Biden warns Netanyahu US will NOT support Israel's counterattack on Iran amid fears of all

Release time：2024-05-21 11:10:39 Source：Global Gist news portal

President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not support any counterattack against Iran, sources have revealed. 

Biden spoke with Netanyahu in a late-night phone call after Iran bombarded 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 told Axios that Biden made it clear to Netanyahu that US forces would not participate in any further operations. Netanyahu said he understood. 

Biden reportedly told the Israeli Prime Minister:  'You got a win. Take the win', amid fears amongst White House officials that an Iran attack will lead to a greater war in the region.

Officials told CNN that all in US forces managed to intercept more 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles during the attack, but don't have an appetite to take Iran head on. 

Three senior administration officials have also told NBC News that Biden had privately expressed concern that Netanyahu is trying to pull the US into the conflict. 

The White House believes the Israelis are not looking for a direct war with Iran but US officials can't be certain, an official told the outlet.

The comments were made by Biden during a phone call between the two leaders. Netanyahu is seen her on the phone to Biden

Biden walks to the Oval Office after returning to Washington a day early to consult with his national security team about the Iranian strikes against Israel

President Biden, along with members of his national security team, receive an update on an ongoing airborne attack on Israel from Iran, as they meet in the Situation Room of the White House

The two spoke shortly after Netanyahu finished a meeting with ministers in his cabinet, pictured here, according to a statement from his office

President Biden released a statement following the call between the two leaders saying it had reaffirmed America's 'ironclad commitment to the security of Israel'. 

He also added that he would be meeting with G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a 'diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack'. 

Biden said that Israel had demonstrated a 'remarkable capacity' in defending itself against the attacks that where launched by Iran on Saturday.

The two spoke shortly after Netanyahu finished a meeting with ministers in his cabinet, according to a statement from his office. 

President Biden said that US forces had played a part in taking down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles. 

His full statement said: 'Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq—launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.

'At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. 

'Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.

'I've just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm America's ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. 

'I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.

Israel's war cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L), meets to discuss the attack by Iran

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system intercepts missiles fired from Iran, in central Israel, Sunday, April 14, 2024

Objects are seen in the sky above Jerusalem after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel 

Iranian missiles seen in the skies over Jerusalem.

📹 via social media pic.twitter.com/SewUbflkCF

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 13, 2024

'Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack. 

'My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders. 

'And while 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 action to protect our people.'

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement that U.S. forces 'intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.' 

The ballistic missiles intercepted by the US were shot down by warships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the officials said. 

The US had sent the war ship Bataan as well as two support ships with 2,500 Marines onboard into the Eastern Mediterranean as part of their response. 

US Congressional sources said the amphibious war ship Bataan was leading a US naval task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

The Bataan has two support ships and together they have about 2,500 Marines onboard. The US 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 released a statement saying the strikes carried out were in 'exercise of its inherent right of self-defense'. 

It said: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran would not hesitate to take further necessary defensive measures to protect its legitimate interests against any act of military aggression or unlawful use of force.' 

The ministry said it was responding to Israeli's 'recurring military aggressions', including the strike on Iran's diplomatic building in Syria at the start of the month. 

Iran issued a further warning to Israel that any retaliation from them will be met with 'stronger and more resolute' attacks. 

Biden said that Israel had demonstrated a 'remarkable capacity' in defending itself against the attacks that where launched by Iran on Saturday

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, seen here in early April, vowed retribution in the wake of the Damascus attack, for which Tel-Aviv has yet to take responsibility 

Interceptors missiles are launched into the sky early Sunday over Jerusalem

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 of self-defense when required.

'Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will assuredly and decisively be stronger and more resolute.'

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning to the US saying any act from America would see a 'reciprocal' response. 

Iran claimed that they dealt 'heavy blows' to an airbase in Negev, but the IDF said that only minor damage was caused. 

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles.

The IDF added that 99% of the missiles and drones were shot down, with one young girl being injured by falling shrapnel. 

Iranians were seen taking to the streets of Tehran with flares and Iranian flags, whooping and cheering as the missiles and drones entered Israeli airspace.

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities.

Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbor, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. 

Its government refuted reports that it had ordered its armed forces to shoot down any drones that flew through its airspace.

Iranians celebrate on a street, after the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran

People holding Iranian flags gather to stage a demonstration in support of Iran's attack on Israel in Tehran

Demonstrators wave Iran's flag and Palestinian flags as they gather at Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024

Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defense systems around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said.

Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.

Lebanon, which lies to Israel's north, is also closing its airspace at 1am local time. Qatar and Kuwait have both issued directives against the US prohibiting the use of their airspace for any potential military action against Iran.

Iran had threatened to hit back at Israel over an attack in Syria, which Tehran say was an Israeli airstrike on a Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus. 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retribution in the wake of the Damascus attack, 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.

Air raid sirens were reported in numerous places including northern Israel, southern Israel, the northern West Bank and the Dead Sea near the Jordanian border.

Israel's army ordered residents in the Golan Heights - near the Syrian and Lebanese borders - as well as the southern towns of Nevatim and Dimona and the Red Sea resort town of Eilat into protective spaces.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes and shelling on multiple locations in south Lebanon following Iran's launch of drones. 

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched 'dozens' of Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military site in the Golan Heights early Sunday. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage. 

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