Biden Opposes Israel Striking Iran Nuclear Sites, Urges 'Proportional' Response

U.S. President Joe Biden stated Wednesday that while Israel has the right to respond to Iran’s ballistic missile attack, any retaliation should be “proportional.” Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Biden expressed his opposition to Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities as part of its response. “The answer is no,” Biden said when asked if he supported such strikes.

Biden's comments came after Iran launched 181 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, sending most of the country into bomb shelters. While the majority of the missiles were intercepted, the attack caused widespread damage, with one known fatality.

The U.S. president emphasized that sanctions against Iran would be imposed and that he had discussed the situation with G7 leaders during a joint call earlier on Wednesday. “We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do, but all seven of us agree that they have a right to respond but they should respond proportionally,” Biden said, adding, “Obviously, Iran is way off course.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly condemned the attack, declaring that Iran had made “a big mistake” and would “pay the price.”

Israel Weighs Options

Israel’s security cabinet met Tuesday night to discuss potential responses, with reports indicating that options include strikes on Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities. However, the Israeli government is expected to coordinate its actions with Washington, which has expressed concerns about a broader regional escalation.

The Biden administration has signaled support for Israel but is wary of the conflict escalating into a full-scale war. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell echoed these concerns, stating that the situation in the Middle East was “on a knife’s edge.” He warned that any extensive military operations could imperil both Israeli and U.S. interests.

Meanwhile, Israeli military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, have vowed to respond decisively. “We will respond; we know how to locate important targets; we know how to strike accurately and powerfully,” Halevi said, emphasizing Israel’s capability to strike anywhere in the Middle East.

Global Reactions

The missile attack, which Iran claimed was in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a top Iranian general, has heightened tensions between the two countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking in Qatar on Wednesday, stated that Tehran was “not looking for war” but pledged a stronger response if Israel retaliates.

The U.S. has promised severe consequences for Iran, with White House officials affirming support for Israel’s right to defend itself while cautioning against a strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. “The time for empty calls for de-escalation is over,” said Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, calling for action against Iran’s missile program.

As Israel considers its options, both the U.S. and Israel remain aligned on the need for a response, but disagreements persist over the scale of that response and the potential consequences for the region.

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