President Joe Biden said he does not support Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear sites in response to the missile attack on its people.
“The answer is no,” he told reporters traveling with him to South Carolina to see the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Iran would pay for the attack. Some analysts worry that could mean an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Joe Biden said he does not support Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear sites.
Biden noted that G7 leaders held a call earlier in the day and supported Israel, to some extent.
“We will discuss with the Israelis what they are going to do, but all seven of us agree that they have the right to respond, but they must respond proportionally,” he said.
The G7 is made up of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany and Japan.
The leaders said a diplomatic solution was still viable and that a regional conflict was in no one’s interest.
Biden said more sanctions would be imposed on Iran and said he would speak with Netanyahu soon.
“Obviously, Iran is way off track,” he said.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States would continue to discuss with Israel what form its response to Iran would take.
“But ultimately it’s up to them, like any sovereign country, to make their own decisions,” Miller said.
People take pictures and stand on the remains of a missile in Arad, Israel.
The escalation on multiple fronts has raised fears of a broader war in the Middle East that could further draw in Iran – which backs Hezbollah and Hamas – as well as the United States, which has quickly sent military assets to the region in support of Israel.
Israel and Hezbollah said their troops were fighting at close range in southern Lebanon.
Israel said eight of its soldiers had been killed.