was speaking to journalists at the White House on Wednesday alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“As I told Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad – let me say it again, ironclad,” Mr Biden said.
His comments come one day after an interview, recorded a week ago, was aired in which Mr. Biden urged Mr. Netanyahu to “just call for a ceasefire” in Gaza and in which he said he disagreed with the prime minister’s war strategy.
“I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” he said in the interview with US network Univision.
It also comes days after a tense phone call between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu in the wake of the Israeli killing of seven humanitarian aid workers in Gaza.
