President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States will oppose any counterattack against Iran, sources revealed.
Biden spoke to Netanyahu in a late-night phone call after Iran bombed Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday in response to a drone strike in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.
A senior White House official said axios that Biden made it clear to Netanyahu that US forces would not participate in any additional operations. Netanyahu said he understood.
Biden reportedly told the Israeli prime minister: “You have achieved a victory.” “Accept victory,” amid fears among White House officials that an attack by Iran would lead to a larger war in the region.
The officials said cnn that all US forces managed to intercept more than 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles during the attack, but they have no desire to confront Iran.
Three senior administration officials have also said NBC News that Biden had privately expressed concern that Netanyahu is trying to drag the United States into the conflict.
The White House believes the Israelis are not seeking a direct war with Iran, but U.S. officials can’t be sure, an official told the outlet.
The comments were made by Biden during a phone call between the two leaders. Netanyahu is seen speaking on the phone with Biden
Biden walks to the Oval Office after returning to Washington a day earlier to consult with his national security team about the Iranian attacks on Israel.
President Biden, along with members of his national security team, receive an update on an ongoing airstrike against Israel from Iran, as they meet in the White House Situation Room.
The two spoke shortly after Netanyahu wrapped up a meeting with his cabinet ministers, shown here, according to a statement from his office.
President Biden issued a statement following the call between the two leaders saying he had reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
He also added that he would meet G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a “diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
Biden said Israel had demonstrated a “remarkable ability” to defend itself against attacks launched by Iran on Saturday.
The two spoke shortly after Netanyahu finished a meeting with his cabinet ministers, according to a statement from his office.
President Biden said U.S. forces had helped shoot down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.
Their full statement read: “Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq—launched an unprecedented airstrike against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.
‘Under my direction, to support Israel’s defense, the US military moved ballistic missile defense aircraft and destroyers to the region over the course of last week.
‘Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our military, we helped Israel shoot down almost all incoming drones and missiles.
‘I just spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.
‘I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable ability to defend itself and defeat even unprecedented attacks, sending a clear message to its enemies that they cannot effectively threaten Israel’s security.
Objects seen in the sky over Jerusalem after Iran launches drones and missiles towards Israel
‘Tomorrow I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.
‘My team will collaborate with counterparts across the region. And we will remain in close contact with Israel’s leaders.
“And although we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect our people.”
The ballistic missiles intercepted by the United States were shot down by warships in the eastern Mediterranean, officials said.
The United States had sent the warship Bataan and two support ships with 2,500 Marines on board to the eastern Mediterranean as part of its response.
US congressional sources said the amphibious warship Bataan was leading a US naval task force in the eastern Mediterranean.
The Bataan has two support ships and together they have around 2,500 marines on board. The United States also has several guided missile destroyers, including the Carney, in the area.
US fighter jets were also brought in as part of the response and shot down drones launched towards Israel.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the attacks carried out were in “exercise of their inherent right to self-defense.”
It said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran would not hesitate to take further defensive measures necessary to protect its legitimate interests against any act of military aggression or illegal use of force.”
The ministry said it was responding to Israel’s “recurring military aggressions,” including the attack on Iran’s diplomatic building in Syria earlier this month.
Iran issued a new warning to Israel that any retaliation on its part will be met with “stronger and more determined” attacks.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, seen here in early April, promised retaliation following the attack on Damascus, for which Tel-Aviv has yet to take responsibility.
Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a statement: ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense when necessary.
“If the Israeli regime commits any military aggression again, Iran’s response will surely and decisively be stronger and more resolute.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning to the United States saying that any action by the United States would provoke a “reciprocal” response.
Iran claimed they had dealt “heavy blows” to an air base in the Negev, but the IDF said only minor damage was caused.
The IDF added that the vast majority of the missiles and drones were shot down and one girl was injured by falling shrapnel.
Iranians were seen taking to the streets of Tehran with flares and Iranian flags, shouting and cheering as the missiles and drones entered Israeli airspace.
Neighboring countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation of hostilities.
Jordan, Israel’s eastern neighbor, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, outgoing and internal flights.
His government denied reports that it had ordered its armed forces to shoot down any drone that flew over its airspace.
Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defense systems around the capital Damascus and important bases in case of an Israeli attack, army sources said.
Iranians celebrate in a street, after the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran
People with Iranian flags gather to hold a demonstration in support of Iran’s attack on Israel in Tehran.
Protesters wave the Iranian flag and Palestinian flags as they gather in Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024.
Sources told Reuters they expected Israel to retaliate against army bases and facilities where pro-Iran militias were based after Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard said they had launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.
Lebanon, which is located north of Israel, will also close its airspace at 1 a.m. local time. Both Qatar and Kuwait have issued directives against the United States prohibiting the use of their airspace for any possible military action against Iran.
Iran had threatened to hit back at Israel over an attack in Syria, which Tehran said was an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation following the attack on Damascus, for which Tel-Aviv has yet to take responsibility.
The April 1 attack destroyed Iran’s consulate building in the city and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, including the two generals.