WASHINGTON DC, USA — President Joe Biden has advised Israel to explore alternatives to attacking Iran’s oil infrastructure in response to Tehran’s recent missile strikes, signalling his desire for restraint amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
During a rare appearance at the White House press briefing on Friday, October 4, 2024, Biden suggested that striking Iran’s oil fields might not be the best course of action.
“If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields,” Biden said, referencing the discussion around possible Israeli retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile assault earlier this week.
He also reiterated his stance against Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, which he voiced earlier in the week.
Biden’s comments followed reports of an Iranian missile barrage that targeted Israel on Tuesday.
The assault sent millions of Israelis into bomb shelters and marked Iran’s second direct attack on Israel, with the first occurring in April.
While the strikes caused some damage to Israel’s air bases, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the attack as largely ineffective.
Two Israelis were injured, and a Palestinian in the West Bank was killed by shrapnel.
Rising Tensions and Oil Prices
Biden’s remarks on Thursday about the potential for Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities caused oil prices to surge amid global concerns over supply disruptions.
He tempered his comments on Friday, indicating that Israel’s final decision on how to respond remains under consideration.
“I think that would be a little — anyway,” Biden said, hinting at his reservations about such an action.
“I know not to negotiate in public,” he added when asked whether he had advised Israel to avoid striking Iran’s oil infrastructure.
Despite Biden’s reservations, Hebrew media outlets reported that the Israeli response is being closely coordinated between Washington and Jerusalem.
Differing Opinions on Iran Strategy
While Biden has called for caution, former President Donald Trump took a more aggressive stance.
Speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, Trump argued that Israel should target Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to the missile attacks.
“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to hit? I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons,” Trump said, criticizing Biden’s reluctance to endorse such an approach.
Trump continued by emphasising that Iran’s nuclear program represents the greatest threat, urging that “if they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are.”
Hezbollah and Iranian Retaliation
Iran claimed its missile attack was a response to Israel’s recent killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a top Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) general.
The Islamic Republic also blamed Israel for the July death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a blast in Tehran.
Biden addressed the broader conflict, acknowledging Israel’s right to respond to aggression from Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.
However, he also cautioned Israel about minimizing civilian casualties.
“The Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them… but the fact is that they have to be much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties,” Biden said.
When asked about potential sanctions on Iran, Biden confirmed that the issue was under discussion and pointed to recent agreements with G7 leaders to impose sanctions.
Diplomatic Struggles
Biden also discussed his Gaza hostage deal proposal from May, which has failed to gain traction.
According to U.S. officials, Hamas has refused to engage on the proposal, and American intelligence assessments suggest that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has grown increasingly fatalistic.
Despite the high stakes, Biden emphasized that the decision on how to respond to Iran ultimately lies with Israel.
“That’s between me and them,” he said when pressed on further details about Israel’s potential actions.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, Biden highlighted the efforts of the U.S. to rally international allies to prevent an all-out war.
However, he acknowledged the challenges of managing regional conflicts, particularly with unpredictable proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
For now, all eyes remain on Israel as the country weighs its options for responding to Iran’s missile barrage, with global markets and diplomatic relations hanging in the balance.
