President Joe Biden has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not participate in a counteroffensive against Iran, an option favored by Netanyahu’s war cabinet after a massive drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, according to officials.
The threat of open war between the Middle East’s biggest foes and the involvement of the United States has brought the region to the brink, prompting calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations.
“The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region face real danger from a devastating, full-scale conflict. Now is the time for calm and de-escalation,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council at a meeting called on Sunday in response to the strikes.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood called on the Council to unequivocally condemn the Iranian attack.
“Let me be clear: If Iran or its allies take action against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held accountable,” he said.
Still, Biden told Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in any Israeli counteroffensive against Iran over the attack, a White House official said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also spoke to their counterparts, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, stressing the need to avoid escalation, the importance of a coordinated diplomatic response and stressing that the US will continue to support Israel’s defense.
Iran launched the attack over an alleged Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guard commanders and after months of clashes between Israel and Iran’s regional allies, fueled by the Gaza war.
However, the attack with more than 300 missiles and drones caused only modest damage in Israel. Most of them were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system and with the help of the US, Britain, France and Jordan.
The only serious injury reported in Israel was a 7-year-old boy who was injured by shrapnel.
