After Iran launched at least 200 missiles at Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that Iran would pay a price. US President Biden publicly opposed Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in order to avoid further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. Biden said he would discuss appropriate response measures with Israel and said he would impose more sanctions on Iran.
The recent conflict between Iran and Israel may lead to the imminent outbreak of a war in the Middle East. On the 2nd of this month, Iran, the big brother behind Hezbollah, launched about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in the killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and Hamas leader Haniyya, as well as Israel's continuous fierce attacks on Lebanon and Palestine for months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened strong retaliation, and the outside world predicts that Iran's oil facilities and even nuclear facilities may become targets of Israel's attack, causing international oil prices to surge this week.
When asked by the media this week whether he supported Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Biden strongly opposed it and said that the White House would discuss with Israel. The Group of Seven (G7) agreed that Israel has the right to respond, but it must ensure that the response is "proportionate."
Madman Trump advises Israel: We should attack Iran's nuclear facilities first
However, Biden's old rival, former US President Trump, who is now representing the Republican Party in the November election, publicly criticized Biden for "answering the wrong question" today (5). Agence France-Presse reported today (5) that when Trump mentioned Biden's opposition to Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities during a campaign event today, he made a shocking statement:
"They asked Biden, what do you think of Iran, would you attack Iran? He said as long as they don't attack the nuclear facilities. I think he answered the question wrong. Isn't this the target you should attack?
I mean, nuclear weapons are the biggest risk we face. When they asked him that question, the answer should be to attack the nuclear facilities first and worry about the rest later.”
Trump has rarely mentioned the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, but after Iran's missile attack on Israel this week, he issued a strongly worded statement holding Biden and Harris accountable for the Middle East crisis.
US officials reveal possible timing of Israel's retaliation
The market is closely watching Israel's retaliatory actions and the timing of their possible launch, as further geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East could cause the overall economy, which has been improving in recent days, to suffer another severe blow.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday that Israel has still not decided how and when to respond to Iran's actions, adding that "if I were in their position, I would consider other options besides attacking the oil fields."
A senior U.S. State Department official told CNN today that Israel has not assured the Biden administration that it will not target Iran's nuclear facilities. He also pointed out that Israel's actions are likely to occur before or after the first anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel, and said that the Middle East is on the verge of a larger war.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas suddenly launched at least 3,000 rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,400 Israelis and abducting more than 200 Israeli civilians as prisoners of war. The Israel-Hazal war broke out.
Iranian leader: Will attack Israel again if necessary
Israel has been bombing Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut, Lebanon for several days. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei made a rare public appearance after the missile attack on Israel. He gave a tough speech with a rifle beside him, saying that he would attack Israel again if necessary. Iran's regional allies should redouble their efforts and strengthen their strength to fight against Israel, an aggressive enemy. Iran will not delay or rush to perform its duties in confronting Israel.