ARAB AND WORLD
Fri 18 Oct 2024 9:07 pm - Jerusalem Time
Biden says he knows how and when Israel will respond to Iran
US President Joe Biden indicated on Friday that he had details about an expected Israeli response to Iranian missile attacks on October 1, but declined to share them publicly on Friday.
A reporter asked Biden if he had an understanding of what Israel would do in response to the attack and when that response would occur.
"Yes and yes," Biden said in Germany as he prepared to board Air Force One back to Washington after a short visit. Asked if he would share the information, the US president replied succinctly, "No and no."
Iran fired about 200 missiles at Israeli targets in response to the Israeli killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond, raising fears of an escalation in the Middle East conflict.
For its part, Iran warned that any attack on its "infrastructure" would lead to a "stronger response," while Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Rasoul Sanai Rad said that any attack on nuclear facilities or energy sites would be considered a crossing of a red line for the Islamic Republic.
Biden arrived in Berlin on Thursday evening for his last official visit to Germany that will focus on Western support for Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
During his 24-hour whirlwind trip, the US president will meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as the leaders of France and the United Kingdom.
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Biden says he knows how and when Israel will respond to Iran