Washington, D.C., October 3, 2024 – U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that he does not support any potential Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, following Iran’s large-scale missile attack on Israel earlier this week. Biden’s remarks come amid growing regional tensions as both nations edge closer to open conflict.
Iranian missile barrage on Tuesday involved the launch of approximately 180 missiles, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s missile defense systems. Tehran described the strike as retaliation for recent killings of high-profile regional figures: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Commander Brigadier-General Abbas Nilforoushan.
The attack followed Israel’s ground assault into southern Lebanon, where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aimed to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Israel has labeled Iran-backed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and blames it for escalating violence along the Lebanon-Israel border.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, while touring hurricane damage in North Carolina, Biden was asked whether he would support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to a missile attack. He responded directly: “The answer is no.” He also stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself, but should do so “proportionally.”
Biden added that the U.S. is in close consultation with Israeli leadership about the situation, as well as with G7 countries, who share the U.S. position on the need for restraint in any response.
U.S. State Department echoed Biden’s sentiment, with spokesperson Matw Miller stating, “It’s clear that this was an unprecedented escalation by Iran. Israel has the right to respond, but we are discussing what that response should be.”
So far, the White House has not provided details on how it believes Israel should retaliate against Iran’s actions but remains engaged in ongoing efforts to mediate the situation.
In a separate message, Biden underscored the U.S.’s role in assisting Israel’s defense efforts. He noted that U.S. forces in the region had helped intercept Iranian missiles during Tuesday’s attack, calling it “a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to defend against expected attack.”
Despite Biden’s firm backing of Israel’s right to self-defense, his refusal to endorse a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure signals a cautious U.S. approach aimed at preventing conflict from spiraling into a wider regional war.
