CNN
—
President Joe Biden and his national security team are seeking to limit the risk of a broader regional war following a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones aimed at Israel, and the US It informed the other country that it would not participate in any offensive actions. According to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
In a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday, Biden sought to frame Israel's success in intercepting the Iranian onslaught as a major victory and suggested that any further Israeli response was unnecessary.
Biden told the Israeli prime minister in a phone conversation that Saturday should be considered a victory because the Iranian attack was largely a failure and demonstrated Israel's superior military capabilities, according to a senior administration official.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Sunday that the ability to prevent widespread damage is a demonstration of Israel's “military superiority” and that Iran is not “the military power they claim to be.” He said that this is proof of.
“This was an incredible success that demonstrated Israel's military superiority and, just as importantly, that Israel has friends in the region and friends around the world who are willing to help. '' Kirby told CNN's Jake Tapper. Union status. ”
Another US official said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked Israeli Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant to notify the US in advance of a possible response to an attack on Iran.
Biden has sought to prevent the conflict from escalating, even as U.S. officials have stressed that the final decision on how to deal with Iran rests with Israel.
He was scheduled to convene a Group of Seven (G7) summit on Sunday to discuss a “united diplomatic response” with an emphasis on non-military action to limit the possibility of wider war.
“Israel has shown a remarkable ability to defend against and defeat an unprecedented attack, sending a clear message that Israel's security cannot be effectively threatened,” Biden said in a statement after his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I told them I was sending it to the enemy,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister's Office
A photo of the handout, released early Sunday local time, shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking by phone with US President Joe Biden. Parts of this photo have been blurred by the source.
Whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will take Biden's advice remains an open question. Iran's retaliation comes amid deep tensions between the two militaries over the war in Gaza. The conflict revealed the limits of American influence over Israeli decision-making.
Iran's decision to fire weapons at Israel from its territory significantly worsens long-simmering hostilities between the two countries. There will probably be political pressure from within Israel to take some action.
Mr Kirby said the attack – the first carried out against Israel from mainland Iran – did not necessarily constitute the start of a broader regional war.
“We don't believe that is the case, and we don't believe that it should be,” he told Tapper, adding that both the United States and Israel have no idea what Iran is planning ahead of time. He pointed out that he understood.
Gallant warned Sunday that the conflict with Iran is “not over yet.” The country's response options are expected to be discussed in detail at Israel's wartime cabinet.
Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said a “new equation” had been created and warned that Iran would respond directly if Israel retaliated.
This article and headline have been updated with additional reporting.
CNN's Katherine Nichols and Tamar Michaelis contributed to this report.