Israel will take the United States’ opinion into account but will respond to any Iranian missile attack based on its own “national interests,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated on Tuesday, October 15.
US President Joe Biden has cautioned Israel against targeting Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities to prevent further regional escalation and address concerns over global energy prices.
Additionally, the Washington Post reported this week, citing unnamed US officials, that Netanyahu had assured the White House that any counterstrikes would be confined to military sites.
The Wall Street Journal reported that this assurance was conveyed during a call last week between Netanyahu and Biden, as well as in discussions between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
However, Netanyahu has dismissed this report, asserting that Israel will act in its own best interest.
“We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interest,” the PM’s office said.
On October 1, Iran fired approximately 200 missiles at Israel in response to an Israeli strike in Beirut that resulted in the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan.
In retaliation for the Iranian missile attack, Israel has pledged a strong response, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stating that it would be “deadly, precise, and surprising.”
